"Sister."
As the illusion flickered to life within the communication crystal, a flush of excitement and joy bloomed across the girl's frosty features. Though her eyes seemed unable to see what lay before her, she stood perfectly still in front of the projection, facing the silver-haired maiden with a smile brimming with delight and contentment.
"You've worked hard, Sidvi. I've heard reports from the messengers about the front lines—you've done well."
"It is only my duty, Sister."
Pride swelled in Sidvi's chest at the Silver Princess's praise. The gesture of straightening her back looked rather awkward, given that her body was bound in restraints from head to toe, but the girl herself paid it no mind.
"Nothing would make me happier than to see you pleased."
"I am indeed pleased."
A hint of relief softened Lindilot's expression.
"With you and Karan guarding the new border, the Empire has nothing to fear. This is a great achievement. Once I finish my mission and return to the capital, I will most certainly recommend you for royal commendation to Father."
At these words, Sidvi showed no sign of elation. After all, at just fourteen years old, she was already a general—a rank among the highest in the Empire, with no room for further advancement. Any so-called reward would likely be nothing more than a honorary title, a purse of gold, or a fief of land… trivial things that Sidvi cared nothing for.
"Sister, when will you drive those barbarians away?"
"Another ten days or so, I should think."
A faint, rueful smile tugged at Lindilot's delicate lips, curving them into a charming arc.
"These barbarians are not inherently evil—they merely struggle against a harsh living environment. If we show them sincerity, there will be no further trouble."
"I still say there is no need to negotiate with barbarians."
Sidvi's voice rose sharply, sharp with conviction.
"You are a woman of royal blood, the beloved Princess of our Empire. You should never have to stoop to bargaining with a bunch of lowly savages. For this insult alone, they deserve death for their disrespect—every last one of them!"
The bright, well-lit room turned cold and gloomy in an instant, as if Sidvi's bloodthirsty words had snuffed out the light. Even the glowing magic crystal flickered unsteadily for a moment.
"Sidvi? Please calm down. This is not as dire as you make it out to be."
Yet despite the girl's outburst, Lindilot's expression remained unchanged. Clearly, the Princess was well accustomed to her general's fiery temperament. Still, seeing the anger on Sidvi's face, Lindilot knew further argument would be futile. A Gifted Knight's beliefs were the very source of their strength, and those beliefs shaped their character to its core. Just as Lindilot held fast to her own principles, Sidvi clung to hers. When it came to the barbarians, Lindilot saw no reason to slaughter them—but Sidvi saw no reason to let them live. These were judgments forged by their respective creeds, unshakable and irreconcilable. To convince the other would mean betraying the very foundation of what it meant to be a Gifted Knight—a fate more terrible than death itself.
Thus, Lindilot merely offered a few words of gentle consolation before shifting the subject, her expression turning solemn and serious.
"What of the Kingdom of Wester? How stands the situation there?"
"That foolish king has agreed to your terms, Sister. He has sent the bodies of the prince and the general. We have confirmed their identities beyond doubt. I have already arranged for their remains to be sent to the capital… do you have any further instructions?"
"Now that their identities are confirmed, there is no need to send them to the capital. Once Orot City falls, bury them with full military honors befitting enemy commanders. This is an order, Sidvi."
"…Understood, Sister."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Sidvi's face at Lindilot's command, but in the end, she nodded reluctantly. Then, she spoke again, her tone sharp with suspicion.
"However, we have not found the princess. According to our intelligence, she should have been with the prince and general. Yet the Kingdom of Wester only sent back the two men's bodies…"
As expected, Lindilot's soft, lovely features darkened at Sidvi's report. Though both were still young, as generals, she and Sidvi were far from naive sheltered maidens. They had heard tales of the dark, dirty underbelly of politics—and even witnessed some of its horrors firsthand. Thus, even without Sidvi spelling it out, the implication was crystal clear.
"This matter requires further confirmation from the Kingdom of Wester."
Sure enough, Lindilot's expression grew grim and severe.
