In an instant, Katrina's head separated from her body. Crimson liquid began to stain the cobblestone. Just like when he killed Klause, Victor felt no satisfaction or any overwhelming emotion. Nevertheless, Victor grabbed the decapitated head of his half-sister and put it in a box.
Turning to a messenger who had accompanied them, he handed an envelope alongside the box. "See that Harold Cruyff gets this immediately and make sure that only he opens this box. Am I understood?" Victor said in a chilling tone.
The messenger, who was slightly frightened by the bone-chilling aura exuding from Victor could only nod. Wasting no time, the messenger hastily departed Hannover and made his way to the Cruyff Palace in Sardia.
Aware of the fact it would take just under 3 weeks before the declaration of war reached Harold Cruyff, Victor began to organise and amass his army. While walking into the palace trying to find General Rapp a blue system screen appeared.
Optional Quest 3 Completed: Execute Katrina Luxenberg!
'Rewards: 5x 100-Man Infantry Unit Summon, 1x Medium-Level Commander Summon'
These rewards were significant, as the Dukedom was on the cusp of war. Needing these summons immediately, Victor retired to his office to use the new summons. Firstly, using his 5 100-Man Infantry Unit Summons, Victor decided on another 3 units of Russian Jaeger and another 2 units of German Fusiliers.
The addition of these 500 men made Victor's army more formidable. Now Victor used the Medium-Level Commander Summon. If he was able to get a competent general, even at a 3-star level, he could try and create multiple corps after taking over the Cruyff Dukedom. Holding his breath, Victor used the summon.
The animation was enshrouded in a yellow mist as a silhouette figure slowly approached the screen. To Victor's dismay, it meant that he was only getting a 3-star commander. As the figure became visible Victor smiled half heartedly. He knew who he had gotten.
The animation had ended and the system said, 'General Henri-Gatien Bertrand!' with 3 stars next to his name. His short brown hair and mutton chops were a giveaway. General Bertrand was a decent summon and Victor appreciated that, but there are plenty of great commanders out there like, Marshal Blücher or Marshal Davout.
Nevertheless, General Bertrand was a competent general with a good engineering mind. The bridges he built over the Danube River at Wagram were of excellent quality, and Napoleon himself praised them. General Bertrand would serve as General Rapps's second in command.
The next day the new soldiers were integrated into the army and Victor finally met General Bertrand. "Greetings my Duke, I, General Henri-Gatien Bertrand swear my eternal loyalty to you," He said in a confident voice. Pleased with such enthusiasm Victor replied, "I am glad to hear that General. Serve me well and you shall forever have my gratitude."
Getting straight to work Victor alongside his 2 generals began to amass his army and set their meeting point for the crossroads, in the northern part of the territory. It was over a week's journey away so it wouldn't be an arduous journey.
The good thing about the crossroads was that it was a 2-week march away from Sardia and a 1-week march away from Leblanc. It was a strategic point that would prove crucial to Victor's war.
In just under 3-weeks Victor and his army amassed at the crossroads. With the newly summoned reinforcements and 500 mercenary infantrymen ferried from the Asharan continent, Victor's army totalled 22,000 infantrymen, 4,500 cavalrymen and 110 guns.
The army had enough supplies to last 8 months. Ideally, Victor wanted to avoid a siege but unless Harold Cruyff bought the bait, it would be a mall than likely scenario. Victor still had his 2 spies in Sardia, they would help alert him of what was happening inside Harold Cruyff's city.
In Sardia the messenger dispatched by the Duke of Luxenberg had finally arrived at the Cruyff Palace. Seeing that he followed Victor's directive, he personally placed the box and letter in Harold's hand before sneaking out of the palace.
Curious about the letter and box, Harold cut open and read the letter.
'Dear Duke Cruyff. I have grown sick of your arrogance. You have sent assassins to kill both me and my sister. The Dukedom of Luxenberg will not stand for such provocations. As a gesture of good faith, I have released your niece Katrina. However, you will have to face me in the field to retrieve your precious sister. I will conquer your Dukedom and personally execute you. Face me or be the coward the world knows you to be.'
Enraged by such an audacious letter, Harold hastily opened the box. To his disgust and horror, he saw the decapitated and rotting head of his dear niece, who resembled her mother. In a blinding rage, the Duke slammed his hands on the table and knocked off his drink and plates.
"That mongrel pup from Luxenberg dears to go to war against me! I shall wipe his territory off the face of this earth! Guards! Let it be known that we are heading to war!" Harold yelled at the top of his lungs.
The faces of his guards and servants fell grim. None of them could soothe his rage. To the people's dismay, the Cruyff Dukedom began its preparations for war. Conscription was now in full effect. Boys who had seen too few winters and men who had seen too many were now being outfitted for Harold Cruyff's army.
An army of 24,000 infantrymen, 3,000 cavalry and 80 guns began to assemble over the following 2 weeks near the border of the Luxenberg and Cruyff territory. Both armies were now only 3 days away from each other.
Scouts had been deployed to report on the Cruyff's army position and composition. In the officer's tent Victor, his generals and a few of the lower officers began to devise a battle plan. 2 days away from the Cruyff army camp was a flat valley with small hills near the western side of it. The goal was to set up on those and face the oncoming Cruyff army in the east. The battle would be just inside the Luxenberg territory.
There would be no trees or high grass to conceal units and not enough time to dig trenches to defend from. In truth, this battle was a bluff to try and assassinate Harold Cruyff while using his sister as bait. Victor did not want to kill many of the soldiers in the Cruyff army. They would become his subjects and he'd rather rule them fairly than murder their standing army.
With a plan organised the Luxenberg army began preparing for a pitched battle.