Imperatrix Fallen: Alith's Cradle

XXI

The war, which had raged for more than a year, had a common origin: two noble brothers were fighting over a Duchy. Thomas was hailed by an extremist faction of the citizenry, "The New Minority," and part of the army as the most suitable leader for the revolution the county needed, according to their ideals. Alan, on the other hand, had murky ties to the Victrix businessmen and had shown little assertiveness in resolving domestic conflicts—common enough for most rulers, but he had made one critical error: failing to appease internal power groups. Thomas seized the moment, launching one of the bloodiest coups in history...
—Page 12, "The Civil War" by Diacoro Cabeli

Quinta sat exhausted on the divan in the Victrix meeting room. The Cardinals who accompanied her remained standing, while Valeria reclined comfortably in her seat. The meeting was private, and the Victrix guards had been instructed not to allow anyone in until it was over.

"Your front's screwed, isn't it?" Valeria began, shocking the Cardinals with her casual tone toward Quinta.

"Enough for me to interrupt your paperwork," Quinta responded, further unsettling the Cardinals.

"Still not over the boy's death?"

Quinta paused, not expecting that reply.

"That's not why I'm here this time," she said after a moment. "We didn't expect such a swift response from the Rue. They're attacking the sacred cities in the south of our nation directly."

"That's why we need to reinforce the cities in the north," Valeria countered.

"I'm not here to ask for support. In our county, we have more than enough to handle the Rue, with or without the help of the Ferrata Legion. They wouldn't send me to request help, least of all from you, a substitute princess."

The Cardinals exchanged glances, unsure what to say and even less inclined to speak.

"So, they sent you here to rescue a city with no strategic value?" Valeria responded, unfazed by the previous comment.

One of the Cardinals placed a hand on Quinta's shoulder. She understood the message.

"It's the reports that worry me. The battles, they're..."

"Conventional."

"Yes. They haven't used 'Angels.' They haven't employed decisive strategies like the ones we've seen here. Additionally, we still don't know what they're after in Frontera III."

"Come on, let's not lie to each other. Two words: Conservatrix Novissimis, the County of the Book."

The Cardinals shifted uneasily, and Quinta raised a hand to calm them.

"I promise you, I don't know what they're looking for there," Quinta said, conceding Valeria's point, much to the Cardinals' astonishment.

"I know, that's why I didn't ask. I imagine they're trying to find a way to industrialize their production of Angels, or perhaps improve them. After all, you keep the legacy of humanity there."

"Possibly... But why through open war? Why devote so many resources to Frontera I? They could have sailed directly to the County of the Book. And finally, why provoke us so close to our capital at the same time?"

"Girl, those are all excellent questions, but unless you've got a theory to help me, you're just leaving me-"

"There's one more question," Quinta interrupted. "Cardinals, please leave us."

The Cardinals hesitated but obeyed.

"Why did your army arrive just now?" Quinta continued.

"Are you accusing us of something?"

"No. I have another theory. I think the Rue is stalling us in the north, keeping us from sending more troops to help contain an imminent attack here."

"And the Ferrata nation?" Valeria replied, rising from her seat and leaning on her desk with both arms.

"Yesterday, they announced their unconditional support for us. Their army is already stationed at the front, alongside our Sacred Army."

"Then?"

"I think Thomas believes the Rue is preparing a final assault on Frontera I, and that's why he brought his army."

"I didn't know that."

"I know. And that's what worries me most about all this."

"Counterintelligence?"

"False information whispered into Thomas's ear to weaken the Victrix capital. Maybe they're toying with us to get serious with you. After all, one of the Rue's first objectives was to capture Carlota, and apart from cutting trade routes and declaring war on us—not you—we know nothing." Quinta took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Is it possible that Thomas would take such large-scale actions without consulting you?"

Valeria took Quinta's last comment seriously. She brushed aside a lock of hair that had fallen across her left cheek and walked around her desk to sit on it in a more relaxed posture.

"Absolutely," Valeria replied. "He'd be capable of invading Beli without telling me."

Quinta clutched her chest and stared thoughtfully at the ground beneath her feet.

"It's just a theory, Valeria, but I had to tell you."

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the office door. A commotion could be heard from the other side, prompting Valeria to instinctively place herself between Quinta and the door, ready to defend her.

The doors swung open. It was Rola, more disheveled than usual, clutching a handful of crumpled papers. Behind her, equally agitated, stood Linda, issuing orders to the Victrix guards outside the office.

"We had no communication! There was no way to know!" Rola blurted to Valeria, letting the papers fall from her hands.

"What is this commotion?! I'm in the middle of a meeti—"

"The outposts," Rola interrupted, her voice now tinged with guilt. "The outposts on our northern border stopped sending their regular reports three hours ago. We thought it was a communications failure since they all went silent at the same time, so we sent someone to investigate. This arrived twenty minutes ago..."

Rola knelt, rifling through the papers scattered on the floor. She handed one to Valeria, who took it, clearly irritated.

"'CRITICAL—Severely wounded—at least 4,000 Rue and Aeternos soldiers—heavy artillery—arriving at the proximity ofthe city in 3-'"

"It's verified, Valeria. We have visual confirmation," Rola said, answering the question Valeria hadn't yet asked.

Quinta, still confused, looked to Valeria for an explanation. Valeria met her gaze, concern evident.

"Quinta," Valeria said, "prepare your troops. We'll be facing a large-scale Rue attack in less than 3 hours."

"Valeria..." Rola interrupted. "That message came from one of the closest outposts. We have less than 1 minutes to prepare for the attack."