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Chapter 51
This Never Happened Before
“It’s raining. I guess it’s really getting warm now.”
Rose looked up at the dim sky, enjoying the spring rain that marked the end of winter. The clouds were thick and gray, making the sky seem even more oppressive today. Occasionally, raindrops hit the torch hanging on the wall, producing a faint crackling sound. With a melancholy sigh, she exhaled, and Herya noticed, gently draping a shawl over her shoulders.
“Geez, why hasn’t His Majesty replied even once…?”
“He must have forgotten. I’m your guard, after all.”
“Oh, right.”
After Herya corrected the way she addressed Arsen, Rose turned her gaze back to the window. In the Red Forest, the battle was in full swing. According to the dispatch, the combined operation with the Kishiu Royal Knights had pushed the monsters to the north, and they had now occupied Gorod Fortress.
For months, Rose had sent letters to Arsen via messenger every four days. Yet, she had received not a single reply.
Sigh.
Herya, seeing her sigh, exaggeratedly fluffed his arms in response.
“It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”
“Arsen must be cold too, right?”
Herya froze mid-motion, startled.
“The Northern Continent is notorious for its lingering snow. He hasn’t caught a cold, has he?”
Rose had grown anxious from waiting. Night after night, she worried whether the lack of letters meant an urgent situation or that he had been seriously injured. Herya’s prayers were the only thing that forced her to sleep, letting her drift into unconsciousness without thought.
“The weather there must have warmed up too. The Northern Continent isn’t cold all year round.”
Though the Kishiu Kingdom was infamous for its frozen lands, Herya offered this white lie to soothe the restless princess.
“And Sir Lafayette wouldn’t catch a cold anyway.”
The guard frowned as he looked at the sulking princess.
“Shall we visit the herb garden? I heard the apothecary got new herbs recently. Maybe seeing some plants will lift your spirits…”
“No.”
Rose spoke with a determination that made Herya pause.
“Uh… what?”
“I need to go see Sir Gawain.”
“That… even if you ask him, he won’t know…”
Rose grasped the hem of her dress and dashed down the stairs, her pale ankle flashing in the dim light.
“Where are you going?”
“To the Knight Corps training ground. I need to check if any dispatches arrived today!”
The regular four-day dispatches had not arrived for over a week. Perhaps a messenger had come today. As she reached the first floor, she noticed a commotion outside the castle gates. A messenger hurried in, and the guards at the gate murmured among themselves. Seeing their serious expressions made her tense.
Something bad had happened. Herya suddenly stepped forward and gently grabbed her wrist.
“Stay here for a moment.”
He spoke briefly with the soldiers. Rose anxiously waited for the conversation to end. When Herya returned, his expression was graver than before.
“It’s serious. Princess, you need to go to the council room immediately.”
As the sun fully set, the drizzle thickened. Nobles’ carriages lined up outside the castle. Every time thunder rolled, the horses snorted angrily. The emergency council room was as gloomy as the weather outside.
“An air raid?!”
The nobles raised their voices. The messenger brought news of thousands of casualties in the Red Forest. The monsters, previously driven to the brink of annihilation, had surged in numbers and ambushed the expedition force. They had surrounded the allied forces from all sides, isolating them in Gorod Fortress. The last dispatch from this location also ended communication with Caron’s army.
There was no news of Arsen. Rose listened to the report in a daze.
This never happened before.
In the original records, this never occurred. An allied unit suffering during an extermination? Being trapped and endangered by a monster ambush? She hadn’t anticipated the situation escalating this much, despite her involvement.
She realized that even small deviations could now alter the entire flow of the original events. Unexpected variables began to frighten her.
Could it be… Arsen might die?
The thought of possibly hastening his death terrified her.
“Previous dispatches indicated the monsters were nearly defeated, right? How did they suddenly appear here?”
“That part isn’t specified.”
Gawain frowned slightly, reviewing the dispatch repeatedly.
“We need reinforcements immediately.”
“Of course. How long has the unit been isolated?”
“It seems the invasion began at least ten days ago.”
A collective intake of breath echoed through the council. The situation was grim.
Everyone is safe, right?
Rose thought of Arsen, the Remigis Knights, and Savas. If even one of them were harmed, she wouldn’t be able to endure it. Gawain then pointed to a map of the continent, tracing a line from Caron to the Red Forest.
