Rion already told his Commander that 90 per cent of the soldiers wish to follow her wherever she goes. As such, thousands of soldiers flee from the capital that day. However, Commander Iria had another plan for the families of her soldiers. There was no way that she would leave them behind! As such, some soldiers stayed behind with the families, waiting for their Commander to launch her plan.
Besides, the King was too fixated on the Commander to care about them for now.
With thousands of soldiers forcing their way out of the capital, it couldn't be that peaceful. They cut down anyone who stood in their way, mostly the Jerivian soldiers. However, the Commander had a strict order for them - not to hurt innocent people.
Like always, the soldiers listened to their Commander. They weren't the most powerful and capable army in Jerivia without a reason and the Jerivian soldiers were too small to stand in their way!
Rion arranged two other lower-ranked generals to lead from the front while he and Commander Iria were behind all the soldiers. By doing this, Commander Iria wanted to make sure that she can check the situation at any time.
Everyone couldn't ride horses, so many soldiers had to walk. This put them at a disadvantage but... she trusted in Arin Helev. She knew that Zaro would soon catch up with her. However, if Zaro was to bring many soldiers with him, that would be a hindrance for him too as that would slow down his pace.
She was betting all the lives of her soldiers on Arin Helev and that's the only option she had right now. The soldiers were willing to follow her. How could she possibly leave them to suffer in the hands of Zaro Aventine who had become a tyrant King?!
After a long day, they managed to leave the capital and another tiring day passed soon. It was the third day and the border with Qalagon was not far now. The Commander believed that they will be able to cross the border before the sunset.
"Commander, once we passed this Serene Valley, we will reach the border," Rion said to his Commander who was riding a horse beside him. By this time, it was afternoon. "If the Qalagon soldiers cleared the border for us, we will be able to enter the Grenet Forest right away," he added.
Grenet Forest. The familiar name brought the Commander back to the past. It was the same forest where Arin Helev caught up with her when she left Qalagon. The place where he declared that if she die, he will crush the whole Jerivia.
"Maybe the King brought many soldiers with him," Iria Alewine muttered. "If not, he will already catch up with us."
"Don't worry, Commander," Rion simply said. "The Royal Army are nothing compared to us. Besides, I will never allow the King to bring you back after what he did to you. I will protect you no matter what."
"That's a relief," Iria Alewine replied, forcing a little smile for the first time in days. "Are you really okay with going to Cedore?" she asked Rion. "Things must be quite hard for us there," she added.
"I don't care," Rion promptly said. "I will follow you wherever you go, Commander."
Iria Alewine glanced at the thousands of soldiers who were on the front. It was her responsibility not to fail them and that gave her a determination, stronger than ever before! However...
"I think they are here," the Commander muttered and quickly turned around. A few seconds passed and the sounds of horses galloping behind became more and more clear to her. Rion quickly gave a signal to the front and everyone became alert.
Soon, Zaro Aventine and some Generals of the Royal Army appeared with the soldiers and once again, the Masked Commander had to face her former best friend.
"Commander, please leave. I will stay behind with the soldiers and stop them," Rion promptly said to his Commander. "The border is just ahead of us. So please... leave for now."
"No." The Commander's response came faster than ever. "I won't you leave you or anyone behind. Stop thinking of that."
"Commander -"
With a dismissive gesture, Iria Alewine rode her horse a bit forward. A minute passed and Zaro was a few steps opposite her with soldiers from the Royal Army.
"I don't want bloodshed," Commander Iria firmly said to Zaro Aventine. "However, if you insist to stop us, each one of us will fight until our last breath."
"You should think twice, Commander Iria," General Trevor spoke up. "You will turn each one of your soldiers into a traitor if you choose this path." As someone who was well aware of the Masked Commander's abilities, he really wished to avoid this fight.
"Traitor?" Iria Alewine muttered and sneered. "Seems like you soldiers from the Royal Army have no idea about the true face of your king and his father, the late king." Glancing around the soldiers, she declared, "I never betrayed Jerivia. It's Jerivia who betrayed me!"
Hearing what the famous Masked Commander said, the soldiers of the Royal Army exchanged glances with each other, wondering what she meant. They also believed that she wasn't the type to betray her kingdom.
"General Trevor," Iria Alewine muttered but her gaze was fixated on Zaro Aventine. "Do you want me to tell you what your king and the late king did?"
Just as Iria thought, Zaro Aventine spoke up right away. Of course, he didn't want his soldiers to doubt him.
"Don't listen to the traitor," he said. "She is only making up stories to justify her actions." Giving General Trevor a side glance, he ordered, "Hear my command. The soldiers of the Alewine Army rebelled and they should be punished. If anyone resists, kill them!"
Though General Trevor was still bothered by the claim of the Masked Commander, he was bound to follow the King's order. As such, he bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
"If that's your decision, we will fight for our freedom this time. Each one of the soldiers in the Alewine Army refuses to serve a fake and tyrannical ruler like you," Iria Alewine declared and unsheathed her sword. Rion and all the other soldiers followed suit.
She never thought that there would come a day when she has to fight the soldiers of the Royal Army. Yet it was about to happen and she had no intention to back down or show mercy.....
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel