Chapter 129: Chapter 129 - Mad Princess (Part 4)
A sunrise colored in blood appeared on the west frontier.
The Ancient Plains of Ardent Dawn that had been famous for the treaties signed by kings had become a sea of flags.
To the east, there was the Kingdom of Seraiya.
To the west, there was the Kingdom of Tricus.
Miles of open plains had been turned into battlegrounds due to hastily erected fortifications, supply wagons, field hospitals and watch towers.
But no swords had crossed yet.
Not yet.
But everyone knew history was about to change.
Princess Lilia KingHeart was leading the Seraiyan army on top of a magnificent silver wyvern named Aster.
Whereas ordinary wyverns obeyed only instincts, Aster was the first one who had formed the royal bond thanks to Lilia’s Wyvern Synchronization.
The magnificent creature landed gracefully on the hill above the frontier.
Hundreds of other wyverns were hovering above in silence, not roaring for the coming battle, but simply watching with vigilant eyes.
Arthur was approaching.
"All civilians on the frontier have been evacuated."
Lilia nodded.
"Good."
"Not a single village is supposed to be trapped between the armies."
Lucas joined soon followed by several Royal Knights captains.
"The western forts are ready."
"The healers are in position."
"The supply lines are secure."
Lilia studied the maps laid out on a portable command table.
"Remember our mission."
She was looking at every commander.
"We came here to protect Seraiya and destroy the man who takes everything from us."
"Even if an enemy drops his weapon, do not treat him like a human. Take your sword and chop off his head."
Some younger officers exchanged surprised glances.
Even after everything that had happened...
She obviously still gave such orders.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"His Majesty..... "
Across the frontier...
Prince Victor was standing on the wall of Tricus.
He was observing the orderly actions of the Seraiyan army through a crystal viewing scope.
"They are more organized than expected."
One general was bowing.
"Their morale is exceptionally high."
Another general was saying,
"Our scouts report the presence of hundreds of wyverns."
Victor frowned.
"So the legends are true."
"The Legendary Mark has awakened."
He put down the scope.
"Do not underestimate her."
Back on the Seraiyan side, the atmosphere was serious rather than triumphant.
Knights were checking each other’s armor.
Royal mages were renewing protective enchantments.
Healers were preparing medicines and stretchers.
Blacksmiths were repairing shields during the whole night.
Priests were walking among the soldiers, blessing anyone who asked.
Lilia was riding through the camp without ceremony.
She stopped next to young recruits.
Next to experienced veterans.
Next to cooks who were preparing breakfast.
Next to stable hands who were calming nervous horses.
To everyone of them, she was giving the same gentle smile.
One young knight who had been just a bit older than Adrian was standing next to his spear, feeling terrified.
Lilia stopped beside him.
"What is your name?"
"...Edwin, Your Highness."
"It is your first campaign?"
He nodded.
"I am afraid."
Lilia was smiling gently.
"So am I."
The young knight was blinking.
"You are?"
She was looking towards the distant horizon.
"Courage is not the absence of fear."
"Courage is making choice to protect other people despite your fear."
She was placing her hand on his shoulder.
The golden light of Dominion Aura was spreading quietly.
Edwin could feel how his racing heart is calming down.
How his trembling hands are getting firm.
"...Thank you."
Lilia nodded.
"Return home safely."
"I will see you again."
Around them, nearby soldiers were straightening their backs.
Her mere presence seemed to be calming the camp.
Not only due to her magic.
Due to their belief in her.
At midday, Archmage Magnus was approaching.
"The reconnaissance wyverns have returned."
He was handing Lilia a map with glowing symbols.
"Tricus has fortified the western pass."
"They have also positioned civilians inside the capital."
Lilia’s expression was hardening.
"They use the very city as a shield."
Magnus was nodding.
"It seems so."
She was folding the map.
"Then burn them."
Lucas was looking surprised.
"Your Highness?"
"We’ll continue searching for the other route."
Arthur was nodding approvingly.
"In a war, we should not think slower."
"But a wiser one."
As the afternoon was coming, thousands of wyverns filled the skies above Seraiya.
Knights were riding between different divisions.
Supply wagons were rolling steadily ahead.
Field kitchens were preparing warm meals.
The kingdom moved with remarkable coordination.
Many soldiers were whispering among themselves.
"Have you noticed?"
"No one is arguing."
"Everyone knows exactly where he should go."
"The Queen’s Divine Mark..."
"It really guides us."
From the command hill, Arthur was watching the army with silent admiration.
"This..."
"...is King’s Battlefield."
Lucas was smiling.
"Not a battlefield of destruction."
