Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Eve of Departure
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The day after the declaration of war against the Theseito Kingdom, a strategy meeting chaired by the crown prince was held at the Ministry of Military Affairs.
Normally, everything would have been decided before the declaration, and the army dispatched immediately. But since the declaration had come so suddenly, the empire was in a frantic rush without time to prepare properly.
The attendees consisted of seven people: Crown Prince Franz, the supreme commander; Yuno, the third prince and deputy commander; Zaitlitz Marquis, the military minister; Legasota Baron, the intelligence chief; Hasau Baron, commander of the 1st Legion; Zigbalt Baron, commander of the 4th Legion; and Derian, commander of the 5th Legion.
"Military Minister! What should our target be?"
At the crown prince's question, the military minister began his briefing while looking at the map provided by the intelligence chief.
"Our primary target is Streve, the impregnable fortress that ultimately held firm during the last Xenon Plains battle, creating that salient. We must capture it to secure supply lines deep into enemy territory."
"But... the problem is..."
"Yes. Naturally, the enemy knows this too, so it'll be guarded by massive defensive forces. Moreover, the current commander at Streve is Count Redelmo. All nearby territories are under his military authority, so the moment we show any signs of invasion, every soldier from those lands will converge on Streve."
"Ugh... Redelmo... That old monster is still alive?"
Even Yuno, who had never cracked a book on military studies, knew the name Redelmo well. At the start of the Xenon Plains campaign, he had been a mere commoner commander for Theseito. But with his extraordinary leadership and command skills, he led victories in every engagement he was assigned to. He rose through the ranks in the blink of an eye, becoming a general by war's end and earning a noble title. He was Theseito's war hero.
Though Theseito ultimately lost the war and ceded the Xenon Plains, Redelmo's tenacious defense centered on Streve prevented further territorial losses for his side. Known as the "Shining Iron Wall of Streve," the mere mention of him facing off against Count Redelmo made Prince Franz groan.
"Your Highness! But things are different now from back then! Over the sixty years since, our imperial forces have grown even stronger, as proven by repelling Leon Kingdom's invasion just over ten years ago. And that old monster has aged just as much, so please don't worry too much."
At Baron Hasau's reassurance, Franz's expression softened a bit, but his concerns lingered.
"What if we bypass Streve and advance toward Lake Simenotra? Or along the coastline?"
"Your Highness! No matter which way we go, we can't avoid Streve's interference. The Simenotra route risks provoking the Johannes Holy Kingdom, and the coastal route leaves us vulnerable to their navy cutting off supplies. Besides, whichever path we take, Streve can simply send out forces to hit us from the flanks."
"Hmm~ So Streve it is, then... For now, let's set the first objective as the Streve Fortress... What about support from the nobles' private troops?"
"Yes! Over two hundred young nobles have already applied to enlist, and the influx of private soldiers is so massive we could form two full legions from them alone."
"Hmm... Then don't integrate them into the existing legions. Form them into separate 10th and 11th Legions and operate them independently. Mixing them with regular forces might spark unnecessary conflicts, don't you think?"
"A wise decision, Your Highness."
All three legion commanders welcomed Franz's choice. They worried that blending noble brats—who clearly wouldn't obey orders—with their loyal troops who followed commands without question would only disrupt the chain of command.
"Then Yuno will take command of the 10th and 11th Legions."
At the crown prince's decision, Zaitlitz Marquis shot to his feet in protest, and Yuno joined in the opposition.
"What? No! Dividing command will only complicate troop movements. Besides, Your Highness Yuno has no real combat experience!"
"He's right, brother! What do I know about commanding troops... I still have so much to learn!"
"No. If I put them under me now, those glory-hungry colts won't follow orders properly. Most of them came because of you, Yuno, so they'll at least listen to you. Take them and conduct guerrilla operations. Cut off all supplies heading to Streve Fortress."
Zaitlitz Marquis sat back down, conceding the logic in Franz's order. Yuno, figuring guerrilla warfare was better than pitched battles or sieges, accepted the proposal.
"Then the goal of this campaign is the fall of Streve Fortress and the occupation of Streve County! Everyone, prepare quickly. We march out in one week."
"Yes, Your Highness! We obey!"
With that, the strategy meeting ended, and Yuno spent the next week in a whirlwind of activity. Private troops from various families began arriving one by one, but from the outset, organizing them gave him splitting headaches.
He deeply regretted never studying military tactics before, pulling all-nighters to cram now. With Richtenaur Count as the only experienced advisor around, Yuno formed the units with his help.
Even after organizing them, factional rivalries among the troops from different families were inevitable. Appointing heirs from major contributing houses to low ranks could spark issues, so personnel assignments plagued Yuno.
On top of that, high nobles kept requesting top posts for their sons to earn merits or safe reassignments for others.
As his head throbbed like it might split, Yuno wanted to smash those nobles' skulls for their petty requests, but lacking the power or energy, he brushed them off with vague acknowledgments.
The day before departure. Sneaking a look at his forces, Yuno couldn't deny his army was a total mess.
They looked decent during inspections, but infiltrating covertly revealed chaos: secret gambling dens inside, sentries passed out drunk.
Worse, moans from women echoed from tents—prostitutes, no doubt.
Yuno's head spun, but to warn the officers, he checked which unit it was by peeking inside.
It was worse. The officers meant to discipline the men were themselves guzzling booze and screwing whores.
