Chapter 336

Celtrine Castle.

The site of a fierce standoff between the princess’s forty-five thousand soldiers and the Crown Prince’s fifty thousand soldiers.

The castle, which had been the scene of intense fighting for over a month, was now in a state of turmoil.

A series of shocking news had arrived, shaking the morale of both sides.

“Didn’t you say that we were preparing to retreat?”

“Yes, but the situation has changed.”

“Huh?”

“His Highness has ordered us to resume the offensive.”

“What?! B-But Odinel has fallen, and the eastern army has been annihilated…”

“Haven’t you heard? Duke Henatus has achieved a decisive victory on the southern front, wiping out fifty thousand western soldiers.”

“Oh, really?”

“So we’ll be able to break through the southern front soon. And once we do, the southern army will be able to march north and attack Celtrine Castle from both sides.”

“But what about our supplies…?”

“This civil war will be over once we capture the traitorous princess. We just need to scrape by until then. That’s His Highness’s judgment.”

They couldn’t resupply from Celtrine territory because all the grain had already been transported into the castle.

But not all the surrounding territories were like that.

They could still gather enough supplies to last them for a while if they were desperate.

But it would mean resorting to plunder.

The Crown Prince’s forces had never plundered before because they had always had ample supplies. But the situation had changed.

And,

For the Crown Prince’s forces to plunder innocent civilians in the middle of a civil war?

It would damage their reputation.

Especially when compared to the princess’s forces, who forbade plundering.

The Crown Prince was willing to risk damaging his reputation because he believed that this battle would decide the outcome of the civil war.

“Then prepare to resume the offensive.”

“Yes, sir!”

The Crown Prince’s forces began to move again.

* * *

“The Crown Prince’s forces are making strange movements, Your Highness.”

Count Celtrine said in a heavy voice.

The Crown Prince’s forces, which had seemed to be preparing to retreat just yesterday,

Had suddenly become active again.

The soldiers at Celtrine Castle had been cheering.

They had finally repelled the enemy after a month of intense fighting.

But the situation had changed drastically in just one day.

News of the western army’s crushing defeat had arrived, and the Crown Prince’s forces were also making suspicious movements.

“I see. They’re planning to resume the offensive.”

Princess Oscar said calmly, as if she had already anticipated it.

But the other lords weren’t as calm.

“W-Why are they…?”

“Ugh, they weren’t retreating?”

They groaned, their faces grim.

It was natural for them to dislike a prolonged war, but that wasn’t the only reason.

The Crown Prince’s forces were strong, and the fighting had been fierce.

Their casualties were mounting.

If it hadn’t been for the princess’s personal involvement in the fighting and the large ballistae that Max had left behind, they might have already been in danger.

“It’s simple. They achieved a decisive victory on the southern front, so they’re trying to capitalize on their momentum.”

The princess explained.

“That defeat… At such a crucial moment…”

“Why did Marquis Safia launch such a reckless pursuit?”

The central lords complained openly.

On the other hand,

The western lords glared at them, their bodies trembling with anger.

“Victory and defeat are common in war!”

“How dare you blame the Marquis for the defeat!”

Twenty thousand of the defenders were western lords.

They should have had the most influence.

But their words sounded hollow, despite their loud voices.

Because Marquis Safia’s blunder had been so costly.

The western lords were understandably unhappy.

“What?! Results are all that matter! We lost half our army! The southern front is in danger!”

“You! How dare you say that?!”

“If Lambert Castle falls, will you take responsibility?”

“D-Don’t go too far!”

The two sides argued heatedly.

The princess finally intervened.

“Calm down, everyone. What’s done is done.”

The lords fell silent.

“And help will arrive soon. Right?”

She smiled faintly and looked at Count Celtrine meaningfully.

If the Crown Prince’s forces didn’t retreat, even though they had lost Odinel, the Celtrine allied forces would definitely take action.

Either on the northern front or the southern front.

That was the message she was conveying with her eyes.

Count Celtrine agreed.

But he hesitated to answer.

Because he knew that his son was unpredictable.

The other lords, however, responded.

“Her Highness is right. We have reinforcements who can come to our aid at any time.”

“They’ll definitely come to our rescue once they realize that the situation here is dire.”

The central lords agreed with the princess.

The western lords looked a bit uneasy, but they seemed to be relieved that reinforcements were coming.

On the other hand,

Count Celtrine remained silent.

The princess smiled, finding the situation amusing.

“It seems like Count Celtrine has a different opinion.”

“I don’t think I’m in a position to predict…”

“Huh? But it’s your son we’re talking about.”

“Cough.”

Count Celtrine coughed awkwardly.

“E-Even between a father and son, there are things that…”

“Ah, I see. Even Count Celtrine, or rather, Father, has his troubles.”

“C-Cough! Cough! Cough?!”

Count Celtrine almost collapsed when he heard the princess call him “Father.”

He wished he had never had such a talented son.

Why did he have to go around charming everyone, even the princess?

He should have known better than to reach for something he couldn’t have…

He quickly lowered his head, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“P-Please, Your Highness, I’m not worthy of such a title.”

“Hehe, is that so? I like it.”

