The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

-- POV Freya --

It was already past noon while we were still in my mansion talking. The meeting in the throne room about the War had just begun and I was surrounded by my wife, my Commanders and two humans. I had a plan in mind, but I was going to need everyone's help. Now that I had an army, it was time for some real strategy.

"If we are to win this war without a single death, we will have to be methodical. We need to draw on every resource we have and strike a blow. Each section has been created to be more efficient, the day to show me your progress is here."

We had the advantage of knowing their plans and still being unknown to the adventurers and we had to use it. Nothing was to be left to chance and I was going to see to it personally.

"In this world of indecision, speed is a major asset. By striking first, before our opponents has had time to think or prepare, we throw them off balance and mislead them."

We absolutely had to make sure we took control of the pace of the battle. We had three days ahead of us, I wanted to have everything ready in two. While I was still thinking about how to place the soldiers, the young human woman's small hand came up.

"Y..your Highness ?"

"Mhh ? Go ahead and speak"

Her gaze had changed and a great determination could be seen in her blue eyes. The fallen Princess seemed to have an idea.

"During my journey with the adventurers, one thing struck me when I was among them. In these nine people, there are five different groups which makes their connection to each other not true. I...I don't know if it's helpful, but I thought dividing them might give you an advantage. I'm pretty sure that other than their own group members, none of them will go to help the others if their lives are in danger."

She wasn't wrong at all, on the contrary. The fact that the adventurers were basically not together before the mission could indeed help us to win. Divide and conquer, a fundamental principle of war strategy. Had Alayna come to this conclusion alone ? She didn't seem to me to be very strategic at first sight, could it be her unwavering will to help us ?

[It's a simple thought, but if this is her first war then something seems to have awakened in her]

As I quickly conversed with Kira, Luna in turn stood up to take the floor which I gave her with a nod.

"Alayna is right, if we attack at night when they least expect it, we will strike first and the panic will prevent them from strategically regrouping your Highness ! That way our victory will be total and perhaps even immediate !"

My idea was indeed to attack at night and without realizing it the half-panther Commander had come to the same conclusion as me. However, there was no need to be hasty and predicting a victory against such powerful adventurers so quickly, was that said a mistake. I sat up on my throne to answer Luna who was looking at Alayna at that moment.

"Commander Luna, you are right. Terror is a way to paralyze those who resist you and destroy their ability to plan a strategy. However, the goal of a terror campaign is not to win a battlefield victory, but to cause as much chaos as possible so that the opponent, driven to desperation, will react in an absurd manner. The real war only begins afterwards !"

Adventurers who are victims of a strategy of terror should do everything to avoid succumbing to fear and anger. Faced with a situation like this, chaotic, confusing, our advantage would therefore be rationality. Bowing, the Commander continued.

"I understand your Highness, announcing the victory and a little hasty I apologize"

"It's nothing ! You mentioned attacking at night and that's what I had in mind. Would either of you have an interesting suggestion ?"

Of course I had already thought of a complete strategy, but I wanted to see the female Commanders come up with ideas. It was important to remember that they were in charge of all the soldiers of the Empire and therefore had to prove that they had earned this position. During a battle, you had to be able to react quickly and adapt while watching over your soldiers and enemies. Speed and adaptability are crucial skills for waging war. To win, you have to be able to move with flexibility and make decisions faster than the enemy. It was necessary to divide our forces into independent groups that can act and make decisions independently. Thus, nothing can stop our soldiers if at their head is a competent Commander.

"Empress, if I may say so, a surprise attack from any direction, including the sky, could be effective. As you said, the war will begin once this attack is over. If you send my section and Commander Luna's section to attack both from the air and from the shadows, the surprise effect will be guaranteed."

Trio had stood up to give me her perspective, followed by Nixia.

"Commander Trioa is right, we are after all beings with eyes and ears far more suited to night combat than these humans. Your Highness, you said it yourself, we must exploit every advantage we have."

The section leaders of the army all had serious faces, nodding with the dignified air of the Commanders they were. No one was taking the situation lightly and it was easy for me to guess that everyone was working their brains out to come up with strategies. Speaking again, I smiled slightly as I answered them.

"Excellent ! My idea was indeed to send the air section and intelligence to create chaos in their ranks. Meanwhile, the other Commanders will prepare with their soldiers."

*That said, I must learn more about these adventurers, nothing should be left to chance !*

As I turned back to Alayna and Vig to ask them for more information, the young woman was in her world. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her hand under her chin and her eyes closed...the fallen princess was thinking.

*Mmh ? It looks like the posture I take when I enter my mental palace. Could she be thinking of a strategy ? Alayna doesn't have the same scared and weak aura anymore, I feel like she's...more focused*

[I feel it too...]

Up until now, most of the time, her aura had reminded me of a raging sea. Alayna had been constantly flooded with uncontrollable emotions and she hadn't really shone. Only now, instead of seeing a raging sea, I was seeing a calm, silent ocean. Curious to know what she would say, I signaled to the Commanders to wait patiently.

Opening her eyes slowly, the young human could see all of our eyes on her. At that moment, the calm ocean was changing again as Alayna stammered.

"I...is...is there a problem ?"

"Tell me what you're thinking."

What I was interested in was her thought, the thought that had caused her to get into that state of intense thought that I knew so well.

"I...I'm not sure that..."

"Human, I only ask things once. Besides, it wasn't a request but an order !"

Wriggling in her chair before straightening up, Alayna thus spoke again.

