I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

Princess Hannah stayed silent at Gideon's request, then nodded. She told the guards that Gideon was her friend and that there was nothing to worry about him. The guards agreed.

She and Princess Hannah rode in different vehicles. Hannah had already ordered her troops to return to their base. They understood.

"If Mother knew you were here, she would be jumping for joy," Hannah said.

"I'm not that special. I'm just a Baron, remember?"

"A Baron who saved my sister isn't just any Baron," Hannah explained.

It had been a long time since the two had last met, the last being during the winter when Hannah had almost caused Gideon's death.

That event struck her heart, woke her mind, and strengthened her resolve to follow the path of inspiration Gideon showed her.

Even so, the lack of experience made Hannah and her troops easy to defeat in the west by Sisyla's experienced forces. Now, the Blue Rose Order had been ordered to retreat and rethink their strategy.

"The Sisyla and Luthe troops are getting stronger. We're overwhelmed," Hannah said.

Gideon could see it. He looked to both sides of the city streets, full of thin beggars pleading for mercy from passersby. They were the poor, heavily affected by Moko's war decisions.

The demands of war had risen. Food was allocated for the army, taxes increased to pay wages and buy equipment, and young men were forced into conscription.

The Kingdom of Moko was on the brink of collapse if it wasn't saved soon.

"I can see that," Gideon said.

"Do you have a solution?" Hannah asked, clearly hoping Gideon would join Moko in fighting against Luthe and Sisyla.

Gideon stayed quiet. He could not speak carelessly now that Hannah trusted him. If he said "attack," she might advise the King to order the troops to strike the enemy.

He had to be careful. His careless words could bring destruction to others.

"I don't know. I can't see the full map of the war, so I can't speculate," Gideon explained.

"Then come with me to the castle. We can discuss it in the command room with the other commanders," Hannah said.

"Is Ashfield also in the Capital?"

"Yes, all the commanders were ordered to gather to discuss new plans after winter," Hannah replied.

Gideon turned to Lena. She stayed silent, not knowing what decision to make. But no matter what Gideon decided, she would obey fully.

"Alright, but we need to pick up our friend first," Gideon said.

"Yeaayy!"

"Come, I'll go with you."

They went toward the Reserve Forces Headquarters, a wide place filled with villagers chosen as reserve soldiers. Before they could enter, guards stopped them.

"Who are you?" the guard asked.

"I am Hannah. You don't recognize me?" Hannah asked, staring seriously at the two guards.

"P-Princess Hannah?"

"Bring a man named Luke. He's wearing black clothes with a green-brown pattern. He is freed from the volunteer soldiers!" Hannah ordered firmly.

"Y-Yes, Princess."

One of them entered the headquarters and informed the officer there. Gideon glanced at Hannah. Her change in attitude looked good to him. He was lucky to have met her earlier.

If not, convincing them might have been difficult.

Not long after, Luke came out unharmed. Seeing his captain come to get him moved Luke, almost dramatically. He hugged Gideon and swore never to wander off again without Gideon's permission.

"You! You almost ended up fighting with a sword and shield. If you want to die, let me be the one to kill you!" Lena snapped, showing her SIG M17.

"Y-Yeah, my bad. Why are you so angry?"

"Forget it," Gideon said.

"You're safe. That's what matters."

"Get inside and get ready. We brought your gear with us," Gideon ordered.

"Y-Yes, Capt."

Luke hurried inside and began putting his uniform back on. Gideon's business at the Reserve Forces Headquarters was done.

Now it was Hannah's turn to take them to the Royal Palace. They moved side by side through the city streets, while townsfolk occasionally watched them.

"Has a truce ever been proposed?" Gideon asked. Hannah nodded.

"Some commanders suggested it, but my brother rejected it."

"He said if a truce happens, Moko's captured lands would officially belong to them," Hannah said.

"That's the risk of a truce. You have to propose it, since you're the side most likely to lose," Gideon explained.

"How big do you think our chances are of winning the war?" Hannah asked.

Gideon fell silent, sometimes glancing at Hannah and often focusing on the road ahead.

The exact percentage couldn't be certain, but judging from the soldiers' condition and the kingdom's response to its people, Moko's chance of winning was under 20%.

"I think 20%."

"But if it's just to reclaim lost land, the percentage is much higher," Gideon explained.

"What would you suggest without seeing the war map?" Hannah asked.

"Hold the line and mobilize a massive force while waiting for the right momentum to strike," Gideon said firmly.

The carriage came to a stop. Princess Hannah rode ahead and told the guards to open the palace gates. Gideon saw it clearly, the royal palace towering tall, with wide gardens full of flowers and many luxury carriages parked in the palace courtyard.

"Is my brother already here?" Hannah asked, referring to Crown Prince Lubert.

"This is the Royal Palace of Moko. Much grander than a Baron's residence, right?"

"Don't compare it to a Baron's, it's not equal."

"HAHA! I was only joking."

"Let's go inside."

After parking his carriage, Gideon, Lena, and Luke followed Hannah into the palace. The doors opened, and one of the palace attendants helped Hannah remove her armor and store her Blue Rose sword.

"You're back, Hannah?" Anastasya asked.

As she came down the stairs, Anastasya's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped, covering it with her hand. Her heart raced in shock at the sight of Hannah arriving with Gideon.

"S-Sir Gideon?" Anastasya asked.

"Mother! We're in the palace."

"Sorry."

"I was just surprised to see Baron Gideon here in the Capital," Anastasya said with a smile.

"It seems you came to help us. I'm truly glad," she added.

"Your Majesty the Queen praises too much. We only happened to come, and Princess Hannah offered us the chance to discuss with the other commanders," Gideon explained.

"The commanders have already gathered, as well as Lubert and the King of Moko. They're in the round hall," Anastasya added.

"Please help us, Baron Gideon."

Gideon agreed. Luke and Lena would also help as long as Gideon decided to. But the three of them looked cautious. They didn't want to get trapped in the twisted politics of the kingdom.

"Take them there, Hannah."

"Of course," Hannah replied.

She led them to the round hall on the first floor. The place was used by Moko's commanders to gather and plan strategy. It was the most visited place during this war.

The two-meter-high iron door stood in front of Gideon. Seeing Princess Hannah arrive, the palace guards opened the door.

Everyone inside the round hall turned their attention. Crown Prince Lubert stopped speaking when he saw Hannah arrive.

King Moko rose from his throne, staring at the three strangely dressed figures who came with Hannah.

"Gideon?!" Norton asked, shocked.

"You know him, Earl Ashfield?" Lubert asked.

"Yes, Prince Lubert. They are the team that saved Alanar from the rebels," Norton explained.

"Oh, right! You saved my sister. I'm impressed," Lubert said, his face arrogant.

Lubert turned his focus back to the map table while saying something to the guards, enough to make Gideon surprised.

"Throw them out. Baron's soldiers like them don't deserve to be here!"