By the time the Imperial conquest of Aniak, Saint-Toir, and Montpieu was relayed to the royal court of the Kingdom of Brotan:  

"General Gerhardt Weisschild's correspondence has arrived."  
“...Hmm.”  

Even Louise, who had been idling away her time in her study, received Gerhardt’s report containing the details.  

The earlier reports were concise, sent during preparations for counteroffensives, containing only brief summaries of the battle outcomes. Now, a more comprehensive report detailing the situation and merits of the campaign had reached her hands.  

"Summon the nobles! We shall convene a meeting tomorrow!"  

Without delay, Louise ordered the assembly of the nobles.  

---

#### The Next Day  

"…What could this be about?"  
"From Her Majesty’s expression, it doesn’t seem like bad news."  
"Indeed, that seems likely."  

The nobles, gathered in the Imperial Palace’s audience chamber, noticed something unusual: Louise, seated on the throne, wore a broad smile—one far removed from her usual demeanor.  

“...”  

The one most startled by this sight was Theodore.  

Recently, Louise had ceased her efforts to gather talent, and during meetings, she often appeared bored or disinterested. Yet here she was, smiling brightly as she summoned the nobles to the throne room.  

Theodore, staring blankly at her from afar, thought to himself that he might need to call upon a portrait artist once again to capture this rare expression. He made his way to his seat, shaking his head in bemusement.  

"Are all present?"  
"Yes, Your Majesty."  
"Then let us begin. Ahem, ahem."  

Clearing her throat, Louise began her address:  

"As you all know, the Imperial forces, numbering 55,000 and led by Generals Gerhardt Weisschild, Viktor, and Friedrich Günter, achieved a resounding victory at Apitelo Lake."  

She started by referencing the victory, known as the *Battle of Apitelo Lake*, which had reached the capital about a week prior.  

"Indeed, it was a remarkable achievement born of General Gerhardt's excellent strategy."  
"Hmm, yes."  
"Such a feat is only natural for General Gerhardt."  

Theodore, quick to respond, attributed the victory entirely to Gerhardt. The other nobles, having only read brief summaries of the battle, nodded in agreement, confident in Gerhardt’s capabilities.  

"Indeed."  

Louise’s response was cryptic. She pulled out a report from her robes and held it up.  

"Just yesterday, I received a detailed account from General Gerhardt concerning the progress of the battle and the current state of the borders. Sir Theodore."  
"Yes, Your Majesty."  
"Since you were among those who advocated for the dispatch of reinforcements, why don’t you read it aloud for all to hear?"  
"Understood."  

Despite an inexplicable sense of unease, Theodore bowed and approached to accept the report.  

“...”  

His eyes twitched as he skimmed the contents, but:  

"Begin."  
"...Very well. ‘To Her Majesty Louise Zainburg, the esteemed ruler of the Dragonia Empire, I, Gerhardt Weisschild, humbly report...’"  

At Louise’s command, Theodore began to read aloud the report.  

---

The prelude was filled with elaborate praises, but soon the key details emerged.  

"The battle against 90,000 Brotan troops near Apitelo Lake concluded with a decisive victory for the Dragonia Empire."  
"…Ninety thousand?"  
"If this is from General Gerhardt, it must be true, though..."  

The nobles, who had only known of a significant victory, grew agitated as the specifics unfolded.  

Louise, already well aware of the details, smiled as she watched their reactions. Meanwhile, Theodore suppressed the urge to throw the report aside and continued reading.  

"On the day we arrived at Rochelle, we learned that 90,000 troops from various Brotan strongholds were advancing toward our position."  
"What could they have done in such a situation...?"  
"If it’s General Gerhardt, surely..."  

The nobles speculated about the strategies Gerhardt might have employed, expecting the report to focus on his tactics.  

"Our brave Imperial forces, undaunted by numerical inferiority, prepared to confront the Brotan army. Viktor, the deputy commander of the 1st Provisional Corps, proposed a strategy that would dismantle the enemy entirely."  

From the conception of the strategy:  

"...The deceptive maneuvers orchestrated by Viktor caused hesitation even among the numerically superior Brotan forces..."  

