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Revan’s eyebrows lifted in response to my perspective.

“So, there’s no doubt about it, right? Princess, you’re not actually considering entering this trap, are you?”

“Heavens, no!” I swiftly dismissed the idea, “I wouldn’t step into such a trap even if the world were ending. We will stick to our plan and attack from the outside. Just follow that lead, everyone!”

“Did something happen?” Revan asked, his expression skeptical.

I forced a hollow laugh. “Ahahahaha.”

“Stop asking pointless questions. Your job is to simply follow the Princess’ orders,” Tengai interjected authoritatively, standing beside me.

“I apologize for overstepping,” Revan quickly conceded.

Tengai gave Revan a brief glance, seemingly still venting his frustration. I couldn’t help but feel mentally exhausted from the recent events. Even though I had explained how the foolish pope had indecently exposed himself and propositioned me, leading to my violent response, both Tengai and Oliana were infuriated. Tengai was ready to obliterate the pope from existence, while Oliana supported him wholeheartedly.

I shared their sentiment, but I had made a promise to Kagerou. We later changed locations, resulting in a gruesome cycle of killing the pope beyond recognition and resurrecting him. However, the pope developed a bizarre fetish near the end and seemed enchanted by our merciless treatment, which unnerved us, and we ceased our actions. We later discreetly delivered the pope’s body to the Holy Kingdom faction.

Oliana, meanwhile, was energetically compiling evidence and records to use as leverage against the Holy Kingdom, both officially and unofficially. While she showed concern for me as the victim, I suspected she was inwardly thrilled to finally have a legitimate reason to act against the pope she despised.

Well, I delegated the strategic planning to capable hands and took command of the allied forces on the ground.

Thanks to Oliana’s efforts, we had received temporary command of the Graviol Empire’s army by imperial decree, streamlining our command structure—a welcome development. As for the Holy Kingdom’s army? I couldn’t care less about them.

“Anyway, according to our estimates, Nidhogg is likely to breach the Empire’s border within the next five days at its current pace. However, there are refugee camps and villages near the border and in the vicinity that haven’t been evacuated yet. The beastkin troops will focus on assisting their relocation.”

Revan and the other beastkin army executives nodded gravely.

“Our main force will launch their attack at the first light of dawn. Here’s something you might take with a pinch of salt: the Holy Kingdom’s holy knights will also start their attack at the same time from the opposite side. Don’t bother coordinating with them. If anything, use your full strength, and it wouldn’t hurt to drag them into the chaos too. Understood!?”

«Ughooooooo!»
«We understand, Princess!»
«We will definitely meet your expectations, Princess!!»
«B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, have you not eaten? What’s with that feeble voice!?»
«Ughoooooooooooooooo!!!»
«We shall dominate the battlefield for the Princess!»
«Princess! Princesss!!»
«We have nothing to fear! Complacency is our real enemy! Remember that!!»
«Ugoooooooo!!»
«Nidhogg or whatever, we’ll obliterate it!!»

Following my announcement, a cacophony of bellows, screams, and war cries instantly filled the field. Normally, the troops of Imperial Crimson were surrounded by nothing but monotony. This mission had finally given them a chance to unleash their pent-up energy.

Our 6,000-strong force might seem insignificant compared to the Holy Kingdom’s 100,000 soldiers, but each of our warriors was a formidable presence on the battlefield. Their war cries alone caused the earth to tremble, not just the air, making it nearly impossible to stand firm.

“Come here, Princess,” Tengai beckoned in his dragon form, extending his palm towards me. Reflexively, I climbed onto it. He then stood up gracefully, cradling me in front of his chest, and delivered an impassioned speech with his thunderous voice.

“Have you all heard the Princess’ command? Isn’t it thrilling to imagine the despair of those foolish enough to oppose her? Rejoice, for this is our purpose. Now is the time to crush those nuisances and fulfill the Princess’ desire. It is only us, her loyal comrades in arms, who can protect our beloved Princess. Victory belongs to those with unwavering resolve and readiness for sacrifice. We fight not for grandiose dreams of saving the world, but solely for those we cherish. Forward, let us march! No fortress, no barrier can withstand us. We will pulverize our foes, send them to the hereafter, and strike terror into the hearts of any challengers. We shall secure eternal peace for our Princess!”

The air was once again filled with thunderous roars, and I felt the intensity of numerous fervent gazes fixed on me. I understood Cres’ beastkin unit getting riled up and joining the commotion, but why was the Graviol Empire’s army also caught up in this frenzy? It seemed less like a war assembly and more like an idol concert.

To my surprise, I saw officials and commanding officers of the Empire, whom I had met earlier, shouting alongside our monster subordinates. Both young and old, their eyes bloodshot with fervor, were part of this wild spectacle.

Wow, this is honestly scary… All I could do was wave back, my expression a mix of awe and unease.