Fury boiled over in Yuno; he nearly stormed in to punish them. But they spotted him first, inviting him to join the pre-departure fun. That ultimate display of depravity left Yuno drained, strength fleeing his body.
'Aaaah! Brother, why put me through this trial?! How am I supposed to guerrilla war with this Tang Dynasty rabble?!?!'
Abandoning punishment, Yuno dragged his weary body back to his palace. Exhaustion from stress made him desperately sleepy.
Clutching his pounding head, he entered his bedroom to find Yuria, Isabella, Marie, Eliza Princess, and Katrin Aragon—all five women gathered.
Yuno felt his already aching head throb worse.
"Didn't we settle this? I'm a master now; I can take care of myself. Don't worry, Mom."
"That's not why we're here. Take this... and wear it around your neck. Everyone here made this protective charm together. You never know when a stray blade might fly in battle. Promise me you'll keep it on?"
Yuria handed him what looked like thick paper.
"It has our pubic hair in... Mmph!"
Isabella tried to speak, but Yuria hurriedly clamped her mouth shut. Yuno caught some odd word but was too exhausted to care. Thanking them, he donned the charm.
Grateful for his mother, sisters, childhood friend, and master's concern, but mentally spent, Yuno hugged each one and shooed them out to sleep. They embraced him, wished him safe return, and left his bedroom—all except Katrin Aragon, last in line, who lingered after her hug.
"Master? I'm... exhausted and need some rest... I appreciate it, but now..."
"Hehe... My disciple's been under so much stress lately, huh? Richtenaur was worried sick. So as your master, I should help relieve some tension before you head to war, right?"
With that, Katrin undid her blouse, her massive breasts bouncing free.
"N-No, I just need sleep... more..."
Yuno's eyes flicked to her breasts involuntarily, then away as he reached to rebutton her blouse.
But instinct took over—his hands kneaded her tits instead. Katrin smiled seductively, whispering in his ear as her hand slipped into his pants.
"Your mouth says no, but your cock's honest, isn't it? Already this hard, leaking precum everywhere—really hate it?"
"H-Ha... but Mas... Master, I..."
"But... what?"
Her hand groped his cock inside his pants, breath hot in his ear. Yuno surrendered.
"Ka... Katrin..."
"That's it... Hehe♥ Looks like my cute Yuno wants something from me...?"
"I... want to do it with your... breasts..."
"Hm? What do you want? Can't hear you~"
"I want to thrust my cock between Katrin's soft, squishy tits!!"
"Good boy~! So cute, my Yuno~!! Here, Katrin's big tits are all yours~ Pound them with your cock between these soft, jiggly boobs and pump out thick~~ loads of cum buuurst buuurst~ I'll drink every~~ drop of your cum♥"
Yuno roughly pushed Katrin onto the bed and ravished her huge breasts.
Katrin pressed them together for his pleasure, tongue out licking his cock as it reached her face, savoring her disciple's meat.
Rubbing mana cores had long ceased being cultivation for them—it was pure titfuck sex now. They lost themselves in the endless act.
While Yuno and Katrin indulged in lewd "training" in his bedroom, Yuria tossed sleeplessly in the empress palace.
'My Yuno... He's reached master realm and is an adult now, but... he's just turned nineteen, heading to war. How scared must he be inside...'
Worried sick, sleep evaded her. Finally, in just a simple slip without attendants, she headed to Yuno's palace.
The imperial guard knights at the annex gate opened for her readily. Fearing waking Yuno, she tiptoed silently to his room.
The magic lamp was on; she peeked through the open door to turn it off.
The obscene sight inside nearly made her scream, but she clamped her hand over her mouth, peeking again with wide eyes.
'Y-Yuno and Master Aragon? Wh-What are they...'
It was no master-disciple scene. Yuno's arm-thick monster cock ground against Katrin's enormous tits, producing lewd friction sounds. Katrin moaned in ecstasy, tongue lashing his cock as it smeared across her face.
His precum-and-saliva-slick shaft rubbed her breasts, face, and tongue, granting massive pleasure.
Katrin's crotch pooled with pussy juices, betraying her arousal to Yuria.
'Aah... Yuno... my son... so amazing... your cock... so huge... gulp...'
Gazing at Yuno's colossal cock—dwarfing even her husband's—Yuria's pussy soaked through.
Soon, Yuno erupted, flooding Katrin's face and sending her over the edge. She latched her mouth on his spurting cock, gulping down cum endlessly.
Watching her son climax, Yuria's pussy squirted too. Peeking at their ongoing blowjob, she plunged her slender fingers into herself.
'Aah... I should be there... I could please Yuno more than that bitch... Jealous... I... I can fuck too... Yuno, come to Mommy... Pound Mommy's pussy with your huge cock!!'
Imagining Yuno's cock stuffing her pussy, Yuria masturbated furiously. But reality kept it buried in Katrin's tits and mouth; fingers were all she had.
As Yuno came again, Yuria squirted in sync, climaxing.
This peak, unknown even with the emperor, came from watching her son's cock. Staring blankly at him, his erection still raged. She yearned to rush in and beg to be fucked, but as a mother, she couldn't.
Yet pent-up lust overtook her again. In the hallway, she masturbated to her son once more. It only brought hollow release.
Finally, Yuria haphazardly fixed her cum-soaked clothes and trudged lonely back to the empress palace.