Return of the Female Knight

At the border, Carlisle was waging a fierce battle with Grand Duke Lunen’s forces. It was long hours later when the fight ended and each side retreated for the night. In the meantime, Carlisle gathered each of his major generals and organized a strategic meeting to continue their push inwards into Lunen. He was clad in dark metal armor as he stood in front of a table with a map.

“If this war drags on, it could last months or even years. But in terms of time, we have the advantage. I don’t believe the Kelt soldiers would be so happy to stay in Lunen for so long.”

The generals nodded in agreement.

“His Majesty the Emperor is right.”

In some aspects, war was akin to a long-distance marathon. The first one to give up was bound to lose. Wars required not only great military power, but extensive supply routes and a large war chest. If the Kelt soldiers abandoned the Duchy of Lunen, Paveluc’s remaining forces had little chance to survive, let alone win. Carlisle was keenly aware of that. Every small advantage he could grab could lead to great victory.

“The envoys I dispatched should have arrived at the border of the Kelt Kingdom by now.”

“Oh, did you send a delegation?”

The generals were surprised at this unknown piece of news. It seemed that Carlisle had already reached out to the Kelt Kingdom to end the war as soon as possible.

“I threatened that if the Kelt soldiers continued to help the Duchy of Lunen, they will pay later.”

“What? You sent a threat? Not a conciliatory message?”

The generals looked at the Emperor with startled expressions. Common sense dictated that the Kelt Kingdom was helping Lunen at a price, so it was right for the Ruford Empire to lay on the table an appropriate counter-offer for their withdrawal. Carlisle, however, was not one to follow precedent.

“Even if we offer something as a reward, it will be difficult to break their contract with Paveluc. On the contrary, they can leverage that in their favor.”

“That’s true, but…”

“If the Kelt Kingdom receives my threat, it should cool down ambitious talk among their leaders. There is no guarantee that Lunen will win.”

The presence of Carlisle in the battlefield, who demonstrated an extensive and notorious military record, should also sway their thoughts. The surrounding countries were familiar with that fact that Carlisle was a brutally effective commander.

“Now that I have planted fear in them, perhaps they’ll reconsider. General Aegi might just change his mind about this whole affair in Lunen.”

The general nodded at Carlisle’s words. The Emperor’s logic was flawless. Carlisle spoke again, his blue eyes shining.

“Now let’s make them squirm.”

He had a simple strategy, but it was a sharp one designed to strike fear people’s psychology. By now, winning in battle was like a second nature to Carlisle.

He immediately pointed to several areas on the Lunen map, then all the way to the Kelt Kingdom.

“First, blockade these areas. General Aegi will see through my intentions, but his soldiers will be demoralized when they realize they cannot freely return to the Kelt Kingdom.”

Every soldiers’ heart was the same, no matter what country they came from. They wanted to claim victory and return to their hometown with pride. No one set off to die in another country.

“You’re incredible, Your Majesty.”

“The rumors about His Majesty are not exaggerated.”

Carlisle did not blink despite the wealth of compliments.

“If there are no questions, return to your respective camps and get ready to move the troops.

The generals, already adapted to Carlisle’s decisive character, looked at him with bright eyes and answered loudly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You may leave.”

After the meeting, the generals rushed back to camp. Now that the battle lines were drawn, they would begin to organize their forces in detail.

Even after everyone disappeared, however, Carlisle did not leave. He now turned his thoughts on putting pressure on Lunen.

This was the only thing he could do to help Elena. As the battle on the border grew fiercer, Paveluc would be forced to focus his attention and troops in that area. That would make it easier on the elite knight who had gone in to save Elena. With that tactic, Carlisle had planned to further increase Elena’s chances of rescue.

‘And in the worst-case scenario…if they fail to rescue her…she will be kept alive to keep negotiations open with me.’

If any such situation occurred, the only way to ensure Elena’s safety was for Carlisle to keep the upper hand. He looked down at the scales on his arm, which sprouted from his surge of emotion.

‘…Please stay alive.’

He recalled his wife’s face in his mind’s eye. While being held hostage, she may be subject to injury or unimaginable torture. Once he rescued her, there was no guarantee that she would look the same.

But that didn’t matter one bit. Carlisle just needed Elena to be alive. Even if her face was disfigured, even if her limbs were torn, he did not think of her any less.

‘Whatever she looks like, she will always be beautiful in my eyes.’

There were many reasons why Carlisle fell in love with Elena. Her beautiful face; her red, jeweled eyes that seemed to pierce his soul every time she looked at him; her graceful neck; and her thin and delicate fingers. When she held a sword she was like a dancer, and when she aimed an arrow at a target she was breathtaking. And when she was shy, she was so cute…

There were too many reasons for him to count, but now she was on the brink of disappearing. What never changed was his feeling of love towards her—that was beyond his power. And so…he wanted her to be alive.

“…Elena.”

Carlisle murmured her name like a prayer, then he slowly closed his eyes and thought about her face. His heart burned with longing and anxiety, but now…the only thing holding him together was the hope of saving her.