The Water Magician

"Vice Commander, the failures in securing the 'priority targets' are prominently these two."

Upon returning to the lodging assigned for the imperial mage brigade, Jurgen, the vice commander, reported.

"The Royal Alchemy Workshop and the Elf Autonomous Bureau... Were they already abandoned at the time of the incursion?"

"Yes. It appears evacuation orders were issued three days ago."

"The crown prince's orders... The first prince who died of illness. He must have anticipated the fall of the royal capital when issuing the orders."

Oscar sighed as he read the report.

These two locations were designated by Emperor Rupert the Sixth as the most important places among the 'priority targets.'

The 'highest priority target' was only the Royal Castle.

This meant that these two were the locations instructed for priority securing after the Royal Castle within the royal capital, but if no one was there, it wouldn't count as 'secured.'

"The crown prince... seems to have been quite a sharp thinker. Even in death, he saves the kingdom. Perhaps it was for the best that he passed away."

His latter remark was so quiet that it didn't even reach Jurgen's ears.

"Failing to secure the alchemy workshop and Baron Kenneth Hayward's research results was unexpected, but more importantly, the Bureau is a problem."

"Is it about that forest?"

"Yes. It might impact our campaign in the 'Forest of the West'..."

More than two hundred kilometers west of the royal capital lies a vast forest.

That area is called the 'Forest of the West' and is recognized as an autonomous territory of the elf tribe, even though it is within the kingdom.

The history of its autonomy began during the reign of King Richard, regarded as the restorer of the kingdom.

For hundreds of years, the Forest of the West has been a symbol of peace and tranquility for the elf tribe.

However, that peace was shattered two days ago.

"The southeastern watchtower has burned down."

Receiving this report with a bitter expression was a woman known as the great elder.

Commonly referred to as 'lady granny.'

During the turmoil in the royal capital, she had taken command of the defense at the Autonomous Bureau with Sera.

After the turmoil in the royal capital, she had returned to the Forest of the West and resumed her usual life, but then, two days ago, they suddenly came under attack.

This was right after the report of the royal army's defeat on the Desbrough Plains, and the opponent was...

"To think the elves would lose in the forest... Is the Imperial Army an abomination?"

Lady granny pressed her forehead in despair.

Then, more bad news struck.

"Great elder Gorin has died in battle."

"Wha...?"

The report of Gorin's death, one of the great elders who had been commanding at the front lines, shocked even lady granny.

"I told you so... That fool Gorin! A great elder should have been more cautious, yet he charges into battle."

While her words were harsh, her expression was graver than ever.

The surrounding elves understood lady granny's sorrow, and no one spoke, wearing expressions of profound sadness.

Lady granny and the other great elders had been developing the Forest of the West for a long time... Among the three great elders, including lady granny, Gun had died early in the battle. Now, Gorin had also fallen.

Both had died protecting other elves, and although the total number of casualties was around twenty, it was undoubtedly a serious blow for the elf tribe, which had a low population and growth rate.

Lady granny made a decision.

"It can't be helped. We will abandon the eastern region of the forest and retreat to the central fortress. Recall everyone."

As the last remaining great elder, her pained expression did not return to normal.

In the Forest of the West, on the eastern outskirts.

There lay a base of the Imperial Army that had attacked the forest.

"Indeed, the elves are abominations."

The words were muttered by General Lanshas, who led the attacking forces.

"The number of casualties is unprecedented..."

This was said by Amber, Lanshas's deputy.

"How can the death toll exceed two hundred!? We are the 'shadows,' after all?"