Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 127

Chapter 127   Princess Fie’s Winter, Cade’s Winter

Unified Calendar, Late October, Year 568—

As the autumn winds grew colder, the newly-formed Cade Confederation, led by Princess Fie, secured 3,000 reinforcements under Moltke of the Rillburn ducal house and fully conquered the Ram region. They further captured Ramora Castle and drove Count Paulo’s forces into the Neville region.

In the audience hall of Ramora Castle, Princess Fie and Moltke held a meeting.

“I greatly appreciate your reinforcements. The Cade Confederation will forever regard the Rillburn family as our most cherished ally.”

“Your words are too generous. If it pleases you, the Rillburn family will continue to lend its strength to your cause!”

At this moment, it was formally decided that Count Paulo’s army would henceforth be known as the Rebel Army. Furthermore, by securing Ridley Pass, communication with Noel Castle was restored. Princess Fie had successfully reversed the power balance with Count Paulo in both name and reality.

…But as the situation changed, various speculations began to emerge.

“Your Highness, could it be that the Rillburn house intends to take over Cade in this opportunity?”

Such remarks were made by Princess Fie’s loyal vassals.

“There is no need for such concerns.”

“…Is that so?”

However, even prominent retainers such as Viscount Alvin began to harbor similar worries. Because of this, Princess Fie found herself unable to ask for further intervention from the Rillburn house.

“Moltke, let us meet again on another battlefield!”

“As you wish.”

Princess Fie’s Cade army left a defensive force in the Heather Basin and marched 4,500 troops into the Neville region, where Count Paulo had fled. Her Highness and I also joined the campaign.

However, many noble houses in the Neville region were related to the prestigious Count Paulo, and rebellions broke out across the land. Not only Agatram Castle and the southern Barcy Castle, but many small forts also turned against us.

By the time Princess Fie’s forces overcame the resistance and reached Agatram Castle, the heart of the Neville region, it was already November, with snow beginning to fall.

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Unified Calendar, Mid-November, Year 568—

A fierce cold wave swept through the mountainous Neville region. Snow piled up not only on small roads but also on major highways, disrupting supply and communication networks throughout the region.

At the Cade army’s main camp, Princess Fie was receiving a report from the intelligence division.

“…So, the bandits of Levin are blocked by the deep snow in the Cordelia mountains and show no sign of moving south?”

“Yes, exactly. They have abandoned Saizeria Castle and returned to their own territory.”

“Oh, they abandoned it?”

“Good. Send a message to Aias in Noel. Tell him to swiftly recapture Saizeria, Leroy, and Gregory Castles.”

“Understood.”

Hearing this report, I felt somewhat relieved. Perhaps even demons dislike the cold season?

With this, we should be able to reclaim the land of Roland. However, there was also the possibility that the land, once occupied by Levin, had been left in ruins and turned into a wasteland…

Four days later—

Despite repeated attempts to provoke a decisive battle, the enemy refused to come out of Agartlam Castle. With no other choice, Princess Fie ordered her generals to lay siege to the castle.

…However, the Neville region was the stronghold of the rebel forces.

“Enemy attack!” “Put out the fire!”

Our camp was plagued by constant night raids from an elusive enemy that seemed to appear from nowhere. These were no ordinary foes—they were the brave and skilled soldiers of Cade. They weren’t going to let us win easily.

During this time, I was summoned to Princess Fie’s tent.

“How is Lady Rill?”

“She is out on patrol.”

“Lady Rill” was the title used for Her Highness in Cade. In fact, it had almost become her common name recently…

“Now then, Lord Reister. Our forces have been suffering repeated night raids, and the soldiers’ morale is falling. What do you propose we should do?”

“Hmm. How about we build a small, simple fort?”

“But the soil around here is too soft for constructing a fort. It would collapse as soon as it’s built.”

“Well, let’s give it a try.”

“Will you? Cough, cough.”

“Princess, this is no good. Please, return to your bed. I’ll call for Doctor Gunter right away.”

“…Mm, yes.”

The cold climate of the expedition had caused the long-dormant Withering Flower Disease to resurface.

“Doctor Gunter, what’s your diagnosis?”

“It’s not looking good. You need to get her to a warmer place as soon as possible.”

While I was quietly discussing this with the doctor, Her Highness returned.

“…What? Is it that serious?”

“Yes, it is. If left untreated, I fear she may not make it to spring.”

Her Highness was shocked to hear this from the doctor.

It was decided that keeping this a secret would not be in Cade’s best interest, so we consulted Commander Veroverma, the commander of the royal guard. However, he said he couldn’t make the decision alone.

In the end, the matter was brought before all of Cade’s retainers for discussion.

That night—I, as an outsider, took my mercenaries and set off to begin constructing the fort.

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In the tent of Viscount Alvin, a senior retainer of the Cade clan, various retainers of different ranks were seated in a circle, engaged in discussion.

“What should we do?” someone asked.

“There’s nothing to deliberate. We must have the princess return to our main stronghold at once!”

The opinion of Cade’s senior retainers, most of whom were elderly, was that the princess, as the supreme commander, should withdraw from the battlefield to rest. This also implied a full retreat of the army.

“Are you suggesting we simply leave the rebel forces unchecked?”

“If we retreat, some will surely perceive it as a defeat by the rebels.”

“Indeed, we cannot afford to retreat!”

The younger retainers of Cade were firmly against any withdrawal. They knew that if they appeared to yield to the rebels, uprisings could flare up again across the land.

“Then what do you propose? Can our army remain united without the princess?”

At these words from Viscount Alvin, now serving as the deputy commander, the room fell silent. Cade’s knights had always been known for their strength, but also for their lack of unity.

This long-standing lack of cohesion had made them vulnerable to external forces, often exploited by schemes or invasions from outside powers.

It was the previous leader, Don, with his exceptional leadership, who had overcome this weakness. Without Princess Fie, it was inevitable that the army would lose its cohesion.

However, if the princess were to die from illness, it was equally certain that Cade would regress to its former, disunited state.