I Became King by Following My Little Sister's Advice. Now the Princess I Forced to Marry Is Giving Me Death Stares, What Should I Do? - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: We Accepted the Challenge, Little Sister!

A sudden demand was sent from the Zelos Kingdom. 

They wanted Medina Aidron, the last survivor of the Aidron royal family. 

If the demand was accepted, the Zelos Kingdom would forgive past grudges and recognize the Arlengs Kingdom. 

However, King Van Arlengs refused and rejected the demand from Lott Zelos, the crown prince of Zelos.

As a result, the Zelos Kingdom sent its army to attack the Arlengs Kingdom.

The battle was set to take place at Roicardan Plains, the plains on the border between the two kingdoms, where Van once became a hero.

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“We crossed the river without any problems.”

“Yes… if they were going to stop us, they would have attacked before we crossed.”

The Zelos Kingdom’s army crossed the river flowing through the center of the plains, invading the Arlengs Kingdom.

Leading the Zelos army was Lott Zelos, the crown prince of the Zelos Kingdom.

“To think we would return to this place… a land of bitter memories. The place of our defeat.”

Lott’s finely sculpted and androgynous face twisted into a frown.

A year ago, a war was fought between the Aidron Kingdom and the Zelos Kingdom at Roicardan Plains. 

It was the Aidron Kingdom that initiated the war. 

From what he had heard, it started due to the crown prince, Eirick Aidron’s, desire for attention.

The Aidron Kingdom was ruled by a tyrant king, and his son Eirick was a lecherous scoundrel.

Not wanting to accept his bad reputation, Eirick started a war with the Zelos Kingdom to boost his fame. 

There was also another, more sordid reason for the invasion, but that aside, the battle between the two countries began.

Lott, who was also a crown prince like Eirick, was chosen to lead the Zelos army.

Though it was almost certain that Lott would become the next king of the Zelos Kingdom, he had no military accomplishments.

So, to solidify his position as the future king, Lott decided to lead the troops himself.

(But… because of that, I suffered defeat. Because of that man… Van Arlengs!)

The battle where the crown princes of both countries led their armies ended up shaping the future of both nations. 

In short, Van Arlengs emerged as the sole victor.

Eirick, the commander of the Aidron army, fled the battlefield, losing the support of the people and his generals, leading to the fall of the Aidron Kingdom.

On the Zelos side, Lott’s defeat cost him his position as crown prince. 

The previously certain succession became heated, weakening the kingdom by the hour.

(Van Arlengs was the only one who benefited from that battle. But I won’t let him get away with it…)

Lott clenched his fist with determination.

He lost many things because of that battle.

His position as crown prince.

Trusted subordinates. 

And most importantly, his beloved sister slipped from his grasp.

To reclaim everything he lost, Lott devised this plan.

He didn’t care either way.

If Van handed over Medina Aidron, he would gain recognition for capturing the last survivor of his archenemy, the Aidron Kingdom.

Moreover, he aimed to reestablish himself as crown prince by forming a seemingly friendly relationship with the newly founded Arlengs Kingdom.

And… if the demand was refused, he would reclaim everything through war. 

Though losing his position as crown prince had reduced his followers significantly, he would use those he had to take Van Arlengs’ head. 

The reason Zelos hadn’t attacked immediately after the fall of the Aidron Kingdom was because it took time to persuade the nobles within the Arlengs Kingdom.

The plan was for the nobles to attack and capture the capital when the battle between the Zelos and Arlengs armies began.

(I will win… I can win this battle… Van Arlengs, no matter how skilled a warrior you are, I will defeat you right after your civil war…)

Fueled by determination, Lott led his army across the plains. 

He had about ten thousand soldiers, less than half of what he had a year ago, but it should be enough to conquer the current Arlengs Kingdom.

However, just as Lott was certain of his victory, an unexpected report came from his scouts.

“Your Highness! We’ve spotted the Arlengs army ahead!”

“I see. And their numbers?”

“Well…”

The scout looked confused. 

Seeing the scout struggle with words, a middle-aged lieutenant shouted.

“What’s wrong! Report to His Highness immediately!”

“Y-Yes…”

The scout, now under pressure, spoke with a hesitant expression.

“There are about a hundred Arlengs soldiers. All of them are cavalry…”