Three kingdoms located in the east. Among these kingdoms, Burkheim was the most powerful. Burkheim.
It is the kingdom that became the largest power in the alliance due to its vast territory and large population.
Since it shares the most borders with the Empire, its military strength is also the greatest among the three.
Using the initiative they gained from this, they led the alliance with the loudest voice.
Recently, with the victory against the Empire's 7th Legion, the atmosphere reached its peak.
Although their own army sustained great damage, victory is victory!
The 7th Legion of the Empire, no less. They drove out the so-called elites with fierce resistance!
Upon hearing that news, both the people of the kingdom and the kingdom's High Command were filled with joy.
'We did it! If we continue like this a little longer, even if we don't win the war, we can at least fill our will to hold out!'
'Carden, who hasn't achieved anything significant, and Fohrland, who only ruined the Pavilion campaign, can no longer challenge our Burkheim's authority. If they did, they would be traitors to the alliance!'
'Just once. If we win just one more time, the Empire will agree to negotiate with us!'
After all, little can be gained from the Empire; it should be considered almost worthless.
But Burkheim can receive the most precious thing through this superiority.
That is time and justification—avoiding the name of 'loser of the east' for Burkheim, instead of 'the Three Eastern Nations'.
Until recently, the relationship between the three kingdoms had been somewhat strained and uncomfortable.
They constantly monitored each other, curbing each other's excessive growth.
The Empire is scary, but even more troubling is the prospect of another kingdom like them suddenly growing bigger.
Originally, this wasn't the plan at first, but the situation became strange.
Since Fohrland's weakness was revealed in the Pavilion campaign, they immediately seized the opportunity.
Carden also joined in exploiting Fohrland's vulnerability.
Because legal and justifiable opportunities like this are scarce.
Then, they achieved a technical Victory against the Empire's 7th Legion.
Thus, Burkheim dreamed of leading this alliance, positioning their nation as the central power.
No, they began to dream of becoming the sole great kingdom of the east—Burkheim—surpassing the concept of the Three Eastern Nations.
"To get closer to our dream, we need another decisive victory."
"Once more against the Empire. If we demonstrate the might of Burkheim again...!!"
Meanwhile, shocking news arrived at Burkheim's High Command.
"The Empire's Princess is in the 7th Legion?!"
"Yes. As a result, the 7th Legion, which had lost all morale, is now surging with energy."
"Are you sure?"
"The scouts report that their spirit and shouts are so intense that they dare not approach carelessly, only venturing near the outskirts."
The 7th Legion, which had been suppressed with all sorts of hardships and sacrifices, came back to life.
It wasn't just that they received supplies and troops from the Empire's 2nd Army Corps.
Morale was revived. Their spirit became sharp. As if they had never suffered a defeat.
Rather, they are burning with burning revenge and fighting spirit.
In this case, the situation becomes very strange for Burkheim as well.
If they were defeated in return by those they had defeated, the morale of their own army would be literally shattered.
Not only that. The atmosphere in the country, which had soared due to that victory, could collapse in an instant.
Since they made empty promises everywhere with a single victory, the price is coming.
Because of this, from the King of Burkheim to the lowest-ranking Commander.
It was perhaps natural for everyone to have the same thought in their hearts.
'We must win. No matter what, we must!'
'The 7th Legion is coming again. Fortunately, there is some distance between the Imperial Legion that follows. It's the last chance. We must win somehow!'
Impatience gradually eroded the whole of Burkheim.
At that time, another piece of news that they would never welcome came to them.
"The approaching 7th Legion includes a young Strategist, the very one who masterminded the excellent formation against our allied forces in the Pavilion campaign!"
"Furthermore, he is the one who broke the spirit of the ferocious Demons with just two moves in the Empire-Novgorod conflict!"
"It is said that his strategy ignited the dying 7th Legion's morale into a volcano this time!!"
The 7th Legion was not the only problem. The Princess behind them was not everything.
Unseen, a larger and more serious problem awaited them.
A young strategist, known for his widespread influence, is accompanying them.
Hearing this news, the Burkheim military had no choice but to become even more alert.
"Troops. We need more troops. No strategy can overcome superiority!"
"Let's focus all the kingdom's capabilities as everything depends on this battle."
"Another victory against the Empire's Legion would mean not only defeating the Imperial Army twice, but also earning renown for crushing those who bore the Imperial Princess's consolation and a Genius Strategist!"
