Published: July 4, 2025
The report of the attack on the Lyun Princely Residence was delivered to the expeditionary force led by Prince Lyun, who was currently on deployment.
The report rushed towards the expeditionary army as soon as the attack began, and at that point, the outcome was still unknown.
"I understand."
That was all Prince Lyun said.
He did not give orders to return the army, nor did he instruct any reinforcements to be sent to the princely residence.
"Your highness, what about reinforcements to the residence...?"
Chamberlain Wenshu asked.
However...
"Unnecessary."
The answer was just that.
Naturally, not only Chamberlain Wenshu but also the attendants were unable to accept this.
They insisted that they should return.
In response, Prince Lyun answered without anger, his words devoid of emotion.
"This expeditionary force is under imperial decree. There is no way we can return without fulfilling the imperial decree."
Yes, the imperial decree.
A command from the emperor.
Once that was stated, no one could say anything further.
Prince Lyun entered his tent.
Only Chief Chamberlain Rinshun accompanied him inside.
Even after entering, Lyun walked around the tent without saying anything.
But he frowned.
"I... cannot be by Shio's side at the most important time."
"Your highness..."
"Don't call me your highness. There is no one else here."
"Yes... Lord Lyun."
Prince Lyun, irritated, contrasted with Chief Chamberlain Rinshun, who responded in a deliberately calm voice.
What the princely residence wanted most was Prince Lyun's return.
Chief Chamberlain Rinshun understood this all too well.
Originally a political marriage, he now loved Princess Shio Fen.
Thus, he wanted to return to the princely residence regardless of everything.
However...
"If I do that, Shio will be angry with me."
"......"
Prince Lyun had told Princess Shio Fen the night before their wedding.
He aimed for the next emperor's throne.
He asked her to support him.
Princess Shio Fen had promised to support him.
That's why he couldn't return.
If he turned back now, he would give the other princes unnecessary opportunities to attack.
"Even if we force march from here to the residence, we won't make it in time."
"Rinshun?"
"Lord Lyun, we have no choice but to proceed."
Chief Chamberlain Rinshun stated firmly.
That was indeed the truth.
Even if they returned the entire army to the imperial capital without rest, it would take a full day.
No matter how one looked at it, the battle at the princely residence would be over by then.
Whether the residence had fallen or been defended was uncertain.
"Rinshun is right; at least we should have left all the magic cannon firing squads at the princely residence."
"Lord Lyun..."
"If we had done that, Ruyao would have been able to hold it."
"Ruyao would fight to the end even with the current forces. Besides, Princess Shio Fen's attendants are there as well."
"That's true. If it's them, they would manage."
Prince Lyun said this and took a deep breath.
In the next moment, his expression changed.
It was a face filled with determination.
A face that had decided not to look back.
"We shall head north and crush the Payu army thoroughly! Not giving anyone a chance to exploit our weaknesses. With this achievement, we will return triumphantly to the imperial capital!"
"Yes!"
Five days later, the expeditionary force of ten thousand led by Prince Lyun clashed with the advancing Payu army.
On the flat ground, the two armies stared each other down from a distance of five hundred meters.
In the expeditionary army's tent.
"The enemy Payu army has five thousand cavalry."
"A cavalry charge on flat ground is troublesome."
"Not at all! We have ten thousand of the Darwei forbidden army!"
The attendants were discussing various matters.
They also served as the staff of this expeditionary force.
Only two remained silent.
Prince Lyun and Deputy Commander Yi Shima.
Deputy Commander Yi Shima sat quietly in a chair, keeping his eyes closed.
The strategies for the entire expeditionary force had already been devised, and the formations were largely completed.