“Even if we organize a supply convoy to depart tomorrow, it will take more than two weeks to arrive. Until then, we cannot gauge the situation, and weather conditions may limit travel. In the worst-case scenario, we may have to delay joining them.”
“The prince is in danger! Delay joining them?!”
The nobles were outraged at Gawain’s decision, but he calmly continued.
“There’s another issue.”
“Food supplies,” murmured Duke Benoit.
“Yes. The key is how long the allied forces trapped in the fortress can hold out.”
The allied forces were essentially trapped in the heart of the monster-infested forest. The fortress offered some safety, but if they couldn’t venture outside, their supplies would eventually run out. Rose clasped her trembling hands together, trying to remain composed.
“Quickly, we need to organize reinforcements and supply convoys. What is the shortest route?”
“It’s the route through the former Eastern Continent. The expedition entered the Red Forest via this path, so following their trail should be straightforward.”
Rose shook her head at the route Gawain indicated.
“Following the expedition’s path is dangerous.”
“What do you mean, Your Highness?”
Duke Benoit noticed Rose’s different idea.
“An invasion implies the enemy has identified our troop movements. If a relief force follows the same route, there’s a high risk of exposure.”
“The monsters aren’t that intelligent. Time is short; following the previous path is the fastest way.”
One noble objected, but Gawain added immediately:
“No. The high-level monsters in Hinnom Valley act strategically. Some seem to be commanders.”
“My goodness… the monsters are that organized?”
“Do not underestimate the monsters across the Red Forest, including Hinnom Valley.”
“Impossible…”
“Moreover, Princess Rose has a point. The monsters wouldn’t allow an easy escape. Even if we send reinforcements, the monsters will block the path.”
“So what are we to do? Take the long route instead of the shortcut?”
“Your Highness, by then the allied forces may already be annihilated.”
Rose ignored the nobles’ scolding and stared intently at the map, focusing on the Anatome Sea between Tevere and the Northern Continent. The largest inland sea in the center of the continent. She recalled a past strategy used by Lafayette, who landed the Remigis fleet on shore. It was perfect, except for one critical problem: that one flaw could be deadly for her.
“What about taking the sea route?”
“You mean heading to the Northern Continent via the inland sea?”
Duke Benoit confirmed her intention as Rose continued to explain.
“Gorod Fortress is close to the Anatome Sea. Using ships, we can transport large amounts of supplies and reinforcements safely, safer than by land against the monsters.”
“But ships have speed limitations.”
“For ordinary merchant ships, yes.”
Rose moved several markers on the map toward the inland sea, positioning one large ship flanked by smaller ships as escorts.
“We will organize a Caravel fleet to support the main ship.”
Caravels, recommended by Lance from Bastia, were fast and highly maneuverable ships, designed for exploration.
“We’ll sail the Caravel fleet at maximum speed to support Gorod Fortress.”
“Caravels can’t carry many people.”
“That’s why only a small, elite group of knights will board.”
“They must navigate through monster-infested waters while escorting supplies. Is that feasible with so few soldiers?”
“Additionally, we need navigators. Isn’t that inefficient?”
Rose looked at Gawain before continuing:
“We have knights who are also skilled navigators.”
Everyone in the meeting seemed to understand immediately.
“Of course. If it’s the Remigis Knights, that solves the problem.”
“They can handle ships and fight monsters.”
“Sir Gawain, how many knights capable of handling ships remain unassigned to the expedition?”
“There are roughly four hundred within the order. Including mercenaries, we could gather around five hundred within three days.”
Many Remigis Knights were already with the allied forces, so the remaining number was limited.
“Five hundred… not enough.”
“We’ll mix the crew with elite knights to operate the ships.”
The council decided on a naval strategy. Although it was Rose’s plan, her expression remained grim.
Can I endure my fear of water for the entire voyage?
Even if confined to the cabin, she would inevitably face the sea when departing and arriving.
No. Saving Arsen comes first. Just close my eyes and endure the trauma for a bit.
Personal fears couldn’t override strategy. Rose steeled herself and resumed the meeting.
“Good. Let’s finalize the advance team and now discuss the units boarding the main ship.”
The forces were divided into medical and combat support units. Those not in the Caravel advance team were assigned to the follow-up fleet. During the review of personnel for the follow-up fleet, someone spoke up:
“I will join as well.”
