Three months ago before the battle of Aldar Fort.

  Normal PoV

  Akari mustered as many soldiers as she could, she travelled around the kingdom, in preparation for war against the empire.

  "If my hunch is correct, a civil war will occur within the empire, which is the best chance to strike."

  Akari told herself as she galloped her horse to the nearest town.

  Various letters were sent out to lords, whom earned Akari's trust during the war against the empire.

  Akari visited all the Lords whom sworn loyalty to her. A week has passed, Akari has managed to amass ten thousand soldiers, ready for war from various regional lords.

  Akari, along those under her command moved with haste, they rode as fast as they could. To the city of Azule, Capital of Hakuroku kingdom.

  Akari's PoV

  Upon arriving at the gates, the city guard blocked our path. Captain Rudolf dismounted his horse, showed the guard documents, we're escorted to the major of the prime minister.

  "Rudolf, please tell your men to wait here, if I don't return within three hours, that would mean on thing. I have been assassinated."

  Rudolf salutes and orders his men to be on standby.

  "Let me speak with your master."

  I ordered the guards, who immediately stepped back, upon seeing my eyes. I entered the manor, while my escorts remained outside.

  "Your Majesty, I wasn't expecting you to return this soon, the kingdom is doing well under my supervision, is there anything that you wish to discuss with me?"

  With a smile on my face, I told the prime minister in a sarcastic tone.

  "I know, I appointed you as prime minister because of your talent, not social status. Under your supervision the kingdom has become the wealthiest country within the continent."

  "Enough with the formalities, it's good to see you, Harvey my old friend."

  Prime Minister Harvey Leyland, revealed a smile on his face and replied.

  "Welcome back Your Majesty, Akane Ikinawa-sama, my one and only childhood friend."

  The smile on his face vanished quickly, with a serious look on his face, Harvey asked.

  "Something terrible has either happened or is about to happen, if not you would have simply sent a messenger to come here."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I clicked my tongue, revealing a self-mocking smile on my face.

  "I can't hide anything from you after all. You know almost everything about me."

  Harvey laughed and replied.

  "Likewise from me to you."

  Harvey lead me up his office, a maid prepared me a cup of green tea. With a serious look on his face, Harvey asked.

  "Have the empire have began to make a move, while you were on exile, I have begun making preparation for war, I have amassed an army of seven thousand soldiers."

  "I have rallied over ten thousand troops, mostly from the eastern lords."

  "That's a lot more than I expected."

  "The army is being rallied to the province of Seil, the city of Arvel."

  "I understand, I'll dispatch the army to Arvel. The funding won't be an issue either."

  I took a dagger out my pocket and placed it on the desk, with a stern look on my face.

  "Could you tell me about this."

  Harvey picked up the dagger, appraised it, he took out a deep breathe, returned it to me, the smile Harvey had on his face disappeared now replaced with a serious look.

  "This belongs to the empire's elite, the royal guard which is regarded as their best soldiers. The glyphs carved on the dagger, you can notice it. The insignia of the emperor."

  He paused for a moment and asked.

  "Where did you get this?"

  I took a sip of tea and replied.

  "They attacked my home, attempted killing me and my husband."

  Harvey's face was pale, the facade of his composure vanished.

  "Could the empire have located your safehouse? If I would make arrangements for a new one."

  I shook my head in denial and replied.

  "It's something much worst."

  There was silence in the room, I rang a bell and asked for more tea, having my cup refilled, I took a sip and continued.

  "I discovered the inhumane experiments which the empire conducted upon it's citizens. They were making supersoldiers, by injecting people with vampire blood."

  Harvey had a serious look on his face, as he asked his maid to summon the Grand Marshall. Harvey faced me and replied.

  "If that's the case, we shall begin manufacture silver weaponry, distribute them to areas near the border. However I'm concerned on how this will affect our country's economy."

  I took another sip of tea and told Harvey.

  "Can I make a request to you?"

  Harvey's eye widened, he placed his hand on his chin.

  "It's not like you to make requests, which means this is something that I would normally reject, right?"

  I placed a paper parchment on his desk and answered.

  "That's the case here, I want you to arrange the citizenship for a young girl, whom was subjected to those experiments I mentioned earlier."

  Harvey grit his teeth in anger, his face was beet red.

  "You're out of your mind, let me rephrase that. You're out of your mind. To even consider letting a monster such as a vampire to live in our country. What if it endangered the lives of our citizens."

  I sighed, bit my lips in frustration.

  "Such a thing wouldn't happen, if it does, the very first victim would be the crown princess, my daughter Akane. The two became inseparable friends, however I noticed that she seems to be infatuated with my daughter."

  Harvey slammed his desk and shouted angrily at me.

  "That's it you've completely lost your mind, letting your own daughter near such a monster."

  I placed my hand atop Harvey's hands and told him.

  "I have faith in that girl, she truly cares about Akane well-being, she spent a long time with my daughter, and did her no harm, I wish you would trust my decision more Harvey."

  Harvey took a sip of green tea, he let's out a sigh.

  "Fine, I'll trust your decision, I'm only expressing my concern for the crown princess."

  I nodded and replied.

  "Most certainly."

  "Anything else?"

  "I would like you to appoint Captain Chiharu as the garrison commander of Aldar fort and Dalen."

  "Your reason?"

  "It's for the safety of the crown princess, I contacted her to keep an eye on the two."

  Satisfied with reply Harvey nodded.

  "Okay I'll approved it."

  Harvey opened his drawer and handed me documents, which is proof of embezzlement, along other notorious crimes of the southern lords.

  "Looks like we still have much more to discuss."