“Y-Your Highness.”

“I’m just kidding, Count Celtrine.”

The princess stopped there.

She had had enough fun teasing him.

‘If they send reinforcements, they’ll definitely go south, right? Hehe, this is going to be interesting.’

Max wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

He knew that if he did, he would lose the advantage he had gained through his hard work.

So he had two options.

The northern front, at Celtrine Castle, or the southern front, at Lambert Castle.

The princess was certain that he would choose the south.

Because Lambert Castle was in a more precarious situation.

It was common sense to prioritize the most urgent situation.

And if he sent reinforcements to the south?

‘The southern army, which is on a roll, will be waiting for them.’

An army that had achieved a decisive victory was always a formidable opponent.

Of course, the same could be said for the Celtrine allied forces.

So it would be a good fight.

‘And the western army won’t be of much help.’

If the western army, which was holed up in Lambert Castle, actively joined the fight, they could gain an advantage. But Marquis Safia, who had already lost half his army, wouldn’t take any risks.

He would just pretend to fight.

Because that was the only way to preserve his remaining forces.

‘Hehe, it means that Senior will have to fight this battle alone. He won’t be able to avoid taking losses this time.’

He would probably win.

But he would definitely suffer heavy casualties.

And that was enough.

It would restore the balance of power.

‘Then I’ll just have to entertain my dear brother while we wait.’

The princess’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

* * *

“You’re so coldhearted when you need to be.”

Regina said.

“That’s just how it is. You have to clean up your own mess.”

Max said with a smirk.

“We don’t have to shed blood to fix their mistakes.”

Honestly, he was confident that they could defeat the southern army, even if they had to fight them alone.

His confidence was at an all-time high.

But he could clearly see it in his mind.

The western army’s passive stance.

It was infuriating, but if they fought in that state?

The southern army still had ninety thousand soldiers, even though they had lost ten thousand.

And their morale was sky-high.

He couldn’t imagine them achieving a decisive victory.

He could only imagine them suffering heavy losses.

He wouldn’t choose that option.

He had to find another way.

And that was to attack the Imperial City.

“They’ll only learn to appreciate something once they lose it.”

“But the princess will be in danger if Lambert Castle falls.”

“The princess needs to learn a lesson too.”

“But your parents are also there.”

Max chuckled wryly.

“Don’t worry. The princess won’t die in a place like that. It means that my parents will be safe too.”

“So you do have a plan?”

Calling neglect a plan was absurd, but it was different in Max’s case.

His predictions had been almost always accurate.

“Of course. Attacking the Imperial City is the plan.”

His face was filled with confidence.

“Losing the Imperial City, both symbolically and strategically, will be a huge blow to the Crown Prince.”

Remesis, the Imperial City.

The largest city on the continent, which had prospered for over two thousand years.

It was a city that symbolized the emperor’s authority, as evidenced by the massive Imperial Palace that towered over the city.

Conquering the enemy’s heartland would be a huge blow to the Crown Prince’s authority.

That was the symbolic blow.

And the strategic blow?

The answer was simple: Remesis, as the largest city in the empire, was overflowing with resources.

Now that they had lost Odinel, the only place where the Crown Prince’s forces could resupply was the Imperial City.

If they lost the Imperial City?

The Crown Prince’s forces would have nowhere to retreat to, even if they wanted to.

They would have nowhere to rely on.

And that was exactly what Max was aiming for.

“Yes, it’ll definitely be a huge blow. But you know, don’t you? The Imperial City has never been conquered before.”

Regina wouldn’t have emphasized it if it was simply because it had never been attacked.

The Imperial City had been invaded countless times in its long history.

It was a tempting target, and it was the heart of the empire.

And yet, it had never been conquered. It had always stood firm.

Its tall and sturdy walls, which were triple-layered.

Its abundant supplies, which could sustain its large population for over a year.

Those alone were enough to make any attacker despair, but there was one more thing that made the Imperial City truly formidable.

Its defensive magic circle, which had been reinforced and improved over centuries.

No other city in the world had a defensive magic circle as powerful as the Imperial City’s.

Because no other city had the time, the resources, or the manpower to build one.

The Imperial City’s defensive magic circle was truly special.

No magic or siege weapon could penetrate it.

It was a wall of despair.

That’s why the Crown Prince had been able to mobilize almost all his forces, leaving behind only a minimal defensive force at the Imperial City.

“Of course I know. Even the Turtle Catapult and the Turtle Battering Ram won’t be able to penetrate it.”

Max readily admitted it.

That even his secret weapons, which had performed so well in previous battles, wouldn’t work against the Imperial City’s defenses.

Regina narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

“I have a high opinion of you. And I trust you more than anyone. But I’m really curious. How are you planning to conquer the Imperial City?”

“We can’t do it from the outside.”

“What?”

Regina’s eyes widened in surprise.

He was saying that they couldn’t conquer the Imperial City from the outside?

Wasn’t that the same as saying that it was impossible?

But Max smiled mysteriously and pointed to his chest.

“You know what? Even the sturdiest tower will collapse if it’s destroyed from the inside. The answer lies within.”

A smile appeared on his lips.