Arc 4 Chapter 39 : Threat

[Siena POV]

After nearly four days at sea, we finally arrived at the port of Tusculum City alongside the 30,000 soldiers of the Draconia Kingdom who had retreated from the eastern territories of the Empire after we failed to provide them with logistical supplies.

General Melisandru expressed his disappointment with us at the time. He criticized our soldiers stationed in Avelino City for being incapable of defeating even a single battalion of troops.

He said that 10,000 of his soldiers had died there for nothing and had ultimately accomplished nothing.

I could understand his reaction.

We then decided to bring the 30,000 Draconian soldiers to the Western Front as reinforcements to fight the Empire in the future.

Aside from that, for some reason, Raul had suddenly become quiet yesterday. He spent most of his time lost in thought with an empty gaze.

Although he had eventually given me the counterpart to my artifact, I couldn’t help wondering what had happened to him at that moment.

For now, he was being held in an underground detention facility in this city after being transferred from the ship.

To be honest, there were still many things I wanted to ask him.

However, I now had to attend a meeting with representatives from the Greco Republic and the Draconia Kingdom to discuss our next course of action in this war.

I then headed to the city hall accompanied by Ezio.

Normally, Valen would have accompanied me, but he had fallen several days ago while he and his group were fighting Raul de Garcia.

When we arrived, we immediately entered the meeting room.

The room was already filled with military officials from all three nations.

“Major Siena, you’ve arrived,” said a military officer from my country who held the rank of Captain. “Shall we begin the meeting?”

“Please do, Captain Dominic.”

He nodded before standing up.

Everyone’s attention then turned toward him, waiting to hear what he had to say.

“Ladies and gentlemen, some of you have only just arrived here and may not yet have a complete understanding of the current situation on the Western Front,” Captain Dominic began. “Today’s meeting will discuss the current developments in the war and our next strategy for dealing with the remaining Imperial forces.”

Captain Dominic then explained that the remaining Imperial forces numbered approximately 60,000 to 70,000 soldiers and were currently stationed in the Fortress City of Regium.

On the other hand, the Alliance could currently mobilize 100,000 soldiers after the Draconia Kingdom’s forces joined us here, giving us a significant numerical advantage over the Imperial forces.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we know that although our alliance has destroyed half of the Empire’s forces and caused chaos in their capital, their war potential remains formidable,” Captain Dominic explained as he described the enemy’s capabilities. “With their vast territory, they possess abundant resources and millions of inhabitants who can be recruited into the battlefield at any time. Therefore, while we still have this temporary advantage, we must force a decisive battle before they recover from their previous defeat.”

What Captain Dominic said was true.

Although we currently had the upper hand in the war, if we failed to take advantage of this opportunity and drive the Empire out of the territory of the Republic of Venetia as quickly as possible, they would eventually recover, send reinforcements, and make the war difficult for us to win once again.

“Then, are we going to move toward the Fortress City of Regium and begin a siege?” asked General Melisandru, Marshal of the Draconia Kingdom. “It will take a considerable amount of time to capture a city containing 70,000 soldiers.”

“Furthermore, we must remain vigilant regarding reinforcements that could arrive from the Empire at any time,” said General Auros, Marshal of the Greco Republic. “If we let our guard down, they could break our siege of the Imperial forces in the Fortress City of Regium.”

“I estimate that reinforcements from the Imperial territories will arrive in two months,” I finally said.

Everyone’s attention turned toward me.

“According to our scouts’ reports, the logistical supplies of the Imperial forces stationed in the Fortress City of Regium are sufficient to sustain them for three months after receiving a large shipment from the Duchy of Hernant.”

I then explained that if we laid siege to the city and simply waited for their supplies to run out, we would be making a serious mistake.

On the other hand, if we attempted to force our way into the city against such a large number of soldiers, our casualties would likely exceed those of the Imperial forces.

“Then what should we do, Major Siena?” General Melisandru asked. “They certainly won’t leave the city and face our forces in open battle, will they?”

General Melisandru’s question made perfect sense.

With their numerical disadvantage, they would undoubtedly choose to remain inside the Fortress City of Regium as long as their logistical situation remained sustainable.

However, I had a trick that could force them out of the city.

“We will divide our forces into three groups,” I revealed.

“Thirty thousand soldiers will take the western route through Ebro Village to reach the Fortress City of Regium. Another 20,000 soldiers will take the eastern route near the river and head toward Bitola Village, which is currently occupied by approximately 5,000 Imperial soldiers.

