Iria Alewine just finished explaining the underground path that she discovered in the afternoon. Amazement was written all over the faces of Rion and Jolene when they heard her out.
Such a path really existed in the Celia Forest?
It was such a relief for them because if the Helsians find it out first, invading them would be a piece of cake!
Even the Second Prince who rarely showed an emotion seemed to be taken aback by the revelation. All the time, his gaze was fixated on the part of the map where the Commander discovered the underground path.
"I have a plan in mind."
They were all snapped out of their stupor when they heard Commander Iria. Then all attention was shifted back to her.
"We can fool the King of Helsia," Iria Alewine started. "If Jolene disguised as me, the Helsians will think that they are fighting me. They won't even have doubt as they had never seen my face."
"You will lead the soldiers from the underground path?" Prince Orius promptly asked to which the Commander nodded.
"It's an underground path which was left unused for years. As such, it might be risky for many soldiers to enter," Iria Alewine explained. "So, I will only bring 3000 soldiers with me, including Zire. Rion will have to be with Jolene."
"3000 soldiers to invade the capital?" Rion uttered with disbelief. "That's too less, Commander."
"Rion is right, Commander. I have no problem with taking your place in the war but... you will be in danger if things go wrong," Jolene expressed her agreement with Rion.
"I think it's more than enough," the Masked Commander retorted. "Besides, most of the task will be on the hands of His Highness. While I lead the soldiers to invade the capital, His Highness will have to succeed in cornering the Helsian Army. They shouldn't have a chance to return to the capital no matter what." She paused and added, "Even if they heard the news, it will be too late for them."
Though their Commander seemed to be confident, the three soldiers still couldn't be at ease. Even Rion who always trust her no matter what didn't have full confidence in this. As such, they shifted their gaze to the Second Prince, hoping that he would be able to change their Commander's mind.
After what seemed to be forever, Prince Orius finally spoke up. "Let's do that."
The three soldiers could felt their jaws dropped to the floor! He really decided to comply with this plan?!
There was a subtle smile on the Commander's lips when she heard the Prince. "Then I'll trust you with the main war."
The Second Prince nodded and shifted his gaze to Rion and the others. "My father already appointed Commander Iria as the Commander-in-chief. Even if I disagree, the final decision is still with her," he simply said to them and rose from his seat. "I will return to the Royal Army camp now. Let's check out the underground path tomorrow."
Prince Orius walked out of the Commander's tent and Jolene and Zire followed suit.
"Select 3000 soldiers to follow me to the underground path. They should be the best among the soldiers."
Rion rose from his seat when he heard the Masked Commander whose gaze was now fixated on the map. "Commander, will you really -"
"I'm quite disappointed in you, Rion."
All at once, Rion fell silent. He had never heard his Commander saying that to him!
Iria Alewine turned around and looked at her right-hand man. "I understand even if Jolene and Zire have some doubts but... not you. You have stayed beside me for years and you know me the best.
"If you don't trust me, how will I expect my soldiers to trust in my decision? How will I believe that they will be willing to bet their life on my decision and follow me no matter what!?"
"Commander -"
"I know you worried about me these days," the Commander added in a surprisingly low voice. "I know most of that is my fault. However... you should know that I'm still giving my all no matter how messed up my personal matters are.
"Just like you told me while we were in Qalagon, I never once forget that I'm the Commander of the Alewine Army and the responsibilities that come with it. Even if it would kill me, I won't stop doing my duty. I want you to know that."
Just when Rion was about to speak up, Commander Iria said, "Start selecting the 3000 soldiers first thing in the morning as we can set out any time now. You can leave."
Rion narrowed his eyes at the floor and stood still for a while though the Masked Commander already turned her back at him again. Having no other choice, he bowed and left the tent with reluctance.
Now that she was alone, Iria Alewine took a seat on the chair. Propping her left elbow on the table, she covered her eyes with her palm.
Arin Helev. How could he turn her into this weak of a person?!
However, she slowly withdrew her palm from her eyes and clenched her fist. She was sure that the war will occur before a week and... she had no time to be like this.
* * *
Arin Helev and Crown Prince Vance just reached the capital with thousands of soldiers. Commander Nico decided to stay at the border of their kingdom with Nardodia for a while as the situation was still uncertain. With the Nardodians claiming back their land, everything had become complicated.
Upon entering the capital, what the Crown Prince first did was meeting his friend, General Hanson Lorin.
"We received news that the Nardodians plan to attack us once the Alorians wiped out our soldiers in the border. King Declan also planned to help them but with the arrival of Zoris soldiers, he was forced to withdraw and their plan failed," Hanson Lorin informed the Crown Prince.
The two friends were standing on top of the fort of the capital, discussing the war and things that happened behind the curtains.
"There are four officials from our side in that area when the rebellion occurred and I was told that they were all captured by the Nardodians. 99 per cent of our soldiers there were killed and the Duke of Borland is indeed their leader. A soldier who managed to leave alive brought this information to me," the General added.
Arin Helev clenched his fist when he heard the news. "The Duke of Borland is a cruel person. I know that most of the people there are originally Nardodians but... some of our people also lived there. What if he decided to go after them too?"
"I know what you worried about," Hanson Lorin promptly said. "But now, all the forts and gates are heavily guarded. I don't know how the Duke managed to train that amount of soldiers and if we attack them hastily, we will suffer more than we thought."
They just lost many soldiers while fighting the Alorians and attacking the Nardodians right now wasn't a good idea. Right now, the number of soldiers that Nardodia had was almost the same as them!
"How did those soldiers suddenly appeared in that area?" Arin Helev uttered and added, "Who is the traitor? I'm sure that someone from our side is helping them."
Hanson Lorin narrowed his eyes when he recalled the information that the survivor brought. "It's my fault," he said to the Crown Prince. "I misjudge a person."
"What do you mean?" Arin Helev quickly asked. He was confused and curious at the same time!
Hanson Lorin maintained his silence for a while before he finally said, "The one who helps them is Captain Klaus. I already confirmed that he is in Nardodia right now."
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