The next day, as with all legions, the 7th Legion also begins its day early in the morning.
That means the mess details have to wake up at dawn to prepare.
It's a task someone must do, but which everyone wants to avoid if possible.
The legionaries were rubbing their sleepy eyes and stretching their stiff bodies, getting ready to receive their breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone!"
"Gasp! Yo-Your Highness?!"
They had heard the news. The Second Princess was personally visiting the military camp to offer consolation.
Everyone had talked about that surprising story all night long.
But they thought it would be temporary. They all expected her to leave the next day.
She is a noble princess. Those who saw her figure said she was like an angel.
They thought there was no way such a person would stay longer in this difficult place.
Until they encountered that angelic woman right in front of them.
"Oh, are you here again today?"
"Yes. Ah, you all didn't get rations from me yesterday, did you?"
"Tha- That's right. Our meal time was after that..."
"I see. Here, take it. I ordered them to put extra meat in today. Soon, the 2nd army will arrive. Then, supplies will come in again, so let's eat well today."
It was early morning, and yesterday, the Princess carried out all sorts of schedules.
She even finished the distribution duty without taking any breaks until the very end.
Perhaps due to the fatigue from that, the princess's face looked a little worse than yesterday.
But it was precisely that appearance that caused a greater tremor among the soldiers of the legion.
They themselves are tired, exhausted, and suffering. That angelic woman is there, having overcome it.
Even today, she extends her hand to them, who are still reeling from the shock of defeat.
It's amazing. It's touching. They even wonder if this is a dream.
And suddenly, they also feel sorry for that noble woman.
"Your Highness the Princess."
After breakfast, before starting unit maintenance in the remaining spare time.
A drooping soldier carefully approaches the Princess, who was with the other soldiers.
"I'm sorry. I'm ashamed. Such a noble person like you has come all this way. We are the ones who were defeated..."
"There's a saying. 'Victory and defeat are a common occurrence in war.' It means it's a common thing to happen."
"But..."
"The winners and the losers. They all fought just as bravely. Our Empire doesn't cast them aside just because they lost."
With that, the Princess handed him a cup of coffee she was holding for herself.
"Th-Thank you. Your Highness."
"Don't be weak. You are still here, so there is no talk of falling back to the rear. Don't you all know what this means?"
Of course they know. They are the core of the legion, so they must know.
Once the 2nd Legion arrives after receiving additional lost supplies and troops...
They will once again become the spear of the Empire against the alliance that brought them this humiliation.
This time, there will be no defeat or retreat. It must be so.
"And also."
A playful smile spreads across the princess's face.
This is because, from now on, it wasn't something promised with someone.
"Do you know who came with me?"
"I don't know..."
"Kael Clausewitz of the Berthier County, the one who recently devised a strategy that allowed our Empire to completely dominate the Pavilion, came with me. He is a genius strategist recognized by Her Highness the Crown Princess."
When the story of the Pavilion campaign came up, all the soldiers' eyes widened.
The fame of the 12th Legion reached even here, so the events there were very impressive.
They pressured the alliance even when the alliance was fortunate just to defend.
So they thought that the 12th Legion came out with their teeth gritted this time, but they didn't know this was happening!
"The person who made that possible came with me. Don't you all know what this means? Can't you imagine?"
The soldiers slowly nodded their heads.
The Empire won't withdraw the 7th Legion. Rather, it is encouraging them to stand up again.
For that reason, they sent an outstanding strategist with the princess to this place.
To instill the confidence to win again in this place that had suffered defeat!
*
I was had, completely had. I was going to put the Princess in the forefront and quietly prepare for the future.
I finished the preparations and was about to prepare for the next schedule, but the news spread everywhere.
"The Imperial Army command staff attached the legendary strategist who reorganized the Pavilion campaign to our legion!"
"We will not retreat to the rear. We can fight the alliance again!"
"This time there will be no retreat or defeat. We will pay back as much as we have suffered. We must, let's do it!"
Suddenly, I became the savior sent by the Empire.
I had to go to the Princess right away in this embarrassing situation.
"Your Highness the Princess. This is something that was not discussed with me!"
"You said we should work hard together. Then it should be like this."
"But..."
"It was you, Young Master Kael, who planned this in the first place. If I'm the only one receiving acclaim, wouldn't it be too embarrassing for me?"
Not at all. Rather, I chose Your Highness with all that in mind.
I sighed for a moment, but since it had already happened, I decided not to argue anymore.
Anyway, rumors about me were bound to happen someday.
"What was the next schedule?"
"Reading of a letter written by His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Crown Princess to personally comfort the 7th Legion."
"Did His Majesty and my sister really give this?"
"I asked for Your Highness's company, and they gave it to me with their permission."
Perhaps they already realized that I was trying to use the Princess appropriately.
Since it has come to this, it seems that they have planned to instill greater strength in the soldiers of the 7th Legion.
"But, Young Master Kael."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Do we really have to do it by the river? We can do it in the military camp."
"No. We must do it by the river."
