This is the part what a real war looks like....
That is what everyone expected when they come here.
In the land stationed 30 thousands soldiers that is making a human fence to prepare for the fleeing pirates.
They have prepared bows and arrows and even catapults.
With Emerald's less than hundred men but the best of the bests, they also have 20 thousands mercenaries and 70 thousands military soldiers from Count's side.
Even the Count wants to join them in the fight but was rejected by his men.
In the end, he will be staying with the princess in Andromeda.
Count Vellevile never heard about this princess. Even the last time, he didn't pay attention about her when he attends the King's birthday banquet. There are huge commotions back then but he has no idea that the reason for it will be this unassumin---
Count Vellevile's P.O.V
Golden Hair, Blue eyes.
Facing the air her hair flutters with the breeze.
Her eyes are looking at the distant place with her innocent face.
She is beautiful.
But....
Isn't she too young
'Now that I remember...She is the same age as Princess Sapphire.'
He frowns.
A little girl is the heart of this operation?
What kind of adult used this little girl to do this kind of thing?
He has a son much older than this girl and all he thinks about is how to play with swords and run away to town to play.
He is a headache.
How can such people bring this innocent little lady to this kind of war?
"Count Vellevile.."
A tired smile appear in the girl as she moves to face me.
Her worried eyes and her reddish eyes can make your heart trembles.
"Apologies for my late introduction.
I am Count Norman Vellevile, your highness."
"I am thankful for your full cooperation in this battle. In behalf of Larksen.." she slowly spread her skirt as she bow her head.
"Truthfully, I am not scared to be ignored...until now.So your warm response makes me happy."
I panic a bit as I see her become emotional.
But she didn't cry instead she stood before me.
"We will win. For the people of Larksen."
Her determined expression surprise me.
"Yes. I intend to win too." I said as if I am talking to a General.
It makes me blush when I think she is too small for this kind of talk.
She didn't think my response is weird, she nods.
"Don't worry. It's what we are all here for."
That makes me feel goosebumps as she turns around to see the deck.
The soldiers gathered there are not wearing the common knight uniform though it is the same but the colors are a bit different.
I look at the girl besides me.
"I will talk to them for you." I said. As an adult, I want to share her burden.
She looks at me.
"You also want to say something?" She smiles.
"I actually said a lot and just be repeating what I already said. So you go first." She said.
I nod.
As I gaze down.
I saw unbelievably.....
THE GENERAL FROILAN?
and the UNRULY RANDY of the Palace Harem?????
Why are they here?
"Count?"
I look back and cough.
I can't let the princess disappointed.
"I am Count Vellevile of Veronian City. Not everyone here might have known me but I am someone whose never stop dreaming of the day we will be freed from the pirates.
For the Citizen of Larksen and for the Kingdom, We will fight as one!"
The roar of the soldiers near the Andromeda makes Count Vellevile sighs.
With this, he is a bit of help to the young princess, he hoped.
He steps back.
He is a core player but the princess is the commander, she should say the lasts words.
The princess steps on the stool to make her look taller from the second floor or Andromeda.
Down in the deck are the soldiers.
Even the general and a Harem manager.
I feel scared for her.
"I.....am 38th Princess of Larksen, Princess Emerald Larksen......You may all know me as the unwanted daughter of the King." She chuckles.
"Okay...That's enough of me. ARE ALL OF YOU SOLDIERS OF LARKSEN?"
She suddenly shouted in a very loud voice.
There is silence.
I think they got shock too.
The little princess is not intimidated and waited.
"We are!" Suddenly someone shouted.
And everyone follows.
"We are!"
'We are!'
It's like a competition of saying We are.
Even the people on deck.
In this excitements, I also want to say it just to be part of it.
"THEN WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING?"
There's ehh??? Sound inside my head.
I want to stop her.
She already rile them up.
What she should do is pump them more.
Should I step up?
But that is stepping outside my boundary.
Silence.
