Collusion

Just as Kaguya was contemplating how to scare that little gossip, Fal, who didn't know her place, a message came that made Kaguya furrow her brows. It seemed that Fal had narrowly escaped a disaster.

"You're saying there's movement in the Path of Peace?" Kaguya straightened up from the sofa, set down her teacup, and asked with a sharp gaze.

"Yes, that's correct," said Ieyasu, the head guard, in a deep voice. "According to our spies, it seems they're planning something big recently, mobilizing a significant number of their knight corps. They seem eager to make a move."

Kaguya's pale fingers tapped the table as she pondered for a moment before asking, "Approximately how many people?"

"About 100,000, making up roughly one-third of their army. However, what's strange is that these people aren't their elite troops; they appear more like newly recruited soldiers, with mediocre skills and inadequate training. We're not sure what they're planning to do," Ieyasu replied.

"As far as I know," Kaguya stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the gradually melting snow, "there is a man named Bolic in Path of Peace. His position is that of the assistant to the Path of Peace's leader."

"Yes, there is indeed such a person," Ieyasu nodded. "We've thoroughly investigated him. He seems to have the leader's deep trust, handling most of the internal affairs with great authority. However, he's very low-key, and his movements are mysterious. There are even rumors that he's in contact with Minister Honest of the Imperial Army."

"Then it's clear," Kaguya turned around with a faint smile.

"You mean..." Ieyasu's eyes lit up. "Bolic is Minister Honest's agent within Path of Peace, and sending troops now is to assist Minister Honest in his battle with the Revolutionary Army?"

"Not necessarily," Kaguya waved her hand. "Although Bolic is indeed aligned with Minister Honest, at the moment, the Imperial Army and the Revolutionary Army are evenly matched, with the Imperial Army even slightly at a disadvantage. You mentioned earlier that the forces he's gathered are mostly untrained recruits, which makes his intentions quite intriguing."

"Could he be planning to betray Minister Honest?" Ieyasu asked in surprise.

"Not that either," Kaguya smiled slightly. "The outcome of the conflict hasn't been decided yet. No matter how bold he is, he wouldn't dare to oppose Minister Honest just yet. However, this person is naturally suspicious and likes to hedge his bets. He's likely just waiting for the right moment."

"So to avoid angering the minister, he's dispatching troops, but since he's worried the minister might fail, he's only sending untrained recruits?" Ieyasu began to understand.

"That's about the size of it," Kaguya's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Bolic is short-sighted, a fool. Does he really think that Minister Honest can't see through his little tricks? Acting like this will only end up with him pleasing no one and shooting himself in the foot."

"What should we do?" Ieyasu asked.

"Watch and wait. Let the Imperial Army and the Revolutionary Army fight it out," Kaguya shrugged. "That coward won't show his face easily, so there's no need to worry too much. What we should really focus on is the Revolutionary Army, especially Night Raid. Keep a close eye on their every move, and report immediately if anything happens."

"Yes," Ieyasu acknowledged. "However, there have been reports that Night Raid's activities have been somewhat unusual lately. According to our spies, they haven't joined the Revolutionary Army in the south but are instead in a small town in the north, seemingly in contact with someone. Could it be Bolic?"

"When did this happen?" Kaguya frowned slightly.

"About a few days ago," Ieyasu replied.

Kaguya pondered for a moment, resting her hand on the windowsill and looking outside. "It seems I'll have to make a trip."

"Could it be..." Ieyasu said in shock.

"Yes, they might have formed an alliance," Kaguya said in a low voice. "That coward Bolic wouldn't make the first move; it's likely the Revolutionary Army reached out to him with some generous offer."

"But there's no need for you, Your Highness..." Ieyasu said urgently. "If possible, I'd be willing to go in your place."

"No need. Your current task is to prepare for battle," Kaguya smiled. "Besides, there are still many interesting things waiting for me to do."

Kaguya turned around, looking at the scenery outside, with a subtle smile playing on her lips.

In a remote area of the north, there was a small village with a few dilapidated houses sparsely scattered around. These houses seemed quite old, with the wooden boards outside already somewhat decayed, and the walls showing signs of wear and tear.

"I disagree!" Leone shouted angrily. It was rare for the cheerful and lively girl to lose her temper.

"Leone!" Najenda quickly said, "Calm down!"

"Calm down? How can Night Raid collaborate with those filthy scum?" Leone's anger hadn't subsided, and her eyes seemed to be ablaze.

"This is only temporary, a makeshift solution," Najenda said in a deep voice. "We don't intend to stoop to their level, only to use them—to use them as a shield against a potential attack from Her Highness. You know that although we currently have the upper hand, we are still far from achieving victory. If Bolic sides with the minister, our situation could become very difficult."

"But we can't cooperate with them," Leone said angrily. "They are all vile criminals. Don't you remember the games the nobles used to play that I told you about?"

Leone had a reason to be so furious. She had once witnessed nobles in their estates riding horses, trampling children to death for sport. Enraged, Leone had killed those nobles and joined Night Raid afterward. Now, she had discovered that one of the nobles hadn't died and was instead serving as the envoy for this alliance. This immediately provoked her dissatisfaction.

"Leone, we never intended to be like them, but the situation forces us to make some compromises," Najenda said in a serious tone.

"Compromises?" Leone said angrily. "Does that mean we should abandon our original beliefs? Is it acceptable to use any means necessary to achieve our goals? Then what is the point of Night Raid?"

Before the words had fully left her mouth, Leone stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

"Leone..." Najenda looked at Leone's departing figure with a complex expression on her fair face.

In the shadows, several figures were hidden among the trees.

"Now, I have a task for you," the leader said in a deep voice, "Eliminate Leone. We can't let her interfere with our plan."

"But she's a member of Night Raid..." someone hesitated.

"There's no 'but'," the leader's cold eyes flashed with a chilling light as he said, "We're at a critical juncture. The great cause of the Empire is within reach, and we cannot let her ruin the entire plan. Spread the word: eliminate Leone, dead or alive. Also, make sure to frame the Imperial Guard for it. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."