The conference room was extremely quiet. The older nobles had already put themselves in Desmond II’s shoes and were quietly waiting for his decision.
“Eve..."
Meanwhile, Michael called Eve quietly, seeming impatient.
Michael knew best that dominance and such were nothing more than an excuse. He wished she would not step into the dangerous battlefield. However, Eve’s will was firm.
'The reason why the Demon Dragon Ambroxa woke up so quickly is partly due to the regression. If that's the case, then I must fulfill my responsibilities as a regressor.'
Of course, Eve had no intention of holding back the advance party. With her mana core grown and having mastered Arachne, she was also significant as a force.
Finally, Desmond II's voice pierced the gloomy air.
“I entrust the selection and command of the advance party of the Imperial Knights to Michaelis Agnito. I also permit the advance entry of the 7th Princess, Evienrose Chloelle Hadelamide.”
“I am so grateful.”
Permission was granted. Eve nodded gratefully.
“In addition, the command of the rearguard is entrusted to the Third Princess Brigitte Agnes Hadelamide.”
The corners of Brigitte's lips drew a deep curve. If they were to meet again, there would be 90% of the remaining troops. In fact, it would be the same as appointing a commander-in-chief.
Permission was granted. Eve nodded gratefully.
“In addition, the command of the rearguard is entrusted to the Third Princess Brigitte Agnes Hadelamide.”
The corners of Brigitte's lips drew a deep curve. If they were to meet again, there would be 90% of the remaining troops. In fact, it would be the same as appointing a commander-in-chief.
'If you just stay still, it will flow well on its own! This is the great cause...'
But Desmond II wasn't done yet.
“However, if the 7th Princess is alive in Yggdras, the 7th Princess will have priority in commanding the entire imperial knight army.”
It was an unexpected income for Eve.
On the other hand, it couldn't have been a bolt from the blue for Brigitte.
“Your Majesty, what is that...!”
“This concludes the meeting!”
The decision was finalized without Brigitte having a chance to object. Desmond II turned his back with a bang and left the conference room.
“Everyone, please wait in the palace, as we don’t know when the next meeting will be called!”
The President of the Privy Council, the Marquis of Limitiello, cleared the conference room.
Eve and Brigitte locked eyes for a moment as they stood among the nobles rising from their seats.
Brigitte's eyes sparkled as she glared at Eve.
'I thought it was just a little bit of a conspiracy, but it was actually a trick to seize the supreme command!'
'No. I didn't know it would be like this.'
The sisters' eye contact was specialized in slandering each other and was ineffective in conveying sincerity.
So there was no way to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Let’s get up too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The generous Eve stood up first, avoiding eye contact with Brigitte as if she wanted to give her a staring contest.
She was followed by her entourage, including Michael.
As she walked down the hallway, Eve looked out the window. The less cold moon was illuminating the world.
Four days left until the Great Dragon War, which would decide the fate of the empire. By the time that moon rises, everything will be over. Eve turned away from the window. There was much to do.
Time passed quickly. The zodiac was crowded and chaotic with travelers and refugees flocking in.
The nobles of the capital were eager to administer to accommodate their subjects.
On Eve's side, the Anais, Julia, and Calix families also worked hard, and Rosenit worked as Eve's representative to stabilize public sentiment.
Still, the dragon was flying nonstop in a straight orbit toward the capital.
There was no one among the people of the capital who was unaware of this fact, but there were fewer people who wanted to escape further east than expected.
There was a strong belief that the imperial capital would not be conquered, as it was the place where the Emperor resided. However, the fall of the imperial capital would mean the destruction of the entire empire. Without faith, there would be only despair.
Transportation devices such as warp portals and sky arks were used to bring in military supplies from the south.
The South has mobilized all its productive power to produce weapons beyond its limits over the past four days.
Various tactical artifacts such as the Dragon's Wing, Bali Star, and Flashbang have been moved to the vicinity of the Capital.
And so, finally, the day of the final battle arrived.
The wind was still and the winter sun was warm. It was too clear a day for destruction.
The imperial family held an early morning parade. The 300 Homunculus knights marched in formation from the imperial palace to the west gate.
The six knights of Eve and the four knights of Brigette traveled along the carriage roads on either side of the block.
The people all crowded into the carriage road to take in the magnificent sight.
'There really is a war going on.'
'We'll win, right? We'll win, right?'
The faces of the people became solemn and solemn at the new realization.
That was also the reason why the street was relatively quiet despite the large number of people gathered there.
Only the children who were ignorant of the irony were excited by the wonderful sight. The children even pointed to the front of the march and shouted innocently.
“Princess in the front! Your Highness the Princess!”
“Green-blonde hair! I think that’s the 7th Princess!”
“It was a good decision to take the right path! If I had taken the left path, I would have missed seeing the 7th Princess!”
“That’s right! I like the 7th Princess better than the 3rd Princess!”
“The Third Princess is scary. My father said that the Third Princess is a witch who uses black alchemy. If you don’t brush your teeth at night, she’ll put you in a rag and catch you... Ugh, ugh! Oh, ugh?!”
“Hahaha! My child likes storybooks! You guys, you know this is just nonsense, right? Forget it! I already forgot!”
