GATE: Rise of the Kaiserin

Vol.1 Ch.1: The First Encounter

El Zaberina, the largest continent inherited dozens of nations of different races. 

According to ancient legends, the mainland was created by Ciri, the goddess of life. However, the world plunged into wars due to race discriminations against each nation, people who survived the wars fleed together to Berlium, known as the heart of the goddess and established a protectorate for refugees from different nations.

A prophecy was also recorded that one nation lead by a girl will balance the power of the whole continent and become the true ruler of it. The people in Berlium had the divination came true after they waited for a hundred years. 

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[Present]

Not too far from Alnus Hill, there was a fortress city named Italica under the rule of Countess Formal was under surprise assault from a bandit army formed by deserted ex-soldiers. 

At the same time, Princess Pina from the Saderan Empire planned to visit the Anulis Hill (where the battle with the Kingdom of Elden) and pass by Italica with her trusted assistance and a knight captain as they caught in the fight to hold the town, the defenders had held the attackers out for two days besieged. 

Unfortunately, they barely survived after continuous waves and took huge casualties. That night, the princess was completely exhausted. While resting on her bed, she remembered her visit with King Dulan in his Kingdom of Elben, a vessel state to the Saderan Empire days before she went for Italica. 

-^-^-^-

"Lord Dulan... just what happened to you..." 

In the chamber of King Dulan's castle, Princess Pina was shocked to see the king in extremely horrifying condition, he lost half of his left arm and leg. 

"Your Royal Highness, I am surprised you came all the way from your capital to visit me here." King Dulan replied.

As he tried to sit upon his bed, the princess helped him up as he continued. "Days ago, all five vessel states included mine tried to plunge war with the neighbour empire as it was becoming a threat to us. However, as we arrived at Anulis Hill, our combined army was slaughtered, lost 100,000 men." 

Princess Pina was shaking as she held the king's hand, "How come? What kind of strength they defeated you all?" She asked.

"They used strange magic with explosion torn us apart, not all of us survived. There was no battle, but a massacre." He said.

After he finished, the princess begged him for more information. 

"Please my lord, at least tell me something! Who are those enemies, what is their empire and who is their ruler?" Pina begged.

King Dulan sighed, "I will tell you something, at the battlefield, an enemy soldier rescued me and treated my wounds before my men found me. She said something before she left, you are grateful that Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Victoria Louise, Kaiserin of the Grand Germania Empire spared your life. And then she disappeared in the smokes."

Without hesitation, the princess raged in anger and ready to leave, "I won't accept this! I am going to Anulis Hill and see for myself!" 

Before she reached the door, King Dulan warned her. "Let me warn you before you go, princess... Their army is comparable to God, they are a much bigger threat to your empire. If you planned to fight them, your empire shall fall!" 

Princess Pina opened the door and turned to him, in fierce look, "The Saderan Empire, never, fall!"

-^-^-^-

The next early morning, the princess woke up suddenly soaked by a splash of cold water by a maid, and there stood Sir Grey, her trusted knight captain. 

"What happens? Enemies?!" The princess screamed.

"No, Your Royal Highness, there is a group army stood in front of the east gate, we don't know it's a friend or foe. So please come and observe by yourself." Sir Grey reported. 

After Princess Pina changed into her armour, she arrived at the east gate and saw a massive army stood far in front of the gate in separate regiments. She also noticed multi iron barrels on two wheels too, with curiosity, she shouted. "Who are you and what do you all want?" 

From the distance, a calvary horseman in golden plate armour and a helmet with an eagle on came toward the gate with a white flag. 

Then the horseman shouted, "We are the Imperial Army under the command of Kaiserin Victoria Louise of the Grand Germania Empire. Her Imperial Majesty had received a letter from Her Royal Highness, Princess Pina of Saderan Empire. We request to open the gate for our troops to enter." 

"Tell her majesty to meet me at the gate," Pina shouted from the tower.

As the princess went down the wall to the gate, she hesitated. 

What am I going to do? The fate of this city depends on my decision, I have no choice as I sent that letter to the current sworn enemy of our empire for help, she thought as she lifted up the lock of a small sweep door and slam opened it. 

"I am glad you came!" 

Unfortunately, what she saw was soldiers and a female commander looked at the ground. In shock, the princess found that the empress was knocked down onto the ground. 

Pina looked back to them and said, "Was that, me?" They nodded.

Later then, the female commander splashed some water from a bottle on the empress after entered the city with her guards and she scolded Pina. 

"What was that supposed to be?! Didn't you consider that somebody might stand in front of the gate?! Think about dwarfs or hobbits! By doing this, worse than a goblin!!" The commander scolded.

While the princess apologized, Empress Victoria Louise started to gain her consciousness and slowly sat up with the help of the female commander. "Your Majesty, you are awake." 

Victoria touched her head, "Ouch, my head just got slammed by a log or something else. So, who can explain to me what just happened?" 

The citizens, soldiers, and her commander looked at Princess Pina as she felt huge embarrassment, "Me...?"