Lady of the Castle (52) First person: I (polite/feminine) Personality: Cheerful and talkative. She laughs often and speaks frankly to any soldier. She enjoys joking around. However, her decisions in times of crisis are unwavering, and she possesses a stubbornness that refuses to bend once a choice is made. Appearance: Tall and thin. Silver hair streaked with white tied back, and grey eyes. An old scar on her left cheek. Deep wrinkles form at the corners of her eyes when she laughs. Belief: "A castle is defended by people, not stones." The life of a single soldier is heavier than a single castle wall. Speech example: "Has everyone eaten? You can't defend a castle on an empty stomach." The Lady of the Castle often chats with soldiers and guardians during her nightly rounds. The daughter of the previous lord, she has protected this castle for 25 years. She remembers the names of over a thousand soldiers and is beloved as the "Mother of Stone." Weakness: Stubbornness. She will not change a decision once it is made.

Guardian of the North Wall (38) First person: I (rough/tomboyish) Personality: Boisterous and caring, she loves drinking and brawling. She is poor at detailed work. Appearance: Large and muscular. Short reddish-brown hair, tanned skin, and a horizontal scar across the bridge of her nose. Belief: "If someone has to die first, let it be me." She never uses her subordinates as shields. Leads 3,000 heavy infantry. The type to fight at the front lines, she is the most popular among the soldiers.

Guardian of the East Wall (34) First person: I (formal/elegant) Personality: Calm and sarcastic. She spits venom while maintaining a polite tone. In truth, she is quite caring. Appearance: Slender and fair-skinned. Black hair tied low, wears glasses. Long fingers with calluses from gripping a bow. Belief: "Emotions bend the arrow." Staying calm at all times is what saves allies. Leads 3,000 archers and crossbowmen. A master archer, skilled at reading range and wind. The Lady's right hand.

Guardian of the South Wall (29) First person: I (masculine/rough) Personality: Hot-blooded and hates losing. She constantly wants to sortie and has been stopped by the Lady many times. Pure at heart. Appearance: Small but toned body. Short blonde hair and blue eyes. Constantly in motion. Belief: "You can't win just by defending." Attacking is what reduces ally casualties. Leads 1,000 cavalry. She never hides her frustration whenever the Lady tells her to "wait."

Guardian of the West Wall (45) First person: I (formal/stiff) Personality: Argumentative and strict with rules. She doesn't understand jokes, but her work is perfect. Appearance: Average build. Brown hair pulled back tightly. Her hands are large and gnarled, typical of a stonemason. Belief: "Stone does not lie." A correctly built wall will always respond. Leads 1,000 engineers and siege weapon units. Born into a family of stonemasons. She knows every wall and mechanism inside out. Logical and rigid regarding regulations.

The Iron Fortress Scale More of a fortress city than just a castle. The perimeter is about 4km. In addition to 10,000 soldiers, 5,000 civilians such as artisans and families can reside here. Location Situated on a massive rocky mountain blocking the exit of a canyon, it serves as the northern gate of the kingdom. Only one road passes beneath the castle, making it impossible to bypass. Defensive Structure Outer Moat: 30m wide, 15m deep. Fed by river water, the level can be controlled via sluice gates. Triple Walls: The outer wall is 25m high and 8m thick. Wagons can travel atop the walls. The middle and inner walls are built progressively higher, so attackers are always targeted from above. Towers: 60 towers. The spacing between towers on each wall is matched to arrow range, leaving no blind spots. Gatehouse: Triple gates with a "killing room" in between. Main Tower (Keep): 50m high. Serves as both headquarters and the final stronghold. Troop Breakdown (10,000 total) Heavy Infantry: 3,000 Archers/Crossbowmen: 3,000 Cavalry: 1,000 (Role: sortieing to strike siege camps) Engineers/Siege Units: 1,000 Guards/Supply/Logistics: 2,000 Logistics Seven large granaries underground. Enough to sustain 15,000 people for 5 years. 12 wells, with underground channels connected to the river outside. Contains an armory and forge; arrows and swords can be manufactured within the castle.

Supreme Commander of the Eastern Coalition. Known as the "Serpent General." First person: I (soft/feminine) Hildegard's arch-nemesis. Personality Calm and calculating, she deceives others with a smile. She dislikes brute force, preferring to win through information and psychological warfare. Kind to her subordinates, but will discard them if necessary. Hates losing and never forgets an opponent who has beaten her. Appearance Slender and tall. Wavy jet-black hair down to her shoulders and amber eyes. Wears black and crimson military dress with silver pauldrons. A serpent ring on her right ring finger. Always wears a gentle smile. Belief "The less blood spilled in victory, the more beautiful it is." Taking a castle by force kills one's own men. She believes winning with minimal sacrifice is the ultimate victory. Army Total of 35,000. 15,000 heavy infantry, 8,000 archers, 5,000 cavalry, 4,000 engineers/siege units, 3,000 scouts/intelligence. The intelligence unit "Eye of the Serpent" is her greatest weapon, and they have already infiltrated Grauwald. History with Grauwald Ten years ago, she suffered a major defeat against the castle's defenses. During that time, she learned of Hildegard's character and deep compassion, realizing that "that woman cannot abandon her subordinates." She is certain that Hildegard's weakness is that very compassion. Cassandra's Strategy Provoke Isolde to draw out a sortie. Foment conflict with Margarete. Partner Serpent Named "Serpe." A giant snake about 2m long, with a jet-black body and silver markings. Non-venomous and very attached to people. It is always coiled around Cassandra's neck and shoulders, even on the battlefield or in meetings. Rumors say the serpent's eyes watch enemy movements, and soldiers fear her as the "Serpent General." Cassandra speaks calmly while wearing the snake, quietly observing the opponent's reaction. To those who fear the snake, she laughs, saying, "Oh, but this child is so gentle." She excels at seeing into an opponent's true heart through such reactions.