---Lucilla Genral POV---
The Lost Country wasn't an undeveloped area. Its population was smaller compared to the other countries, but it's infostructure was very similar. While slightly more outdated than anywhere, else they still had modern convivences such as fridges and crystal lamps. The only thing they struggled with truly was growing their food.
Thanks to the centuries of war the Lost Country has been devastated to an absurd degree. Since Anastasia had taken claim of the land it has slowly healed over three hundred years she's stayed. However, with half of the land floating in the sky, and the other half made mostly of rock and stone, it was very difficult finding suitable farmland to cultivate crops.
Knowing this Lucilla had the Fey go around the country to help with crop production like they did with Prosperty City before things went sour. She had also gone around herself to make it clear the Fey followed her, and that she and Anastasia were working together at the moment. That the two of them together will not only protect them but improve their quality of life so they can stop relying on exports from other countries.
This had mad Lucilla's popularity rise in the eye of everyone that lived in the Lost Country. The Hunter party that Lucilla had picked up, Kate, Solana, Ayah, and Ginn acted as Lucilla's bodyguards during this time. Since Lucilla's usual entourage were busy elsewhere preparing for war. She had Kate and her party demonstrate their martial prowess, using the fact they were high ranking Hunters to show everyone that even those under her were capable fighters.
Lucilla herself had also shown off her power, making everyone look at her in awe and fear. Though she also made it clear she was fighting for them. Whether she believed her own words or not wasn't the issue, she just had to make them believe. With her magic she even went out of her way to help anyone that needed, such as healing the injured and sick, or reinforcing degraded infostructure on buildings with her Celestial Energy.
After weeks of this, with breaks in between Lucilla and Anastasia managed to get large majority of people to volunteer for war. She and Anastasia watched as everyone from the forest, and the citizens of the Lost Country lined up before them. It was a mixture, of races and species that was unheard of in the history of the know history of the world. Lucilla gave a satisfied smirk as she looked down on them all.
She and Anastasia stood on an elevated wooden stage constructed Just below the abandoned citadel. Behind them were, the army officer's they've chosen, standing in silence. Sara and Yuki were also there, but were off to the side, in view, but not part of the line up. Lucilla and Anastasia stepped forward. Since this was Anastasia's home and they were only guest on paper, Lucilla had her speak first.
"My... People." She started, her voice carrying across the open field, bouncing off the floating masses and being carried by wind magic. "The human countries have decided we're a nuisance; they have fabricated lies and have prepared an army to advance on our home."
She then looked at Lucilla and smiled, "Fear not, for we have the strength to fight. With us are the monsters, Fey, and magical beasts from the Enchanted Forest. Leading them is Lucilla Crimson, the monster woman hunted by the world."
After gesturing towards Lucilla, the crimsoned eyed woman stepped forward. Her cold gaze overlooking the crowed. While a good portion of them have seen Lucilla, this would be the first for many. Everyone felt a shiver go down their spine whenever Lucilla looked in their direction. The already silent crowed became even more quiet, as if to not disturb the monster in front of them.
"Many of you know this already, but for those that aren't aware yet, we are fighting the Kingdome of Purinia and the Holy Theocracy." Lucilla said, her low cool voice brushing past everyone like winter air. "This does mean the Hero has I high chance of joining the fight."
The rows of their military grew visibly nervous when hearing about the Hero. Logically they knew this was true but hearing it out loud made it feel real. The Hero was a thing to be awed and feared, a powerful being called from another world. While Jason wasn't the strongest Hero in known history, he was still one of the strongest beings in the world. There were few that can match his power.
"You have nothing to fear from the Hero for I am here." Lucilla continued, her voice laced with confidence. "I have the power to face the Hero without dying. Before I faced him on his terms but this time, we have a plan that'll let us defeat him once and for all."
A smirk formed on Lucilla's face, giving the impression of a tormenter that just found a new way to torture their victim. "The Hero doesn't know I'm here right now, but I'll always be their first priority, especially with my strength. He'll follow me, the rest of you only have to worry about the small fry."
