"Get everyone into the throne room! Quickly!"

Despite not know about the four warning bells, I at least knew the safest area of this fortress. But even this area wasn't enough to take on the population that lives below this Northern Fortress.

"Princess Weiss!"

Iago. He's finished interrogating his prisoners. I left to speak with him. The guards will handle the civilians.

"I see that the evacuation is going well."

I shook my head. "Whoever is here, is here. Captain, Gunter and Camilla are fighting whatever's beyond the walls of the town." I narrowed my eyes. "I don't think that this was a part of our studies about the Northern Fortress, Advisor."

"Forgive me, Princess, for not mentioning anything of it. I assumed that nothing of this sort would come to pass. But, Princess Camilla is here? Her timing couldn't be better." There was a hint of confidence in the words Iago spoke. He then went to me. "Princess Weiss. We both know that the throne room can't hold everyone in here."

I nodded.

"So, what will you do?"

I looked back at the people trying to make their way into the throne room. "The soldiers will have to fight at some point."

Iago nodded in agreeance.

"But who we have that can readily take arms I fear will not be enough. The civilians-will asking those that are able to fight be too much for them?"

"That's your decision to make, Princess. Among everything, you're their leader."

"Sergeant Weiss!"

One of the soldiers that was helping the effort, rushed to me.

"We can't fit any more people into the throne room! What should we do?"

I nodded. "Iago."

"Milady."

"Whatever magic you need to prepare, use my bedroom's balcony."

"At once."

Iago was off.

"Guardsman. Direct me to my throne."

"Sergeant?"

"You heard me. Direct me to my throne."

"Yes…Your Highness."

The guardsman took the order rather literally, as he shouted "Her Highness, Princess Weiss of Nohr!" and then the crowd proceeded to lead me to my seat in the throne room.

"A princess?" "The Sergeant's a noble?" "Kids weren't lying." "Princess Weiss?"

Murmurs became louder and louder at the news of my nobility-

"The audience will give ear to the Princess! SILENCE!"

-and then died down while their eyes turned to me.

"Soldiers! Blocks!"

The soldiers organized themselves in front of me and the crowd stepped back. Including me, there were only twenty of us against whatever was outside.

"Nohrians! My people of this Northern Fortress! I will not make light of the danger that lies beyond my castle that has destroyed our homes, and forced an evacuation here! Even now, the very blocks and stones that you use to build the walls and homes here, are being hewn against us, by forces unknown to most! But many of us here have indeed seen that force!"

They were all silent. But you could hear the sounds of debris hitting the fortress.

"I also give my heartfelt apology, that my castle's safest area cannot accommodate all of you. Which is why I must beg for your forgiveness of what I am to ask of you." I opened my arms out to them. "The soldiers that are here-they are strong but few, as the rest of our army lies without the walls fighting against that same force." I returned my arms to my sides and bowed lowly against them. "If you are willing to join the ranks of my soldiers, as a militia, to defend this fortress, to defend those here that can't defend themselves, stand with the soldiers, and we will do our best to protect you."

I raised my head and looked around. Reluctance. Then, one by one from the crowd, able-bodied men and women stood with the soldiers. Our small force of twenty was now a stronger force of at least sixty.

"Soldiers! I put off my nobility and speak to you as your Sergeant! This new militia has your trust and their lives! Take each of you three or four others from this newly-formed militia. Learn what they can do, and arm them well with the armory that we have!"

[Yes, Ma'am!]

…

Before carrying out her orders, I, Iago, made sure to get a listen of her motivational speech. Princess Weiss was already becoming more and more of her true station.

I then went to the stockades. The guards were still there, minding only two prisoners, since the ones I interrogated were too scared to even talk after seeing those…things.

"Guardsmen! Princess Weiss needs all hands to assist. Gather your weapons and meet her!"

[Yes, sir!]

They all left. Now, for the prisoners that Weiss interrogated. They were still chained to left and right walls.

"Ninja. Tribeswomen. I'm releasing you."

"Hah! And die to those things? I know what's going on outside."

"I understand, Flame Tribe Chieftain's Daughter Rinkah. Ninja. You're of the Mokushu clan, correct?"

"…I know well of them."

"Look for their symbol here. You will find a way out with little resistance."

I kicked the key to their shackles towards the Flame tribeswoman and left. She will have a fun time, compared to the ninja who seems skilled in breaking locks.

...

Now, Weiss' bedroom. There was a door behind her bed that led to the only way to the top of the fortress. As I was going up, I thought about how to convert this room to my study, but I was likely to be recalled to Castle Windmire, just like Weiss. Hopefully, at a later time-I'd rather keep warm here than boil in the middle of incessant politics!

At last, the top of the castle. Looks like Weiss and her force is making their way up the walls, and apparently bringing everything she can. It's-

"Urk!"

A strange darkness covered my eyes, and weakened me to the ground.

She will be tested. You will not interfere.

What manner of sorcery…is this…?