When I said it in a seemingly stern tone, the Princess was startled and stared at me blankly.
She's rolling her eyes, so I guess she's checking if something's wrong.
"I can't explain it right now, but this is all for the Empire. Your Highness the Princess. So, even if it is a little questionable and uncomfortable, I earnestly ask for your understanding."
"Ah, okay. I understand, so don't look at me with such a serious expression."
"I apologize."
Perhaps I put too much strength into my expression.
The Princess has been doing so well so far that I unknowingly made an exaggerated reaction.
It's my mistake. I'll be more careful. The other person is Your Highness the Princess. Her Highness!
"It's almost time, so let's move. Your Highness the Princess."
"Yes, yes. Young Master Kael. Let's go."
*
She was surprised. Really, very surprised.
Isabelle barely held onto her throbbing heart.
It was Kael, who always showed only a soft appearance. He always gave off a comfortable atmosphere.
But suddenly seeing a serious tone and expression came as a fresh shock.
She was surprised at what she had done wrong, but what surprised her more than that was.
'So a person's atmosphere can change so drastically...'
It wasn't bad. Rather, it came as a very positive shock.
It's a completely different look from what she knew about him.
In fact, that appearance was very impressive. She thought it was cool.
"Your Highness. They say all the preparations are complete."
"Ah. Okay."
Hearing the guards, Isabelle took a deep breath and climbed onto the makeshift podium.
For some reason, Kael's figure was not visible.
She had to deliver the consolation of the Emperor and the Crown Princess in front of them.
"...You have fought bravely against the enemies of the Empire. The Empire knows that you have always done so and will continue to do so. Do not doubt. Do not lose yourselves."
The words written by the Emperor were not very long, but they were just as impressive.
He was ordering the 7th Legion not to fall into self-pity and self-blame.
"Rise. Sons of the Empire. Rise with anger, not despair. When you face the wicked enemies who have tarnished your fame again, unleash all that anger, without holding back."
In contrast, the Crown Princess was saying things that the Emperor hadn't.
There was also consolation for the 7th Legion itself, but it focused on repaying their defeat.
If they fight again, make them the ones who run away this time.
At those words, the soldiers let out a silent roar, burning with determination!
"...That was the message left to you by His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Crown Princess. Soldiers of the Imperial 7th Legion. It is true that you have been defeated. Do not run away from that fact. Face it head-on, and turn it into a more brilliant and valuable victory and return it to our Empire."
This should be enough. Yes. This should be enough for the 7th Legion to rise again.
Just as Isabelle thought to herself, Kael, who had disappeared, reappeared.
Where did he go? The moment Isabelle thought that...
"Whoa!"
Suddenly, that Kael makes a strange exclamation as if he were possessed by something.
"Your Highness! Your Highness the Princess! Look over there, look over there!"
"Young Master Kael?"
"The river. The river is strange!"
The river is strange? At those words, Isabelle reflexively turned her head.
Not only her, but also the soldiers, buzzing, all looked at the river.
"...Ah?"
And they all saw a scene.
The river, which was perfectly normal yesterday, was emitting a brilliant, iridescent light.
As the sunlight shone on it, a radiant energy spread in all directions.
"What is that..."
"This is surely God supporting our Empire. His Majesty the Emperor. Her Highness the Crown Princess. And Your Highness the Princess. Being moved by the heart that sincerely comforts the soldiers of the 7th Legion, the great being is also showing his will like this!!"
"...???"
Isabelle wondered why Kael was saying such absurd things.
But in the situation that followed, she automatically shut her mouth.
"God is with us! God blessed the Empire!"
"Whoaaaa!!"
"7th Legion! Stand up! Behind you is His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire! God has promised our victory!!"
"7th Legion! 7th Legion!!"
Look at that spectacle shaking violently as if about to explode.
In front of it, Isabelle unknowingly chanted the name of the 7th Legion together.
*
'Oh. That was hard.'
Throwing oil-soaked stones was harder than I thought.
As far as I know, they threw oil-soaked rice cakes, but there are no rice cakes here.
More than that, things went better than expected.
As expected, the Goddess of Luck smiled at me this time too.
If the Emperor and Crown Princess hadn't sent a letter to rally the 7th Legion.
If the Princess hadn't gone through that trouble yesterday and today to shake the hearts of the soldiers in advance.
I wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything by just making the river oily.
"Let's show those Burkheim bastards what we're made of this time!"
"Waaaaaaa! 7th Legion! 7th Legion!!"
Shout more. More. More. That way, I won't feel resentful for doing all that hard work alone.
After stirring things up and slipping back, I smiled.
'Yeah. What genius strategist? That's ridiculous.'
It was only for a very short time, but I had such thoughts.
It's true that I was like, 'Maybe? Could it be??' because everyone around me was hyping me up so much.
But I realize it again. I'm not a genius, nor am I a strategist.
I'm just... well. Yeah. A shill who's good at using his wits.
Nothing more, nothing less. What genius strategist!