{MARQUIS HARUKA'S POV}
Eyes follow me as I walk through the town. Several curious—yet wary—glances in my direction are quickly averted if we make eye contact.

This town is small, right on the front line of the battle, and bursting at the seams with people. Many are barefoot or dressed in rags. Most are terribly skinny. The situation is disheartening.

My guards and I are led past the town, to where a cluster of tents is set up. There's an enemy encampment not far east, just past the boundary between East and West Zoral. Aoi-sama is trying to keep the non-combatants as safe as he can by drawing the battle line here, outside of town.

I'm lead to the largest tent, which happens to be the closest. The command tent.

The rebel leader, former imperial prince Aoi-sama, is studying a map. He rolls it up when I enter. There's a plain table in the center of the tent and no chairs. In the two back corners, furthest away from the door, are two cots and blankets for long nights.

I look to the other person in the room. A woman, albeit older than I was told the Commander was.

Aoi-sama follows my gaze. "General Torako. She's my only general here right now. The others are currently leading their own battles on the front lines. My uncle like to keep me on my toes."

He laughs bitterly, making an expression no child should ever have to make.

"I'm sorry I can't offer you more comfort." Aoi-sama gestures around apologetically. He nods at General Torako. "Leave us."

General Torako salutes him and pins me with a warning stare as she walks by. Everyone here is very protective. In seconds, only the two of us remain.

"Where is the Commander?" I ask curiously. "I was told she would be here."

Aoi-sama tenses. He grips the table until his knuckles are bone white. "She's preoccupied at the moment. I promise you'll have a chance to talk with her soon."

The way he says it is strange. As if my wanting to talk to her is a given. I work to keep my expression neutral, but the young leader is perceptive.

"You don't know who she is." Aoi-sama states, eyes widening in surprise.

"Should I?" My eyes narrow.

"We sent—I thought you agreed because—never mind." Aoi-sama's eyebrows slam together.

Clearly there's something I'm missing. A link between this female Commander and Clarines that makes Aoi Fujimiya believe we'll help him.

Aoi-sama shakes his head. "How much do you know? Let's start with that."

I recall all the things I've heard, then choose my words carefully. "The Commander is a young lady of similar age to you, with eye-catching features just as unique as your red eyes."

I assumed she was of blood relation to Aoi-sama, but clearly this is not the case.

Aoi-sama opens his mouth to respond, but we're interrupted by a shout outside, followed by a heavily panting guard bursting through the heavy curtain that acts as a door.

The guard cries, "Aoi-sama! The Commander has returned from the enemy camp, and she's brought some surrenderers back with her."

Aoi-sama smiles. "Perfect timing. Marquis Haruka, why don't you go meet her for yourself?"

I follow him outside the tent. My guards are pale-faced with shock. I trace their lines of sight, and suddenly find myself deprived of oxygen too.

A young lady.

Similar age to Aoi-sama, albeit younger.

Unique physical features.

I do some mental math, and the timeline matches perfectly. I curse myself for not realizing it sooner.

Miho-sama stands before us, emitting an air of defiance with her back straight as an arrow. She plants her feet firmly and her arms rest at her sides. She exudes confidence as she regards me.

Miho-sama wears minimal leather armor, with a rapier sporting the royal crest of Zoral strapped to her waist by a leather belt. Her boots are muddy and her charcoal gray leggings—prioritizing speed over defense—reveal spatters of dark red blood.

Her top was white, which seems a rather odd color choice. Or a statement.

Miho-sama's pink hair is tied up in a knot, streaked red. She's filthy with blood. The blood of others, I realize with a chill down my spine.

Behind her are several men and women, chained up in rows. The survivors from the enemy base.

"As if I'd submit to a couple of brats!" A brawny man yells, charging suddenly through the ranks, dragging along those chained to him. Not a single rebel soldier flinches at Miho-sama's peril.

They watch, unconcerned.

"You were a fool to let your guard down. Long live Kenji-heika!" He yells, swinging a hidden dagger towards Miho-sama's exposed throat.

Miho-sama knocks from his dagger aside and darts foward, materializing in front of the fool. Her blade is drawn for all of three seconds and blood pours from the dead man's slit throat.

The prisoners by his sides stumble and fall, unable to remain upright with their wrists and ankles chained to literal dead weight.

Miho-sama sheathes her rapier calmly, as if nothing happened. She sighs. The other war prisoners are now even more afraid of our princess.

One of the prisoners shuffles forward under Miho's watchful eye. A spokesman.

He falls to his knees in front of the rebel prince, the others prisoners following suit. "Aoi-sama, the War Monger—ahem!—Commander has destroyed our base. We submit ourselves to you in exchange for our lives. We have little love for Kenji-sama, who forced us to take arms. Spare us and we'll offer our undying loyalty to your cause. We have intel regarding Kenji-sama's movements and enough provisions to last this entire camp three days. Perhaps a week if you ration. Plus, our armory is stocked."

Aoi-sama considers the offer, then begins giving commands to his troops, divvying up tasks alongside General Torako. Meanwhile, I take a moment to process what the prisoner said.

Miho-sama, for I assume that was who he meant by War Monger, destroyed their base? Single-handedly? Although that's the way the man's report made it sound, surely that can't be the truth.

One thing's for certain. The missing princess is here. And now that I've found her, I can't face my royal family again without doing everything in my power to bring Miho-sama home.