Iria and her soldiers finally find themselves before the gate of the Nardodian Army camp. The Queen dressed up just like she did while she was a warrior and the silver mask that covered her face was no exception.
Her brother Orius Alewine was with her including, General Hanson Lorin and General Zire. King Vance Amias was there too with Commander Nico Petrus and Commander Julio Aliron.
Confusion was written on the faces of everyone as they expected the enemies to stand here before the gate and face them while archers shoot them from the pavilion and forts.
What was this?
"Is the camp empty? I don't see any soul," Orius said to his sister who was on a horse beside him.
"I don't think so. If they leave the camp, it's the same as handing over their kingdom to us," Iria replied and glanced around. "Let's be alert. This must be a trap."
Orius nodded and sent the signal to the soldiers, instructing them not to let their guard down.
"What is Aryan Tripas thinking?" Vance Amias said with a hint of annoyance on his face. "Is he hiding because he is now alone to face us?"
The question drew a little smile from Hanson's lips. "Do you really think that? While I believe that Aryan Tripas is not the type to hide. He might be a tyrant who always fails to control his anger but... I don't think he is a coward."
What General Hanson said got the approval of everyone else. Judging from all his acts in the past, Aryan Tripas wasn't a coward but scheming.
Suddenly, the gate of the camp was opened, putting Iria and everyone on high alert. Aryan Tripas appeared at the gate and he was followed by some of his Generals and they rode their horses towards Iria. But still, no soldiers.
When Aryan Tripas and his General halted their horses, Iria observed the gate that was now closed. "What is this, Aryan Tripas? Do you think this is a joke?"
"Aren't you the one playing with me, Masked Commander? You wait until the last minute so that my hands will be tied by the time you arrive with your soldiers," Aryan Tripas stated. His expression and voice... they all hinted at contempt.
"I just do everything I can to make sure that my soldiers and I win the war like I always did, Aryan Tripas," Iria Helev simply said. "Where are your soldiers?" She scornfully added, "Did they run away?"
Hearing her words, there was a mocking smile on the face of Orius, Vance, the Commanders and Generals.
"I told them to stay inside the camp," Aryan Tripas replied and added, "I want to negotiate."
"Negotiate?" Iria asked with disbelief written on her face. "After you poisoned Arin Helev... I don't think I'm interested."
"I still haven't finished," Aryan Tripas said to Iria. "I still haven't stated what I will offer."
The Qalagon Queen maintained her silence for a while and briefly glanced at her brother and the others who were uninterested just like her. Then she turned back to Aryan Tripas. "What will you offer then?" she asked with indifference. However...
The response of the Nardodian King surprised everyone.
"My life."
He was willing to offer his life?!
What had gotten into him?!
"I will offer you my life if you can promise me something," Aryan Tripas said when he noticed a slight change in Iria's expression.
Gently tapping her fingers on her thigh several times, Iria's gaze was fixated on the Nardodian King.
Was he serious? Or was he just trying to stall some time?
Finally, she removed her mask and asked, "What do you want?"
"Promise me that you won't touch Nardodia and Emor. Once I died, Emor must succeed me as the King of Nardodia," Aryan Tripas said to Iria. His expression was just blank and it's hard to guess what he was thinking.
Iria looked at the Generals behind the Nardodian King and though the expression on their faces told her that it was hard for them, they weren't surprised by what their King said.
Did Aryan Tripas already tell them about this?!
Conquering Nardodia was never her plan and even now, she felt the same. Killing Emor Tripas? Why would she do that while she decided to not take over Nardodia for his sake?!
If Aryan Tripas was really willing to sacrifice himself, then it would be good. At least, her soldiers won't have to die fighting the Nardodians. Besides, Aryan Tripas was her target from the beginning of the war.
Only one thing troubled her right now.
Did Aryan Tripas really mean what he said?
"Will someone like you really be willing to sacrifice yourself for others, Aryan Tripas?" she asked the Nardodian King with doubt. "I highly doubt that. How will I believe that this is not just a part of your trick?"
"If you know my nephew, then you should also know that if there is at least one person I truly care about, it's him," Aryan Tripas said in a firm voice. "Ensuring that my Tripas family sits on the throne of Nardodia is always my aim and even if I died, there is Emor. That's enough for me."
Now, all attention was on Iria as they wondered what decision she would make. However, the Queen maintained her silence and Aryan Tripas spoke up again.
"It seems like you still couldn't trust me," he said and briefly turned to General Arnet who came forward with a hint of reluctance.
With his gaze on Iria all the time, Aryan Tripas removed his crown from his head and handed it to Arnet. He handed him his sword too. Then he gets off his horse and walked closer to the Qalagon Queen.
"Please, Your Majesty!"
"Please don't do this!"
Aryan Tripas ignored the pleading of his Generals and halted in front of Iria. With one gesture from the Queen, Zire gets off his horse and quickly inspected Aryan Tripas to see if he had any hidden weapon with him. After a while, the General turned to Iria and shook his head.
"Will you trust me now?" Aryan Tripas asked Iria.. "Take my life and spare Nardodia and Emor."
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