The Water Magician

The Chief's Office of the Bardale Principality in the capital, Hosoiina.

The army has suffered defeat, and the chief has been captured.

This is a matter concerning the survival of the nation.

Meetings have been held daily regarding contingency plans.

It has been decided that an army will be dispatched.

The formation of the troops is also progressing.

The issues at hand are the scale of the force, the leaders, and the gathering of intelligence on the enemy nation...

"Is it true that the royalty in the Jurban Kingdom has been exiled? Why are we receiving information about this now?"

"It seems that, without any official announcement, many of the citizens are unaware of this."

"Even if the upper ranks are replaced... it's a matter that doesn't concern the citizens."

Zorn, the crown prince, wears a lonely expression upon receiving the report.

They are desperately trying to manage the country.

Despite working tirelessly day and night to bring happiness and prosperity to the citizens... it is not resonating with the busy hearts of the people.

Even though he knows it is unavoidable, the truth is that it still feels lonely.

"So, what is the name of the new king?"

"I don't have a clear understanding."

"To think that we sent our troops into battle without even acquiring such information... and to make my father a figurehead."

Zorn's expression twists as if he has bitten into a bitter bug due to the lack of intelligence gathering by the generals.

However, he shakes his head slightly.

It would be wrong to blame the generals.

After all, everything about this war is strange.

A sudden attack by a small nation... simultaneously against the two major powers on the northern coast.

And before that, the royalty was supposedly replaced?

To top it all off, it is said that the enemy's fighting force consists of just a few hundred.

And it was these few hundred that managed to defeat forty thousand troops from the Western Nations Federation.

"What is happening?"

No one can answer Zorn's murmuring.

As long as they do not understand the enemy, they cannot move, nor should they.

They must thoroughly gather information.

However... the situation would not wait for them.

A new report arrives.

"The Jurban Kingdom's army has begun moving north."

"What?! What about my father?"

"It seems that the chief has also been confirmed to be among the troops heading north."

"Are they planning to prepare nothing for us?"

Zorn mutters bitterly.

This indicates that there is no time to gather information.

"We cannot allow them to reach Hosoiina."

Zorn understands that much.

If the enemy army lines up outside the walls and the captured chief is prominently displayed...

What would the citizens think if they saw that?

Trust in the nation would instantly crumble.

They would realize that they lack even the strength to retrieve their captured leader.

Even if they manage to repel the enemy forces by relying on the castle walls, regaining the trust of the citizens, once lost, will not be easy.

Those who would take advantage of such a situation would undoubtedly emerge.

Not only is the Jurban Kingdom involved, but they also do not know what the Western Nations Federation is up to.

And what about the movements within the Eastern Provinces?

The Bardale Principality is merely one of the nations that make up the Eastern Provinces... While they are currently at the center, that does not guarantee they will remain at the center forever.

"Under no circumstances should the enemy forces reach Hosoiina!"

Meanwhile, the delegation from the Naitorei Kingdom continues their stay at the guesthouse.

"It seems we lost the last battle. I heard that new troops have been dispatched."

"That seems to be the case. The Jurban Kingdom's army is reportedly moving north."

"Does that mean they are making a move to prevent this capital from becoming a battlefield?"

"That would be my guess. While walls are certainly useful for defense during a siege... it would mean the citizens in the city would have to stand at the forefront."

"War is truly undesirable."

"Indeed."

Ryo lets out a sigh, and Abel nods in agreement.