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For the leaders of the Federation, having a few traitors among their subordinates was naturally not that big of a deal. After all, if they blindly believed everyone to be loyal and patriotic, they would never have gotten as far as they did.
However, considering that each one of the outposts that the 'Scarlet Phantom' attacked was completely wiped out… they were naturally reluctant to believe in the involvement of an 'insider'.
After all, the body counts matched their internal tallies, and it was impossible for their enemies to so readily dispose of their hidden spies without reason.
Of course, the 'Scarlet Phantom' could always add another dead body from somewhere to make up the count and take their spy away, but that would still not explain how they continued to 'know' which location was safe to hit next.
Their expressions turned even grimmer.
"… If we are to believe that such a traitor exists… they would have to be high enough in rank to know not just one, but ALL our moves…"
Needless to say, the number of people on that list did not exceed two digits, and each one of them had their interests deeply tied to their cause.
"… Impossible! None of us are stupid enough to do something so stupid and thankless. And for what? It makes no sense!"
The president of Red Dusk sneered. "It really doesn't… unless they plan to capitalize on the element of surprise and cannibalize one of us with Blue Dawn's help when we're forced to retreat!"
His words sent a chill down the other leaders' spines, and they couldn't help but turn to stare at each other warily.
To be honest, none of them really 'trusted' each other from the start, but they all had believed in each other's desire for victory in this war. After all, each one of them wanted to neutralize this growing threat, yet didn't want to lose half their limbs in the process. Obviously, joining hands was the best way to do so, and would also allow them to reap plentiful rewards in the end.
But clearly, their understanding of each other wasn't as thorough as they initially believed. Otherwise, how was one to explain the existence of the 'Scarlet Phantom'?
As the tension in the meeting room grew, the president of Red Dusk suddenly had an ominous premonition. 'No… maybe turning us against each other was exactly what our enemies wanted!'
Unfortunately, even if he realized that now… it was too late.
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The growing distrust between their leaders naturally trickled down to the combined army of the Federation. And given that they had been quite 'fragmented' to begin with… the delicate balance that allowed them to work well together was also gone.
Of course, Noelle and the others who took care Emilia's military planning were quick to capitalize on this change, though they were still wary of it being a 'trap'.
Thankfully, Emilia's constant assurance of all these changes being thanks to the work of their 'ally' made it so that they didn't end up missing out on this wonderful opportunity out of hesitation, and two weeks later… something no one expected in the war between the Federation and the empire of Blue Dawn happened.
"The Federation's soldiers retreated beyond the border?!"
The experts who had been betting on how long it would take for Emilia's empire to start begging for mercy were obviously left stunned. "Doesn't that mean that Blue Dawn has now actually expanded their territory…?"
Given the difference between the size of their armies, and it being safe to assume that Blue Dawn didn't have any technical superiority… such a thing naturally made no sense.
Of course, while the 'experts' were shocked, Emilia's supporters were jumping in delight.
To them, this was a sign of things once again turning in favor of their princess, and they couldn't help but celebrate.
"Don't underestimate us knights!"
"We'll never let anyone harm the princess!"
Emilia was also quite pleased with the results of her rather rough strategy thus far, but unlike those who simply didn't know what was actually going on, she knew that this was far from enough.
The crimson-haired beauty's expression was grim. "We might have beat them back on one front today, but it should have also jolted them awake a little. Maybe tomorrow… we'll face their harshest attack yet."
Noelle and the others naturally had no objection to her words, and quickly made some plans for the defense the next day.
With all the best fruits of their research for the past few years, as well as the best anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems of Phoenix jam-packed into their temporary 'fortress', Emilia waited for the enemy with her arms crossed.
No matter how little the Federation cared for its reputation or the morale of its soldiers, there was no way they wouldn't try to take this place back.
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Emilia hadn't been particularly worried that the Federation would make a rash move and end up using weapons of mass destruction. After all, doing so would allow Phoenix to do the same, and might also attract some powerful allies to her side, which was the last thing her enemies would want to see.
Her greatest worry had been that the enemy would have some way to overwhelm or avoid her anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, though it would make little sense as to why they hadn't used such a thing so far.
When she only got reports of tanks, light artillery, and infantry marching towards them, the crimson-haired girl couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Good, let them come."
Obviously, with her position on the battlefield today, she might not be able to directly slaughter too many of her enemies… but that was fine.
Today, her role was that of a healer… and a leader.
Turning her gaze to the neatly lined-up men and women in front of her, she smiled. "Since they dared to set their nasty sight on our empire, let's show these bullies what we're made of!"
"For the princess!"
"AHHH!"
"We'll welcome their corpses to Blue Dawn!"
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