It was a risky business to replenish the remaining forces in the empire, as other countries could suddenly invade, taking advantage of the weakened troops due to the war with the Balront Kingdom.

“Next time, I’ll join too.”

The emperor’s announcement to participate in the battle shocked the commander and made him protest.

“It’s not that urgent yet. What are you planning to do if something happens to you!”

“Do you see me so weak that I can get hurt in such a battle?”

“Of course not! But if your Majesty gets hurt even a little…”

The commander, who had been speaking anxiously, lowered his head as if he didn’t even want to imagine.

Amid differing opinions, an executive who was in charge of supplies and acted as an informant joined the conversation.

“Your Majesty, according to rumors, the princess is taking care of the enemy’s camp. She is said to be responsible for the wounded, hiding her identity.”

“So you mean there’s no knight to protect the princess.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Do you know how many knights are in the camp that the princess is in charge of?”

“I haven’t heard about that, so I don’t know yet. I’ll find out more.”

At the executive’s words, Kun nodded in satisfaction.

An unexpected appearance by the executive caused a moment of silence, but the commander soon shouted.

“Do you have any other thoughts?”

“We’ll kidnap the enemy’s princess.”

“What?”

The determined single statement, seemingly already part of a plan, was enough to satisfy the already tense deputy commander’s expectations.

“We’ll capture the princess of the enemy country along with the knights she’s in charge of.”

If several were captured in an unfavorable war, Balront Kingdom would have no choice.

Then, the commander managing the empire’s southern region expressed his concern.

“It may be presumptuous, but I don’t think the enemy country will declare surrender just because the princess and knights are captured. They are not bending their will despite an unfavorable war from the start.”

“Thank you for your opinion. Fortunately, I agree with you. It would be a great scenario if the enemy withdrew in exchange for the hostages, but the probability is significantly low.”

“Then what…?”

Kun briefly looked around.

The emperor, wanting to end the war quickly and minimize damage. The commander, willing to take risks but preferring a safer path. A general, sharing the intent but worried about the details.

They all had varying opinions, so imagine how many conversations those discussing the fate of the hostages must have.

A significant number of lives were at stake, so various opinions would arise, and discussing the value of life would cause cracks within.

“We’ll take advantage of the confusion about whether to save or abandon the hostages and invade.”

“It seems better than not trying at all. Then who will carry out this operation?”

Everyone nodded in agreement with the emperor’s plan.

Now it was time to move on to the next matter. Who would take on such a significant plan?

Amid tension and enveloping silence.
“I will do it.”

The person in charge was finally decided.

(This is a time delimiter.)

‘This is the barracks.’

Kun looked back and forth between the ‘X’ mark on the map and the front. If the map drawn by the officer was accurate, the barracks in front were where the princess was staying.

That the princess was working as a nurse in the enemy’s barracks; Kun decided to pretend to be a wounded soldier to approach her.

‘Golden hair with blue eyes, they said.’

Indeed, it was a princesslike appearance.

Kun unconsciously inhaled. Soon, the stench of dried blood stabbed his nose.

The smell of an animal’s blood is so disgusting it makes one’s stomach churn. He hurriedly went into the barracks.

A man with blood splattered all over him attracted considerable attention as he staggered in.

A small woman who had been darting about immediately approached him upon discovering him.

“Sir Knight, are you alright? My goodness, how did you get like this…!”

She dropped what she was holding and lifted Kun’s arm onto her shoulder.

The size difference made it doubtful that she could support him, but he played along.

Soon, Kun was made to lie down on a neatly cleaned bed.

A moment later, a damp towel was placed over his face. As the blood was wiped from his face, the woman instructed him to stay still.

Lying still as ordered, a small woman comes running with an armful of medicine.

“Where are you hurt? Ah, you can’t speak, so don’t try to. Just lie still without straining. Even if you feel sleepy, try to stay conscious…”

Chatter chatter.

The incessant chatter of the woman resembled a bird that Kun kept. Her voice was pleasant, and it seemed as though the bird had turned human and returned.

She was pinning his head with cloth. A stray strand of hair shone gold.

The eyes fixed on Kun’s wounds were deep and blue.

Chloe Argen.

Damn it, it seemed that she was the enemy princess that Kun was looking for.

‘I’ll pretend to be in pain until nightfall, then…’

Kun glanced around the barracks, lying on the bed. The number of knights lying on the beds was considerable.

There was no need to enact a kidnapping drama in front of everyone. He decided to wait until the early morning when fewer people were around.

He would only endure the incessant chirping voice until then. He would only accept the soothing touch of her hands until then.

“Your Majesty, what about the enemy’s princess?”

That said!

When dawn came, Kun had returned to his own barracks alone.

“She’s stronger than I thought.”

“……! She must be extremely cautious!”

“……Yes. So let’s try again next time.”

The completely thwarted plan was even surprising to Kun himself. Had he ever failed a mission so meaninglessly?

He thought the princess of a country would carelessly expose herself. Was it all a scheme?

Next time, he will certainly carry out the plan.

That’s what Kun pledged.