The Princess's Decision

The northeastern territory of the Auldo Kingdom bordered the Rocky Mountains, the tallest mountain range in the known world. Between those majestic mountains and the kingdom's heartland lay a vast plateau, commonly known as the Eastern Highlands.

By rights, this region also belonged to the kingdom, but it was scattered with barbarian tribes of all sizes that refused to be civilized. Some nominally submitted to the kingdom, while others were wild and unruly, repeatedly causing trouble along the border.

However, because of the complex terrain, difficult supplies, and high-altitude sickness, the kingdom had never had much of a solution for them.

Fortunately, these tribes answered to no common authority and were a disorganized rabble. With the tribes that had submitted to the kingdom keeping one another in check, no major problems had arisen.

But this year was different. Just as Spring Planting began, every tribe that had always been hostile to the kingdom rose up together.

The troops stationed along the border were caught completely off guard. By the time the news reached Crystal Radiance Fortress, the situation in the Highlands had already deteriorated terribly.

After an emergency discussion, the higher-ups decided that the Grand Princess would personally lead the army to drive them back. Everyone could see that something was clearly wrong—never had the barbarians been so united—but there was no time for a thorough investigation. With Spring Planting upon them, it would be disastrous if the barbarians flooded into the kingdom's heartland. Cutting through the chaos swiftly was the right choice.

The temporarily united barbarian tribes were clearly no match for the well-trained regular forces of the Kingdom Army. After more than a month of fighting, they were about to drive the barbarians back onto the plateau when, just as everything was looking good, the worst happened—Giles the "Greedy Wolf" rebelled.

At the Kingdom Army's encampment, a military conference was underway inside the heavily guarded central command tent.

"Princess, generals, that is all the information I have. I believe everyone now has a general understanding of the situation in the Royal Capital."

A thin-cheeked man with a handlebar mustache and a hooked nose had just finished reporting the latest intelligence from Crystal Radiance Fortress.

What followed was a long silence. The tent was so quiet that only everyone's breathing could be heard.

After a long while, a voice broke the deadlock. "Thank goodness His Majesty the King hasn't fallen into the rebels' hands. Is he safe now? Where is he?"

The speaker was a young commander. His brown hair stood upright like steel needles, and even though he had neglected it due to the war, it could not conceal his heroic bearing.

"Please rest assured, everyone. His Majesty the King is safe at present. The royal physician and the royal chaplain are also attending him."

Viscount Klein, the young commander who had asked the question, nodded without pressing the second question he had raised. Even the City Garrison of the Royal Capital, long known for its loyalty, had been turned. Who could guarantee that there were not one or two spies in this camp?

With the silence broken, the others began discussing the matter as well.

"Give me a unit immediately. I'll tear those traitors to pieces and retake the Royal Capital."

"We can't act rashly. The war against the barbarians isn't over yet. We absolutely cannot split our forces."

"What? Are we supposed to let those bastards run wild? Don't forget, the Royal Capital has stockpiled vast amounts of military supplies. If we return too late, the rebels will have emptied it all."

"Tch. A bunch of fools who don't understand strategy."

"What did you say? Lester, do you dare duel us?"

Seated at the head was a woman in knight's armor. Her dazzling, wavy golden hair framed a face beautiful enough to intoxicate anyone even without makeup. Catherine Rhodesney—the Grand Princess of the Auldo Kingdom. At that moment, her sword-like brows were tightly furrowed, and her azure eyes were fixed on the map before her.

The generals' quarrel seemed not to affect her. After a long while, she raised her head and straightened up.

"Everyone!" The moment she spoke, the surroundings fell silent.

"I think we should first hear how the rest of the kingdom has reacted. Lord Merlin, tell us everything you know."

Earl Merlin, the man with the handlebar mustache, nodded to the princess and continued.

