Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 557: Commander

"Knight-Captain Lyra, you will serve as the overall commander for the White Maple Town sector during this defense operation. You’ll be in charge of coordinating all troops and controlling the primary defensive magic circles."

Two days later, Lyra stood before Duke Charles’s aide, having followed the veteran to White Maple Town, and received a position far more critical than her previous role at Liya Tower Fortress.

Knight-Captain of White Maple Town’s garrison, regional defense commander, and the actual operator of the defensive magic circles.

This position meant Lyra would hold the authority to command all military forces in White Maple Town and carry the precious lives of every defending soldier on her shoulders.

"Understood." Feeling the chill wind brush against her cheeks, a cool sensation threading through her hair, Lyra softly replied, as if she had returned once more to Liya Tower Fortress.

No wonder Duke Charles had given her a large stack of documents to review in advance these past few days, documents detailing troop deployments and defensive installations, clearly not meant for an ordinary soldier.

As expected, no sooner had she returned to the battlefield than she received such a major assignment.

Taking the identification badge handed by the aide, Lyra gently pinned it onto her chest pocket. Her clear blue eyes showed no trace of hesitation or fear, only a calm as tranquil as the ocean’s surface.

As a peak-tier Magnus Mage, she was already the strongest combatant on the battlefield, assuming no Arcanist mages were directly participating. Such elite individuals were one in ten thousand within the military. Combined with Lyra’s prior experience commanding troops at Liya Tower Fortress and surviving the meat-grinder warfare, appointing her as battlefield commander was perfectly logical.

Of course, it wasn’t just Lyra. Any soldier who had survived the defense of Liya Tower Fortress generally possessed exceptional abilities. Many had already been promoted to leadership roles within the army. However, lacking noble backgrounds and not possessing combat prowess on par with Lyra’s elite level, they hadn’t risen to regional command positions.

Summoning the garrison soldiers, she toured the city walls, inspecting the military setup at each defensive point, then tested the operational efficiency of the defensive magic circles. It took most of the morning.

Back inside the town, Lyra quickly ate a simple lunch before heading to the central square for the public appointment ceremony and military review.

White Maple Town was a key military stronghold on the second defensive line, closest to the commercial city of Losterling. Positioned near the center but toward the inner end of the entire defensive network, it was surrounded by several other towns and served as the point where the Valeria Empire amassed the largest number of troops.

It was the most critical defensive zone. Geographically, it was also the area most vulnerable to attacks from the Kingdom of Velys. With winter approaching, the Church of Light had neither the time nor the logistical capacity to eliminate flank threats. If they intended to capture Losterling City, they would most likely attempt to break through this point, both the weakest and strongest link.

Lyra had studied the strategic map before and naturally understood its significance. Although she wasn’t yet certain whether the one who assigned her here was Duke Charles or Regent Astrid, either way, Lyra could feel the high echelons of the Empire trusted her loyalty and capabilities.

The situation is different now. They were no longer at the frigid Liya Tower Fortress, with nothing but endless frozen plains behind them. Now, they stood before a bustling metropolis teeming with civilians and dreams.

The Kingdom of Velys’s advance must be halted beyond White Maple Town.

"Knight-Captain Lyra..."

"...You’re here too."

The military review concluded, and several veterans who had also been promoted to Lyra. They were former garrison soldiers assigned to her command at Liya Tower Fortress.

Among them were Duke Charles’s private troops and fellow graduates from Elizabeth Academy of Magic. Seeing their familiar superior officer, they naturally felt overjoyed, solemnly saluting before greeting her.

Seeing her former squad members, Lyra’s expression softened considerably, no longer as sharp as it had been on stage. She spoke gently.

"I’m glad to continue working with all of you."

They were city defenders who had fought on the front lines for the Empire’s people, worthy heroes deserving of commendation. Fighting alongside such individuals was, amidst the cruelty of war, a rare stroke of fortune.

"From now on, please remain steadfast at your posts and await orders at all times."

