Hao Ren noticed that something seemed to have gone wrong in Kaim's negotiations with the city guards. The Broken Sword Knight, who had been brimming with confidence throughout the journey, returned looking somewhat dejected. Hao Ren couldn't help asking, "Did you run into trouble?"
"There was an unexpected development." Kaim shook his head and relayed the information the soldier had given him. "...This isn't the plan I knew when I set out. Her Highness the Princess and the Northern Archduke moved up the campaign schedule, and not by just a little—the Broken Sword Knights coming from the other regions of the empire and the rebels answering the call may well become out of step with the offensive at the front."
Kaim wore a puzzled expression. Clearly, he had no idea why Princess Constance had launched the attack so urgently.
"It seems the princess is facing a rather grim situation." Vivian immediately sensed something amiss in the turn of events. "Launching an attack ahead of schedule without adequate preparation is a cardinal military taboo. There can only be one reason she did it: circumstances forced her hand..."
"Are we not going into the city?" Lily blinked, looking from Hao Ren to Frost Snow City. "Should we turn around and chase that princess?"
"We'll enter the city and rest for the night first." Hao Ren patted Lily on the head, dispelling the Husky Girl's idea of charging straight into the snowy wilderness and running hundreds of miles to the front line. He could understand the excitement this sled-dog-born girl felt at seeing a world of ice and snow, but not everyone in the party was a reckless snow adventurer like her. Charlemagne and the others were ordinary mortals of flesh and blood. They had set out with the group from the southern