The casualties were still becoming another number on the list. However, the Narcissus knights had procured battle strategies and tactics that could completely hold back the Persians. Be it individual combat techniques or an army's attack and defense coordination, after four centuries of trials, the Persians who made no progress at all had became the knights' laughing stock and no longer the terrifying Pagan terminators.

Going back to the Duke of Andrew, Dortmund, this handsome Marshal was at the prime of his life. He had four sons and an adopted daughter and his G.o.dchildren were so plentiful that even he himself did not quite remember them all. He also had four Madames. This was the most criticized aspect of the Andrew family. According to the decree of the G.o.d of Light, monogamy was considered the most ethical standards by law. However, taking into consideration the rather high sacrificial rate of the Andrew family members of direct descent on the battlefield, so two hundred years ago, His Grand Eminence the pope specially sought instructions from the G.o.d of Light Sapriuses and thus, the Andrew family's adults could possess four legitimate wives. Regardless of whether that Grand Eminence Pope truly attained the Divine divinity, the Andrew family relied on this special G.o.d given decree to conscientiously guarantee the continuation of their bloodline.

Going back to Duke Dortmund, who was fond of ostentation, since all fifteen of the field armies were not at the front lines, so the other units who were waiting to be relieved from their garrisons at least had to occupied with tasks during the brief peaceful period. The Duke enjoyed convening all forms of Swearing-in Ceremonies, for example road repairs or tree planting. He also enjoyed conducting large scale military exercises, for instance at the end of each year, the Duke would divide the field armies into two colors, which were black and white, according to the colors of the Fierce Tiger Flag of Narcissus. Although the stand off between the black and white were very much pretense, but the ordinary people who came to watch did not feel so. The "Black and White Tournament" held once every year was undeniably their sole entertainment during the cold winter days.

The Imperial household of Morisette visit was insufficient to obtain a large enough audience for Duke Andrew to actually dispatch the three field armies. However, if the reports from the United Army were accurate, then this visiting princess may very possibly become little Oscar's wife. Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor making such an arrangement, he feared that most likely it was to announce to the people of the world of the princess' belonging.

Confronted with the desolated office, Dortmund lifted up his teacup leisurely, but he then immediately replaced it. He had been bothered about the relations.h.i.+p between the princess and his young son for several days already! It was a rare occasion for his young son to return home. He initially planned to hold an engagement ceremony for this little son and his little daughter. If he did that, then it would indicate that he was choosing Oscar as the succeeding head of the family, because only the family head of Andrew could marry four Madames. However, that child's age and qualifications simply could not convince the elders of the family at all. Even the second eldest, who constantly stirred up trouble, was more convincing! Then what about the princess? If the Emperor really married her off to Andrew, then holding another engagement ceremony at this juncture was definitely inappropriate. Could it be that he really had to disappoint little Sasha?"

The Duke again lighted another cigar. Hehe, one of his Madames had hidden a lot of them away, but his office's secret box still had many left. Dortmund suddenly caught hold of the copper bell on the table and shook it violently. The huge doors to the office were opened instantly.

"Lieutenant Colonel Tracey, where have they reached?"

"Ahem, Ahem, Ahem!" Little Miss Tracey who was wearing a black uniform, choked on the mist-like smoke in the room. If she were to reveal her dissatisfaction towards this Marshal, then the man's excessive smoking was definitely one of them.

"Ahem... Report…..Reporting Marshal!" Tracey puckered her eyebrows. She flipped through a stack of report forms and doc.u.ments in her hands to retrieve a military report. "The prince, Madame, and young lady, the group of them, is crossing the River Marne, the time being the 7th month and twenty-nine minutes ago."

The Duke shook his head; he turned his chair to face the French windows. The sunlight instantly illuminated Duke Andrew's rather conspicuous, gloomy face.

"Tracey! You have neglected one exceptionally significant figure, which is the princess of the imperial household! I have always believed my intuitions. That princess is definitely not a person who can be taken lightly of!"