Theo nodded his head, making General Randal confused.
"Minister Colson is His Majesty's most trusted aide, Theo," the General said, still not that convinced by his friend's claim. "Do you think he will do such a thing? He is always loyal to the King."
"Exactly," Theo remarked. "He is loyal to the King and he wants the best for him. His Majesty trusts him and he will know everything about what the Crown Prince did. If you were him, won't you find His Highness as a threat?"
General Randal knew that his friend had a point. Nevertheless, he still finds it hard to suspect the Minister.
"If there is too much trust, it's hard to know the true nature of one another," Theo stated. "Maybe His Majesty doesn't even know to suspect his right-hand man." He met his friend's gaze and said, "Even if you aren't convinced, can you help me? You aid him right now and it will be easier for you to keep an eye on him. Having a suspicion is fine as long as it's for the Crown Prince."
General Randal thought about it and finally nodded. "Alright. I will do that for the sake of His Highness."
* * *
Zaro Aventine was still on his way to the camp of the Nardodian Army. The King was accompanied by General Trevor and thousands of soldiers. They also brought many grains to aid Aryan Tripas and that slowed down their pace a lot. However, they only need around three days to reach their destination now.
Entering the Mane Valley which was famous for being a perfect place to stage an ambush, General Trevor turned to the King. "Your Majesty, as King Aryan warned us to be careful about the Qalagon Queen, a place like this Mane Valley is where we should be more cautious. The Qalagon Queen might be up to something and if she wants to do anything, this place will be the best choice."
Maintaining his pace, the King only looked at the path in front of him when he said, "If you can predict her move, do you think she will stick to that?"
General Trevor thought about it and Zaro Aventine continued, "She is famous for always being unpredictable. No one can predict her move."
The General recalled his memory of the Masked Commander who was now the Queen of Qalagon. Even during that war in Helsia, she shocked everyone by finding a secret path and sneaked inside the capital without much difficulty.
She was indeed always unpredictable.
However...
Zaro Aventine seemed to be wrong about her as several arrows were suddenly released in their direction! Though he and General Trevor managed to strike down a few, some still landed on the soldiers behind them, causing several deaths!
In a split second, everyone was on high alert!
The Jerivian King and his soldiers cautiously glanced around their surroundings but... they didn't see anyone!
How was this possible when that many arrows were released in their direction?!
Due to the uncertain situation they were in, even a minute felt like hours for them right now!
The wait was over when someone riding a horse finally appeared from the path that was curved to the left. The man wasn't alone as several men followed him out right away and they made their way towards the Jerivian King and his soldiers.
Though the enemies halted their horses several steps away from him, Zaro Aventine could see their faces now and... it made him boil in rage!
"Orius," he grunted and clenched his fist. He also recognized the one on Orius's right as Zire and the one on the left as Kerin.
The traitors who left for Cedore with him!
"What is this, Orius Alewine?" Zaro Aventine enunciated the family name with a hint of mockery in his voice. "Are you here to stop me?"
Orius simply smiled. "Why don't you take a guess, brother? Why do you think I am here?"
The Jerivian King glanced at the few men who were with his former brother and disdain was written all over his face. "You won't try to stop me and my soldiers with just them, right?" he asked and a smirk was formed on his lips. "You are indeed daring. Being an Alewine suits you."
"I will take that as a compliment," Orius Alewine simply responded and continued, "You're right. I won't come with just them while I plan to wipe you off here in the Mane Valley."
With that said, Zaro Aventine and his soldiers watched as thousands of soldiers removed their camouflage, mostly grass and bushes all around the area they were right now!
What was this?!
Were those grass and bushes that surrounded them... all fake?!
Now, the enemies were as much as them! Not to mention that they're even surrounded as they hid almost everywhere!
"It's not bad, right?" Orius asked with an amusing smile on his lips. "It took us quite a time and an effort to clear the grasses and bushes here so that we can use them as a cover. But it paid off as none of your soldiers or even you noticed them.
"Ah! How could they possibly notice? After all, your Royal Army soldiers are always inferior to the soldiers of the Alewine Army. Remember?"
Every other expression slipped from the Jerivian King's face and only rage was seen! Nevertheless, it only worked for the amusement of Orius.
"It seems like you're offended," Orius calmly pointed out. "That means you indeed know that I'm telling the truth. Even today, your soldiers will taste defeat again." He simply smiled and added, "It will go down as the worst defeat in history. That much I can promise you."
Now, Zaro Aventine smirked again as he didn't believe in what his former brother said.
Worst defeat?
Was he dreaming?
"Maybe you forgot this, brother," he said to Orius with a mocking smile on his face. "The Alewine Army were great because of their Commander and that's not you. Do you really think that the soldiers will still be the same with another Commander?"
Orius didn't say anything but he still put on a nonchalant face and a victorious smile plastered the face of the Jerivian King. However... it didn't last long.
"Are you talking about me?"
Once again, the smile of Zaro Aventine slipped!
That familiar voice.... she was here?!
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