Chapter 60：A Loyal Dog

"The commander-in-chief wants me to do what? I... I almost don't believe it."

Wilhelm Erich Rommel couldn't help immediately exclaiming his disbelief when he read the papers containing orders from the Imperial war conference in Maximinus. If it weren't for the commander-in-chief's; Erika's signature, Wilhelm would have assumed that these papers were forged.

However, that did not mean that he didn't understand it, after all Wilhelm didn't become the marshal of the 363rd Gamma Corps on a fluke. It took only one reading in order for Wilhelm to be able to understand the war conference's plans as well as their intentions.

He just did not expect for the war council in Maximinus to come to this conclusion so quickly.

Although, the fact that the only two people whose military opinion is respected within the war conference; Maxwell and Erika pretty much unanimously agreed whenever possible probably sped up the planning process.

Within moments, Wilhelm quickly regained his composure as he questioned the person who gave him the signed papers, Zanack Dugall Xavos; the marshal of the 101st Alpha Corps.

"It works... It's outrageous but it works. Hell, if you weren't here to personally give me these papers, I would have doubted if they were even authentic."

"Marshal Wilhelm, it's apparent that you need to read up on the relatively brief history of the Imperium of Drussia."

Zanack didn't face Wilhelm when he responded, instead he remained seated at his spot, a few feet away from Wilhelm's personal globe which he appeared to be staring at. The first thing that Zanack did when he gave these papers to Wilhelm was take his seat near the globe while he let Wilhelm read.

"The Imperium of Drussia has built itself on the foundation of its outrageous achievements. Why should we stop now? Or am I sensing something else occurring behind the scenes here Wilhem?"

"Now you're making it sound as if I'm sentimental. Short answer, I'm not. I wouldn't discredit a plan simply because it places a few hundred expendable lives at risk. Especially if the loss of those lives helps to serve our propaganda campaign."

Zanack seemed to shrug slightly as he responded in a straight, calculating tone.

"As long as you follow your orders then the plan should succeed."

That plan in question being for all Gamma Corps garrisons within the cities of Eastern Porrand to withdraw to a certain designated point, with only the bare minimum required remaining in said cities so as to maintain public order.

Even though the Gamma Corps exists primarily for the purpose of garrisoning cities that weren't located within the 'core regions' of Drussia, they are still able to make exceptions such as this as long as it is authorised by Erika; the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Drussian Armed Forces.

Such a massive movement of military assets would most likely catch the attention of the hostile crusade which has just recently crossed the border between Eastern and Western Porrand. If things were to go as planned, then this 'retreat' should only embolden the crusade.

However, the biggest allure should be how the Drussians 'abandoned' Karkow. If the Drussians appeared to be willing to abandon even Karkow in order to consolidate their forces to combat the crusading threat, then it should seem as if the Drussians were getting desperate.

If the rumours about the leader of the crusade; Stefanie Geinen Naftes was true then she should be a headstrong and obstinate individual so even if these plans of deception were sensed by other individuals within the crusade, Stefanie should still fall for the ruse.

After thinking to himself for a moment, Wilhelm went to ask Zanack a question.

"So am I to assume that I will be cooperating with you and the Alpha Corps for this specific operation?"

"Negatory."

However, Zanack's answer surprised Wilhelm. With a slightly confused voice, Wilhelm questioned Zanack.

"Negatory? What else could the famed Alpha Corps possibly be doing other than repelling these incoming crusaders?"

Zanack continued to stare at the globe as he responded to Wilhelm.

"We've received orders to withdraw to our encampment back in Drussia. I apologise but the rest is classified information, you will have to settle with the knowledge that the Alpha Corps will not be available in Porrand for the time being."

For the first time since entering the office Zanack turned to face Wilhelm as he spoke.

"That is half correct. You're not going to be supplemented by Omega Corps divisions. You and your Gamma Corps battalions are going to supplement the Omega Corps."

"Wait... so that means..."

Zanack nodded affirmatively before he made his response.

"Yes, command of this operation will be handed to the commander-in-chief; Erika Bismark Pollorov herself."

...

Near the Porrish-Ostrian border, a compact column composed of men dressed in predominantly purple military uniforms which had white outlines and equiped with muskets, marched in unison under the shadow of the mountain range.

At the head of this column, there were two women riding atop their horses who were flanked by their elite guard; an Omega Corp, dragoon division dubbed as the 'Höllenreiter.'

Both them wore a military uniform which was distinctly different from each other. Like the marching soldier's uniforms, the two ladies' uniforms were dyed in a purple colour and contained white outlines. However, the napoleonic-regalia style of their outfits asserted their authoritative role within this army.

