{HIKARI'S POV}
It seems impossible. What can one person do or say that could possibly make a difference in a full scale siege? The battle had begun. I can hear shouting and the sound of catapults being fired.

All of the healthy soldiers on their shift are already fighting. The rest of us are waiting. We could go through now, but that feels like giving up too soon.

Setting off the rockslide preemptively will trap whoever's left behind with no chance of survival. If I wait to give the evacuation order until one side has to blow the second horn, maybe a few more soldiers could survive? I want to save as many of my people as I can. I have faith that they'll make it in time.

I stand in front of the crowd. They all sit around, looking downcast and twiddling their thumbs. Their general mood is at an all time low.

What can I do? What can I say? I feel like it's my duty as a royal to address them.

The soldiers who still haven't recovered from dysentery are subtly sitting on the outside of the group in full armor. These are the people who have sworn to cover the escape of the non-combatants if it comes down to close quarters combat.

I look out at all of the recovering soldiers and knights. If only they were on the wall and gate. Such numbers could skew the tides in our favor.

Eh? Why... can't they? My eyes widen.

I climb up onto one of the carts. It has crates full of food. Clambering onto the top of these crates gives me the height I need to survey all of the gathered citizens of Tai. They all look up at me curiously.

I take a deep, steadying breath. "I think, looking out at all your faces, we're all thinking the same thing. You're scared. You think that this is the end."

Several people look away. Others grimace. Some simply nod in acceptance of their fate.

"It won't be. I refuse to let it be! We've fought so hard to defend our land, I won't let Cojaca and Menad walk all over it. I have a plan. You all are imperative, so I need you to stand with me!"

A spark of hope. Some perk up and begin to buzz, while others remain downcast.

I clear my throat. I don't know if this is a good idea or not. "Our opponents are throwing everything they have left at us. We're going to do the same. It won't be easy for the east and the west to communicate during an ongoing conflict. We can make use of their separation to trick them!"

As the plan solidifies in my head, I start grinning. More and more people begin to buzz. It would seem my newfound enthusiasm is contagious.

"We need as many people as possible to make this work. All of the soldiers who aren't on shift are going to rally on the walls. Let our opponents see a dramatic increase in defenders and make them hesitate. That's when we'll spread the word that the army on the other side has already fallen!"

*twenty minutes later—the West Wall*
{TEENAGE GOPHER'S POV}
I'm just the messenger. We aren't typically the ones getting shot at with arrows.

My role is important, but it doesn't leave as strong of an impression compared to the active combatants. Today though, I feel strong.

This is arguably the most important assignment I've ever gotten. I could end the entire stalemate right now. I feel proud of my role, but there's also a heavy weight on my shoulders. I can't mess up.

Extra soldiers are already filing onto the wall, quietly spreading the news about Hikari-sama's plan.

It looks quite intimidating with more fully-armored knights in a row. They make a path for me to pass easily. Some even salute in respect. I puff out my chest, rolling my shoulders back to stand tall.

I carry a message with the hopes and wishes of the princess and the citizens of Tai. I will not slouch.

One glance at Menad territory down below is dizzying. I don't like heights. The enemy soldiers are so small, they look like dolls. Many of the Cojacan elite are faltering their charges as our numbers clearly grow. This might actually work!

General Ito spots me and approaches. "What happened?! Why are more people arriving?!"

"It was Hikari-sama's idea!" I explain breathlessly.

Her plan is simple, yet ingenious. Neither side knows that most of our fighting force is ill. By supposedly sending reinforcements from the West Wall (when it's actually just all of the sick soldiers who can't fight well), we're going to trick the enemy army at the East Gate into thinking that our other side has succeeded and their allies have failed!

Vice versa on the West Gate: we're going to spread the word that the East Gate has fallen, to make them think that they're the only ones left.

They won't be able to contact each other on such short notice to learn the truth. They'll be isolated and alone and weaker than ever before, while we'll look stronger in comparison. Their morale will fall.

"Upon seeing a dramatic increase of defenders along the top of the gate, hopefully they'll loose the will to fight!" I finish my explanation to the general.

He looks around at the desperate and exhausted yet hopeful knights under his command. His eyes fall on Jun Kirigawa, who I know is like a second son to him. The young lord of Tai nods, determined.

General Ito nods back. He turns to me with decorum and salutes. "Message received."

I grin. The entire battlefield seems to hold its breath as General Ito turns towards the enemy line. His voice booms out loud enough for everyone to hear.

"THE COJACAN AND MENADIAN FORCES ALONG THE WEST WALL HAVE FALLEN! OUR TROOPS STAND UNITED! TODAY, WE WIPE THEM OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL!"

The knights around us cheer. The joyous war cry spreads down the gate like a tsunami towards the shoreline, causing the rest of the approaching elite army to fall back and regroup. It's deafening.