“So, that mercenary group was completely annihilated? When did this happen?”

   "Early yesterday morning, sir."

   Upon hearing the report, a brief expression of satisfaction crossed the face of Maximilian Schmidt, Governor of the Riklant Autonomous Territory. However, that look of delight didn’t last long.

   “Did the Empire deploy additional forces?”

   “Well…”

   The senior officer in a blue uniform furrowed his brow, looking somewhat troubled. His meticulously groomed gray mustache twitched, as if something about the report didn’t sit well with him.

   Still, Schmidt found it unlikely that the Empire had sent a large force across the border. If they had, this commander would have stormed in here looking visibly agitated. The autonomous territory, though nominally a “republic,” hadn’t completely shed its aristocratic influences.

   Structurally, it resembled the Empire, minus the royal family.

   Of course, that resemblance was only political; the territory was far smaller, and its military strength was laughable compared to the Empire’s. Originally, the autonomous military should have kept this mercenary group in check, but during the revolution’s chaos, they’d turned into a full-blown warlord faction. Comparing their military might to the Empire’s was practically a joke.

   Reluctantly, they had requested assistance from the Empire, with the added plea not to send too many troops, fearing the Empire’s strength. Schmidt and the territory’s nobles had hoped to maintain some pride, though the military occasionally let its frustration show.

   …Truth be told, even if the Empire ignored this plea, there was little they could do to stop them, but the Emperor had respected it—for now.

   “There was only one individual.”

   “...One person?”

   Schmidt pondered for a moment before speaking.

   “Did General Winterfield return?”

   “No, sir.”

   “Then, perhaps his daughter?”

   “I’m afraid not. Though she was also female, she was much younger than General Winterfield’s daughter. There are rumors she’s a princess...”

   “...A princess? Are you telling me they sent a princess to the battlefield? And she was the key to victory?”

   Schmidt looked up at the ceiling with a stunned expression before turning his gaze back to the commander.

   “Did the Empire sacrifice their forces to protect her presence in the field? If so, the compensation will be significant.”

   ‘Protection’ isn’t free, after all. Even if compensation isn’t paid outright in gold, there would undoubtedly be a price. Otherwise, who knew where the Empire’s military might would end up pointing?

   The border region was overrun with warlords now, but if the Empire ever cleared them all out…

   This was part of why the autonomous territory repeatedly pleaded with the Empire to limit their troops.

   “No, sir.”

   However, Schmidt’s speculation was denied by the commander.

   “The Empire’s forces sustained minimal damage. The warlord’s base collapsed, bunker and all. A nearby unit sent someone over this morning with photos to prove it. You should take a look.”

   The commander gently placed a thin but elegant wooden clipboard on Schmidt’s desk.

   "..."

   Schmidt flipped through the report, scanning the pages.

   Just as the commander said, the stronghold, which the autonomous forces couldn’t breach, lay in ruins. Imperial soldiers were cheering from all directions, while the bedraggled mercenaries knelt on the ground with their hands raised above their heads.

   Among the many photos, one showed a young girl.

   It wasn’t taken up close. She was captured standing near the collapsed bunker, wearing a coat similar to an Imperial officer’s, though with slight differences, and her short hair was visible.

   Though she was looking off to the side, showing only her profile, she didn’t seem to be seriously injured.

   “That girl is the princess.”

   “...So, what exactly did this princess do? Even if she were sent, her mere presence wouldn’t change the tide of battle. Was she deployed to gain experience as an officer?”

   “That doesn’t seem to be the case. There’s conflicting information, so we don’t know the full story… But, from what’s being said, that girl supposedly played the decisive role in this battle.”

   "..."

   Schmidt pressed his lips together and looked back down at the photo.

   The girl’s face was expressionless, with no apparent injuries. Her clothes seemed clean, though it was a blurry black-and-white photo, and the focus wasn’t sharp enough to tell for sure.

   “According to the messenger from the Empire,”

   The commander’s voice was deliberately flat, as though he aimed to make his words sound as objective as possible.

   “The princess entered the battlefield, and within minutes, gunfire and explosions were heard from the enemy lines. Soon after, a massive blast occurred. Hearing the sounds of fighting from within, the Imperial forces advanced as if in a feigned attack, and the defensive line crumbled, allowing them to breach the base centered on where the princess was positioned.”

   “Propaganda, most likely.”

   Schmidt scoffed and pushed the report back toward the commander.

   “Don’t we have the example of Lady Winterfield? If someone has the Emperor’s blood—”

   “Even Lady Winterfield wouldn’t be able to infiltrate enemy lines alone and blow up an armory. That’s beyond human capability. Are they implying this princess can dodge bullets?”

   "..."

   With Schmidt’s blunt dismissal, the commander fell silent. In truth, even he found the story hard to believe, which was why he had taken care to strip his voice of emotion.

   “However.”

   Schmidt ran his hand over his hair, brushing it back to reveal his forehead. His neatly styled black hair and sophisticated demeanor made him look every bit the gentleman, though he was older than he appeared.

   “Even if it is propaganda, there might be some truth to it. Like Lady Winterfield’s case, the princess may have been of considerable help in battle.”

   Though the Empire might downplay their own losses, the presence of the princess in these photos suggested she’d participated in the battle. Schmidt considered sending someone to verify the truth from the Imperial forces.

   "Hmm."

   “Is there something wrong, sir?”

   Seeing Schmidt narrow his eyes, the commander took a step back, looking puzzled.

   “Commander, don’t you have a daughter?”

   “...Yes, I do.”

   Schmidt, noticing the commander’s dubious look, added with a faint smile.

   “My daughter is still too young for the Imperial Academy, unfortunately.”

   "..."

   “But if you’re interested in sending your daughter to study abroad, the autonomous territory would be happy to sponsor her.”

   "..."

   The commander fell silent for a moment.

   “There is, of course, one condition… but if you’re not interested, it’s no problem. There are many young women in the territory who’d love to study in the Empire. A son would be just as suitable.”

   “I’ll consider it.”

   At the commander’s response, Schmidt nodded, leaning back in his chair.

   “I’d appreciate a decision as soon as possible. I’d like our student to board the same train as the cadets returning home.”

   Although the process would require some bureaucratic navigation, Schmidt was confident the Emperor would entertain his suggestion.

   Though he hadn’t fully gauged the Emperor’s character, Schmidt knew at least that he had a keen interest in “entertaining developments.”

   “What do you intend to do with this information about the princess?”

   “Well, information has a way of coming in handy eventually. If this princess really is as formidable as they say… we might find a way to leverage her abilities to benefit the territory. After all, we still don’t know much about her character, do we?”

   Schmidt shrugged.

   “Oh, and Commander, does your daughter enjoy making friends?”

   “Oh, well—”

   Schmidt chuckled as the commander averted his eyes, shifting them awkwardly.

   I see.