On the Tulip Empire's battlefield, soldiers fell into three categories. The first were official troops trained by the empire—commonly known as the knight corps. Few actually held the title of "knight"; most were merely knight cadets.

The second type were soldiers funded personally by nobles. These troops often had distinct traits, usually boasting one or two highly specialized magics or combat techniques.

The third resembled mercenaries: adventurers, bounty hunters, wanderers... Anyone who proved not to be an imperial spy, possessed combat skills, and agreed to follow battlefield orders could join to earn military merits.

Clearly, Lilithia and the next Empress belonged to this third group. Lilithia's background was clean; Verutan's records were handled discreetly. They entered the established battlefield posing as adventurers.

The Crystal Orchid Empire. The closest empire to the Tulip Empire. Before Fiore became the Sword Saint, the Tulip Empire had bowed to its might, paying annual tributes of fixed resources. Now, things were different. The Tulip Empire urgently needed to showcase its strength—to declare that a new power had risen. Yet for the Crystal Orchid Empire, the Tulip Empire remained distant, separated by several kingdoms. A direct war was impractical. This conflict wasn't truly against the Crystal Orchid Empire but about swallowing neighboring kingdoms to border it—perhaps leaving one or two buffer states. Lilithia doubted the other side would stay uninvolved.

Women held high status in the Tulip Empire. Ruled by an Empress for generations, she served as an icon, granting women confidence. Many volunteered for battle, inspired by the Tulip Queen's own youthful campaigns. Dedicated female units existed. Full-scale war hadn't begun yet—only minor skirmishes—so preparations continued.

After reviewing the girls' letters of introduction, a middle-aged woman rejected Lilithia's request. "If you had mid-level strength or higher, you could take solo army tasks. But your abilities fall short." She shifted tone. "However, special skills might earn you merits off the battlefield." Her gaze fixed on Lilithia. "Your letter mentions forging expertise. Can you craft armor, weapons, even staves?"

"Yes," Lilithia replied calmly during the "interview." "Before magic academy, I forged for a living. I sold many pieces there too."

"Consider working here as a smith," the woman suggested. "We offer related techniques to learn. Pay matches market rates, plus military merits. With enough merits, you could become a minor noble."

Lilithia knew that sort of noble: non-hereditary, little real power—just "respectable" enough for certain gatherings. In this strength-based world, even a low noble who was a Grand Archmage commanded respect.

"And this young lady?" the woman asked Verutan. "Any specialties?"

"..."

Verutan only had that unused magic of unknown potency.

"Then you'll take combat tasks," the woman said. "It's dangerous. I don't advise it for children... But since someone recommended you, I won't object." She handed Lilithia a token. "For skilled talents like you, we provide care. You'll get a private forge room—small but sufficient. Prove your smithing skills by completing one forging task within a week."

Managing lone wolves was tricky. Their numbers were vast, strengths varied. The powerful often turned tides unexpectedly, earning exclusive tasks. The weaker took group assignments—like gathering materials. Similar to adventurer guilds, but with military discipline and clear purpose. This suited Lilithia's expectations.

She and Verutan received a double room. Building houses here was easy: an Advanced Mage earth elementalist could erect one in seconds. Only decorations mattered—and that was personal. The door had a lock requiring a magic key.

Inside, Lilithia sighed in relief. Two beds stood separated by a wooden partition. Much better—she'd almost feared bunk beds from her past.

"Lilithia! Explain!" Verutan grabbed her sleeve, utterly unprepared for Lilithia's avoidance of frontline combat.

*Slap!* Lilithia slapped her hand away. "You think your beginner mage strength is impressive? A stray spell from a passing powerhouse would vaporize you before you dodged. The shockwave alone would reduce you to ash. Stick to logistics."

"Lilithia!"

"Verutan!" Lilithia shouted. "You're meant to be Empress! Did you truly believe you'd fight on the front lines?"

"Huh?" Verutan's crimson eyes blazed brighter than her fiery hair under Lilithia's stare. "You thought battlefield duty meant slaughter?"

"..."

"You need to understand how this system works," Lilithia pressed. "How rear commanders coordinate chaos. How to balance mixed adventurers, extract their effort, and align imperial and personal interests. With Fiore present, your strength means nothing. An Empress must observe, handle odd jobs, think—learn governance, not combat skills!"

She continued fiercely. "If this battlefield teaches anything, it's life's weight. Your decisions will kill some, crown others. Cheers and grief will follow. Only after grasping that weight can you make true choices. I don't know why they chose you as next Empress, or what kind they want. But I hope you become a 'good' one. So I can face Fiore with dignity."

When Lilithia accepted Fiore's request, she resolved this. A man honors promises to friends with full effort. She didn't know the Tulip Empress's plans, but she'd mold Verutan into the ruler she envisioned. Her time might be brief, her influence limited—but half-measures would shame her before Fiore. Before returning the girl to him.

Seeing Verutan's confusion, she sighed. "It may be too early for you. Follow my words, or find your own path. I won't interfere. Remember this—you'll understand someday." Lilithia left Verutan alone and headed to her forge room.

The conditions were excellent. Functional Magic Arrays enabled rapid cooling and adjustable high-heat flames for melting special metals. After minor personal tweaks, evening fell.

She then collected a task: "A hundred longswords? Posted by a noble's mage. That noble specializes in metal magic—usually conjuring weapons from elements. But pre-forged arms might outperform conjured ones, boosting combat power."

"Why not level up his magic?"

"Bottlenecks exist. Stuck at a rank, wealth buys strength instead. Money doesn't guarantee breakthroughs. Talents differ."

A hundred swords in a week was manageable for Lilithia. Standardized weapons allowed a small assembly line. High-quality pieces would be impossible, but uniform arms were simple—if kept secret. She had no plans to disrupt this world's industry yet.

"Verutan," she called later. "How's your arithmetic?"

"What arithmetic?"

"158 plus 27 equals?"

"Huh?"

"Huh what? Answer!" An Emperor must calculate well. Miscalculating accounts made one a tyrant.