Chapter 88: The Burden of Command

In the royal army's main encampment, Crown Prince Richard Iwood and the Knight Commander, Marquis Cattleya, stood side by side, deep in conversation.

"The rebels have gathered more troops than we anticipated," Richard observed grimly, his eyes fixed on the distant hill where Marquis Eiger's forces waited.

"It's likely that the Geisel Empire is supporting them from the shadows," Marquis Cattleya replied, his expression hard as stone.

Across the basin, the rebel army busily made preparations. The initial reports had indicated their forces numbered fewer than sixty thousand, but from the soldiers lined up along the hill and those stationed further back, their numbers now easily reached seventy thousand.

"They must have conscripted civilians or hired mercenaries—but even so, this is too many. It seems the Empire is providing covert aid," Cattleya added.