For a while, I lived pretending to be Noxia.

Meanwhile, Orland had completed a machine to disrupt mana stone control devices, using the blueprint I had handed over.

Now that magic engineering weapons could be used as originally intended, all that remained was to lure the Karua Empire into a trap.

Life inside the imperial palace was not uncomfortable, but there was one thing I simply could not adapt to, no matter how hard I tried.

“Jo, good morning. Your Highness.”

That was pretending to be married to Rohel.

From the moment I disguised myself as Noxia, we had been using the excuse of being busy to sleep in separate rooms. It was only natural—we could not possibly share the same bed.

Instead, every morning we pretended to still be affectionate, secretly discussing how to trap the Karua Empire without anyone noticing.

Rohel also looked at me and gave an awkward smile.

“Shall we have breakfast together?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

We tried our best to act naturally, but it seemed others noticed we were not quite the same as before—their worried glances were palpable.

Of course, I did not care much. After all, this problem would resolve itself once the real Noxia returned.

Right now, devising a solution to the war was more urgent. Indeed, Rohel and I were in the midst of planning how to trap the Karua Empire.

We sent everyone out under the pretext of wanting to enjoy breakfast alone.

Once all attendants had left and only the two of us remained, Rohel carefully double-checked that no one else was nearby.

Only after confirming this thoroughly did I take out the map I had been hiding. It already bore many marks of planned strategies.

“Shall we continue from where we left off yesterday?”

As if by mutual agreement, Rohel and I bypassed the delicious breakfast and stood facing each other over the map.

Rohel spoke with a serious expression.

“As the Lady Brellof said, the Karua Empire will assume our magic engineering weapons are inoperable. Exploiting that assumption should give us the upper hand. But we are still insufficient to stop the human weapons controlled by the captain of the royal guard.”

The second-generation children led by Bill were formidable.

Not only did they wield inextinguishable flames and bodies capable of turning to steel, but they were also under hypnosis—absolutely obedient to commands and utterly fearless.

Anyone facing the hollow-eyed second-generation children would inevitably be terrified.

Our greatest current obstacle was figuring out how to stop Bill and the second-generation children.

I replied reassuringly.

“Please do not worry about that. I am currently corresponding with Ascan to discuss how to handle them. If the plan succeeds, the captain of the royal guard and the human weapons will be unable to participate meaningfully in this war.”

Ever since arriving at the imperial palace, I had continued exchanging letters with Ascan through the Cain Trading Company.

Ascan had volunteered to take responsibility for Bill himself and intended to neutralize the second-generation children without causing them fatal harm.

It was by no means an easy task, but since Ascan himself was taking charge, I trusted him completely.

Rohel asked with a curious expression.

“How exactly do you plan to stop them?”

“It is difficult to explain right now. I will inform you once the plan becomes more certain.”

How Ascan intended to deal with Bill and the second-generation children was top-secret. Even Rohel could not be told the operation in advance.

Rohel nodded understandingly.

“I do not know what method you intend to use, but since it is the Lady Brellof speaking, I will believe you.”

“Thank you. Also, last night, a letter arrived from His Majesty the Emperor of Lazent Empire. He says he will send reinforcements soon. Here is the letter—please confirm it yourself.”

I handed Rohel the letter Dekain had sent via Kevin.

Normally, such correspondence should have been exchanged officially, but we delivered it secretly to avoid detection by Karua Empire’s hidden spies.

Rohel nodded vigorously, his face bright with joy.

With magic engineering weapons and Lazent Empire’s assistance, this war had a strong chance of victory—especially since the Karua Empire remained completely unaware and complacent.

“Your Highness, at this point, we have completed all preparations on our side. Reports of continuous defeats keep arriving from the border—what if we launch the first attack?”

“You propose we strike first?”

“Yes. The Karua Empire will not expect our magic engineering weapons to function. When they see us armed with them, they will grow even more complacent.”

From the Karua Empire’s ignorant perspective, seeing us armed with magic engineering weapons would appear to be their golden opportunity.

