NOVPUBMeanwhile — Beastkin Kingdom.
Near the towering stone wall separating the Beastkin Kingdom from dwarven lands, the outpost was active with marching soldiers, packed supplies, and formation drills.
A small escort unit stood waiting at the inner gate.
The armored guard captain stood at attention as a figure approached on horseback. Calm and graceful.
Princess Felicia, clad in a clean white cloak over her fitted battle dress, dismounted with practiced ease.
The moment her boots touched the ground, every soldier straightened.
"Princess, please be careful," the guard captain said, saluting with fist to chest.
Felicia gave a small nod, eyes sweeping the area.
"Mm… I will."
She took one step forward, then paused.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…But, Captain?"
"Yes, Princess?"
She pointed toward a nearby soldier in full plate armor.
"That one’s boots. Not shiny."
The captain flinched.
"…Ah...yes, Princess."
Felicia turned slowly.
"And the supply camp… There’s dust near the tent posts."
The captain bowed deeper.
"Y-Yes, Princess."
"And someone stacked the food crates without realigning the grain seal marks. That’s sloppy."
Her tone remained polite.
But her eyes were sharp.
"See to it."
"Yes, Princess!"
Felicia gave a soft sigh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I can’t ride into dwarven lands from a place like this."
Felicia stepped forward slowly, her eyes scanning every inch of the outpost.
And then—she stopped.
Her gaze locked onto a row of soldiers standing by the gate.
Their shoulders weren’t aligned.
Her tone shifted—still elegant, but cutting.
"Your stance."
The soldier flinched.
"Y-Yes, Princess!!"
He straightened instantly, feet snapping together.
Felicia walked past him and pointed toward another group still halfway through preparation.
"You. Your cloak is creased. Fix it."
"Yes, Princess!"
"And your gloves aren’t fastened. Do you want to trip over yourself in battle?"
"No, Princess!"
Everywhere she passed, soldiers froze in place, sweating nervously.
The entire outpost had gone silent.
Even the war beasts tethered nearby stood still, sensing the sharp pressure in the air.
Then.
The sound of thunder.
In the distance beyond the wall, the main force approached in full formation.
The Beastkin Army, 20,000 strong.
Their command unit rode up first, heavy cavalry in enchanted beast-hide plate, lances gleaming under the sun.
Beside them, magic bow units rode sleek, swift mounts, arrows charged and ready.
A column of battle mages marched behind, robes marked with warding sigils and mana focus plates.
To the rear.
Priest units, dressed in white and silver, each carrying staff and shield for battlefield healing.
And farther back, the supply division. Rows of carts, beasts of burden, and defensive guards to protect the heart of the army.
At the head of the army.
The commander rode on a massive armored feline beast, armor painted red and gold.
He approached the border camp slowly, eyes calm, but slightly twitching as he saw Felicia already… inspecting troops.
The guards whispered quietly.
"She’s at it again…"
"Shhh! Don’t speak, stand still!"
Felicia turned without expression and nodded once as the commander approached.
Felicia stepped toward the mess table set near the outer tents. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
Her eyes scanned the plates…
…and stopped.
She reached down slowly and picked up one of them with just two fingers.
"...Is this plate for food?"
The nearby cook flinched.
"U-Umm…"
Before he could answer.
Her calm voice sliced the air like a blade.
"CAPTAIN..."
A burst of panic spread across the outpost.
The guard captain sprinted over, nearly tripping over his own boots.
"Y-Yes, Princess!?"
Felicia held the plate up with a blank expression.
"It’s scratched. Greasy. And it smells like old broth."
Her tone didn’t rise.
But every soldier nearby instinctively froze.
"Replace all of them. Immediately."
The captain bowed so fast he nearly headbutted the table.
"Y-Yes, Princess!! Right away!!"
Behind her, the commander had finally arrived.
He stared at the scene in complete silence.
One eyebrow twitching.
She hasn’t even left the border yet…
The towering man atop the crimson-plated beast watched the scene unfold in front of the outpost.
Commander Raikus—the highest-ranking field officer assigned to escort Princess Felicia, had seen many things on the battlefield.
Sieges. Beasts. Bloodied skirmishes in cursed forests.
But this?
He exhaled slowly.
She hasn’t even left the border yet…
And already—plates, cloaks, tent alignment…
Haaaa…
He didn’t sigh aloud.
Because one thing he had learned, after years in service, was this:
Never let the princess hear you sigh.
He shifted slightly in the saddle.
Still… she’s thorough.
At least we won’t arrive looking like fools.
Raikus glanced over his shoulder at the 20,000 soldiers under his command.
All standing straighter now.
Because no one wanted to be next.
"Commander Raikus!"
He sat up straight on his warbeast immediately.
"Yes, Princess?"
Felicia didn’t slow her stride. Her boots clicked neatly across the packed dirt as she headed straight for her beast mount.
"Are the supplies and worker corps ready?"
"Yes, Princess. Fully loaded and organized."
She nodded once, elegantly, as she climbed onto her beast with practiced ease.
"Good. We’re going to capture that Lord… Kaxier or something-something."
Raikus blinked.
"Umm… Princess..."
But it was too late.
She raised one arm, eyes sharp, voice ringing across the outpost.
"Soldiers! Move!!"
The camp shifted instantly.
Horns blew. Formation banners rose. Warbeasts growled as rows of cavalry fell into formation.
The 20,000-strong force began to roll forward like a tide.
Raikus watched it all unfold, his lips pressed into a firm line.
Princess…
We’re not going there to capture Lord Javier…
We’re there to assist him.
And maybe...if we’re lucky, keep you from proposing on the battlefield.
He sighed quietly.
Then spurred his mount forward, leading the vanguard after her.
"Move faster..."
"If we hurry, we’ll reach the first small town within the hour.."
"Yes, Princess!!"
The army responded in perfect sync.
Warbeasts surged forward, formation lines tightened, and the banners of the Beastkin Kingdom fluttered high in the wind.
At the front.
Princess Felicia rode her mount beast with flawless grace, her back straight, posture regal, hair flowing behind her like a banner of silver.
She looked like a battle maiden straight out of a tale.
Inside her mind, however…
Lord Kaxier, or whatever your name is…
How dare you declare war against the Beastkin Kingdom.
You arrogant little worm.
I’ll capture you personally, tie you up in chains and present your head to Father!
Her eyes glinted with noble fury.
Trash nobles who threaten our kingdom don’t deserve mercy.
Behind her, Commander Raikus rode in silence.
He kept a safe distance.
Because he already knew.
She misunderstood the mission… completely.
Again.
( End Of Chapter )