"I will prioritize the Empire’s overall strategic objectives and the personal safety of the soldiers above all else."

"Back to work."

If Astrid had been present, she might have been struck by Lyra’s leadership aura. Now clad in holy armor, the Holy Knight was more mature than during her time at Liya Tower Fortress, exuding the bearing of a true general.

Completely unlike the pure maiden who, back then, would blush at the slightest leg nudge under the table.

At the same moment Lyra conversed with her subordinates, a higher-level military meeting also concluded. This meeting was attended by Royal Princess Astrid Calliste representing the royal family, Duke Charles, a battle-hardened noble, and all the Arcanist mages mobilized to the frontlines by Amalia.

After finalizing the upcoming military operations, Astrid left the conference room, with Charlotte following closely behind. The silver-embellished high heels clicked rhythmically.

Boarding the carriage and drawing the curtains, the enclosed space held only two of the Regent’s closest confidants, including the head maid.

"I knew Little Astr would assign Lyra to White Maple Town, but I didn’t expect you to place her in such a critical position."

Charlotte sat upright with grace, her smooth, lustrous silk-clad legs elegantly crossed, peeking out from beneath the wide, layered skirt. The dress’s asymmetrical hem perfectly accentuated the noblewoman’s alluring figure and mature charm.

Charlotte, of course, recognized Lyra’s abilities. However, the girl was barely over twenty and hadn’t even graduated from Elizabeth Academy of Magic. Placing her so readily into a crucial military role might not necessarily be wise.

"Is Lady Charlotte worried that Lyra is too young to handle the psychological pressure of commanding a town?"

"There is some concern..."

Age and experience were one matter; the actual dangers they faced were another. They had already anticipated that the Kingdom of Velys would deploy Arcanist mages. Thus, White Maple Town, standing as a key obstacle in the enemy’s advance, will inevitably become a prime target for devastating magical attacks.

What Lyra faced was no simple defensive battle.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid nodded gently, replying softly.

"Lady Charlotte’s thoughts are understood."

In truth, Astrid herself had pondered this decision for quite some time. Only after discussing it with Duke Charles and receiving his recommendation did she ultimately decide to appoint Lyra as White Maple Town’s military commander.

She had witnessed Lyra’s combat command at Liya Tower Fortress. As a knight-captain, her foundational qualities were entirely up to standard. And the hesitant emotions she sometimes displays in personal matters never carried over into battle. On the contrary, Lyra could display a despondency and firmness entirely unlike her usual gentle nature.

Initially, Lyra might have briefly experienced self-doubt due to heavy troop casualties, which could affect subsequent verdicts. But with nearly half a year of command experience, she had completely overcome her insecurities, now knowing exactly what actions to take without sinking into regret or doubt.

Although Lyra today still feels strong resistance toward soldier casualties, her responsibility as commander would suppress such sentimentality, transforming her thoughts into purely rational command decisions, achieving maximum results with minimal casualties.

"But consider this, Lady Charlotte, how long did it take Lyra to rise from an ordinary apprentice to a Magnus Mage?"

"Roughly four years?"

"Yes. Including Elise’s guidance, it’s just over four years."

Throughout the entire Valeria Empire’s history, even among noble families practicing generational bloodline optimization, few could match Lyra’s rate of advancement.

"While magical progression and battlefield command aren’t directly comparable, this fact at least partially proves that one’s abilities shouldn’t be judged solely by time and experience."

Some men achieved military command and legendary feats by twenty-one; Lyra wasn’t quite that extraordinary. But her performance at Liya Tower Fortress alone had earned her the title "The Bulwark of Valeria Empire," indirectly validating her military expertise and command talent.

"The Empire’s youngest Magnus Mage in centuries, the genius knight who defeated the Kingdom of Velys’s princess in single combat, a veteran elite who survived the battlefield meat-grinder of Liya Tower Fortress..."

"In both prestige and capability, no one within the army would dare underestimate her."

