Victory's Bitter Dawn
"The enemy is retreating!!!!!!!"
"Waaaaah!!! Victory!!!! It's our victory!!!!"
As the thick darkness of dawn gave way to the rising sun, bathing the world in light, the battle's victor was decided.
With the enemy fully in flight, the outcome was clear.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live! Long live! Hurray!!!"
The soldiers thrust both hands high, cheering wildly.
Overjoyed at having survived, they embraced strangers as if they were brothers.
Of course, not everyone was celebrating.
Battle always left scars that no amount of washing could erase.
"The enemy just pulled back, ending the battle in victory."
In the makeshift infirmary, Brigadier General Chaison lay with a blood-soaked red bandage wrapped around his chest.
"Victory... kuh!"
Even a single word was a struggle for him.
Anyone could see his life was slipping away.
"It's all thanks to you holding the walls to the very end, Division Commander. Please, get up."
"Indeed. You have to join us in raising a toast."
At his staff's words, Brigadier General Chaison managed only a faint smile.
"We won. We won... haha."
Tears welled in his eyes, tracing clear paths down his cheeks.
"Division Commander!!!"
As everyone wept together, the tent flap opened, and Colonel Teiran burst in.
"H-how...?"
Seeing his superior's far graver state than rumored, he clamped both hands over his mouth.
"He was stabbed by an enemy soldier climbing the walls."
"Why would the Division Commander...?"
It was hard to imagine a brigadier general wielding a sword on the front lines.
"Because you led from the front, the troops held with sheer willpower and defended successfully."
Colonel Teiran felt emotions too complex for words at the staff's explanation.
"You... you have to get up. The Commander-in-Chief is on his way here. Even just a little..."
Gripping Brigadier General Chaison's hand, Colonel Teiran pleaded desperately.
"Colonel."
Brigadier General Chaison fixed his fading gaze on him and spoke.
"You've... worked hard."
"No, sir! What have I done? I just racked my brains from the rear."
"To the end... kuh."
Pain surged from his abdomen, and he bit his lip.
"Don't speak. Rest first..."
Everyone urged him to rest, but Brigadier General Chaison pressed on.
"Fight... to the end... and win."
"Brigadier General!"
Major General Gadus rushed in, gasping for breath.
Colonel Teiran turned, trembling uncontrollably.
"Brigadier General Chaison... has fallen."
"Report! A communique just arrived from Rimir Castle—the enemy has retreated! Your Majesty, they won!"
Bam!
The emperor clenched his fist and slammed it on the armrest.
A gesture usually born of anger, but not this time.
"Excellent! Outstanding!"
His face beamed with ecstasy, a pleasure rivaling any he'd known.
"Your Majesty! This is a miracle!"
"The heavens are surely on the side of the Lycan Empire."
"Such joyous news for the Empire! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
This victory—a pivotal turning point in the war—carried immense weight.
"If we press the front lines now, starting with Belgium Fortress, the enemy will crumble."
"Your Majesty, this is our golden opportunity!"
Others urged a follow-up assault, but Chief of Staff Bust disagreed.
"Your Majesty, though victorious, the enemy reached the walls, so there must be casualties. We should release funds for special rations and let them regroup."
"Chief of Staff! What are you saying? This is our chance to advance to Belgium Fortress."
"Miss it now, and we risk even greater losses."
Immediate rebuttals followed.
Minister Rosen of Finance was among them, but Bust held firm.
"War is waged by men. Who would fight on right after victory? Besides, Rimir Castle's troops need careful handling."
A place that had already seen one rebellion.
His words evoked old memories, silencing the room.
"The Chief of Staff is right. Victory isn't always about gains. Sometimes holding ground inflicts massive damage on the foe."
The emperor nodded, endorsing Bust's view.
"Minister of Finance."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Allocate enough budget for them to eat until they burst. Starting today."
"Understood."
Rosen bowed, already calculating the sum.
"I'm dying to hear how they pulled off this victory."
The enemy had employed bizarre tactics, nearly seizing the walls.
Yet somehow they endured—and turned the tide.
Having experienced war himself, the emperor knew better than anyone how improbable that was.
