General Randal arrived at the palace not long after the Captain of the Palace Guards left. Walking inside the Crown Prince's chamber, he halted a few steps away and bowed.
"Your Highness."
"You're here," Crown Prince Emor muttered in a calm voice. "Did you wrap up without a problem?"
"Yes, Your Highness. We hand over the surviving criminals to the Royal Guards for interrogation," the Captain responded.
"Good job. Come and have a seat first."
Emor gestured the General to sit down on the couch opposite him and though the latter appeared a bit reluctant, he still complied and took a seat.
"I want to thank you for what you did, General Randal," Emor Tripas said. "Once all the mess is solved, I promise that I will make sure to reward you and the soldiers."
"We are only doing our duty, Your Highness," the General responded, maintaining a formal tone and demeanor all the time. "If we are rewarded for doing our job, it would be so shameless of us."
"Getting awarded after winning a war is also a common occurrence for soldiers while fighting a war and protecting the kingdom is their main duty, General. Besides, it's different this time. I know how much of a risk you take to bring the soldiers there and as a royal, I should stand by my words."
When thinking of what the young Crown Prince meant, the General couldn't resist anymore. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Crown Prince Emor nodded. "I heard that you come back to collect taxes," he pointed out. "Tell me what happened at the border."
"The Qalagon Queen attacked our tents and storehouse on the night of our arrival," General Randal told the Crown Prince. "We lose more than 5000 soldiers and also more than half of the ration we stored. That's why His Majesty raised the tax to provide ration for the soldiers."
"The current tax is already heavy enough for the people," Emor Tripas muttered.
It seemed like his uncle still haven't changed at all. Still having no heart for his people.
"I indeed said that to His Majesty but... he refused to listen," General Randal said. "I can't defy his order."
Emor Tripas nodded. "No one can change his mind. I already know that." He let out a breath and asked, "Is there anything more that happened? I was locked up and I have no clue about it."
The General gave a quick thought and said, "His Majesty persuaded the King of Jerivia so that Jerivia could help us by providing grains and soldiers. However, when the King was on his way to our camp with his soldiers, they suffered an ambush in the Mane Valley." He made a deliberate paused and added, "The whole army was wiped out and the King of Jerivia also died in the ambush."
Emor Tripas couldn't believe what he heard!
Zaro Aventine died?!
However, one person instantly crossed his mind.
"The Qalagon Queen?"
"Yes, Your Highness. However, how the King died isn't clearly known. Some say that it's the Masked Commander who killed him but some say he took his own life after being defeated."
It just occurred to Emor Tripas that Iria was more than determined to see the end of her enemies in this war!
That means his uncle was in great danger too!
"The war already last for weeks but we already suffered so much damage compared to the enemies, Your Highness," General Randal frankly stated. "Even now, I dare to say that we are at a disadvantage. The morale of the enemy soldiers reaches the sky due to what they have achieved so far and also the presence of the Masked Commander came as a bonus, Your Highness.
"However, His Majesty is so adamant and with forces from Azamet and Alora aiding us, it's unlikely that he will change his mind. If we really happen to lose the war, I'm afraid that our Nardodia will fall into the hands of the Qalagons once again."
"That's why I should go to the border as fast as possible," Crown Prince Emor promptly said after hearing out the General. "It's also one of the reasons why I tell you to come and meet me."
"What can I do for you, Your Highness?" General Randal asked the Crown Prince without even thinking twice.
"I want you to arrest Colson Leland. I can only leave for the border once I make sure that he can't do anything to threaten the throne and the kingdom," Emor Tripas said to the General in a firm tone.
"General Randal maintained his silence for a while and lowered his gaze. "As long as you give the order, I will do anything, Your Highness."
With that said, the Crown Prince turned to Theo who bowed and walked out of the chamber. Soon enough, he returned with the Captain of the Royal Guards who got down on his knees to greet the Crown Prince who was back after missing for months.
"Gather some guards and go to the Leland mansion with General Randal. Bring Colson Leland to me," was Crown Prince Emor's order.
Theo already explained the situation to the Captain of the Royal Guards and as such, the Captain accepted the order right away. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Emor shifted his gaze back to the General and said, "Be careful. If Colson Leland perhaps knows that I'm back to the palace, I don't know what decision he would make."
"I understand, Your Highness. Please rest assured."
*
General Randal left the palace with the Captain of the Royal Guards, some guards and soldiers. As the Minister's mansion wasn't far from the palace, they reached there in no time. Though the guards at the mansion tried to stop them from entering, they can't stand their ground when the Captain of the Royal Guards announced that they were there in a royal order.
Finally, they made their way to the Minister's chamber and find him simply sitting alone on the couch. Though he will surely hear the commotion outside before the guards entered his chamber, he didn't even seem to care about it!
Instead, he was looking at them with a surprisingly calm face......
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