Eve and Brigitte led the imperial knights at the forefront, dressed in white robes in the style of their uniforms.
Since they were going out to fight, this time they did not cover their faces in public. Thanks to this, the subjects could clearly see Eve and Brigitte's faces.
They have arrived at the West Gate. Now, once we pass through the gate, they enter the first battleground, the Lemanas Plains.
“7th Princess..."
At the end of the farewell party, neatly dressed commoner children approached Eve.
The children timidly held out a branch about half their height. It was a laurel branch, a symbol of victory.
“Thank you. I’ll win and come back.”
"Yes!"
Eve patted the children on the head. This concluded the ceremony of wishing them victory.
Srrrrung!
Michael turned his horse's head toward the rear and drew his sword. He shouted loudly for everyone to hear.
“Victory to the Empire! Defeat the cunning dragon and bring new prosperity and glory to the Empire with his flesh!”
“Waaaaaa!”
Phew! Phew! Phew!
Firecrackers exploded and cheers echoed as if at a festival.
The imperial knights crossed the west gate as excitement and thrill shook the capital.
It was an hour later when they arrived at the first battlefield. They had everyone rest in the pre-built positions.
There was about half a day until the predicted time of appearance of the Dragon Ambroxa.
Eve was only able to rest after moving around diligently, inspecting the terrain and supplies, and holding staff meetings.
Eve and Brigitte's position was a makeshift command tower.
It seemed like Brigitte had gone to see her knights, so only this one was in the command tower.
There she took in the sights of the plains of Lemanas and the western sky.
At that time, the wizards arrived from the Ivory Tower. They were a group of 50 elite wizards who would create a gate to warp the dragon.
Their representative came to greet Eve, and he looked quite familiar.
“Natasha Emrick, the senior sorceress of the Ivory Tower, meets with Your Highness the Seventh Princess.”
“Sir Emrick?”
It was Natasha Emrick, who had just joined them in the discovery of the Galamut Tail Magic Stone.
“The Lord of the Tower has lost his mind from overwork after four days and nights of ordering and building the camp. Please understand that I have no choice but to take his place.”
“I see. By the way, you were a disciple of the Magic Tower.”
“It is thanks to Your Highness's grace. I was recently made your disciple in recognition of my achievements in discovering the magic light and my research on increasing the efficiency of magic stones.”
“Really? That’s a good thing.”
Her mind was a little at ease as she took a short break from the squabbles. The fact that the person she was going to fight a do-or-die battle with was someone she had worked with before gave her great confidence.
Eve and Natasha had a meeting about the upcoming battle.
“We need to drag the dragon to the designated location and restrain it for at least three minutes. I know it may be presumptuous of me to ask, but I cannot guarantee that our elite magicians alone will be enough.”
“There is a master of the barrier and a master of binding over here, so they will help you.”
“Who is that?”
“On the boundary side is Lord Snorret Wint, the commander of the Knights of Illusion.”
“Ah, if it’s a homunculus, then it’s trustworthy.”
“And the bondage... you’ll find out soon enough.”
Eve mumbled something to herself.
When we had had enough of the necessary conversation, Natasha suddenly glanced over Eve's shoulder, noticed her expression, and stepped back.
Eve turned her head and there was a person whom anyone would want to avoid.
“Evienose.”
“Welcome, Sister.”
Eve greeted Brigitte plainly. However, Brigitte's lips were twitching, as if she was reluctant to let it go without provoking an argument.
As is usually the case, Brigitte took the lead.
“Volunteering for the advance party again, I can’t help but think back to the time at the gate of the Gray Wall.”
“Ah, that’s right. At that time, Derek said he didn’t want to go with me, and that you were a cold-blooded person who even abandoned your own side. Who would have thought that those words would become his last will and testament?”
Eve mentioned the fatal flaw of kin murder. But instead of frowning, Brigitte responded shamelessly.
“If you have a will, why don’t you do it now?”
“What a useless favor.”
Wheeew.
A long west wind blew, but it was not enough to drive away the murderous air that was lingering between the sisters.
Then Brigitte stood close to Eve.
While Eve stood her ground, Brigitte whispered in her ear, her poisonous tongue flickering.
“This time, you must die for sure. I sincerely hope that you will breathe your last alone, in a place where no one can find you until your beautiful flesh and bones have weathered away.”
It was so damp and suffocating that it reeked.
It was a sincere curse directed at the most hated person in the world. But Eve just laughed.
“Is that the most horrible curse you can think of?”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll take note.”
Eve turned around and sat down in her seat as if she didn't want to continue the conversation.
It was then that Michael, who was supposed to be inspecting the imperial knights, came to find Eve urgently.
" Your Highness."
"What's the matter?"
“The wind is quite strong.”
Suddenly Eve realized that the west wind was picking up. The air pressure was unusual, contradicting the clear sky.
“Over there, over there!”
Just then, someone from the elite magician army shouted. The spot in the western sky he pointed to was contaminated with a black stain.
The black spot took on a distinct shape over time. It was a seven-headed, seven-winged demon dragon.
“Ambroxa...!”
It was at that moment that Brigitte blurted out its name. Michael shouted.
“Get ready for battle!”
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