Maybe Aryan Tripas was right, Iria was already busy thinking of a way to tackle the main army in the Nardodian Army camp. She knew that if she didn't move soon, Aryan Tripas will manage to get more ration for his soldiers and after he ensure that they won't run out of food during the war, he will come for her.
The Masked Commander had no plan to let him make the first move!
As often said, everything is fair in war and she didn't have to try to play fair. All she need was to win.
"What plan do you have in mind this time?" Orius asked his sister who stood still, gazing down at the map on the table.
King Vance, Commander Nico and Commander Julio were also with them, equally curious as the Duke.
"I can't be sure for now," Iria muttered and covered her eyes. "When we attacked their storehouse and tents last time, the small mounts worked to our advantage but... this time, it will make it hard for us to make a plan. The mounts will serve as a shield for them and they are not large enough for our thousands of soldiers."
Commander Nico nodded. "This war already lasted for weeks and right now, the enemies are cornered. If we don't take this chance, they will recover and it will last for many other weeks or even months. That will exhaust our soldiers."
"Why don't we just tackle them from the front? It seems like there is no other way."
With an amusing smile, Iria looked at Vance who made the suggestion. "That's too much of a risk, Vance. Though the fire killed many soldiers and though we wiped out Jerivia's Royal Army, the number of soldiers in the enemy camp is still almost the same as us. They are a bit larger in numbers since the beginning."
"The arrival of my army indeed raised our numbers but... wiping off a huge army doesn't come without a price," Commander Julio chimed in.
"That's right," Orius promptly said. "Attacking from the front will put us at a disadvantage right away. We will instantly lose many soldiers while they stay inside the safety of their camp."
When silence fell upon the tent for a while, one soldier walked inside and bowed before Iria. "Your Majesty, a letter come for you."
"Letter?" The Queen raised a brow as she was sure that she wasn't expecting any letter. Nevertheless, she reached out her hand and the soldier gave her the letter. Then he bowed and walked out of the tent.
Iria opened the letter and read it. A few seconds passed and there was a subtle smile on her lips. Her reaction only increased the curiosity of the four men inside the tent. Then finally, she put down the letter and turned to Vance.
"Why don't we follow your idea, Vance? Let's tackle them from the front and wipe them off."
"Iria," Orius uttered with surprisement written all over his face.
His sister can't be serious, right?
Was she asking for death?!
However, when the Duke looked at the letter in his sister's hands, it made him wonder if it was because of that letter.
"Just 5 days," Iria stated with a smile. "Let's prepare the soldiers and after that, we will tackle Aryan Tripas and his allies."
*
When Iria walked inside Arin's tent, she finds him standing in one corner, gazing down at the sword in his hand. The King seemed to be lost in his thoughts as he didn't even know the presence of Iria in the tent.
What was he thinking?
"I heard that you sent Antony back to the capital," the Queen spoke up and Arin quickly turned in her direction.
When Iria walked closer, Arin put away the sword and nodded. "He is a Royal Guard and a battlefield isn't his place. Besides, the wedding is coming near."
"What are you doing, Arin?" Iria asked when she stood right before her husband.
Forcing a little smile, Arin Helev shifted his gaze to his sword. "I wonder when I will be fit enough to use that again," he muttered and turned back to Iria. "You know I really wish to fight in your place and protect you."
He was always patient but... the ongoing war was making him impatient. He really wished to fight the war so that Iria could sit back but... he could barely move his left hand and the poison still rendered him weak!
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Iria asked with a little smile. "It will be just this once. Your health is more important than this war."
Her words made Arin sigh. "You're the Commander-in-chief of this war. You shouldn't say that."
"Don't you like it?" Iria asked with a playful smile.
Arin looked at her for a while and said, "I like it so much that I'm afraid I will really think of it that way."
His frank and obviously sincere response made Iria tight-lipped and she narrowed her eyes.
Why must she be always reminded about the true nature of their relationship in a cruel way? In times like this, she always wished for them to be an average couple who can only think about themselves!
Just when she looked at Arin again, a soldier walked inside and handed her the letter that arrived for her. Then she read the letter.
"Jerivia accepts my terms," she said to Arin. "It seems like peace will finally prevail between our two kingdoms."
Arin Helev flashed a smile when he heard her. "You're indeed great, My Queen. You achieve something that the past rulers failed to do for more than a century. Once you get rid of Aryan Tripas too, I'm sure that we will finally enjoy a long-lasting peace."
Iria put down the letter and looked at Arin. "I will hand you a peaceful Qalagon and make sure to transform it to a better place to live for people of all classes. I'm about to fulfill my goals and next, it's your turn."
Thinking of how she never stopped urging him to fulfill his goals, the King flashed a smile. "Alright.. I will do that."
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