Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll?

Immediately after, Georg, the leader of the regiment, and key commanders, including battalion leaders, gathered in the prince’s room.

As the announcement of the coup’s execution was made, tension filled the air. While the plan for the uprising had already been shared, ensuring there was no panic. Nevertheless, they could not hide their tension as they were about to carry out an act that could make them traitors.

““Now, everyone, let me first inform you of the changes in our situation and the adjustments to the plan.”

As the prince began to speak, the expressions of the officers changed. In this room filled with battle-hardened soldiers, no one seemed unable to control their emotions. Seeing their faces, the prince nodded in satisfaction. After the explanation and the hurried preparations, the assault unit left for the city of Augsburg by the next morning

Two days after Egret had obtained information in the western forest, and five days before the earliest possible date when the First Knight order might act. Considering that it would take three days to march to the royal capital even with a cavalry force, there was hardly any time to spare. Therefore, they prepared hastily and set out the next morning.

“Your Highness, won’t our movements be noticed by the other side’s spies?”

“Yes, in fact, we intend to use that to our advantage.”

The prince had nodded when one of the battalion leaders raised this question during the briefing

The plan was as follows: Initially, the entire Third Knights were to march, but this was changed. Only 300 knights, lightly armored and prepared for combat on foot, would conduct a rapid assault. Meanwhile, the main force would remain stationed in Augsburg, as originally planned, to keep the First Knights in check. Leaving most of the knights behind ensured that there would be enough commanders to deal with the First Knights if they moved.

Since the prince’s coup was already anticipated, it was expected that once the enemy detected their movements, the First Knight’s order would likely dispatch the majority of their 1,000 knights as pursuers. After all, the prince’s force consisted solely of knights, and infantry would be too slow to catch them..

If the enemy reached the royal castle first, the situation could resemble a siege, requiring at least three times their number to guarantee suppression. This would mean fewer commanding officers for the enemy, making it harder for the First Knights to invade Azal during the coup. However, given Oscar’s blind loyalty, the First Knights would likely prioritise the capital. Additionally, no matter how skilled their spies were, they would still need time to return and report.

Although the distance between Balstadt, where the First Knights were stationed, and Ausburg was almost the same from the capital, the time it would take for the First Knights to move would create a delay, allowing the prince’s forces to reach the capital first.

“After crossing the East Bridge that spans the outer moat, 200 men will be positioned to defend against the pursuing First Knights. Of course, that’s only if they manage to arrive before we’re finished. The remaining 100 will enter the royal castle with me. Most of the royal guards inside are on our side, so we should avoid any major combat. The only resistance will come from the chancellor’s forces and my mother’s private troops. As long as there’s no organised resistance, 100 knights should be enough to handle it.”

“Your Highness, instead of going straight in, wouldn’t it be better to use a secret passage for the royal family?”

“I’ve considered that. But if they use couriers or messenger pigeons to inform the chancellor or my mother of our arrival before we get there, they could easily block those routes. That’s why we need a force large enough to confront them head-on.

He replied to the squadron commander who had asked the question, saying that it was necessary to go in a fairly large group. After entering the royal castle, Ellie, a magician accompanied by a few guards, would head to a room called the “Garden of the Emperor of Thunder” where the magic furnace was located, while at the same time subduing the inside of the royal castle. They would capture or… defeat the queen and the chancellor. Egret would accompany them as insurance. The two were introduced during the explanation, and they were looked at suspiciously.

“Incidentally, Egret over here can kill me.
And Ellie over there easily blocked the full-powered magic attack of the second-ranking magician,” Georg added, and then they were looked at as if they were seeing something unbelievable.

In any case, they had obtained a provisional understanding of the participation of the two.
Afterwards, while they were hurriedly preparing, the members of the assault force were the first to go.

“…I never thought they would all volunteer,” the prince said with a wry smile, looking at the knights who were riding their horses while surrounding him.

Incidentally, Egret and Ellie could ride horses, but of course they had not received training in marching with a cavalry unit, so they were following a little distance away from the group.
Georg, who was listening to the prince’s muttering from the side, chuckled and made a sound from his throat.

“Everyone has made up their minds since they came to Azal. They probably don’t want to die in vain here.”

“I guess so… I don’t quite understand.”

“Don’t worry about it, your Highness. There are people like us who want to die. Just understand that and use us well.”

“I will keep that in mind as someone who leads you all.”

The prince replied with a serious expression, looking at Georg who was smiling so brightly that it could almost be called refreshing.
The place they were going to was, without a doubt, a place of death.

Where they were headed could rightly be called a place of death. Though the prince had explained everything confidently as if there would be no casualties and assured victory, the reality would be a series of perilous situations.

Of course, they must have known that, yet no one hesitated to raise their hand.

He was truly grateful for that.

“Oh, if you’re going to keep that in mind, I have one more request.”

“What is it? You’re a greedy commander.”

“Hahaha, isn’t that obvious by now? Just one more thing… Let us die honourably. Be the kind of king we’d be proud to die for.”

“I can do that, but why are you talking like you won’t be there to see it?”

The prince, visibly displeased by Georg’s words, narrowed his eyes. Who seemed quite cheerful. Blinking at those words, he burst out laughing the next moment.

“That’s true, that can’t be. If I’m gone, there won’t be anyone to gather up all these good-for-nothings!”

“You’re the biggest good-for-nothing, commander!”

“Shut up, I’ll cut your pay!”

A knight nearby teased Georg with a joking tone.

Georg shouted back in jest as one of the nearby knights teased him, causing laughter to ripple through the group.

Watching them, the prince wasn’t sure whether he should laugh or remain serious. But one thing was clear: The lives they entrusted to him would not be wasted.

With that conviction firmly set in his heart, he spurred his horse onward toward the capital.

Next: The Bridge of Parting