The Day the North Fell
Up until the moment the word hostage burst from the crumbling king's lips, delivering a death sentence to my peaceful second life, I'd been enjoying my tranquility just fine.
I knew war was probably coming soon enough, but for now, it didn't have much to do with me.
If I were some hidden powerhouse, the strongest in this world, suppressing my abilities while living in secrecy, I might've at least tried to save the kingdom. Unfortunately, when I got isekai'd, I didn't receive any special perks or traits.
Even in the carriage heading to the royal palace after so long, led by my mother's hand, my heart was as light and relaxed as ever.
"Ian, it's been a while, so make sure to greet Her Majesty the Queen properly. Chat amiably with Prince Joseph and Princess Ellie too. Things are tense these days, and everyone seems down, so share some fun stories to cheer them up. Got it?"
"Of course, Mother. You'll be with Her Majesty, right?"
"His Majesty the King will probably join us this time. I've been invited to the tea party. They said you could come too, but I bet you'll just exchange a few words before they send you off to hang out with the prince and princess."
"In that case, I'll just have one cup of tea and head out. We're almost there, aren't we?"
Peering out the carriage window, I noticed the capital's atmosphere was markedly different from usual.
The faces of people bustling through streets that should have been lively were shrouded in heavy shadows, and merchants in the markets were whispering among themselves, closing shop early.
Above all, the number of soldiers guarding the palace had noticeably increased.
Something must have happened.
Of course, from the original novel, I knew the Empire would eventually unify the continent and swallow our kingdom too.
But I thought it was still a ways off.
There were still several minor nations acting as buffers between the Empire and our Sterling Kingdom.
If I'd known the exact timing, I could've prepared somehow, but the novel started its first chapter with the kingdom's surrender, providing no info on precisely when we'd be conquered. If only I'd known earlier, I could've done something.
The royal tea party was held in the beautiful greenhouse attached to the king's office.
"Oh, Michelle! And Ian! It's been too long. Come on in."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Queen. I hope you've been well."
The king and queen welcomed my mother and me as warmly as ever.
Prince Joseph hugged me the moment he saw me, and the princess beamed, rushing over to plant a kiss on my cheek.
"This black tea was specially prepared for today's tea party. Merchants from the southern seas brought it—its aroma is exquisite. Give it a try."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The greenhouse was filled with the scent of freshly bloomed roses and sweet black tea.
It felt like the usual peaceful vibe, but there was something off about the king.
...He's forcing himself to act cheerful.
Dark circles and deep fatigue shadowed his eyes, and his wrist trembled faintly as he held the teacup.
He was smiling through gritted teeth, but the air in the greenhouse hung heavy.
Normally, I'd toss out a silly joke to liven things up, but instincts honed from my previous life screamed a warning.
Not the time to speak.
It was right then, as I quietly sipped my tea and nodded along to Prince Joseph's hunting tales.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!"
A pale-faced minister burst into the greenhouse, slamming the door open without a knock or any regard for decorum.
"...Next time, at least knock before entering. What is it?"
"Th-the north! A messenger has arrived from the northern border!"
North.
At that single word, the king's teacup rattled noisily before tumbling to the floor and shattering.
Hot tea splashed onto his lap, but he shot to his feet, unconcerned.
The Empire's mad conquest wars starting from the continent's north weren't news from yesterday or today.
Rumors had circulated for years that the nations between us and the Empire were falling like leaves in the wind.
And our Sterling Kingdom was the last target clinging to the southwestern edge.
"Bring him in! Bring him in right now!"
At the king's desperate, tearing cry, I started to rise stealthily.
"Your Majesty, it seems you have urgent state affairs. We'll take our leave..."
"No, Ian. Michelle. You're like family—no need to leave. Sit."
We awkwardly sat back down at the king's insistence, just as the door opened and the messenger entered.
Everyone in the greenhouse gasped. The princess let out a small scream, covering her mouth.
