"I understand how you feel, Marquis Salsburg. But regardless of the other party's attitude, a diplomatic exchange only uses words, not violence. It would be difficult for our empire to interact with other countries if word spread that our empire kills representatives during diplomatic exchanges."
"I'm aware of that, Your Imperial Majesty. However, this is the Kingdom of Black Rose we are talking about. They are isolated. The other countries won't know whatever we do to them. Furthermore, we're going to accuse them of starting this war anyway."
"I know. However, we still have to take precautions and make it seem legitimate," Emperor Renardier stated gloomily. He briefly glanced around, then said, "This distance is good enough. Begin the plan!"
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!" the two marquises answered with blood-boiling excitement.
As Vaan's party headed back to Fort Whitebridge, a distant explosion suddenly resounded, prompting them to glance back. They immediately saw the white magic airship's rear engine in flames and rising smoke as it plummeted out of the sky.
Following the sudden attack on the white magic airship, several more explosions took place within the Holy Knight Empire's front camp as a portion of the tents burst into flames.
Whether it was Astoria, Aeliana, or Artemis, they all revealed a look of surprise. They did not expect to witness such a scene after their departure.
'Zodreg?' Vaan checked.
'The empire blew up their own ship and also took advantage of the dummy explosives we purposely left half-exposed, Supreme Leader. I have everything recorded.'
'Good work. You can cut the recording now,' Vaan mentally instructed.
Holy Knight Empire's side
After the white magic airship plummeted into the ground on the Holy Knight Empire's soil right before their camp, shaking the earth and sending large piles of dirt into the air, the holy soldiers froze with dumbfounded looks.
Moments later, their expression drastically changed.
"Secure the perimeters! Save His Imperial Majesty!" a thousand-men commander barked urgently, racing ahead of the others to the crash site.
However, Emperor Renardier's party escaped the burning magic airship unscathed, protected by a strong barrier, which took twenty Senior Witches to produce.
"The Kingdom of Black Rose had launched a sneak attack on our empire and attempted to assassinate our emperor! All troops prepare for war! The Kingdom of Black Rose must pay for this transgression!"
"The Kingdom of Black Rose did this?"
"How dare they! We must make them pay!"
"Death to the witches!"
Shortly after the pot-bellied marquis' serious declaration, which almost exposed his inner excitement, the soldiers within the camp were incited, exploding with outrage.
At the same time, a group of high-profile commanders in higher-quality white armor appeared in front of Emperor Renardier's party with urgency and relief.
"It's great that you are alright, Your Imperial Majesty. Fire has spread across multiple parts of the camp, and the troops are disorderly. Please give us your command, Your Imperial Majesty!" the commanders requested.
"Go and quell the fire and troops, then give me a damage report!"
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!"
Kingdom of Black Rose's side
"What just happened? Did someone accidentally set off our explosives?" Artemis uttered with shock.
"No, but that doesn't make sense. The camp's explosive is one thing, but what about their magic airship? Did they do it to themselves? They wouldn't, right…?"
"They would, and they did," Vaan confirmed solemnly before softly chuckling the next moment. "They are truly desperate to make themselves the victim in this war. I am tempted to give them their surprise gift right away, but we have to give them one last chance."
"It's your turn, Astoria. A majority of the empire's army is likely unaware of their higher-up's self-destructive plan to incite the war. You can add that in your speech."
Shortly after Astoria acknowledged with a nod, she flew up from Fort Whitebridge's wall.
In the air, she conjured a large magic circle, amplifying all sound waves passing through them tenfold at the very least.
"Citizens of the Holy Knight Empire, I, Astoria Braveheart, the firstborn and only heir of Siegfried Braveheart. If you still have a shred of loyalty for the old monarchy and true heir to the throne, hear me! The Kingdom of Black Rose did not initiate any attack on the Holy Knight Empire, nor does it wish for war."
"It was all a calculated scheme devised by none other than your current reigning emperor and leaders. They are the ones who want this war to happen. And for that purpose, they didn't hesitate to make you all victims in it!"
"Do not be misled by your leaders! A war between our two countries will not benefit you; it will only benefit them! Your blood and bones will be the price of their glory! We do not need this meaningless bloodshed!"
"Three hundred years ago, I fled the empire to avoid a divided country—"
"Do not be misled by the words of a witch living in a men-enslaving country. She is just trying to cause confusion and doubts among us!" Emperor Renardier interrupted Astoria's speech, not intending to let her finish and sow discord in his army.
Due to his proximity to the camp, his mighty voice easily overwhelmed her.
"Only male heirs have the rights to the imperial throne! Regardless of who she says she is, the current empire has nothing to do with her! She had long turned her back on you while I have been with you every step of the way, raising the empire to its present state!"
"His Imperial Majesty is right. We have no need for a long-lost imperial princess that abandoned us!" Count Eldridge chimed, fueling the emperor's momentum.
With more lords and nobles joining in with their own input, the holy army was easily swayed in their favor.
As such, Astoria's words lost their effect and fell on deaf ears.
Although the result didn't surprise Astoria, she was still disheartened to see the holy soldiers quickly incited, burning with hate for the witches in their eyes.
In the end, she could not stop the war.
Shortly after dwelling in her regret, Astoria's eyes suddenly flickered with cold rage at the emperor. Because of one man's ambition, many lives will be lost.