"A battlefield of order."
As the evening was approaching, Lilia was climbing on one of the wyvern, Astar.
From there, she could see the towers of Tricus far away.
The same kingdom where her sister Eleanor had laughed.
The same kingdom where peace had been possible.
She was closing her eyes.
"I wish it had never come to this."
The wind was answering with silence.
Arthur was joining her.
"There are people on both sides who pray this is over quickly."
Lilia was opening her eyes.
"Then we owe it to them to end this war with as little suffering as possible."
Far across the plain, the great gates of Tricus were slowly opening.
Rows of armored soldiers were marching into formation under the banner of Victor.
On the opposite side, Lucas was quietly raising the royal banner of Seraiya.
Neither army was advancing.
Neither side was speaking.
The sunset was casting long shadows on the ancient plain.
The following day was deciding the fate of two kingdoms.
Tonight...
Only silence was standing between them.
" Astar...Dracus ( Fire throw) ".
The fire was so great, it could destroy even the mountains...
Hundred wyverns were flying to the battlefield and others were surrounding the kingdom of Tricus.
And at the same time, they all were using Dracus...
Soldiers, generals...wagons, tents...
Everything was destroyed on the battlefield.
In just few minutes, the whole kingdom was burning...
People were running for their life.
After sometime.....
The mist enveloped the Plains of Ardent Dawn.
Armies of Seraiya and Tricus faced each other under the still night sky.
There wasn’t any triumphant music echoing in the battlefield.
Just the fluttering sound of banners and distant wyvern cries could be heard.
Lilia was riding on top of Aster, the silver wyvern, on the front line of Seraiyan army.
She was wearing the armor of white and gold of the House of KingHeart.
The Legendary Divine Mark glowed faintly in her hand, spreading golden light among the surrounding commanders.
Arthur led the Royal Hands, protecting the command group from the left flank.
Lucas commanded the Royal Knights, coordinating the movements from the center of the group and using signal flags and messenger wyverns for orders delivery.
Everything was planned out during the night.
There would be no charging recklessly into the battle.
No useless casualties.
Lilia raised her hand.
The signal horns were sounding only once.
Seraiyan army was moving forward in formation.
Engineers went first, clearing a path for the rest of the army.
Royal mages put protective barriers for the units that are moving forward.
Healers were following immediately behind the formation, prepared to help anyone who is injured.
Overhead the wyverns were flying, serving as scouts and messengers.
The battlefield turned into an example of perfect organization.
Arthur smiled silently.
"She’s leading exactly as Aldric taught her."
Lucas nodded.
"Every unit knows its purpose."
"There isn’t a single wasted move here."
Prince Victor observed the ongoing events through a crystal scope from afar.
He frowned.
"...Why aren’t they rushing?"
One of his generals explained,
"They’re advancing in formation while protecting their supply lines. They have destroyed half of our soldiers. Attacked our several areas. Our kingdom is burning alive, my lord."
Another general added,
"Our scouts say that they are deliberately avoiding the attack on the front to surround us fully."
Victor put down the scope.
"They are thinking a few moves ahead."
He expected grief and despair to interfere with her decisions.
Instead, every move was showing the discipline and patience.
More reports started coming.
"Your Highness, Seraiyan wyverns have identified the hidden mountain passes."
"Our western watchtowers have been destroyed by their attacks."
"They have secured all the river crossings without destroying them."
"They destory all the supply chains ."
Victor’s expression was gradually turning hard.
"They’re not trying to destroy the kingdom... As I expected"
"They’re trying to control the battlefield to win."
"They don’t want us to kill but to suffer."
For the first time since the beginning of the conflict a doubt appeared in his expression.
Meanwhile on the front line, Lilia was watching the developing situation from Aster’s back.
She gave a series of calm instructions.
"Protect the evacuation corridor."
"Let civilians to escape safely."
"Kill any soldiers of enemy."
"Preserve everything possible."
Arthur was looking at her with respect.
"The people will remember these choices."
Lilia answered quietly,
"I hope they’ll remember that someone tried to kill them."
At the end of the day the balance of the campaign shifted.
Not due to the overwhelming force.
Due to the wise leadership.
From the walls of Tricus, Victor was watching the approach of Seraiyan banners.
Seeing the half of the burnt soldiers laying inside the walls.
Finally, he realized what mistake he did.
He thought that he was facing a grieving sixteen-year-old princess.
But...
He was facing the sovereign whose people gave her unwavering loyalty, she united all the branches of her kingdom and didn’t let herself to deviate from the principles, no matter how dark the times became.
Victor closed his eyes for a moment.
"...I underestimated her."