If we exploited that moment to completely crush the Karua Empire’s army, victory in this war would belong to the Arwen Empire.

Rohel wore a thoughtful expression, then nodded. He agreed with my opinion.

Small and large battles with the Karua Empire still raged along the border, and so far, the Arwen Empire had not won even once.

If we lost any more troops, we would have no chance left.

“The Lady’s words are correct. We should attack the Karua Empire first.”

Though it might appear reckless on the surface, in reality it was a sophisticated strategy to lure the Karua Empire into complacency.

But to launch a preemptive strike, we needed Emperor Russelion’s permission. Persuading his timid heart would not be easy.

Rohel spoke softly, his expression troubled.

“The key is whether His Majesty will approve this operation.”

“I will assist you.”

Rohel alone would not be enough to secure permission from the ever-worried Russelion. I and the Brellof family would need to support him.

Our plan so far had been brilliant—I was confident that even the most fearful Russelion could be persuaded.

Rohel and I locked eyes, our gazes resolute.

After all, the final obstacle before us was the towering mountain named Russelion.

Having made up our minds, Rohel and I headed straight to the imperial palace.

Recently, Russelion’s health had deteriorated due to severe stress. He received us while reclining weakly in bed.

“What is it? You said you had something to discuss.”

Rohel stepped forward and answered seriously.

“I came to consult with you regarding this war. I have important matters to discuss—please dismiss those around you.”

The war was currently the Arwen Empire’s greatest concern. Russelion had fallen ill precisely because he had been agonizing over it.

Russelion looked puzzled but soon nodded.

“Everyone, withdraw. I will speak privately with the Crown Prince.”

At his command, all palace attendants near the imperial chambers bowed deeply.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In an instant, not even an ant dared to scurry nearby. Such was the authority of Emperor Russelion’s command.

Once everyone had left and silence settled over the room, Russelion spoke.

“Now, say what you wish to say.”

“First, please look at this. A secret letter sent by the Emperor of Lazent Empire.”

Rohel first presented the letter sent by Dekain. It stated that Lazent Empire would send reinforcements.

Russelion’s expression brightened as he read the letter.

Given that the alliance with Lazent Empire could have collapsed in the worst-case scenario, it was heartening that they chose to support the Arwen Empire in its time of need.

“It is good news that Lazent Empire will aid us.”

“Yes. Moreover, Bi and I have devised a strategy for confronting the Karua Empire. We studied the border terrain—please review our plan, Your Majesty.”

Rohel unfolded the battle map we had created together. It detailed numerous strategies indicating precisely where and how to engage the enemy.

Russelion spoke with admiration.

“Oh, you have worked hard indeed. Show this to the generals and hold a strategy meeting together.”

“I believe we have a strong chance of victory in this war. If we launch a preemptive strike against the Karua Empire—”

“What? A preemptive strike?”

Russelion, who had been listening quietly, suddenly frowned deeply. He continued in a firm voice, as if the idea were absurd.

“How can you propose launching an offensive when we are barely managing defense? That is impossible.”

“Reinforcements from Lazent Empire will arrive. And with our current strategy, we are fully capable—”

“How many reinforcements will come remains unknown. Relying on troops that have not even arrived yet seems far too hasty.”

Caution itself was not bad. But avoiding decisive action at the critical moment was certainly not good.

Russelion was not merely cautious—he was excessively timid. As the saying goes, “the best defense is offense.” We could not forever be dragged along by the Karua Empire.

I, who had been listening quietly to their conversation, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. My father greatly praised this plan. The Brellof family will also lead the charge.”

“The Marquis praised it?”

Russelion hesitated briefly at the mention of Orland, but soon shook his head stubbornly.

“I understand the Marquis’s and the Brellof family’s intentions, but even so, launching a preemptive strike still seems far too risky.”

I nearly facepalmed. I knew Russelion was timid, but actually conversing with him proved he was worse than I had imagined.