"At present, aside from those who had already colluded with him, no other nobles or factions have openly responded to Giles. That is also the strangest part. Based on Giles's apparent strength, even with a surprise attack like this, his odds against us should only be even. Moreover, Duke Dodge has clearly declared his loyalty to the Royal Family and vowed to fight Giles to the end."

"That's excellent." Everyone let out a sigh of relief. The Dodge Family's territory lay on the only route from Giles Territory to the Royal Capital. With such a nail planted there, Giles's main force would not be able to support the rebels in the Royal Capital so easily.

"But the bad news is that with Giles's rebellion, many hidden forces have begun stirring as well. Pirates along the northwestern coast and bandits in the southern mountains have suddenly begun running rampant. Public order across the kingdom is falling into chaos. Many lords are currently too busy protecting themselves to send troops to Aid the King. Furthermore, quite a few are clearly waiting to see what happens. They have neither declared support for Giles nor openly pledged loyalty to the Royal Family."

One commander slammed his fist down on the table. "Those fence-sitting bastards! We can't spare them."

The armored princess asked the generals, "Do you have any good suggestions for our next move?"

Klein pondered for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, I believe our first priority should still be retaking the Royal Capital. If it remains outside our control, the blow to both military and civilian morale will be too great. Fortunately, Old Duke Dodge has blocked Giles's main force. This is a good opportunity for us."

Everyone voiced their agreement with Klein's proposal.

Catherine nodded as well, then slowly rose to her feet. The generals all focused their eyes on the princess. They knew that their commander had made her decision.

Orders were issued to the generals one after another.

"Lester, immediately lead one thousand cavalrymen to Dodge Territory by the fastest possible route, traveling day and night. You must help the Old Duke hold the fortress."

"Yes! So long as we live, the pass stands. If the pass falls, we die!"

"Homan, take your men to the Royal Capital and scout the rebel situation. Report immediately if anything happens."

"Yes!"

"Dorn, inform Chieftain Gerov that he may act. Once it is done, he will become an Earl of the Highlands officially recognized by the kingdom."

"I'll handle it immediately."

"The rest of you, proceed according to the plan decided earlier! We must end the fighting here within ten days."

"Yes, ma'am." The others answered in unison.

With that, the meeting was adjourned, and everyone returned to make their arrangements.

Only Earl Merlin was left behind. Once everyone else had gone, he immediately dropped to one knee before the princess.

"Your servant is incompetent. I failed to discover information about the rebellion in time, resulting in the fall of the Royal Capital and Your Majesty's peril. I cannot escape blame."

"You do bear an inescapable responsibility." The princess's gaze abruptly turned cold.

"My father entrusted you with an important duty, placing the kingdom's intelligence network in your hands, yet you allowed a rebellion to unfold right under your nose. Leaving aside the other consequences of the Royal Capital's fall, how many generals and soldiers have family living in Crystal Radiance? Do you know how severe the blow to morale alone has been?"

Earl Merlin lowered his head even further. Without looking, he could still feel the fury in the princess's eyes. "Please execute me, Your Highness."

"Enough. This is not the time to discuss punishment. From now on, concentrate the intelligence network on Giles's rebels. Do not overlook even the slightest trace of their movements."

"Yes. I will redeem myself through service. Such a grave oversight will never happen again."

"And keep a close watch on those fence-sitters. I don't want another rebel force suddenly appearing behind us for no reason."

"Certainly. And regarding the local lords, I have another suggestion."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"For those local lords whose stance remains unclear, we can work both openly and covertly. In secret, I will assign personnel to strengthen surveillance. Openly, we can send Royal Commissioners to their territories. Along the way, they can publicize Giles's crimes while urging them to dispatch troops to Aid the King. We should first gain the moral upper hand over them."

"That's a good plan. We'll do that. A large number of Royal Capital nobles who fled their homes have arrived in the army these past few days. Choose the Royal Commissioners from among them. I leave this matter entirely to you."

"Yes. I'll make the arrangements at once."

This Princess Catherine would be one of the female leads, though she would not meet the protagonist directly for the time being.