The villainous daughter of the Duke, needs a hero

Chapter 34: Invasion!

Translated by XianPiete

The Wütendes Menschenreich Emperor looked down at Prince Wolter von Plettenberg and asked "Did you retrieve the wizard?"

"No, my Emperor." Prince Wolter replied.

The Emperor frowned and then asked, "How many wizards do we have now?"

"Two, my Emperor." Prince Wolter replied.

The Emperor frowned again and then said, "Prepare the invasion. Your schemes have failed. This little kingdom needs to be brought into the empire the right way. General Schenker, have you completed the invasion plan?"

A large brute of a man stepped forward and the dropped to a knee next to Prince Wolter and replied, " My Emperor, we have the third, fourth and sixth legions moved to the border. Our allies in El Pais De Lotharios have promised an invasion to the west as we invade from the east. The little Kingdom will have to split its forces and fight on two fronts. We can begin the invasion through the Montfort lands to the north and the Aumont lands to the south. The Harcourt and Taillefer troops will be bogged down on the western front. We'll be able to sweep through their kingdom in a month."

The Emperor grinned and said, "This my son, is how new lands are added to our glorious empire. Not through sorcery and backroom dealings." He stood up and commanded, "General Schenker start your invasion. Wolter, bring the other three legions as reinforcement. I want this bug like kingdom smashed under my foot by Summer. Wolter, send Prince Andre's head to his father as a gift ahead of the invasion."

Both men stood and pounded their fist against their chest and roared out, "Yes, my Emperor!"

*****

First Mage Diggory wiggled his bushy eyebrows in thought and asked, "Does the Council of Magic belong to the kingdom, or to itself? What I am asking, is, are we above the matters of an individual kingdom, or are we a branch of this Kingdom's military answering to the King and his vassals? I think we should put this to a vote, as some of us might have a bias one way or another."

Olivier thought for a good long time before he cast his own vote, "I vote that we become independent. We'll need to earn money to repay the cost for the Tower and it's land. Also, we'll need to get the approval of the Kingdom in the way of a mutual assistance agreement of some kind to act in their defensive interests."

Guy and Madeline looked at each other and then both said, "Independent." Guy added, "I will add a billion gold to our treasury to start it, but I expect to be paid back at 6.1% interest."

Alicia smiled and voted, "Independent... Wait, did you just say billion? How is that even possible? I have never even seen a hundred thousand gold coins, how is a billion a real number?" Everyone stared at Guy in disbelief.

Guy shrugged and said, "I filled the Montfort coffers for a few generations and then my father said I should make a little money for myself. The things I released for sale have done very well in and out of the kingdom, so I ended up with a healthy profit."

Madeline thought for a moment and then said, "Guy should be repaid at 10% interest."

Alicia pursed her lips and said, "You're only saying that because you are his fiancé and are looking at his money like it's your money."

Madeline pretended to be cleaning out her ear as if she hadn't heard Alicia. Olivier chuckled and then said, "We can't ignore that Wütendes Menschenreich just openly tried to assassinate my father and possibly us as well. I think the attack on the Council of Magic deserves a formal declaration of war which we will lead to our combined efforts with the kingdom of Pays Des Abrutis. I put the matter to a vote."

Guy and Alicia both stated, "I vote yes."

Madeline thought for a moment and then said, "I vote yes."

First Mage Diggory nodded and said, "I also vote yes, further, I say we show the world the power of the Council of Mages by making it crystal clear that attacks against us, will result in catastrophe for nation that tries."

Guy looked at Diggory and asked, "Including the innocents?"

He nodded gravely and said, "We will never have true autonomy until we show the world the good and the bad."

Guy nodded and said, "I agree."

Madeline and Alicia said, "I disagree."

Olivier also said, "I disagree."

First Mage Diggory nodded and said, "Very well, we will assist Pays Des Abrutis defensively, and prepare a strike against the leaders of Wütendes Menschenreich for their offense against the Council of Magic. Are we agreed?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Madeline took it upon herself to chronicle the votes cast for each of the measures in a leather bound book.

*****

The first battle of the war with Wütendes Menschenreich happened three miles from the Montfort army's keep along the border. Guy was waiting there with his father as they saw an army marching toward the keep. Guy opened a gate and brought Olivier and Alicia. The two of them started to open gates themselves from which endless streams of soldiers and knights came through in a matter of minutes an entire army appeared out of nowhere just as they had done at the battle of Rouvroy. Once the army was assembled and in formations, Alicia, Olivier and Guy unleashed a destructive force unseen since the days of the ancient wizards.

The three of them raised their hands and said, "Firestorm." A great wave of fire crashed down on the enemy army. The sounds of men and horses dying could be heard causing all of the assembled soldiers to take a step back in fear. A few men even threw up at the sight. The three of them had never used the spell before, but they understood what it was meant to do. It was a spell designed to cover a large area with fire. The fire burned for half an hour. After it was done what was left of the legion that had marched into their territory was nothing more than a well trained mob. Duke Montfort's army quickly mopped them up.

Madeline came through a gate a moment later and said, "Two legions have attacked my father's territory, he is requesting assistance." Guy, Olivier and Alicia walked through her gate with her.

Once they stepped through the gate, they were standing on a similar battlefield only this time there were twice the number of troops marching forward in battle formation. Olivier asked, "Shall we do the same?" Guy nodded.

Guy explained the spell to Madeline and then all four of them targeted a different area of the marching army and called out, "Firestorm!"

Once again, entire sections of the enemy army were engulfed in flame leaving small groups of soldiers who were disorganized and panicked amidst the burned bodies of horse and man. Duke Aumont's army methodically cleaned up the battlefield picking off the remaining soldiers.

*****

Olivier knew an area near the Wütendes Menschenreich Imperial castle that they could open a gate to without being seen. The four of them were to head straight over, but Guy suddenly needed to return to his room at the Academy. He came back with an armful items and said, "We need these things because I know exactly how to handle this situation." He handed a spell book to Olivier and then the rest to Madeline saying, "Put these on and come back here quickly. Trust me, if you are a mage and you want to send a message to a castle, this is the spell to cast." Guy said in a knowing tone. They each took a moment to learn the spell and then prepared themselves to cast it after Madeline's return."

Olivier asked, "Why did you make Madeline wear that strange outfit though. You told me I couldn't have us wear pointy hats before. Also, you gave her that staff and the eye patch?"

Guy sighed and said, "Trust me, it matters. Madeline, say the line." He handed her a page as she pulled on the short dress feeling it was far too revealing.

Madeline frowned and then read the prepared statement, "Crimson-black blaze, king of myriad worlds, though I promulgate the laws of nature, I am the alias of destruction incarnate in accordance with the principles of all creation. Let the hammer of eternity descend unto me! Explosion!"

Then each of the others said, "Explosion!"

In the distance they could see one explosion after another destroy the great castle. Guy then called out, "Message!" The stars in the sky looked as if they rearranged themselves into words that hung in the air above the remains of the castle. It read, 'The Country of Wütendes Menschenreich endangered the lives of members of the Council of Magic. If this happens again, the penalty will be severe. Thank you.'

Madeline frowned again and asked, "Why is the skirt so short? Why must I continue to wear it even after we have used the spell?"

Guy waved his hand and gave a response that reminded them all of something Diggory would say, "To properly give that spell it's explosive power, you need to think, dress and act the part. Of course it was necessary."

Madeline frowned and then asked, "Then why didn't you ask Alicia to wear this outfit as well?"

"She has big breasts." Guy said as if it was common knowledge.

Madeline looked for her sword.