"Yes. All of you are silently ignoring the people who are suffering. Are you at fault? The royalty didn't send men, so we can't do it? We are too few? We can't win? Or is it...Why would we do it?"
I felt it inside of me.
This
'Urgh'
Is she blaming us?
Do you think risking our men lives and our lives is easy?
Are you royalty is not responsible?
Do you really have to say that?
Aren't we here now to support you and save them?
---I know that all of it is me trying to.lessen the guilt that the princess poke inside.
And that....It hurts me cause it is true.
"FOR WHAT REASON HAVE YOU BECOME KNIGHTS? YOU ARE ALL COWARDS!"
Rage....
Yes..
I am angry.
I know she is right.
But we are not the only one at fault here!
"If only you try your best and extend a helping hand.. Will they still be in the hand of those pirates? If you all gather the force together and save them, will their pain get longer? Even I know....that you are all afraid to die."
"Princess that is enou--"
"Count Vellevile....You are not at fault. EVERYONE! YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT FOR FEARING DEATH! FOR FEARING TO LEAVE YOUR LOVE ONES. FOR WAITING FOR THE STRONG SO YOUR CHANCES TO LIVE WILL DOUBLE. YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT...So it's alright now. Stop thinking on the back of your head that you all did something awful for choosing to live."
I see.
I look around and see it.
We are the citizen more near to the pirates.
So we know better...what the other citizens are experiencing.
We pretend to not know.
Because of fear that we will die.
I fear to send my men because the probability of living and succeeding is too low........and I blame myself for that.
I cried.
Is it really enough to not feel that it is our fault?
"I AM SORRY." Bowing her little head.
"Its the royal family's fault. Because as a ruler...we should always think of the benefit of the many to the few. We abandon you.....Forgive me..For standing before you and asking for your help. BUt...But I can't do this alone. I need you all. The strength of the heroes of this kingdom. Please, from your kind and patriotic heart, one more time, lend me the strength and create freedom.....I beg you."
As she lowers her head again.
I can't help but tremble in emotions.
How she can stir my heart so much.
I want to shout YES!
But my voice will surely crack.
I heard a uniform sounds and see the knights bowing down to their king.
Nobody is yelling but I can feel their trembling like me.
Yes..
A savior came.
And we want the same freedom.
"I do not wish for your life....BUT I WILL ASK YOU TAKE THE LIVES OF OUR ENEMIES AND SHED THEIR BLOOD IN OUR SOIL TO PAY FOR OUR BRETHREN LIVES THEY TOOK FROM US!TONIGHT! THERE WILL NOTHING LEFT FOR THEM! AND TOMORROW, No more....no more fear....."
I didn't know what she said after fear as my patriotic heart was awaken and I was yelling on top of my lungs.
Kill them.
And free us.
This is all I can think of..
I was too emotional that I grab my armor and sword but I was told to stay back.
This emotion is swirling inside of me and I can't calm down.
I look at the Princess on the side who has a puffy eyes.
"Princess, if you are tired...You should rest." I said.
She smiles at me.
"If I am tired I should rest....It feels so painful to be this useless."
"I...I don't mean it like that."
I stutter.
"Count Vellevile....I am sorry It took so long."
I smile.
"No....Thank you...for coming..."
She holds my hand and I am shocked.
She is cold and trembling.
"I know....the feeling of not wanting to let your men go to war. I know that....I also want them to stay where it is safe..."
She sniffs. I can feel her emotions as she force to be tough.
"But we can't stop the heroes for performing their goal.
They should go there and inspire the world and free the captured. They are birds that is so beautiful they should fly on the sky. We can't stop them or put them on the cage just because we want to protect them."
"Princess..."
"I am sorry...I am talking nonsense... You may think I am saying crazy things."
"I can tell that your highness is worried about her men."
Princess Emerald tears up.
"They are not just men...they are my family. I am scared. But...But"
I rub her head.
"Calm down. It will be fine. We will win."
For Larksen...And for this princess who beg for freedom, I hope they will come back home alive.