The one on the right had long grey hair with a straight fringe and navy-blue eyes while the one of the left had similarly long albeit slightly longer silky silver hair which was styled into a long braid and had purple-violet eyes. Out of the two, the one on the right was taller and wore a more 'impractical' uniform.

These two women were Erika Bismark Pollorov and Sicilia Gella Dunnwal, the imperial commander-in-chief and imperial secretary of miscellaneous divisions of the Imperium of Drussia respectively.

A sort of awkward atmosphere lingered around the two as they silently refused to speak to one another.

It was only after the army had marched for a few hours did one of the two women finally start a conversation. Surprisingly, it was Erika who was the first to speak.

"You know... I didn't think you'd be accompanying me for this operation."

"And I didn't think that you would be the first to speak up, but look where we are now."

Erika almost immediately regretted starting the conversation when she heard Sicilia's response. It would seem that Erika forgot just how irritating Sicilia could be. Although, in the past, Erika may have been previously intimidated by Sicilia, now it was anything but that.

Nevertheless, Erika was still able to keep her professional disposition as she replied to Sicilia.

"Moments like this make me detest the fact that you're Maxwell's older sister."

However, to Erika's chagrin, Sicilia responded in her usual cynical manner. Although Erika has grown accustomed and even 'liked' Maxwell's sarcastic attitude, Sicilia's cynical tone was just a whole other matter.

With a cynical and mocking voice, Sicilia responded to Erika.

"And moments like this make me glad that Maxwell chose you as his pseudo second in command. Besides..."

As Sicilia said this, she rode her horse closer to Erika before proceeding to lean in closer towards Erika and nudge at her elbow. With a sly smile, Sicilia slowly voiced out her words to Erika.

"If things are going to go the way you want them to. Then in the near future, I will technically by law, be your 'sister' as well. Your sister-in-law to be exact."

Erika was left utterly speechless by Sicilia's words. In the silence that followed, the two women stared at each other as they rode on their horses, one of whom contained an awestruck expression on her face while the other wore a smug smile.

There was no need to say who wore what expression.

After a few short moments of silently riding on their horses, Sicilia chuckled as she spoke up.

"Ahahaha. Now I know what Maxwell feels whenever he stumps you. And I got to admit, that expression on your face... it is pretty cute."

Erika's previously awestruck expression froze in place in response to Sicilia's remark. When Sicilia saw this, she once again chuckled with a mocking smile on her face as she continued to tease Erika.

"What? Are you thinking that since I; the older sister of Maxwell would think that, that expression is cute, then perhaps he would maybe think so too?"

"No I... It's just that I... I..."

As Erika began to stutter to herself, she was instead beckoned to stop by Sicilia calmly placing her hand on the former's shoulder. This time, instead of speaking in her cynical manner, Sicilia spoke with a kind, benevolent tone.

"It's alright. Your ambitions. Your hopes. Your dreams. I'm sure that all of your deep desires will be fulfilled someday."

"You... You really believe so?"

When Erika stuttered her response, Sicilia instantly nodded in calming, soothing way. With a gentle smile Sicilia replied.

"Yes. However, that doesn't mean that you don't have to do anything for your wishes to come true. You still have to put effort and some hard work."

Erika's eyebrows rose in slight confusion when she heard Sicilia's explanation.

"But... that's exactly what I'm doing?.. I am eliminating these trash interlopers who dare to believe that they can invade or threaten Drussian assets without undergoing punishment? By doing such things they slight the Imperium of Drussia which by extension means that they slight Maxwell himself!"

Without even knowing it, Erika subconsciously started to raise her voice as she thought about the crusaders.

"Unacceptable! Totally Unacceptable! 250,000 lives just mean 250,000 death sentences. I will uphold my duty to Maxwell... No matter what. Do remember what I said in the Dunnwal gardens lasts year?"

Sicilia shrugged slightly when she responded.

"I remember it like it was yesterday. You said something along the lines of 'As his first lieutenant it is my duty to serve Maxwell and fulfil his wishes, even if it would cost me my life.' I really love the poetic touch you added to it. It really gives it some spice."

Sicilia paused for a moment before she continued.

"However, that simply isn't enough. And that is why I am here."

"Isn't enough? Why you are here?"

Once again, Erika's eyebrows rose in slight confusion when she heard what Sicilia had to say.

"What do you mean by that?"

Sicilia chuckled again before she responded.

"With my help, I can help you get that future with Maxwell that you so desire..."

For a moment Erika froze as she contemplated what Sicilia had just said.

'Her future with Maxwell?'

Now wouldn't that be nice?

Erika didn't know what sort of expression she had on her face as she fell into deep thought.

However, Erika was soon pulled back into reality by Sicilia's voice.

"Now then? Don't you want to hear what I've got to say?"