There is never just one commander in a fortress. While the fortress commander holds ultimate authority, in times of crisis, the deputy commander, the military captain, and the quartermaster ,those in key positions ,assume full responsibility for the fortress’s defense.Until a new commander is appointed by the Northeastern Duchy, they were the de facto leaders.

“W-What? The prince has arrived?”

“Yes, sir. He just arrived at the rear gate.”

“Which prince?! Please tell me it’s the First Prince!”

“That is…”

The subordinate trailed off, and Deputy Commander Patrick’s face twisted with irritation.
Why couldn’t he give a straight answer?
Even if it wasn’t the First, the Sixth or Seventh would be more than enough to turn the tide. But to hesitate like that…

Which prince had arrived that it was so hard to say?

Patrick, stationed atop the fortress wall assessing the incoming enemy troops, hadn’t yet seen who had arrived.
As anxiety crept in …

“His Highness, the Eleventh Prince Aziel, has arrived! All forces are to show proper respect!”

A thunderous voice rang out, announcing who had come. The faces of the fortress officials contorted in despair.

Even in the backwaters of the eastern front, no soldier hadn’t heard the name of the Eleventh Prince. The embodiment of incompetence. The icon of greed and arrogance. And now, that very prince had arrived , here of all places, now of all times.

While the officers exchanged stunned glances, Andre’s voice rang out again.

“Show respect to His Highness!”

The soldiers, reluctant and stiff, dropped to their knees. But frustration burned beneath the surface.

The enemy was at the gates. Who had time for royal formalities?

But the prince didn’t care.

“Is this all the manpower you have?”

He calmly scanned the ranks, as if simply inspecting a tranquil outpost.His gaze swept from face to face, observing each soldier’s expression in turn.

“Where is the one in charge?”

With shameless boldness, he demanded the presence of their leaders. Only then did the kneeling officers on the wall meet his gaze.

Platinum hair and dark crimson eyes, marks of the royal bloodline,lent an eerie atmosphere.He stood on a battlefield, yet his demeanor was serene beyond reason.

“Those of you watching from above. Are you the ones in charge?”

His dignified ascent onto the battlements, alone and without fear, stunned everyone.
He truly was the reckless, foolish prince the rumors described. 

Still, perhaps knights or mages were behind him?

“Just three people…?”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

Still kneeling, the officers looked around in disbelief and muttered their complaints.
No reinforcements. Just a prince , and not even one of the capable ones. But as the prince approached, their expressions began to shift. It was strange, from afar, he had looked like nothing more than an overly adorned nobleman.

“Who is the fortress commander?”

Standing before them now, the prince felt impossibly large. Though the enemy loomed, the wall beneath his feet felt utterly still , as if the world had stopped for him.

An overwhelming presence. It recalled the Duke of the Northeast ,glimpsed only once during an inauguration.

Why did he come to mind now?

The key officers, silent just moments before, now held their tongues.

“The commander was assassinated last night,” Patrick forced out, voice strained.

Would the prince panic? Flee? Blame them?

Instead …

“That’s unfortunate.”

His reply betrayed no fear.

“To miss the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime achievement.”

Patrick blinked, stunned.

There was no reverence for the dead. Just pity that the slain commander had missed a historic victory.
Victory … here? With this force?

And yet the prince’s voice, his manner, felt so natural that no one could question it. He glanced down at the kneeling soldiers, then turned to the enemy outside the walls.

“What are you standing there for, you ghosts of a dead kingdom?”

His voice, casual and light, mocked the approaching forces.

Gasps of disbelief echoed through the ranks.

“Are you reminiscing about the glory of your fallen nation? Or has time blurred it so badly that you can’t even recall it anymore? Pathetic. The king’s head fell centuries ago, and you still serve a dead land.”

“…”

“What’s the hold-up? Shouldn’t you be wailing and scrambling up these walls by now? Look … an imperial prince. Wouldn’t my head make a fine offering for wandering spirits without graves?”

He laughed , loudly and alone. While others trembled with rage, fear, or bloodlust, only the prince laughed. The madness crawling up the fortress walls thickened. It was deep. Heavy. Even nearby allies shuddered.

Then, 

“You stupid, brainless bastards!” The prince turned and screamed at the soldiers and deputy commander.

Why, all of a sudden?

“Because of your idiotic cheers, the enemy’s not attacking! I’ve been waiting, but they’re not coming! I want to slaughter them, and they won’t charge!”

Only then did Patrick understand.

The enemy had frozen as soon as they heard the prince’s arrival. Even now, they remained motionless , clearly reevaluating the situation. Because a prince wouldn’t travel alone. That was common sense. 

Had the prince taken advantage of that expectation?

Was this a bluff , a ruse banking on the assumption that knights and mages followed?

The enemy couldn’t tell. Was this insanity or confidence?

Even Patrick had almost believed it.

“Climb up the walls already, you damn vermin.”

Only after that cold command did the enemy leader gesture to retreat. Their eyes were filled with suspicion, but the prince’s presence was too bold, too absolute, to challenge.

The enemy slipped away , vanishing into forest and field. And only then did the fortress breathe again. It was a simple trick. A narrow deception. 

But how long would the illusion hold?

As they turned to thank the prince, 

“Are you relieved?”

“…Pardon?”

“Relieved that the battle didn’t happen? Pathetic.”

His rebuke cut deep.

“Why? Did you think I only fooled them with words?”

A slow, sharp grin curved his lips. Only then did they see the madness in his eyes. He meant it. Every insult. Every challenge to fight.

What gave him the confidence to promise victory?