One step. Just one more step. If they can do that, they can have it all.
To escape the position of the loser of the east. To gain the authority of a strong nation that even the Empire cannot ignore.
Even the complete obedience of neighboring countries, which have always interfered with the kingdom's rise.
This was the future Burkheim had always dreamed of, the future desired by the King and the common people of the kingdom.
Therefore, they considered it a given and did not look back on this possibility.
"Gather all the rear units and reserve units."
"But if we do that, the rear guard for the worst case scenario..."
"Carden's main force is nearby anyway, and Fohrland's capabilities have already been greatly reduced. Whatever they are planning, they cannot threaten Burkheim. Instead, we must deal with the Empire's Legion right before us!"
They are also turning back the reinforcements they were going to send to the Pavilion campaign.
That place is currently in a stalemate, so it is sufficient as is.
All troops are gathered except for the basic troops stationed on the borders of Carden and Fohrland.
The 7th Legion is coming. With the Princess's consolation and the joining of the Genius Strategist, their morale is at its highest.
Moreover, behind them is the Empire's 2nd Army Corps. Two more legions follow.
The pressure coming from there was great. Burkheim burned with the will to fight desperately.
"Everyone, remember the battle that took place not long ago! We have won against the Empire Legion. It's the same this time! Let's let them know another defeat!"
"The might of the Empire Legion is all an illusion! You made it so, and it will be so again!"
Seeing the situation, it seems that they intend to attack Burkheim again with the 7th Legion as the spearhead.
So there will be a princess and a strategist. Everyone in Burkheim was sure of that.
So they gathered as many troops as possible to defend first and counterattack immediately.
This time, they were determined to pursue and even annihilate them.
If luck is on their side, they might even be able to capture the Princess.
Then it will be much easier to negotiate with the Empire.
"Report! The Empire's 7th Legion has appeared!"
Finally, it is the time for the decisive battle. The time to decide fate has come.
It was the moment when everyone in Burkheim was about to burn their will once again.
"Urgent, urgent news! Pavilion, there's an incident in the Pavilion campaign!!"
*
The beginning was the allied right flank, Carden, which was in charge of the Pavilion campaign.
"Imperial Army! The Imperial Army is coming!!"
"What?!"
"What are you talking about!?"
Currently, the attackers in the Pavilion campaign are the Three Nation Alliance.
The Empire is focused on defense, as their grand Strategy is to maintain the campaign.
But they switched to the offensive? No, before that?
"There was no news from the Fohrland military camp! If the Imperial Army moves, Fohrland would be the first to encounter them!"
Fohrland, the allied center, was in charge of the base of the Empire's 12th Legion.
Since the march route is fixed, the enemy must have encountered the allied center.
Whether Fohrland won or lost, some kind of news should have come.
But why was there no word from the Fohrland military camp?
'…Don't tell me, these guys. Did they really switch sides?!'
They were suspicious and thought it couldn't be, unless the Fohrland guys were crazy.
Their territories are blocked by Burkheim and Carden respectively to join hands with the Empire.
Even if there is a sea route, it is still only possible by passing through the navies of the two kingdoms.
For that reason, they were suspicious of Fohrland, but they did not actually take military action.
They thought that provoking them would only lead to bad results.
Carden thought that this was a fairly reasonable action.
The one thing they misunderstood was that it's not reasonable at all from Fohrland's point of view.
Once they are suspected, bad cases naturally come to mind.
If it's a problem between individuals, it might be different, but this is a problem between countries.
In the end, they have to think about the worst case scenario and choose a path that is more advantageous for survival.
'Do they think the Empire will pay more for them than the alliance?'
Understanding the situation is important, but for now, they have to stop the Imperial Army that has come before their eyes.
So, the Commanders and soldiers of Carden were about to engage in battle with stiff expressions.
“….”
“….”
Facing each other, the two armies began to face off without any will to fight.
The Fohrland army retreated far away, and the Empire did not pursue them.
They don't fight with them either. Instead, they just block them, and the rest move towards Burkheim.
Thanks to this, the Carden side was confused when the Command Staff belatedly realized the Empire's intentions.
"Bystanding."
And soon they could see.
The Empire's 2nd Army Corps, which they thought would move behind the 7th Legion.
It was none other than here, at the scene of the Pavilion campaign's beginning.
They thought it was obviously stuck and would obviously not break through.
This Pavilion campaign was the stage that announced the beginning and end of this war.