“Flame Dragon, you say?”
The Emperor's eyes widened clearly when he heard the report.
Considering that they considered dragons to be merely mythical beings in this era
This monster was one of the finest magical creatures, and no mention of it had appeared for over 200 years.
The Flame Dragon was known to be hibernating for a long time in an uninhabited area near the border between the Northern Kingdom and the Empire.
So, no one was completely sure of his presence, but the area was under constant surveillance.
“The damned Northern King dares to mock me?!”
As expected, the Emperor quickly realized the situation.
Even the second concubine was angry when she received an unexpected response from her brother after sending the letter: “Thank you for providing me with an excuse.”
“It seems that my brother was so busy rearranging the kingdom’s situation that he didn’t pay attention to the issue of the monsters he was supposed to deal with,” the second concubine Li said.
And for me…
'It's definitely possible.'
Although this event occurred in a slightly different time in the original story, it was nothing new.
'In the original story, this happened in the side story.'
Back then, the Northern Kingdom tried to hide the matter as long as possible, but when the situation got out of control, they asked the Empire for help.
Cassian, then newly on the throne, hesitated, but realized that ignoring the situation could lead to disaster.
Therefore, he decided to lead the expedition himf, and thanks to his superior fighting skills, he was able to defeat the dragon without being seriously injured.
So, I wasn't too worried about this campaign.
Since the Emperor would be participating himf, the campaign would be of the utmost importance, and even if the Empress tried to withdraw, it would not reduce the size of the forces.
“Cassian!”
The Emperor turned to my commander as if he were summoning his trump card.
“Do you have any plan?”
“If the Flame Dragon had truly awakened, it would be difficult for the Northern Kingdom to deal with it alone, especially since they had just ended a civil war.”
“Hmm...that's what I thought too.”
“Therefore, the Empire must intervene, but since we have not yet sent an official response to the Northern Kingdom’s envoy...”
A sly smile spread across Cassian's face, then he glanced at the Empress before turning to the Emperor and saying:
“What if we sent them a message telling them to stop talking nonsense and think carefully about how to repay the empire?”
The Emperor was satisfied with his proposal, so he stroked his chin while nodding his head.
As for the princesses, who had been worried since the previous situation, they appeared relieved.
“Well done, you seem to know very well how to deal with the Northern Kingdom thanks to your experience on the battlefields.”
Then the Emperor glanced sideways at the Empress while speaking in a sarcastic tone:
“You always suggested sending a quick envoy to the Northern Kingdom, but it seems that you were hasty this time.”
The Empress's face was a little tense, but she quickly lowered her head and said:
“It was my fault, I did not understand Your Majesty’s wise intentions.”
“Hahaha!
It’s okay, I know you don’t know anything about wars.”
At such moments, I fully realized that the Emperor was indeed Cassian's biological father...
'They both have bad tempers, but in different ways.'
“Well, since you made a suggestion, I have to respond to it, right?
As for the prince who will accompany me on the campaign—”
“His Majesty the Emperor!”
The Empress quickly interrupted his speech, her face turning pale.
“You say that the Flame Dragon has awakened, yet you intend to go yourves?
How can you make such a risky decision?!”
“You have already announced this to the Northern Kingdom’s envoy, or do you want to portray me as a coward?”
The Emperor answered her sharply, then added in a negligent tone:
“Don’t worry, I won’t be in danger, the prince who will accompany me won’t allow it, right?”
This was a veiled warning to her: “Try to get your son into battle if you can.”
The Emperor always overlooked some of the Empress's tricks, but he would not allow anyone to interfere in the decision to choose the Crown Prince.
“So tell me, Empress, do you still insist on your opinion?”
“I…I…”
It was clear that things were completely out of her control.
The face of the Empress, who was always accustomed to showing a measured expression, was trembling...
She held the hem of her dress and then let it go repeatedly, hesitating.
Because she understood very well the meaning of the Emperor's words.
The Emperor, with his usual cunning, announced that he was sending the prince to the most dangerous place, and this was nothing but a clear announcement on his part.
He had many beautiful excuses to cover his decision as he wished.
In contrast, Prince Charlie himf was calm and collected, while the Empress was the only one who could not make a decision, swaying like a leaf floating on the surface of the water.
Because no matter how much she tries to manipulate things, her dream will be uess if Prince Charlie, the only person who can make it come true, dies.
With the departure of the third prince to the Kingdom of Anden, all that remained was the first prince, Charlie.
At that moment, Cassian bowed quietly.
“Please forgive me for interfering in your conversation.”
“Cassian?”
