Iria Alewine entered her tent in the Alewine Army Camp for the first time in three months. Though it was evening, there was still some time before sunset.
It wasn't long before Zire and Jolene rushed inside with exciting smiles on their faces. Though they were more than happy to see their Commander again, they first get down on their knees to greet the Masked Commander.
"Greetings, Commander. Welcome back."
"Rise," Iria Alewine quickly said and approached them with a little smile on her face. "You two seems to be doing fine. I'm glad," she remarked.
"We try our best and follow your plan," Zire replied and added, "You won't disappoint, Commander."
"I watch them briefly before I enter my tent. You two did a great job," Iria Alewine said. The training and preparation went well and she was satisfied with it. Though she was quite worried before she returned, she was now convinced that they were ready to face another war.
After all, the three months she spent in Qalagon wasn't in vain.
"We heard that you will only reach the capital in the afternoon. We are quite surprised when we heard that you will return to the camp in the evening." It was Jolene who spoke up this time.
"I already entered the palace in the morning," Iria explained. "I rest for a while in my mansion before I came here." She made a deliberate paused and turned around to look at the map of Jerivia and their surrounding kingdoms. "Besides, a war is ahead of us."
The Masked Commander's gaze was fixated on the part of the map which covered Helsia kingdom. Her gaze was too keen to the point where it made Zire and Jolene wondered what she had on mind.
"What is your plan, Commander?" Zire asked her after holding back his curiosity for a while.
Iria Alewine turned around and faced her two subordinates once again. "Not even 4 months had passed since we fought against the Helsians but now... they want another war again. There is no guarantee that the cycle won't repeat itself."
Zire thought about it and raised a brow when he understood what the Commander was saying. "You mean -"
"Yes," Iria Alewine said with a nod. There was a little yet cruel smile on her lips when she glanced at the map. "Let's wipe off Helsia this time."
Wipe off?! Zire and Jolene exchanged glances with each other. Did their Commander really plan to do that?!
"If we keep on fighting them from time to time, it will only weaken our economy and soon, our soldiers will be exhausted. If any kingdom who are big enough as ours try to wage a war against us, we will immediately be in a dire situation," the Masked Commander explained. "So, let's end this once and for all."
"Are you confident, Commander?" Jolene promptly asked. It was such a risky move and if things go wrong, their kingdom will be the one in danger.
"Have you ever recall our Commander saying things without having confidence?"
Commander Iria and the two darted their eyes to the entrance when they heard a familiar voice. Then Rion appeared.
At the sight of their friend, Zire and Jolene's faces instantly lit up.
"Rion!" Zire exclaimed and rushed to the man who was like a brother to him. "How long has it been?" He said as he halted and gave Rion a brief hug.
The Masked Commander's face slightly lit up at the sight of the two men. They were even close than brothers and... witnessing such a great friendship was always beautiful.
She also used to have that kind of relationship with the late Princess.
"I can see that you did quite well during my absence," Rion bluntly remarked but there was a playful smile on his face.
"Do you think that I still rely on you?" Zire simply asked and added, "I'm quite capable now."
Rion let out a laughter before he nodded. "Fine, we will see it soon." Then he shifted his gaze to Jolene who was standing near the Commander. "I bet you do all the work again." He shook his head and clicked his tongue as he said, "This brat won't grow up."
Zire frowned when he heard his friend. "Who are you calling a brat? Did you already forget that I defeated you last time?"
"Commander, what's wrong with Zire?" Rion said as he made his way to Iria. "He defeated me just once while I was injured but he still bragged about it."
"Why did you dragged Commander into this?" Zire said as he made his way back too. "You said that you already recovered. That's why we had a friendly match in the very first place. Have you ever recall Commander allowing us to practice while he hasn't recovered yet?"
Iria Alewine finally chuckled and placed her hand on Rion's shoulder. "You should just admit it, Rion. You indeed lose that day."
Rion let out a sigh while Zire smiled in victory. Once the Commander gets involved, he knew that Rion won't protest again!
"Fine. Then I'll give you that," Rion said. "Next time, I'll let you experience a crushing defeat that you won't forget."
Zire simply nodded with a victorious smile still plastering his whole face. Then the Commander turned back to the map. Seeing this, everyone understood that it's time for some work. As such, they all behaved that way.
When Zire noticed how the Commander's gaze was fixated on the Celia Forest which was on the northwest border, he raised a brow. "Commander, don't tell me that you plan to enter the capital of Helsia through the Celia Forest."
Both Rion and Jolene raised a brow when they heard Zire. That wasn't even possible!
"Why can't I do that?" the Masked Commander simply asked with a little smile.
"It's impossible for an army to cross that forest. It's full of rough terrains and no army had ever succeeded," Jolene explained.
"I know that," Commander Iria said without much thought. "My father once told me that there is a path which would lead us to the source of the Deris River which flows through the capital of Helsia. But he said that he never once see the path though he often looked for it.
"Why don't we try our luck? After all, we can't say it's impossible unless we try it ourselves."
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