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A royal envoy from Elonia, sent as a special emissary, stood before the assembled nobles and soldiers.

"The situation is dire," he announced. "The Pamir Empire's advance is faster than anticipated, and the defensive line is close to being breached. Look at Sir Michael's forces—so disciplined and exemplary! Follow his example, maintain your formations, and quicken your march!"

The envoy praised Michael's army's orderliness and urged the others to emulate them, pushing for faster movement.

Even though Michael tried to avoid drawing attention, the excellence of his forces inevitably stood out. Envy and resentment radiated from all sides, but Michael ignored the stares and focused on his responsibilities.

The reinforcements included soldiers from five different planets, including the northeastern planet, resulting in a chaotic mix. Coordinating such a diverse force inevitably led to confusion.

Although Duke Capone had been dispatched as the commander by the royal court, his efforts to unite the nobles from various regions faced significant challenges. Recognizing the issues, the royal envoy reported them to King Charles V.

In the palace, King Charles V furrowed his brows as he read the report. The message highlighted how chaotic the reinforcements were, except for the 5,000 soldiers under Michael's command.

Chancellor Lant offered his assessment with measured words.

"Your Majesty, it was always going to be challenging to mobilize such a large force and march them together. Duke Capone lacks the reputation needed to unite nobles from various territories. Perhaps it's time to consider replacing the commander."

As the kingdom's chancellor, Lant had identified the root of the problem. The more diverse the army's composition, the higher the demands on its commander. While a duke theoretically had enough authority to lead a coalition, Duke Capone's courtly background left him with little practical influence.

Out of respect for the king, the nobles treated Duke Capone with courtesy, but courtesy alone could not ensure effective leadership.

"But sending another commander would be difficult given the domestic situation," the king replied. "With the Pamir Empire's movements unpredictable, our key generals cannot leave their posts."

Chancellor Lant offered a subtle suggestion.

"The commander need not necessarily be a military figure, Your Majesty."

King Charles V paused, deep in thought. He had already been considering this possibility.

"Are you suggesting the crown prince?"

On the continent of Rubel, it was not uncommon for kings or crown princes to personally lead armies.

It was a common tradition on the continent for a crown prince to take on a nominal role as commander by personally going to the battlefield. The more King Charles V considered it, the more sense it made.

"Yes, this could be a good opportunity for him to gain experience. Since it's the path of reinforcements, we'll ensure he stays in the safest areas—nothing should go wrong," the king decided.

With the sudden announcement that the crown prince himself would join the battlefield, Count Charles convened all the nobles of the northeastern planet. When Michael first heard the news, he was dumbfounded.@@novelbin@@

The crown prince on a dangerous battlefield? Wouldn't it be better to send a different commander if Duke Capone was inadequate? But soon, Michael realized the strategic reasoning.

No commander would dare place the crown prince in real danger. The prince's presence would be more symbolic than practical, and there was little risk involved as long as he didn't directly enter combat. Strategically, an expedition to a foreign land was preferable to remaining in the domestic sphere.

If the expedition succeeded, the crown prince would take the credit; if it failed, Elonia Kingdom would bear the blame for its incompetence.

The news of the crown prince's arrival on the front line excited many, but Michael remained indifferent, focusing instead on maintaining military discipline.

Michael saw no reason to curry favor with the crown prince unless he planned to enter the royal court, which he did not. He already had a connection with Princess Astrid, and maintaining that relationship was more about building his reputation than seeking real power. Besides, Astrid had a personality he found agreeable, while the crown prince did not.

Michael's first impression of the prince had been one of excessive arrogance, a trait undesirable in a leader or a future king.

Thanks to Michael's efforts, his 5,000 soldiers were even more disciplined than before. Marching in perfect formation, their unified steps drew everyone's attention. Though they had not yet entered the battlefield, Michael's reputation was spreading throughout the army.

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The royal envoy's public praise of Michael further amplified his fame. As the owner of both a dragon and a sphinx, a master archer, and a skilled commander, Michael's renown was inevitable.

While overseeing his soldiers' march, Michael spotted a group of magical beasts flying toward them. As he looked up, his gaze lingered briefly on the young man dressed in elaborate attire, riding a third-class magical beast—a pegasus. It was the crown prince, Randolph.

Excitement lit up Randolph's face as he called out, "Sir Michael, your army is as disciplined as the rumors say. This expedition is going to be quite exciting!"

Beside him, General Leonard, his advisor and bodyguard, cleared his throat.

"Your Highness, you must not let your excitement cloud your judgment. The fact that Sir Michael's army stands out so much only underscores the poor condition of the other forces. Do not underestimate this campaign," the general cautioned.

Randolph scoffed.

"Hmph! I know that. Don't be so rigid," he replied dismissively.

Nearby, Duke Capone, riding a gryphon, appeared deeply troubled. Not only had he been sidelined from command, but now he also had to manage the whims of the reckless crown prince. Young nobles often overestimated their abilities, and this tendency was even stronger in those of high status.

Sighing, the duke thought about the prince's arrogance. He only hoped the prince wouldn't overestimate the capabilities of the expeditionary forces based on Michael's exceptional army and attempt something beyond their means.

"Ha! Let's hurry down—I want another look at Sir Michael's dragon and sphinx," Randolph declared, urging his pegasus to descend before anyone could stop him.