Chapter 175: The Witch Behind the Mask 2

Confronted by her younger sister Baiken – likely the individual within these palace walls most intimately acquainted with her aside from their parents – Queen’s masked visage momentarily tensed.

‘Why…Why is this sister addressing me at such an inopportune moment? Could she have…discerned my true identity as Queen?’

Though striving to maintain her guise, Queen could not afford complacency. Harboring that niggling apprehension, she warily responded while veiling her wariness:

“Indeed, but…is there a problem? Have I committed some transgression?”

The words emerged with a subtly distorted timbre – the effects of a voice-altering Draconian artifact, rendering her usual tones unrecognizable.

‘Gratefully, that aspect remains effective.’

Reassured, Queen studied her sister’s demeanor as Baiken eyed her with guarded suspicion:

“No, not as such…but where might you be headed? As an escort assigned to the princess, should you not remain by her side?”

Evidently, Baiken found this supposed foreigner’s solitary wanderings around the palace unsettling in the princess’s absence.

Queen inwardly quirked a wry smile at her ever-diligent sister’s habitual propriety.

‘As I’ve always known – you remain as dutiful as ever, albeit occasionally overbearing.’

Reminiscing over this familiar sisterly dynamic, Queen openly explained her circumstances without deception:

“I am returning to my quarters. The princess has excused me from her attendance for the day.”

“I see. Well, my apologies for the unnecessary disruption then. You may proceed.”

“Thank you, and pardon the intrusion.”

With that abbreviated exchange, Queen strode away, cognizant that prolonging their interaction risked exposing familiarities her altered voice could not wholly mask.

‘Phew…that was a close call. Gratefully, it seems I avoided suspicion.’

Expelling a silent sigh of relief, Queen hastened towards her assigned chambers.

Meanwhile, observing her retreating form rekindled Baiken’s inexplicable sense of unsettling familiarity.

‘But why…? Why does that woman’s presence continue evoking this lingering sense of…nostalgia?’

Pensive over the paradoxical, homely aura this complete stranger emanated, Baiken ultimately dismissed the curiosity as she resumed her own path – yet unable to entirely dispel that peculiar sentiment.

Perusing the missive before me, I unconsciously furrowed my brow at its somewhat unexpected contents, despite my extensive foreknowledge.

It relayed the northern Holy Imperium’s unrest, as the Mansfelt faction finally mobilized in concert with Chris IV’s forces – developments I had not entirely foreseen occurring so promptly.

‘Sooner than expected… Truthfully, I had anticipated at least another year before these fools made their move.’

The Holy Imperium’s agricultural devastation from the abnormal climate had reverberated across the northern realms reliant upon its imported foodstuffs, forcing Chris IV to reluctantly postpone his invasion until the famine’s resolution.

Without provisions – warfare’s fundamental necessity – any offensive remained untenable. Both within my prior knowledge and the original narrative, their offensive had been deferred until this crisis abated.

Yet now, they had upended those projections by initiating hostilities over a year ahead of schedule.

Confronted by this accelerated timeline, I recognized an urgent need to closely monitor the rapidly evolving situation.

‘While Mansfelt’s schemes had been somewhat predictable, this present scenario diverges significantly… The Holy Imperium remains crippled by famine, and Chris IV hardly fares better…’

Unlike the relatively prepared circumstances of the original conflict, both sides now found themselves considerably depleted.

Though broadly aware of their respective strengths, this precarious environment rendered decisive predictions regarding the outcome imprudent.

Recognizing the necessity for direct investigation, I promptly convened an emergency council to address this crisis.

“Hmm… Chris IV, you say?”

“Yes, Father. Reports indicate he has commenced his march southward. With the Emperor likewise mobilizing forces to counter the invasion, a large-scale confrontation appears imminent.”

Responding swiftly to Chris IV’s advance, the beleaguered Emperor had dispatched General Tilie’s troops, supplemented by the newly appointed Wallenstein and his contingents, to repel the northern aggression.

“Naturally, the outcome shall inevitably impact our own circumstances. We would be prudent to deploy observers to monitor the rapidly evolving situation closely.”

“I concur. Who would be best suited for such a reconnaissance mission?”

Surveying the assembled officers, Count Tuahn posed the query.

Though nominally reconnaissance, the deployment into the heart of the clashing armies rendered this undertaking exceptionally perilous.

Acknowledging the inherent hazards, the soldiers momentarily faltered before one figure raised her hand.

“Allow me to volunteer, Father.”

“Hmm? Baiken, you mean to go yourself?”

“Yes, Father. To conduct this mission securely amidst such turmoil, I believe my capabilities as a 6th-rank mage are necessitated. Permit me this task – I shall fulfill the duty and return unharmed.”

“Hrmm…”

While dispatching formidable assets minimized risks, Count Tuahn visibly agonized over entrusting this perilous assignment to his own daughter.

“I implore your consent, Father. This is a conflict where all must stake their lives. As one of your generals, I wish to contribute meaningfully.”

Baiken’s earnest entreaty ultimately swayed the Count’s reluctant decision.

“…Very well. If this is your resolve, you have my permission. But exercise utmost caution and return safely, without fail.”

“You have my gratitude, Father.”

As Baiken graced her father with an appreciative smile, Caseross, also present, seemed to reach a resolution as she addressed another attendee:

“Your willingness to undertake such grave perils is commendable, my lady. In that regard, allow me to offer what assistance I can. Freddie Mars?”

“!? A…Ah…Yes?”

Startled by the sudden address, Freddie betrayed her discomfiture before Caseross continued with solemn firmness:

“You are hereby commanded to accompany Lady Baiken Andreas on this mission and safeguard her well-being.”

“I…Understood, Your Highness.”

Though flustered, Freddie ultimately acquiesced to Caseross’s directive.

The princess then favored Baiken with an approving smile, which the latter acknowledged with a grateful nod.

‘Ah, so she means to support her sister-in-law in this manner while concurrently solidifying her Bohemian standing through such cooperative gestures…’

Perceiving the princess’s pragmatic calculations underlying this formidable deployment, I inwardly quirked a faint smile at her adroit statesmanship.

Yet in that moment, I failed to fully register the peculiar tension seemingly afflicting the newly-christened “Freddie Mars.”