"The reports will arrive soon."
"Don't rush them. With the enemy retreated, on-site recovery matters more."
"Yes!"
Though the emperor said not to hurry, two reports arrived in under an hour.
One from Rimir Castle's Commander-in-Chief, Major General Gadus; the other from the Intelligence Command.
"Hah."
The big picture matched in both.
But the Intelligence report detailed the key to this triumph.
"Incredible. Did they anticipate even this and recommend it?"
The emperor glanced at Major General Callun, who shook his head.
"I didn't foresee it either."
"No one could. Classify the Intelligence report as top-secret until armistice."
"Understood."
Top-secret: accessible only to those the emperor approved—the Empire's highest security.
"Honorarily promote Brigadier General Chaison to major general. Prepare reward funds for all who fought on the walls."
"Yes!! Your Majesty!!"
The initial merit awards took shape.
With the emperor setting the framework, details fell to the staff.
"I'd love to head west right now to commend them myself, but circumstances won't allow it."
Moving to the front lines while war raged would hand the enemy an opening.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Send a proxy."
"A proxy."
Usually fine, but not this time—he craved more.
"Is the Crown Prince busy?"
The prince currently served as Chief of Staff Bust's aide.
"Yes, he's swamped learning practical operations beyond books and planning strategies—two bodies wouldn't suffice."
"Work him hard. This is his chance to gain experience, to endure the chaos after I'm gone."
Initially, the emperor planned to send the prince to the western front immediately upon war's outbreak.
But ministers opposed fiercely, settling on aide as compromise.
"I'll fulfill my duty."
"I trust you. If not the Crown Prince, then..."
Tap, tap.
The emperor drummed his fingers on the desk, pondering, then spoke.
"The Second Prince is too young—better no proxy than him. Rene will do."
"The journey west would be too grueling for Her Highness the Princess..."
"If we shirk praising troops who risked their lives over a rough road, are we royals?"
"Ahem."
The minister who'd spoken out of concern bowed without retort.
"Summon the princess."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Residing in the palace, she arrived swiftly.
"I come before His Majesty the Emperor."
With all ministers present, Rene adhered strictly to protocol.
Her sudden summons meant simple attire, but it accentuated her refined, elegant aura.
"Rise."
Only at his permission did she lift her head to face her father.
"No special reason—just go to Rimir Castle in my stead and handle the commendations."
"Understood. I accept the order."
Having heard of the victory en route, she nodded without hesitation.
"I considered the Crown Prince, but he's occupied. Bear the burden instead."
"How could praising soldiers who fought for Empire and Emperor be a burden?"
Her flawless response drew a smile from the emperor.
"Splendid. I'll compile the roster and speech shortly—depart by afternoon."
"Yes, I'll convey Your Majesty's will perfectly."
Rene left the office for her palace after the brief exchange.
"You're back. What did His Majesty want?"
Anna, fidgeting in wait, asked immediately.
"Nothing major—I need to head to Rimir Castle."
"What?! Why that dangerous place?"
"To commend them in Father's place."
"Can't you send a proxy? Why Her Highness personally?"
"He's thrilled beyond proxies. We expected defeat, after all."
Knowing her father's temperament best, this didn't surprise Rene.
"West means over ten days by carriage from here. Aigoo."
"It's fine. I wanted to go anyway. Uncle's likely there too."
"Possible. Pack thoroughly for the long trip."
"Thanks."
"Leave it to me."
Anna exited to pack, and Rene lifted a long box from the corner.
"Shall I bring it?"
The sword handmade by Bangelor, received last week.
No guarantee of meeting him, but her intuition insisted.
That after half a year apart, he was at Rimir Castle now.
"Wonder if he fought in this battle too."
Gazing at the sword, Palan Oclo naturally came to mind.
"Hope he's safe."
If he'd died in battle, she'd carry guilt she couldn't shake.
"He'll be fine—that strong man who even argued back with me."
One of the few ever to challenge her.
She still vividly recalled the scene and his voice.
"Pick some books for the journey."
With the long trip ahead, she prepared thoroughly too.