“The remaining 50,000 soldiers will travel through the Tuscan Forest, making it difficult for the enemy’s Reconnaissance Unit to detect them.”

Previously, the Imperial forces had captured Bitola Village after discovering that the area surrounding the village could be used as a landing point for troops sent from Tusculum City by ship through the Vicenzo River route.

This time, they clearly did not want to repeat the same mistake that had previously cost them nearly 40,000 soldiers.

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“What is the purpose behind dividing our forces like this, Major Siena?” General Melisandru asked.

I then instructed Captain Dominic to display a map of the Tusculum region for everyone.

“The first step is for the 20,000 Alliance soldiers heading toward Bitola Village to threaten the 5,000 Imperial soldiers stationed there,” I began explaining my strategy.

“The Imperial forces there will undoubtedly report to the Fortress City of Regium and ask for instructions regarding the 20,000 soldiers heading toward their position.”

I then explained that the Empire would have three possible choices.

The first was to order the 5,000 soldiers stationed in Bitola Village to hold their position against our 20,000 troops.

However, this option was unlikely because their 5,000 soldiers would inevitably be defeated sooner or later without any reinforcements.

The second option was to order the 5,000 soldiers guarding Bitola Village to retreat toward the Fortress City of Regium.

If the Empire chose this option, our forces hiding in the Tuscan Forest would intercept them with only 15,000 soldiers.

If that happened, the 5,000 soldiers would undoubtedly request reinforcements from the Fortress City of Regium.

However, the Empire would naturally remain cautious.

If they couldn’t locate the rest of our forces, they wouldn’t risk leaving the fortress.

That was why the 30,000 soldiers traveling along the Ebro Village route would serve as a diversion, making the Empire believe that our main force was positioned far to the west.

With that in mind, they would likely send approximately 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers to rescue their 5,000 troops being confronted by our 15,000 soldiers.

Once the Imperial forces sent their reinforcements, the remaining 35,000 soldiers hidden in the Tuscan Forest would emerge from behind them.

With 20,000 soldiers approaching from the east, 15,000 from the north, and another 35,000 from the west, approximately 50,000 Imperial soldiers would be surrounded by 70,000 of our troops from three directions, placing them in an extremely unfavorable battlefield position.

“Then what is the third option?” Marshal Auros asked.

“They could immediately send reinforcements toward Bitola Village,” I answered.

“If that happens, we won’t need to divide our forces. Instead, we can surround the Imperial forces from the north and west. Their only escape route would be south toward the Mazovia Forest, since the Vicenzo River lies to the east.”

After hearing my proposed strategy, the military officials from the Greco Republic and the Draconia Kingdom began whispering among themselves as they discussed it.

Not long afterward, both sides agreed to allow the Alliance to carry out my proposed plan.

Each group of soldiers would begin moving tomorrow morning.

After the meeting ended, I returned to my office to combine my artifact with the counterpart Raul had given me.

On my desk lay two crescent-shaped artifacts.

Judging by their shapes, it was obvious that the two artifacts were meant to be connected to each other.

I pressed the two artifacts together and then moistened them with my blood.

—Swoooosh!

Not long afterward, the two artifacts emitted a red light.

They began vibrating violently before spinning rapidly in place.

After a while, the light produced by the two artifacts began to fade.

They had merged together, forming a single artifact shaped like a full crescent moon.

Was this the artifact known as the Legacy of Mieren Tribe?

I picked up the artifact and examined it closely.

However, I had absolutely no idea what it was capable of.

I had forgotten to ask that man about it the day before yesterday.

I suppose I should return to the underground detention cell and discuss this artifact with him in greater detail.

[Vlad POV]

Waiting in this city for so long was incredibly boring.

To be honest, I wanted to spend time talking with my fiancée throughout the war.

However, Siena had suddenly been assigned a mission to the eastern territories of the Republic of Venetia, preventing me from teasing her and seeing that charming angry expression of hers.

But yesterday afternoon, she finally returned.

And she brought someone with her whom I desperately wanted to destroy!

“As expected of my future wife! She captured that bastard—Raul de Garcia! Hahahaha!”

I was now heading toward the place where that bastard was being held to celebrate the reunion I had been eagerly anticipating.

When I arrived at the underground facility, I learned that it had originally been built as a shelter for the citizens to protect them from disasters and battles taking place in the city.