"I..I'm not really good at making plans on my own, I even had a hard time running away from the capital. However, what I have learned from my life in the castle is to understand people. So I thought...that the guiding spirit is the real flaw. If you understand how the person leading the adventurers works, you possess the key to deceiving and controlling them."

*Know yourself and know your enemy huh ?*

The young human said she was not good at strategy but the reasoning she had was always right. She had been immersed all her life in the conspiracies, plans and betrayals of those around her. Although she didn't know how to plan an escape, that didn't stop her from having a mind that was cut out for war strategies, especially when it came to humans. Alayna was definitely good at human psychology.

*When it comes to herself, she's not very savvy, but when it comes to the people she wants to protect more than her own life, her mind changes. It's interesting..*

I was still thinking about what Alayna had just said as it coincided with my desire to learn more about these adventurers, while I asked her a question.

"And how do you think we should control them ?"

I was quite curious about her answer but to my surprise, the young human didn't know what to say. She didn't seem to have everything completely answered yet, which was normal. She had ideas, good thoughts but she needed to train her mind to look even further. Alayna lowered her head, unable to answer.

"I..I don't know your Highness. Forgive me if what I said seems implausible."

In addition to being easily frightened, the fallen princess was sorely lacking in self-confidence. I had detected in her a really interesting and useful potential. Knowing that we would be fighting mostly humans, having an expert on those of this world was almost perfect. Unfortunately, when her determined mind wasn't in control, Alayna was no more useful than a scared civilian.

*If she really wants to stay here, she'll have to train her mind as well as her body so that she never breaks again. She has endured a lot, but she is now in the real world and not in her secure castle*

[Indeed. Alayna will need to gain experience, especially in the battles that will be many in the future. Do you think you can make her a tactician ?]

*I don't know, I don't want to jump to conclusions. Before appointing a person to this position, she must have proven to me that she deserves it and for the moment, apart from these very interesting interventions, she is not worthy of it. For the moment I observe, I listen and we will see later*

While I was staring at her intensely thinking about what to do, Persea and Ynir got up to speak in turn.

"To control them, wouldn't it be possible to get them to fight on the ground we have chosen ? Our section knows the forest like the back of its hand, order and it will be easy for us to find a place advantageous to us."

"Persea is right. After the surprise attack at night, we could get them to head where we decided. We already know where the adventurers are headed, but they don't know that an Empire as organized as ours awaits them."

I was still silent and my finger tapped gently on the armrest of my throne. Ralph and Thorunn seemed to want to add something so I waited to hear them.

"Once we are where we want to be, we can surround them from all sides with unbearable pressure with all our power. Like an unbearable pressure, walls closing in on them, little by little depriving them of hope !"

"I agree with Ralph your Highness. We must polarize their attentions and deny them any access to the outside world. They have entered this forest, they will not come out alive."

I could even hear Emilia nodding quietly as she muttered to herself.

"When you feel your opponent weakening and losing hope, you must strangle them without hesitation, I agree."

A wild smile appeared on my face as I heard my female Commanders participate and all have great ideas. At that moment I was proud of them and I only wished they would show me how much they had evolved.

[They have changed a lot since you first met them. Having soldiers under their command has made them much more confident and their leadership skills have awakened]

*Totally*

My little sister had said out loud what I was thinking. As I stood up, the room was quiet again. Thanks to everyone, we had found the main plan, which was part of the many simulations I had done beforehand. I had been able to see a lot of things that put me in a good mood despite my inexpressive face. Now all we needed was to see the details of our strategy to make it unstoppable and limit the number of casualties.

"Congratulations ! You are indeed the Commanders of my army ! The adventurers arrive in three days so I want us ready in two ! I will bring forward the meeting with each of your Lieutenants and we will have a meeting in the room provided. I'll give you an hour to get them together and report to me at the meeting place and time before the second council. We still have a lot to see !"

"Yes your Highness, we will be happy to show you the power of our army !"

As the Commanders left the room one by one, I beckoned the young half-panther woman to come closer.

"Luna, I will meet with the Lieutenant of the other Commanders and my wife will take care of Vig. Since I have already met with Ash, there is no need to do so anymore. Also, it seems to me that Alayna wants to talk to you. I give you permission to use this hour to deal with what has been bothering you all along."

Looking at me with eyes filled with admiration, the young commander bowed before walking towards Alayna with a determined step.

____

FULL STATUS

Name : Freya

Age: 0 years / Mentally: 25 years

Sex : Female

Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult

Race : Major Demon

Titles : Blessed by Titania, Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.

Dragon tamer

Ruthless slayer

Level : 33/70

Exp required for next level: 100 / 34 000

HP : 90 000 / 90 000 MP : 45 000 / 45 000

Strength : 425

Defense : 421

Agility : 435

Stamina : 428

Speed : 427

Intelligence : 425

Charisma : 410 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 0

Married to: Gaya

Daughter : Shiro

Empire (menu)

Subordinates : 387

Humans killed : 148

Elements: Ice / Chaos

Skills (all):

Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of hell (Lvl 5)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)

- Fighting techniques (lvl max)

- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)

- Demonic aura of the empress (lvl 5)

Defense - Ice demon wall (lvl 6)

- Demonic cloak (lvl 5)

Pain Resistance (lvl 3)

Attack/Defense - Domain of the Ice Empress "frozen wrath" (lvl 1) - (under condition)

Others - Humanoid form

- Ice creation (Lvl 5)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)

- Devouring chaos (Lvl 5)

- Analysis

- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique

- Telepathy

Mana detection (lvl 1)

Passives - Commander (lvl max)

- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]