The Empire Weekly had consistently portrayed Lyra as a national hero. Any order she issued will be executed without hesitation.

"I believe she can do it, Lady Charlotte."

Perhaps Astrid’s judgment was unavoidably influenced by the protagonist’s characterization and plot foreshadowing from the original novel, after all, Lyra had indeed won several brilliant defensive battles. But more importantly, Astrid trusted the abilities Lyra had demonstrated thus far.

This was due to Lyra’s own talent, not some destined heroine’s aura.

After hearing Astrid’s words, Charlotte slightly narrowed her tea-colored eyes. The black cloak draped over her body fluttered slightly as she straightened her posture.

"Little Astr’s judgments are always unexpectedly accurate."

Whether in cultivating Lyra or promoting Amalia, it seemed that every time Astrid faced a choice, she made the right decision exactly.

Charlotte still harbored reservations about Lyra’s suitability for such a critical role, but since it was Astrid’s judgment, she wouldn’t question it.

"Furthermore, Lady Charlotte..." Astrid added at the right moment.

"The climax of this battle won’t be decided by mid-to-high tier combatants clashing."

The true deciding factor would be the Arcanist mages who had been bidding their time.

Charlotte nodded in agreement, then listened as Astrid continued.

"While we still have some time on this journey, let me teach you a new spell I’ve been studying recently."

Her silvery-white smooth hair fell naturally as Astrid spoke, gently extending her legs. Delicate patterned black stockings began at her ankles, gradually ascending with fine textures, fitting her beautiful leg lines like a second skin.

"Consider it my way of protecting you in the upcoming battle."

The idea of a Magnus Mage teaching a mid-tier Arcanist mage a new spell might seem laughable to others, but between Astrid and Charlotte, it was surprisingly appropriate.

Ancient Language granted Astrid the ability to reverse-translate ancient magic. These newly deciphered spells were essentially dimension-lowering attacks against modern magical systems. If this world had mind-splitting magic, Astrid would have loved to divide herself, describing one part to politics, another to research, a third to mental training, and a fourth to enjoying noble pleasures.

Charlotte’s expression grew even more focused, a silver ring near her knee glinting with tiny sparks of light.

"Then I’m all ears."

Several hours later, in White Maple Town’s forward command room, the newly appointed Commander Lyra sat at her desk, carefully reviewing documents.

The second defensive network encompasses many towns. Duke Charles couldn’t possibly oversee each one in detail, such micromanagement wasn’t practical. Specific troop deployments had to be handled by each regional commander.

Moreover, refraining from overstepping command levels was far more beneficial than harmful to the entire military system.

Carefully comparing enemy and friendly strengths, considering the Church Knights’ attack methods and spell usage, Lyra, having truly experienced defensive warfare, knew exactly how to minimize troop casualties.

Furthermore, their steadfast defense at Liya Tower Fortress was now yielding tangible rewards. White Maple Town had far more personnel and mana-powered equipment available than before. The current Empress had nearly emptied the national treasury, sending every available troop except the essential royal guards to the frontlines.

Recalling that aloof, Blonde haired little girl often seen sitting on Astrid’s lap, Lyra hadn’t witnessed Amalia’s coronation firsthand, but thinking about it now, it still feels strangely dreamlike.

She had once shared a bedroom with both the Empire’s Regent and the reigning Empress.

The fleeting thought disappeared instantly. Lyra continued refining the defensive lines, her cherry-pink hair bathed in midday sunlight. The soft highlight gradually shifts, finally spilling onto the young woman’s thighs wrapped in thick white stockings, then slowly fading.

"Knock knock..."

"Come in."

As soon as the words left her lips, the door opened from outside, and an elegant silver-haired, black-dressed beauty with crimson eyes entered. Bright black straps encircled her ankles, revealing a delicate foot resembling dark chocolate.

"It’s been a few days. Knight-Captain Lyra looks even more mature."

Her translucent red eyes shifted, gazing directly at the pink-haired girl seated at the desk.

"Are you prepared for the war?"