"Huff... huff... Your Majesty...!"
The soldier was drenched in blood, his shoulder and side torn open like a beast had mauled him.
He collapsed onto the ornate marble floor, sobbing wretchedly.
The sweet tea and rose scents were instantly overwhelmed by the metallic, nauseating stench of blood.
"Wh-what's this state! That armor—isn't it under Margrave Lancaster? What in the world happened at the kingdom's sturdiest, most loyal bulwark!"
The king sprang up, voice quaking, demanding answers. The soldier smashed his bloodied head against the floor, wailing.
"The bulwark... has fallen, Your Majesty...! The northern border forces have been annihilated!"
"What? Has the Empire declared war! Have all those buffer states collapsed! Did they cross the border without formal declaration? Has the Empire's main army already reached our borders!"
"N-no, that's not it. Not even a proper army..."
The soldier blinked with unfocused, terror-stricken eyes, his bloodless lips trembling.
"A few weeks ago, we detected the Empire's main forces mobilizing, so Margrave Lancaster assembled five thousand elite infantry at the border for preemptive defense. Our kingdom's finest. But... we clashed first with their vanguard, approaching under the pretext of scouting and searching."
"Scouting party? How large were they, to wipe out five thousand of our elite!"
"Just... just three hundred."
Silence descended.
I doubted my ears.
Five thousand regular troops annihilated by a mere three hundred scouts?
"Nonsense! That's nearly a twenty-to-one difference! Even if our forces have grown soft from decades of peace, how could they be breached so swiftly!"
"The battle... didn't even happen! They're not human. Their warhorses were twice the size of ours, and when those three hundred Empire cavalry charged once, our five thousand infantry's shield wall shattered like dry reeds! The soldiers couldn't even thrust a spear properly, couldn't flee—they were just slaughtered indiscriminately...!"
The soldier flailed at the air, screaming as if reliving hell right before his eyes.
"Margrave Lancaster tried to rally the scattered troops and reform the lines, but a female Empire general in black armor beheaded him with a single stroke! The moment his head flew through the air, the northern army completely disintegrated. Those three hundred demons butchered five thousand in less than half a day!"
A female general in black armor...
Regret hit me late—I should've properly read my ex's novel.
I'd only skimmed the steamy parts.
If I'd read it right, I'd know who, but nothing came to mind.
"I... I was taken prisoner there too, but that black-armored general pressed a massive sword dripping blood to my throat and said to run to the capital and report this. She said she'd spare only me, so go deliver the message."
"What... what message did the Empire send!"
The king bellowed, face ashen. The soldier wept blood tears in reply.
"One hundred thousand—the Empire's main army of one hundred thousand is marching south. Surrender and open the gates if you want to live. Any sign of resistance or delay, and they'll wipe out the entire kingdom's seed."
A thud—the king collapsed.
The queen and princess clung to each other, bursting into sobs. Prince Joseph froze, face blank.
Sterling, this small kingdom soaked in peace for decades, had never faced real war. It lacked even the strength to stop the three hundred cavalry that had pierced the north, let alone a hundred thousand.
The king's hands shook violently.
"Surrender... yes, we must surrender. How can we fight that colossal Empire? We have to save the people. What are their surrender terms! Tribute? Territory cession!"
"Th-they said they'd send an envoy to inform us directly..."
Before the soldier could finish.
"Your Majesty!!!"
This time, the palace guard captain rushed in, armor clanging loudly.
His face was even paler than the minister's or the bloodied messenger. He couldn't even breathe properly, collapsing to the floor.
"A cavalry claiming to be the Empire's envoy... has already reached the palace's main gate!"
Impossible speed.
They'd sent this soldier ahead as messenger right after breaching the border, yet arrived at nearly the same time.
It meant they'd overrun every castle in the kingdom without meaningful resistance.
"Let... let them in..."
The king muttered at the empty air, eyes unfocused like a soulless doll.
"Let the Empire's envoy... in."