Panic and anger-filled voices echoed from all corners of the great sci-fi-like structure, accompanied by the rhythmic thuds of boots. My eyebrows twitched in realization.
"It's finally time, huh."
"Lady Yukline? Are you in there?"
A soldier's voice resounded through the comm in the room, interrupting my thoughts. "Yes? This is the prince speaking. Saffron is resting. Is something wrong?"
I responded with curiosity, well aware of the situation unfolding around the palace.
"The king urgently requests Lady Yukline's presence in the audience chamber. It's an emergency."
"Understood. It's finally happening."
I could confirm the massive invasion from the nervousness in his tone.
"Mhm! Brother! Who are you talking to? No secrets between us!"
"Let's go!"
Accompanied by my clinging stepsister, I made my way towards the Throne Room, enduring her incessant questions along the way.
"Brother, what's happening?"
I knew the answer, but for the sake of drama, let's pretend I didn't.
"I think Father will explain."
"Yeah, I feel scared somehow."
"It's okay, I'll protect you no matter what."
How about that? The caring brother's shining smile.
Muhahehe, this should erase any red flags I might have raised with this lewd redhead, haha!
"Today, Brother, you seem strangely suspicious."
Of course, she'd notice. This sister is quite intuitive, but I'll try harder to improve my acting.
Amidst the bizarre exchange diverging from the tension in the castle, we reached the Throne Room.
The important figures were lined up, flanking the red carpet leading to the throne.
Among the faces were only the top officials: military marshals, executives, ministers from the royalist faction, etc. Oh, and Father sitting on the throne.
"Ryker, why are you here?"
Father called out as I, accompanied by my sister Saffron, knelt before him. His words left everyone puzzled and awkward. But enduring this embarrassment is nothing compared to my life!
"Let's give it our all in acting!"
"The commotion within the castle. I felt something, obviously it's not trivial. And confirming it with Saffron's summons, aren't you hiding something important from me!?"
Hehe, how is this? Aren't I a great prince!
"Very well. You will come to know in due time. I shall speak of it here."
Father sighed, emitting a kingly aura despite still being in his thirties.
"Please do!" I bowed, and with that preface, he began to speak.
"It's said our radars from the third orbit have detected unusual movements of Xylothrax."
"W-what!?"
I knew, but still.
"It is said that their numbers are as many as ten thousand."
"T-ten thousand!?"
Actually, it's twenty thousand, but whatever.
"The Border Patrol alone may not be able to hold them off. We are hastily assembling troops, but at this rate, there is a risk that our country's first fleet, the 'Vanguard Array,' may fall."
"N-no way. That can't be. Vanguard Array has numerous military ships and soldiers who know how to pilot mechas. And besides, the soldiers are all skilled warriors, and most importantly, Saffron's father, General Lorenzo, is defending it!"
They'll all be easily defeated though. However, this much exaggeration is needed.
Absolutely.
"From General Lorenzo himself, a messenger has arrived urging for reinforcements. Furthermore, it has been requested to seek reinforcements from the union, in case the enemies may be greater than what our radars have picked up."
"W-what!? Then we must hurry and send reinforcements!"
They won't arrive in time for war.
"We are indeed hurrying. However, as I mentioned earlier, there is a possibility that we may not arrive in time."
"The fleet falling would mean the defenseless space spheres and transport stations will be plundered, and the tragedy from 7 years ago will again play out."
Though they'll be ravaged anyway.
"Indeed. That's why we cannot allow the fortress to fall. And so," my father looked at Saffron, and my sister stared back too, visibly startled.
"Saffron. You shall enter the fortress ahead of time."
Ah. I knew it, Saffron didn't volunteer to go to the war place after all. She was only 15 years old. It was all the idea of this old snake.
The lewd redhead's eyes widened. She had no clue what was being said. Well, she's only fifteen.
Anyway, she's still young, so she probably doesn't understand. I'll just play dumb too.
"But Saffron is only 15 years old! Sending a child who can't fight to the battlefield!?"
"Silence! Ryker!"
I got reprimanded. Well, I am annoying him with my intentional good guy act.
And have been squealing since earlier, this is an expected response.
"In order to boost the morale of the fortress soldiers, it's necessary for someone from the royal family to be at the forefront. Additionally, even if reinforcements don't arrive in time, we need to make them think they're not abandoned, to make them fight to the end."
"T-that way of speaking. Are you foreseeing the fortress falling...!?"
Silence filled the room. Sensing an affirmative atmosphere, my sister glanced at my face.
"Brother, am I going to die?"
A perfect line. At least, this lewd redhead knew what to say at a time like this, and I was just waiting for this precise moment.
"Father. I will go in Saffron's place!"