However, it was now being used only for storing food and weapons because all the citizens had already been evacuated to the capital.

After searching the underground facility for a while, I finally found a door guarded by two soldiers.

“Forgive my intrusion, Prince,” one of the guards said, bowing his head toward me. “Is there anything you require here?”

“Yes. I want to see the prisoner inside that room,” I replied.

“But, Prince—”

“I already have permission from my future wife—Siena de Reginossa.”

I cut him off.

Of course, that was a lie.

I was simply too lazy to ask her for permission just to see a loser who had been captured by the enemy.

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

The guard then opened the door.

A staircase leading much deeper underground was visible beyond it.

I entered and began descending the stairs.

At the bottom, I saw another closed door.

When I opened it, I saw a short-haired black-haired woman watching over a black-haired man who was lying motionless on the floor.

“You are... Prince Vlad of the Draconia Kingdom, correct?” the woman muttered after noticing my presence.

“That’s right,” I replied. “And I order you to leave this place immediately.”

“Huh? But Captain Siena ordered me to watch over this prisoner, Prince,” the woman said politely.

“Oh, my future wife asked me to take over watching him this time,” I lied.

“You can take a break for now.”

Hearing my words, she hesitated for a moment but eventually left the room.

Once the door closed behind her, I turned my attention toward the man lying on the floor, his hands bound behind his back with some kind of metal restraints.

“It’s been a long time, Raul de Garcia.”

I slowly approached him.

“Have you missed me? I’ve been looking forward to our next meeting because every day and every night, I’ve remembered what you did to humiliate me in front of the public during the tournament!”

—BAM!

I kicked his head, sending him rolling across the floor.

However, he showed no reaction whatsoever.

His expression was empty, and his eyes looked like those of a dead man.

“Hey! Are you listening to me?!”

—Bam! Bam! Bam!

I repeatedly stomped on his head with my mud-covered boots.

His handsome face was now covered in dirt from the soles of my boots.

Yet his expression did not change at all...

I hated him.

“Get up, you loser!”

I grabbed him by the collar and forced him to stand.

What had happened to this man?

Had Siena tortured him so badly that his mind had broken?

I didn’t like this...

—Bam!

I wanted to hear him scream in pain...

—Bak!

I wanted to see his agonized expression!

—Bik!

I wanted to see him experience fear of the death I was about to give him!

—Buk!

I beat him brutally over and over again.

My final punch landed squarely on his face, sending his body flying into the wall with a loud crash.

His face was now battered and bruised, blood flowing from his nose and mouth.

But I didn’t stop torturing him.

I stomped on his hands until they broke and kicked his head until it was swollen and bruised.

Yet his expression remained unchanged.

He simply stared straight ahead with an empty gaze.

He was driving me insane.

This time, I pulled a sharp wire from my uniform pocket and plunged it into the man’s left eye.

I twisted and moved the sharp wire around however I pleased, trying to make him suffer as much as possible.

Next, I grabbed his hair and slammed his head against the wall with tremendous force.

—BAAAMMM!!!

Yet the screams and cries for mercy I had been waiting for never came.

Frustrated, I kicked his head again, sending him rolling across the floor.

“Tch! You pathetic loser!”

Once I had had enough, I turned around and headed toward the exit.

“...”

However, I was startled when I saw a black-haired woman standing in the doorway, which was now open.

I hadn’t heard her footsteps.

Nor had I heard her open the door.

Had I been so engrossed in torturing that loser that I failed to notice her?

“Ah, Siena—my future wife,” I greeted her. “Is the meeting over? Congratulations on capturing this loser! You really are a woman I can be proud of.”

However, she didn’t respond to my words.

Instead, she stared at me coldly, as though she were facing her sworn enemy.

“Get out,” she said coldly.

“You’re going to interrogate that loser, aren’t you? It would be better if we did it toge—”

—SHINGGG!

Before I could finish speaking, Siena suddenly drew her sword.

A powerful killing intent erupted from her, sending chills down my spine.

“I was the one who captured him... He belongs to me...” she said coldly.

“If you ever touch him again without my permission, I won’t hesitate to cut off your head, even if doing so leads to war with the Draconia Kingdom.”

My breathing became labored beneath the killing intent she directed at me.

This was the first time I had ever felt afraid simply because someone threatened me.

Her eyes made it clear that she wasn’t joking about her threat.

Only then did I realize it.

This woman was truly a monster.