To the precise tactics he devised:  

"...Under Viktor’s leadership, our soldiers fought valiantly, each one a match for a hundred, driving the enemy back..."  

Though the report included mentions of Friedrich and even Gerhardt himself, the narrative heavily highlighted Viktor’s contributions. To the nobles, it read as a tale of Viktor's heroics.  

"Could he truly have planned all this?"  
"Remarkable... The rumors were true."  

The nobles loyal to the emperor, knowing Gerhardt would never fabricate such a report, admired Viktor’s abilities without doubt.  

"...This is making me nauseous."  
"Ugh..."  

Meanwhile, the aristocratic faction, particularly those who had faced Viktor’s forces in the past, grew uneasy as they recalled his army’s overwhelming might.  

"…Under the leadership of Deputy Commander Viktor and General Friedrich, we successfully occupied Brotan’s key strongholds, including Aniak, Saint-Toir, and Montpieu. The Kingdom of Brotan has been driven beyond the Crejon Mountains..."  
"So Brotan is finished."  
"With the Vildorne River and the Crejon Mountains under our control, there’s little left to fear from them."  
"Impressive. Achieving all this with only 50,000 troops..."  

When it was revealed that the Imperial forces had seized key Brotan strongholds while ostensibly defending, most nobles rejoiced, convinced of Brotan’s impotence.  

---

"The genius and boldness of Deputy Commander Viktor, combined with the strategic insight of General Friedrich, have brought immense honor to the Dragonia Empire..."  

However, as the report lauded Viktor's exceptional achievements, Theodore clenched his teeth, barely containing his jealousy. Reading lines that praised Viktor while Louise looked on approvingly only fueled his frustration.  

"General Gerhardt is showing him too much favor."  
"This could be problematic..."  

Some nobles began to view Viktor, supported so strongly by Gerhardt, as a potential threat.  

"...While the Kingdom of Brotan still possesses some residual strength, and the Kingdom of Ildemar’s movements remain suspicious, we have shifted to a defensive posture. Although my humble judgment suggests negotiation may be strategically advantageous, we remain prepared to act on Your Majesty's command."  

Theodore, barely restraining his irritation, was relieved when the report finally ended.  

---

"The purpose of today’s meeting," Louise declared before murmurs could rise, "is to determine our policy toward the Kingdom of Brotan."  

While Louise typically left meetings to Theodore, only speaking to make final decisions, today she took the lead.  

"General Gerhardt has sought my guidance, but a commander on the field surely has a better grasp of the situation than one far removed. Don’t you agree, Sir Theodore?"  
"Ah, yes, Your Majesty."  
"Moreover, constantly awaiting orders from afar during critical moments seems terribly inefficient."  

Having promised Viktor her full support:  

"I intend to entrust General Gerhardt with the authority to negotiate with the Kingdom of Brotan temporarily. What say you?"  

With her lineage and the growing dominance of the emperor’s faction, Louise’s legitimacy and authority were unassailable.  

"...I fully agree with Your Majesty."  

No noble present dared to oppose her decision during the formal meeting.

---

#### A Few Days Later  

As the revelry following the victory subsided, Gerhardt sat quietly in his study, examining a document bearing the Imperial seal.  

"Delegated authority for diplomacy..."  

Though he had cautiously suggested negotiations, he hadn’t expected such authority to be granted outright. Placing the document on his desk, he leaned back and closed his eyes.  

“Haah...”  

Negotiating with the Kingdom of Brotan, still one of the most powerful forces in the eastern continent, was not a task to be taken lightly.  

"Lieutenant."  
"Yes, General."  
"Summon the officers..."  

Just as he was about to call for a meeting with his officers, he paused.  

"...No."  

Recalling Viktor’s extraordinary tactical acumen, Gerhardt hesitated. While diplomacy was different from battle, Viktor’s flawless judgment suggested he might offer valuable insight.  

“It wouldn’t hurt to hear his thoughts first.”  

"Summon Deputy Commander Viktor to my study."  
"Understood."  

Thus, Gerhardt sent for Viktor, partly as a test. Having proven his capability as a commander and strategist, if Viktor also excelled in diplomacy...  

"Hmm."  

It would be unparalleled.  

With expectations in mind, Gerhardt organized his papers and waited for Viktor to arrive.