“How can I allow His Majesty my father the Emperor to go on a dangerous path alone?
Of course, my father is the strongest in the empire, and I am confident that he will definitely achieve victory.”
He looked at the Emperor with eyes full of respect, and even used the term “my father,” which he usually avoided.
“If you allow it, I would like to accompany you on this journey.”
“Do you know that this campaign may not guarantee your survival, and yet you ask to go?”
“That is why I am requesting this so strongly.
Since the Snow Kingdom’s envoy came, I have already volunteered, and I hope you remember that, father.”
Cassian played his role perfectly, using his acting skills to emotionally plead with the Emperor.
The Emperor's sharp gaze toward the Empress softened.
“Well, there really is no one more qualified for this task than you.”
Then the Emperor hit the armrest of the chair twice before directing his speech to the Empress, as if asking for confirmation from her.
“Do you agree, Empress?
I am willing to take your advice on balance into consideration, if you still hold to it.”
The Empress's gaze moved between the Emperor and Cassian, hesitating.
She was trying to analyze Cassian's intentions, but she quickly gave up and nodded.
In the end, her last gaze was directed towards her son, Charlie.
But Charlie didn't show any special expression, just looking at her as if to say: “Do what you see fit.”
“…Of course, since the battlefield is dangerous, it is appropriate for Cassian to accompany the Emperor, as he is very experienced.
It is only a pity that the other princes lose the opportunity to learn from His Majesty.”
“There will be other opportunities, Empress.”
“Yes, I'll trust that.”
And so, Cassian and I had a good argument, and set out on a journey to the snowy mountains in the north of the Empire.
During the serious preparation for the campaign, the Fourth Prince and the Second Concubine provided great support to the Winter Palace without hesitation.
“While we are away, you are to stay with Her Majesty the Empress.
Will you be okay?”
Despite my anxious question, the second concubine answered confidently, as if there was no need to worry:
“I have lived in this palace for more than twenty years, so there is no need to worry.
I am not so weak that I cannot protect myf even while holding my child in my arms.”
“I will also make sure there are no problems with supplies inside the palace, Assistant Salis.”
The Fourth Prince spoke confidently as he stood next to her and helped her.
I respected their wishes, but, just in case, I prepared documents containing backup plans and handed them to Assistant Ashwood.
When he read the documents I gave him, he seemed to hesitate between admiration and astonishment, and said:
“…When did you manage to prepare all this?”
“I didn't write it because I don't trust you, Assistant Ashwood, but I don't want to come back and find my office, which pays my salary, gone.”
At my words, Francis Ashwood couldn't help but laugh lightly.
“Are you working so hard just because of the salary...?”
I heard his surprised murmur, which can only come from someone who has never known the need for money, but I decided to ignore it gently, just as flowers protected in greenhouses are overlooked.
And so, another week of continuous work passed.
Meanwhile, news spread of the dragon's appearance at the temple, leading to headlines such as:
[The decision of the saint to go on campaign is still under discussion, and consideration is given to appointing new priests.]
[Despite the objections of the Pope, the saint announced her strong desire to join the campaign...]
Well, there seemed to be a lot of things going on, but it wasn't impacting the campaign much..
Although the saint will not participate in the first Exodus campaign, the temple announced that she will definitely be part of the second campaign.
'Knowing her personality, I have no doubt that she will join no matter what.'
While I was listening to the great speech delivered by His Majesty the Emperor before the launch of the campaign, I was thinking about the figure of the saint in my mind..
And so, on a cold autumn day, the Empire's forces marched into battle.
“Ki… how can you look so lively…?”
“Because I was sitting in the carriage all the way?”
I began distributing some of the anti-vertigo medications and nutritional supplements I had previously obtained to some assistants and administrative officials, then I shrugged indifferently.
“As expected from the Demon of the Winter Palace...”
Should I stop giving them medications?
Despite the absurdity of the situation, I did not stop them from taking their medications, since we were on the battlefield.
'The real devil is there!'
Seven days have passed since the campaign was launched.
Magical beasts began to block the army's path from time to time, and the snowy mountains that had only appeared at the edge of the horizon began to fill our entire field of vision.
As for my boss, he was...
“Rose, it seems that the Third Division had a hard time dealing with these kids.
Send them back to the back lines and give them additional training.”
He was moving his arms and shoulders, as if he was feeling a little stiff, clearly revealing his devilish nature.
As for the new knight, who was fighting magical beasts as if he were between life and death, he was sweating as he tried to devour his food quickly, but he could not control himf and dropped his spoon from his hand.