Cornelia looked around and sighed. "You did this on purpose, didn't you? Making such a big mess."
"Just report it as it happened," Yang Hui shrugged. He hadn't intended to hide himself since arriving in Africa. He wanted to shine brightly and had no intention of holding back. Otherwise, why leave that cage of a palace?
Cornelia meant that she didn't know how to report Yang Hui's military merits.
Every noble in the Imperial Capital knew of Yang Hui's performance. He was mediocre, neither outstanding nor a failure, and showed absolutely no interest in power. He was a complete "salted fish," only caring about looking after his younger siblings. The nobles privately ridiculed him as the "Nanny Prince."
If she reported the facts, Cornelia could already imagine the reaction it would cause within the empire. It would trigger a massive earthquake in aristocratic circles.
The famous "Nanny Prince" actually possessed piloting skills that surpassed the Knights of the Round Table? Two people had killed countless enemies and destroyed multiple military fortresses and bases?
The first reaction would be: "It's definitely fake! A false report! He's claiming credit for someone else's work!"
The second reaction: "Hmm? The report was sent by Cornelia? Then it must be true."
The third reaction: "No way? That 'Nanny Prince' is actually that powerful? Then why was he hiding it? He must be plotting something big."
Cornelia also wondered what Charles zi Britannia would think when he saw this report. Would he be wary of Yang Hui's secrecy and call him back to the palace for questioning? Or even suppress him?
These were outcomes Cornelia did not want to see. On one hand, Yang Hui was her younger brother with whom she shared a good relationship. On the other, Cornelia was a pure soldier; she believed Yang Hui's talents could make a significant contribution to the Empire and shouldn't be suppressed.
But reporting false information... she couldn't bring herself to do it, nor could she.
She wasn't the only one who had seen Yang Hui and Regene Regetta's military achievements. The Knight Order and the 3rd Army Group were currently present. The Knight Order was loyal to Cornelia alone, but the 3rd Army Group was not. If it were exposed later, she would be in big trouble.
Furthermore, the title of "the youngest female general in history" brought not just honor, but also danger. There were countless people in the Imperial Capital who dreamed of suppressing Cornelia, including her own siblings.
"But... couldn't you have shown it little by little? Did you have to cause a massive earthquake right away? Aren't you afraid Imperial Father will..."
"Imperial Sister, you still don't understand that old man well enough," Yang Hui shook his head and said to Cornelia. "The fact that Second Brother refuses to submit to the Crown Prince and wants to be Emperor himself is practically written on his face. Has the old man done anything about it?"
"..." Cornelia fell silent.
What Yang Hui said was the truth. Schneizel had already begun handling the duties of the Minister. In a year or two, his official appointment as the Imperial Minister was a foregone conclusion.
Although he always appeared diligent, dutiful, and well-behaved, the very fact that he handled the Minister's work so perfectly made people feel something was off.
The Crown Prince was truly mediocre. When compared to Schneizel, the gap was immediately apparent.
Now, there were many voices within the Empire supporting him, saying things like, "If Schneizel hadn't been born late, he should have been the Crown Prince," or "Schneizel is more qualified to be the Crown Prince and inherit the Empire."
These rumors hadn't spread publicly, but they were circulating quietly in noble circles. Many nobles had even begun to take sides, standing behind Schneizel.
Charles zi Britannia certainly knew about these things, and he wouldn't be fooled by Schneizel's performance, yet he still did nothing. He allowed Schneizel to continue as Minister and didn't even suppress the rumors.
If that was how it was for Schneizel, then Charles zi Britannia might not necessarily care about Yang Hui's situation either.
"Fine, I know what to do," Cornelia sighed. She truly had no love for the nonsense inside the palace; otherwise, she wouldn't have risked her life to join the army. It should be noted that Cornelia's current achievements owed only a small part to her status; most were earned through real combat.
"However..."
"However what?"
"However, you can start thinking about what reward you want. Knowing Imperial Father's habits, he will ask you what you want first," Cornelia reminded him.
"That, I thought of a long time ago."
"Oh? It seems you've prepared quite thoroughly." Cornelia was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her mouth curled up. She realized Yang Hui had planned this far ahead.
"Of course. It's just that having to return to the country right after coming out feels like a hassle."
"Haha, returning to the capital to be decorated is an honor countless Imperials dream of, and yet you find it a nuisance?"
"Do you like it?"
"Well, I don't like it either."
"Right? Something that could be solved with a satellite call requires us to travel back and forth."
"Hahaha..." Cornelia agreed. She hadn't been this happy in a long time. "By the way, what do you want? Want your sister to give you some advice?"
Yang Hui glanced at Cornelia and retorted irritably, "That trick won't work on me. I'm not giving you a chance to intercept my reward."
"Hehe." Having her little scheme seen through by Yang Hui, Cornelia wasn't embarrassed. She knew that any reward Yang Hui had planned in advance must be something good. Yang Hui never lacked money; in terms of status, he was a Prince; power... Yang Hui had never been interested in politics, and it seemed the same now, otherwise he wouldn't have come to the African battlefield to show off his combat strength.
Military power?
But currently, the Empire had no vacant high-ranking officer positions. A title without substance definitely wasn't what Yang Hui wanted.
So, Cornelia guessed that Yang Hui wanted people. And these people were currently in others' hands, making them difficult to poach secretly. Even with Yang Hui's status, they would be hard to obtain, so...
"It seems Schneizel has quite a few talents under him. Should I start paying attention too?" Cornelia asked Yang Hui with interest.
Yang Hui rolled his eyes, inwardly cursing that this woman was indeed as sharp as a fox. "I want two or three Knights of the Round Table to be my subordinates."
"Give it a rest, Yang Hui. Even Euphy wouldn't believe that excuse," Cornelia laughed playfully. "The Knights of the Round Table are the Imperial Father's direct unit and the highest symbol of the Empire's Knights. Logically, asking for the Knights is like trying to seize the Imperial Father's power. Emotionally, those Knights who have already attained the highest honor would look down on a Nova like you. I don't think you're that stupid."
"Believe it or not." Yang Hui shrugged nonchalantly.
He really wasn't lying. When he went back this time, he really intended to find two or three Knights of the Round Table to be his subordinates, except... they weren't the current ones, but future ones.
"Princess Cornelia, Prince Yang Hui, the safety of the base has been confirmed. There are no survivors." At that moment, the 3rd Army Group's search of the Lubudi Base ended. Not a single living EU soldier was found. The commander immediately came over to report, his gaze toward Yang Hui filled with awe—more fear than respect.
"Take over the base immediately. Notify the follow-up troops to advance. The other army groups are to keep a close eye on the other EU bases. If there is any movement from the enemy bases, launch an all-out attack immediately."
"Yes, your highness."
The 3rd Army Group quickly took over Lubudi Base. Cornelia had no intention of returning to the rear base; she ordered the 3rd Army Group to establish defensive positions and use Lubudi Base as the new frontline command post.
"Imperial Sister, I don't think it's time to rest yet."
"What do you mean?" Cornelia asked Yang Hui. Having just taken an important military base and opened a breakthrough in the EU defense line, she wanted to see the EU's subsequent moves before formulating the next step of the operational plan.
"You can take your Knight Order and capture this place," Yang Hui said, pointing to a spot on the tactical map.
"Here? What's here?"
"An EU supply transit station and a small airfield."
"...Are you sure?"
"Sure. According to my observations, the garrison strength of this transit station and airfield isn't strong. You and your Knight Order can definitely take it."
"Dalton, sortie immediately!" Cornelia was truly an iron-blooded general. Once she knew Yang Hui wasn't joking, she immediately prepared to strike. This was also Cornelia's trust in Yang Hui; if it were anyone else... even if it were a perfect opportunity, she wouldn't risk her Knight Order.
"Yes, your highness."
"I'll credit you when I get back. I'm heading out first."
After Cornelia arranged everything, she set off with the Knight Order in a flurry. The commander of the 3rd Army Group who stayed behind stood fearfully behind Yang Hui, waiting for the next order.
Originally, his rank was higher than Yang Hui's, so he didn't need to listen to Yang Hui's orders at all. But on one hand, he was conquered by Yang Hui's battle results, and on the other, Cornelia had ordered him to follow Yang Hui's command before she left.
"Leave three squadrons to clear the battlefield, two battalions to garrison, and everyone else on standby. Once the follow-up troops arrive, escort the command system forward to catch up with Imperial Sister Cornelia."
"Yes, your highness."
After giving the orders, Yang Hui took Regene Regetta to find a place to rest. They would set off with the main force later. There was no need to establish a new frontline command post here at all. With Cornelia's style, once the transit station and airfield were captured, they would become the new temporary command post; she wouldn't linger at Lubudi Base.
"Why give the credit to Cornelia?" Regene Regetta asked Yang Hui when they were alone.
"If we eat the meat, we have to let others have some soup, don't we?"
"But they are just natives."
"In the future, they will become our companions."
"...I understand."
"Change your way of thinking, Regetta. We aren't playing a game, and they aren't NPCs."
"Understood, Mr. Yang Hui. There's a reason you have so many followers by your side. However, this Princess Cornelia... her abilities are passable, but her personality... will she really agree?"
"If we deal with Charles, depose that damn Crown Prince, and bury Schneizel if he doesn't know what's good for him, will she have any other choice?"
"...As expected of Mr. Yang Hui."