"The weak that dare try to lay claim to your land!" She spat with false anger.
"Yeeeaaaahh!" The army yelled, with enthusiasm and anger.
"Follow Anastasia, follow me!" She yelled matching the energy of the people in front of her. "Follow us and you'll never lose your homes; you'll thrive in a new age of prosperity for you and your families as you laugh everyone that wish to take from you! We! Will! Not! Lose!
"Crimson, crimson, spider, spider!" The army cheered.
"Why am I spider and you're crimson?" Anastasia asked feeling miffed.
"Your name is hard to say." Lucilla said teasingly. "Of course, they could say Anna, but I would never let them do that."
"How sweet." The spider woman said with a smile before signaling the crowed to be silent. "For now, we finish preparations before heading to the southwest border, my spiders and the secondary army will deal with Purinia, they never had the strength to face us by themselves."
The crowed laughed, their confidence boosted after Lucilla's speech. "Follow your commanders, they will explain your roll to you after we leave here." Anastasia continued, "Make sure you pay attention."
After speaking both the Silver haired woman and the Arachne Queen left the stage, letting the others handle the rest.
______________
"The books in the Soul Relm were far more advance than the once here." Spoke the silver haired woman as she sat on a small cot with extra cushioning. She was reading a book on creating appliances. "I regret not bringing some back."
"You should make a visit to the Empire one day, they have plenty of books, and rivel the Theocracy when it comes to technological might." Anastasia suggested.
The two of them were in a shared tent as they camped near the border. Lucilla had assigned Kate and her party to act as personal guards, having them stand outside. She figured they would still have reservations on fighting against Mankind even if they were now treated as criminals. Except Ayah, the wolf woman, she seemed ready to help out in any way she could.
The Wolf kin had grown to respect Lucilla greatly after watching her perform benevolent acts of kindness for the past month. Of course, Lucilla wasn't doing it out of the goodness of her heart, she needed the loyalty of the Lost Country, and she needed it fast. Helping out with obvious problems that the average person could see and understand without issue was extremely easy for her.
No one except a select few knew this, so the wolf woman admiration was for the false righteousness Lucilla had displayed. She did perform those acts, so it wasn't completely misplaced loyalty, but Lucilla had no plans of ever doing something so tedious again. She'd much rather work on a project, like getting the systems inside the citadel working again.
"The empire is even more strict and careful about monsters than the Theocracy." Lucilla pointed out. "They deal with Vampires on a daily basis... well nightly, but still."
"I suppose you're right, but Vampires do still live there and get away with it." Anastasia said sitting down next to Lucilla in her humanoid form. "Perhaps the Christina woman has a way for you to go undetected."
"I can probably do it without her help; I can shapeshift to change my appearance."
"... You can shapeshift?"
"I can. Did I never tell you?"
Anastasia shook her head. "No, what can you do with it?"
"I can't make any drastic changes, but I capable of making myself look like another race. Changing my shape completely like turning into an animal is not possible for me." She explained. "I also can't shrink or grow dramatically, mainly small adjustments."
"Interesting." Murmured the Queen. "I can only change from my two forms; there's no precise control for me."
"Does that get inconvenient?"
"Not really, just means I can't look fully Human no matter how hard I try."
Lucilla nodded in understanding, subconsciously leaning against Anna's body. She went back to reading as the Arachne stood still, afraid to move and scare Lucilla away. They sat in silence, the only noise being the occasional page turn from Lucilla. Eventually the Crimson eyed womans eyelids started to become heavy as she let out a yawn.
"Ready for bed?" Anna asked.
"Yeah...." Answered the tired woman.
Taking the book away from her, Anna laid her down on the bed, confusing Lucilla. She didn't fight back, letting the spider woman bring the covers over her. "Thank you, Anna."
"You're welcome. Good night." With those last two words, Anna turned off the crystal lantern.