The Abandoned Empress

Given the situation now, the prisoner, Duke Lars, was inside the room at the end of the hallway where the enemies were blocking our forces’ entry desperately.

Neither ally nor enemy forces were in a situation where they could no longer step back.

Eventually, with the target area only about thirty steps away, the two sides stood face to face, staring at each other. They were in a lull for a minute.

I let out a sigh. I thought that a little more push would have them driven away. But it was very difficult to get there as the 2nd Knight members were desperately resisting.

‘Is there any way to break through them?’

When I was lost in thought, Carsein shrugged and looked around at the knights around him.

“As we can’t delay anymore, why don’t we confront them directly? Let’s move in and fight.”

“What if we are blocked?”

“Then we are defeated, of course. But the result is the same whether the closing time is up or we are defeated, isn’t it?

“You’re right. Let’s go ahead then.”

When some squad leaders agreed, Carsein said with a smile, “Good. If I count three, begin attacking them. By the way, Sir Monique? ”

“Yeah?”

At his sudden calling, I turned my head while grabbing my shield.

“As you are very quick in wielding the sword, stand behind the second row. Then, if you think you can do it, go straight to the target area.”

“Got it.”

“The same goes for those who think they are fast. Okay, let’s go. One, two, three!”

Everyone rushed to the target area, holding their shields before them.

Although the 2nd Knights members were on the defensive even before we charged at them, they began to step back little by little as if they felt it was too difficult to stop our attack.

Was it because we pushed them as hard as we could? There was a hole in their defensive line finally. They noticed it and tried to close the ranks quickly, but I was a little faster than them.

After barely breaking through their loose defense, I opened the door without looking back.

“Duke Lars!”

“Wow! Sir Monique! Nice joy. Thanks for your efforts to come over here.”

Duke Lars, who was having tea with my father in a leisurely manner, spoke.

Next to him were Deputy Captain of the 1st Knights Division, Earl Fleck, and Deputy Captain of the 2nd Knights Division, Earl Burt.

“… ”

I blinked with a blank expression. I felt empty somehow. I arrived here after desperately fighting my way through the enemies. I just felt drained to find them so relaxed, unlike the chaotic situation outside where they were locked in a fierce battle.

Earl Fleck, who looked at me blinking aghast, said with a smile, “Hmm. I’ve heard that you’ve made a great contribution, but I didn’t expect you would come here.”

“…. ”

“I think I underestimated my abilities. I’m sorry. Although your strategy was reckless, it was good. If you make further efforts, I think you can be a good staff officer. ”

“Thank you, Deputy Captain!”

When I bowed to express gratitude, Duke Lars, who put down the teacup, looked back at my father and said as if he felt good, “Kairan, I know you’re happy with your daughter’s achievements, but I don’t think you can be happy now. The 2nd Knights you are in charge of are lost. ”

“… Yes, I agree.”

The moment my father’s eyebrows were wriggling, I heard a trumpet blaring from a distance.

The trumpet sound meant the end of drills.

‘Is it true we have won? Really?’

Suddenly, I smiled. Though exhausted, I felt refreshed at the sound.

Standing up from his seat and approaching me, my father stroked my head and said, “Tia.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“It’s a shame that you defeated my knights, but I’m so proud that you have carried out your mission so well. Good job!”

“Ah… ”

I was so happy that my heart was throbbing hard. My father has supported my decision without raising any objection from the moment when I, right after my return from the past, told him that I would learn fencing, but it was the first time he praised me as a knight.

When I was overjoyed, looking at my father, Duke Lars picked up a quill pen and said, writing down something on a piece of paper on the table, “Hmm, it’s time for me to evaluate her performance. Kairan, I’m thinking of giving her the final score like this. What do you think? ”

“I have no objection, but I’m afraid they are going to complain.”

“Hmm… Earl Fleck, Earl Burt, what do you think? ”

“Complain? Bullshit! There are lots of knights who have witnessed the wonderful performance of the two knights.”

“You heard it, Kairan, right? You’re worried needlessly, Now, let’s go and announce the results.”

After folding the paper, Duke Lars pulled out the one embroidered with four spears out of the two flags hanging from the wall. Only then did my father nod and pulled out the blue flag embroidered with a silver shield.

I left Della Palace with the four and headed for the outer palace. In the spacious vacant lot the knights of the 1st and 2nd Knights Divisions, who already adjusted their uniforms neatly, were lined up in column and in line. Their eyes looking at my father and Duke Lars on the platform were all sparkling with anticipation.

At that moment, a group of knights were seen approaching from a distance. The blue-haired young man and the knights in white uniforms escorting him. At the sudden appearance of the crown prince they began to whisper here and there. Of course, they stopped whispering as soon as they checked Duke Lar’s sharp glance.

“Loyalty to the lion! I’m honored to see the Little Sun of the empire.”

“Glory to the Empire! Sorry if I have disturbed you. I wanted to observe the drills from the beginning, but somehow, I came only now as I finished my work.”

“You didn’t disturb us, Your Majesty! I am honored to know you are so much interested in our knights,” said my father with a nod.

“Although I didn’t observe the drills, I would like to give the awards directly to those who have achieved the best performance.”

“Please go ahead. They will take it as an honor.”

My father handed him the paper with the award winners on it and stepped back.

After opening the paper, the crown prince looked through the names there. Then, he paused for a moment before opening his mouth slowly.

“You knights who are the spears and shields of Great Castina and the glorious empire! I admire your hard work and enthusiasm, and I sincerely appreciate your patience and courage. May you enjoy the glory of endless honor in the future!”

“Wow! Wow!”

“Glory to the Empire!”

“Loyalty to the Lion!”

After waiting for their shouting to subdue, he said, “Then let me announce the winner. The winning team today is … ”

“… ”

“Today’s winner is the offensive team. Spears of the empire, let me praise your agility.”

“Wow!”

At the moment, the 1st Knights Division shouted loud. Smiling lightly, Duke Lars lifted and shook the flag embroidered with four spears. On the other hand, the 2nd Knights Division members looked gloomy. As captain, my father was expressionless.

As both sides’ reactions were showing such a contrast, the crown prince raised his right hand to silence them and said, “Then let me announce the best squad. The best squad of the drills this year is … ”

“… ”

“It is the 13th squad of the 1st Knights Division. Members, come forward. ”

I opened my eyes wide. ’13th Squad? Really?’ Only

“Let’s go, Aristia.” Carsein patted my shoulder and smiled. Members of the squad including Sir Giss stood with a blank expression like me.

As I stepped on the platform blankly, the members of the 1st Knights Division shouted all at once.

“The 13th Squad of the 1st Knights Division, squad leader Carsein de Las and nine others. I award swords and badges to each of you who have shown great courage and strategy to lead the team to victory. Always remember what you have done today and try to set an example for the knights of the empire.”

After offering brief compliments, the blue-haired young man handed a decorative sword and badge to each squad member. My colleagues received the souvenirs and finally it was my turn.

The young man who stopped a couple of feet before me looked at me and said, “…You.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“… Nothing. Thanks for your nice job.”

Instead of trying to say something, he silently picked up a spear-shaped badge and pinned it on my collar. He adjusted my crumpled jacket a bit. Then he turned around after passing the decorative sword to me.