Vance Amias just realized that his friend had picked up a habit of showing off again! This made him sigh, helplessly.
"It was my fault for thinking that you will be serious just for once considering our situation," he remarked.
Arin Helev he knew was always an aloof person until... he met his wife.
In the past, Vance used to be bored of his friend's aloof nature but now, he was convinced that it's better when he talked less!
Why was he such a show-off?!
"You know what, I've fought many wars in contrast to my age," Arin finally said, putting on a more serious face. "Though I won't be getting involved physically in this war, I have a good feeling."
He made a deliberate paused and continued, "In the past, I was never too confident. Even when all my Generals told me that we are at an advantage, I never want to think that way until the war was really over. Besides, being cautious always helped me in winning the war. But this time... I'm confident."
"It seems like you really trust your wife," Vance Amias promptly said. "It's not a miracle, Arin. After all, she's the Masked Commander who put an end to your winning streak in a war."
Hearing this, Arin Helev sighed.
That again!
"Why did you always mention just me? I also put an end to her winning streak. Did you forget that?"
Vance Amias laughed at his friend. "Of course not. But... there is a little difference. You are older than her and you are way more experienced compared to her when you two fought and still... she managed to force you to withdraw so that you can prevent more loss.
"Think about it, Arin. When you defeated Nardodia 6 years ago, Iria was only 15. She only assisted her father and she had never led a war herself when you already achieved many great things. That's what I'm talking about."
Considering how experienced he was compared to Iria, wasn't he expected to gain the upper hand in that war?
"I think you're right," Arin simply said with a nod. "Maybe that's why I'm confident about this war. It's a war between 6 kingdoms and that means the one with greater tactic will hail as the winner in the end. In that field, Iria is better than me."
He briefly recalled the time he read Iria's book on military tactics made by her father. Of course, he read it while Morin wasn't around and... it was the best book he had ever read in that field!
The memory made Arin smile and looking at his friend, he continued, "After all, she had the best mentor in the world."
* * *
"When will the Aliron Army arrive?" Iria asked Commander Nico. Orius was also there as it was a meeting and General Franco from Zoris was also there in place of Vance.
"If there is no disruption, they will be here in a week, Your Majesty," Nico Petrus responded to the Queen.
"What about the enemies?"
"It seems like they are looking for a way to bring more ration from the capital but even if Alora and Azamet aid them, it will be hard to collect that much food in a short time."
"Unless they raise the tax," Iria added and narrowed her eyes at the map which covered Nardodia. "Aryan Tripas won't hesitate to do that. He never cares about the sufferings of the people anyway."
"There is also one more possibility," Orius chimed in. "If Jerivia steps in, that will relieve Aryan Tripas a lot. Jerivia didn't fight any wars in the past year and in terms of food, it won't be that hard for them to collect a large amount in no time. I believe that the royal granary will be in a good situation."
As Orius was a former member of the Jerivian royal family, everyone knew that he will be the one who know the situation of the royal properties the best. As such, they had no doubt in what he said.
"That means if Jerivia steps in, it will be hard for us. One of our plans and what we did that night will become futile," Iria Helev muttered.
"It's not futile, Your Majesty," Commander Nico argued. "I heard that around 5000 soldiers died and adding the number of injured soldiers, the enemies suffered a huge loss."
"That's right," Orius chimed in. "If it was a battlefield, we will never be able to take down 5000 soldiers while sacrificing a single life."
Knowing that her brother was right, Iria nodded and glanced at the map once again. "But I'm still not satisfied," she said after a few seconds.
Her words drew the attention of everyone and General Franco was no exception. As someone who used to admire the achievements of the Masked Commander, the General of the Zoris Army was quite eager to know what decision and plan Iria would make.
After thinking about it for a while, Iria turned to her brother. "Can you take care of the Jerivians if Zaro Aventine come to join Aryan Tripas?"
The Enaerions were still watching the movement of the Jerivian King but... after his plan to make Orius withdraw was interrupted by some unidentified men, the Jerivian King was more cautious than before. It became harder for her to know his every move.
"What do you want me to do?" Orius asked Iria as he was unsure of just what she had in mind for Zaro Aventine.
"If the Jerivians indeed come to aid Aryan Tripas, stop them before they manage to reach the enemy camp," the Qalagon Queen said and explained, "I mean, kill them all."
General Franco and Commander Nico Petrus's eyes grew wide in shock!
Kill them all?
The whole army? But how?!
"Jerivia is not in a good situation when it comes to the army," Iria explained. "Even if Zaro Aventine decide to join the war, I'm sure that he won't be able to bring many soldiers." She paused and firmly added, "If Zaro Aventine take Aryan Tripas's hand, then he should pay for breaking his promise.. His life will be the price."
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