Scarlet Fate

31: Port town of Yan

Akari's PoV

After three long days at sea, the port town of Yan slowly came into view, north most lands of the resistance.

Strode into the Queen's was the ship's captain, his face pale reported.

"Your majesty, Yan's defenders has sent fort their fleet, what shall we do?"

I've already considered their counteroffensive, however not to this extent. They had more ships than expected, but it's not something to be worried about.

"Remain on standby, await enemy fire before firing a volley."

This is for my country's sake, weakening the neighboring country whilst strengthening our military. We'll be seen as an evil by these people, second only to the empire. However if it can guarantee Yuni's safety, in turn guarantee Akane's safety. The thoughts of being the villain troubles me not.

The resistance army began preparations for battle, they have mustered roughly fifty ships, against our overwhelming two hundred and fifty ships.

"The resistance had more ships than I expected, perhaps they are receiving funding from someone within the empire, or it's neighbors."

"It's the second Prince your Majesty, we received word that he was helping the resistance gather weapons, it's for their war against the northern lords of Aldalia. That are part of the Emperor's faction."

Smart move from the second prince, whilst the empire is focused on the threat known as the resistance, the second prince's faction slowly amassed power.

The first to launch a volley of arrows were the resistance ships, we quickly returned fire. We began boarding their ships and skirmishes within the ships began.

I unsheathed my scimitar and boarded an enemy vessel.

Three armed men approached me amidst the chaos, they held halberds at hand. I quickly dashes towards them, using my ability, I easily avoided their attacks. Each time I swung my scimitar, it was a fatal blow aimed to kill or incapacitate my opponent.

Rallying my forces, we continued launching coordinated attacks on the disorganized enemy.

The battle lasted four several hours, the resistance forces slowly began disengaging our forces.

With our overwhelming numbers, we quickly subdued the resistance forces, the remaining ships retreated to the port town and began preparing it's defenses.

After the battle, I returned to my flagship, the captain of the ship approached me and gave a salute.

"Your Majesty, we have successfully captured forty resistance ships, however  ten managed to retreat to the port town."

"No matter, we'll proceed as planned. Occupy the town, subdue any form of resistance, whilst avoiding unnecessary deaths."

The captain nodded and relayed the message to his men. I returned to my quarters and began planning our next move.

It won't be long before the resistance reinforces the garrison of the port town, we need to quickly capture the town with as little casualties possible.

I rang a bell and the captain entered the ship with a stern look on his face, he saluted and asked.

"Do you need something Your Majesty?"

"Summon the best men of the sixth battalion, I want them to be prepared  nightfall."

With a light bow, the captain replied "As you wish." and left the quarters. Moments later fifty soldiers were summoned to deck of the ship.

We began the operation during nightfall, with a detachment of the sixth battalion under my command, we successfully infiltrated the town undetected.

I ordered my soldiers to scatter throughout key positions, with twelve soldiers at my command, we headed to the estate of the governor.

Unsheathing a scimitar I turned to the soldiers under my command, they nodded and unsheathed their weapons.

"Now."

I ordered my subordinates and we quickly took out all five of the patrolling guards.

After an hour, the town of Yan successfully fell into our control, all of the possible resistance were also subjugated such as city guards and private armies. I quickly dispatched my best soldiers to chase after the messengers and silence them.

The main army finally arrived at the open ports of Yan, Hakuroku kingdom's soldiers began disembarking from the ships, the city was put on lockdown, the citizens were in utter panicked, but we reassured them that nothing bad will happen to them, as long as they obeyed our rules.

Using the former governor's manor as our base of operation. The Hakuroku continued it's preparation for war.

A few citizens began planning an armed uprising against our forces, the leader of these insurgents is a well known merchant, whom had ties with the former governor of this town, whom is now locked away in the dungeon with his subordinates.

Dispatching my best men to silence the rebellion in secret was a smart move, the city remained peaceful, public order was maintained and it's citizens well fed.

"We have finished scouting the area Your Majesty."

One of the spies reported, I quickly dismissed the guards and he placed down a map of the region on my desk.

"Excellent work as always, continue to monitor the resistance forces at Reylan, if their army is mobilized, report back to me."

"As you wish."

After five days of preparation, the Hakuroku army finally began moving southwards, towards Aldalia with a force of twenty thousand troops, whilst a small garrison was left in the port town.

I received word from the royal spies, it seems that Aldalia's northern fortress was overrun by the resistance forces as they went southwards.

We must hurry, if the empire becomes unified, Hakuroku Kingdom will fall. For Akane's sake, I mustn't let them wage war with our kingdom.