While I pondered what to do, Rohel tried once more to persuade Russelion.

“Your Majesty, please trust me just this once. Entrust me with this war, and I will certainly stop the Karua Empire.”

“Your spirit is admirable, but your experience is far too lacking to command a war.”

The more we spoke, the more I realized: ordinary words would never persuade Russelion.

Unwilling to give up, Rohel spoke with rising emotion.

“Reports of consecutive defeats keep arriving from the border. If we wait any longer—!”

But this approach would not change Russelion’s mind.

Swish—

I removed the wig I had been wearing.

My black hair, hidden beneath the wig, tumbled softly onto my shoulders.

Startled by my sudden action, both Rohel and Russelion stared at me with wide eyes. Rohel had not expected me to reveal my identity here.

I looked straight at both of them and spoke calmly.

“Your Majesty, frankly, I am Tanashia. I have been concealing my survival after being ambushed by the Karua Empire, which is why I could not inform you earlier.”

“Wh—what about the Crown Princess…?”

Russelion stared at me in shock, clearly unable to comprehend the situation.

I had intended to minimize the number of people who knew I was alive, but now that it had come to this, there was no choice.

Until now, only Rohel and Orland knew my true identity. Revealing it to Russelion, however, might help persuade him.

“I recently switched places secretly with Noxia, to deceive the Karua Empire. They have developed a device that renders my magic engineering weapons useless—and are now extremely complacent because of it.”

“What? The magic engineering weapons are inoperable?”

I had hesitated to reveal this earlier, unsure how the timid Russelion would react.

But now, I had no choice but to lay bare our current situation entirely and secure his permission for the attack.

“No. We have now developed a new machine to counteract that device, so the magic engineering weapons function properly. The Karua Empire simply does not know this.”

“That means…”

Russelion’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to understand what I intended to say.

“Yes. We plan to crush them while they are complacent. If you grant permission for the preemptive strike, I will assist His Highness the Crown Prince with all my strength.”

“…Heh heh.”

Russelion let out a weary chuckle. Then, looking at Rohel, he spoke with mock reproach.

“You should have told me about this sooner.”

Rohel bowed his head apologetically.

“I apologize. The operation was so highly confidential that I could not report to Your Majesty first.”

Russelion shook his head as if utterly baffled, but his expression was unmistakably brighter than before.

He had seen, through my explanation, the possibility of victory in the war.

“Very well. I grant permission to launch a preemptive strike against the Karua Empire. Furthermore, I appoint the Crown Prince as commander-in-chief of this war.”

At Russelion’s unexpected declaration, Rohel, who had been bowing his head, lifted his face in astonishment.

“Truly… you mean it?”

“Yes. I did not wish to burden you with a matter upon which the nation’s fate rests, but since you have prepared this much without my knowledge, go ahead and try it your way.”

I knew this from reading the novel . Russelion and Rohel’s father-son relationship was not particularly good. The greatest reason was their clashing personalities, compounded by their inability to express their true feelings.

Yet now, for the first time, Russelion showed Rohel genuine sincerity.

Rohel’s face briefly registered shock, then quickly filled with joy.

“I will not disappoint you, Your Majesty.”

I looked at the two of them and smiled contentedly.

Though revealing my identity had been unintentional, the outcome exceeded expectations—not only had we secured permission for the preemptive strike, but Rohel had also been appointed commander.

Russelion looked at me with mock sternness and said,

“Lady Brellof, do not forget your promise to assist the Crown Prince with all your strength.”

“Yes, worry not, Your Majesty. I will also participate in this war.”

Since we intended to deploy all our magic engineering weapons against the Karua Empire, of course I had to go.

Russelion nodded, his expression deeply satisfied.

Thus began the Arwen Empire’s counteroffensive. Leading the great army departing from the capital was Rohel—and beside him, I stood.

Not only us, but Orland and the Brellof family, along with many other Arwen Empire nobles, mobilized for the final decisive battle.

A massive war against the Karua Empire was about to begin.