"Sidvi, how fares the siege of Orot City?"
"Everything is proceeding according to plan, Sister. The situation within the city has reached its breaking point. I doubt they can hold out much longer. They might even open their gates and surrender before the truce period ends."
"That would be for the best. But if not…"
Lindilot paused, her voice softening with a touch of respect.
"Then, out of honor for our foes, I want you to meet them in battle with full sincerity. This is the final fall of a kingdom—it is only basic courtesy to grant them that much."
"Of course, Sister. I understand."
A note of excitement crept into Sidvi's voice at these words—this was exactly what she had hoped to hear. But Lindilot's words were far from finished; indeed, the real matter at hand was only just beginning.
"After capturing Orot City, I will give you half a month to rest and reorganize your troops. During that time, I want you to make thorough preparations. When the time is right, we will declare war on Wester without hesitation!"
"Sister—you really do intend to attack Wester?"
"Most certainly."
Lindilot nodded, her expression grave and resolute.
"My earlier offer to the Kingdom of Wester was a test. If they had refused our terms, there might still have been hope for peace between our two nations. But to betray their most valued allies for the sake of their own self-interest… I will not suffer such a dangerous snake to lurk at our heels. If Wester would betray their former allies to save their own skins now, they will do so again in the future. I do not trust traitors—and I trust even less a king who would make such a decision. This is not a matter of ability. It is a matter of character… I have made up my mind. Wester shall be our next target!"
"Yes, Sister!"
For the first time, a smile truly befitting her age lit up Sidvi's face. She nodded vigorously, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. But just as the girl's excitement reached its peak, Lindilot's next words doused her spirits completely.
"I have heard about what you have been doing on the Crimson Fortress front lines lately, Sidvi. I hope you know exactly what you are playing at. I do not approve of these tactics. War is always fraught with schemes and stratagems, but… I want you to understand that there are lines a nation must never cross."
"…Yes, Sister."
Sidvi's expression dimmed at once, her voice quiet and subdued, all trace of earlier excitement gone.
"Then, this conversation is at an end. It grows late. Good night, Sidvi."
"Good night, Sister."
Only when Lindilot's illusion faded from the crystal did Sidvi lift her head. But unlike before, her face was now a mask of icy, unbridled killing intent. Turning on her heel, she strode out of the room and into the council hall beyond, where several military officers sat in their seats, exchanging anxious glances.
"Lady Sidvi—what commands has Her Royal Highness issued?"
Whether out of obtuseness or sheer nervousness, one of the men failed to sense the ominous aura radiating from the girl. He stood up and asked the question directly.
But he never received an answer.
All the officers saw was a blur of motion. Four streaks of silver light shot forth from behind the girl, moving with the fluid grace of flowing water, and with a bloodcurdling scream, the unfortunate man was pinned to the wall by four long swords, his body skewered through and through.
"Who do you think you are, daring to ask about Her Royal Highness's orders?"
The girl's voice was cold as ice. The poor man could do nothing but gape at her, unable to utter a single word. He gasped for breath, his eyes locked on hers with a mixture of terror and pleading—but before he could beg for mercy, one of the silver blades flashed across his throat, and in an instant, he fell silent, a lifeless corpse.
"Hmph!"
Sidvi let out a disdainful snort. The four swords, linked to her by black leather straps, were wrenched free of the body and slid back into their scabbards on her back with a satisfying *snick*. The officers in the hall stared at the scene in horror, their eyes wide with fear, not daring to make a single sound.
"Clean up this garbage. I have business to attend to elsewhere."
Sidvi spared the corpse no more than a single glance before issuing the order sharply. Then, she turned to one of the trembling officers, her gaze piercing.
"How fare those useless beasts?"
"R-Reporting to G-General! E-Everything is proceeding sm-smoothly! They are currently resting in the river valley…"
"Hmph!"
Sidvi snorted again, offering no further comment. With that, she turned and walked out of the council hall, leaving the terrified officers behind her.