The Chronicles Of New Havens

On the next day, the winds were howling as people were rushing about. A rising ferocious and bloodthirsty spirit engulfed the camp. The generals had decided that this would be the best time to launch an attack on the Yunyun Stronghold. If they delayed too long, then the Xingyuu armies in the north could supply reinforcements! Although the Alzar army was very impressive, their numerical advantage balanced well against the empire's home ground advantage. It would not be easy to siege the Yunyun Stronghold. Only when the stronghold fell could the Alzar Kingdom properly make a foothold in the Xingyuu Empire!

Of course, the secondary reason was that a large escort fleet would be making its way back to Pelangi Fortress, the Alzar's equivalent of the Yunyun Stronghold. The generals were concerned that the empire would try to attack the fleet mid-voyage, so a total of five thousand soldiers was assigned. In addition, the simultaneous attack on the stronghold would force the empire's attention away. At least, that was the plan. The way things turned out made General Illion change his plans. He was already hard to approach, but the new deviations made him scowl further. However, there was nothing he could do. In the face of the heir apparent and the Imperial Princesses, he had to prioritize them!

The flagship of the fleet was shabbier than the Royal Algard Warship, Excellica, but nonetheless was an extremely beautiful and large vessel. The four massive masts proudly sported the insignia of the Alzar Kingdom: a lion and snake. It could comfortably fit several hundred people under its deck. As the iconic flagship, Elizabeth and her friends were all onboard as were the Imperial Princesses and their Protectors. Unexpectedly, Elizabeth caught sight of General Illion boarding as well! For the Army General to be personally leading the escort back was shocking. But Illion felt uncomfortable giving this important task for any of his Legion Generals.

It was late afternoon when the proud fleet departed from the town and entered the open waters. Deep azure water battered the sides of the sh.i.p.s as they flowed into the Maelstrom Gulf. Their destination was Pelangi Fortress! Elizabeth was looking somberly over the flagship railing, watching as the coastline fade away. In all this time, she had not spoken to Illion once. Although he was outwardly respectful and courteous, it was clear how strong his disdain was for her. Because of her mishap in Port Silic, his reputation and authority were all seriously questioned. To have Imperial Sentinels infiltrate the city and escape, in broad daylight after killing several Great Knights, was an enormous deal… As a result, she had driven clear of the general, but now she realized she could not. She had to get answers!

As a result, she found herself in the general's office. The air was oppressive, like a parent glaring down on a child, as Illion stared at her silently. Elizabeth could feel that the mood was very hard to breath in. Despite being the heir apparent, it felt like the opposite! Eventually, he retracted his gaze. A flash of derision and disappointment appeared for an instant. Elizabeth noticed and was slightly speechless. Anger flared up inside of her! Even if she made a mess in the capital, he did not have the right to criticize her! Whose city defenses failed to stop twenty measly people? It was his!

"Enough of this!" she grumbled. "Tell me the situation in Castle Reinhard and with Lord Korogin!"

General Illion chuckled. "There is nothing to be worried about. Do not pay attention to the ramblings of the empire."

"But…"

"Do not worry about a thing, Your Highness. Leave this matter to the war council."

Unsatisfied, Elizabeth bit her lip. She had a bad feeling about everything the enigmatic Minister Linshi said. Even though she did not fully trust the Imperial Princesses, the fact that General Illion swept her worries away so carefreely irritated her. She declared, "I am the heir apparent of the Alzar Kingdom and I demand that you tell me everything you know!" Her voice was strong and unyielding, like a true descendant of royalty!

Seeing this, General Illion raised an eyebrow. He clearly did not expect this side of her. Of course, that surprise vanished as he was forced to explain, "As you believed, Lord Korogin is currently not in Castle Reinhard. He is on a special mission."

Bewildered, she had to repeat, "Special mission? What do you mean?"

Sighing, he continued, "The Second Great Kingdom War might encompass the entire the known world, but in reality, the fighting is quite localized. Currently, there are two active battlefronts. The first is the south of the Alzar Kingdom, the Goron Province. The second is the Maelstrom Gulf here. Our vanguard fleets a month ago destroyed any fleet they could encounter. Right now, the Xingyuu Empire's fleets are holing up in the stronghold."

"What does that have to do with Lord Korogin?" Elizabeth frowned.

"Everything. Look how many soldiers are present on both battlefields. Both sides combined have around several hundred thousand! In fact, the amount of available manpower in both civilizations is stretched thin. What Lord Korogin is doing… is leading a surprise attack on the Xingyuu Empire's capital, Yongtein! He plans on taking the emperor's head in one decisive strike!" Even as he said it, he looked as if he could not believe his words either.

"What?" She shot to her feet. Waves of shock battered her mind. "Why would he do such a thing?"

"To be honest, this matter was going to be handled by General Gordon. Lord Korogin's involvement in this was unexpected and unplanned for. Even I don't know what he's thinking," he said with a bitter face.

"Then how is he going to be fine?" Elizabeth furiously shouted.

At some point, though she had not yet realized it, she had accepted Lord Korogin as a surrogate father. As the person closest to her true parents, in the absence of King Harth, he was tasked to raise her up to become the future queen! He was one of the few people in the entire world that knew her true heritage! Though their past relationship was rocky, now that she had people to care about, she felt in her a duty to serve and protect the Alzar Kingdom. She wanted to make amends for the mess she made. Ever since she was captured, she resolved herself!

"Lord Korogin should be safe," he hesitated. "The Xingyuu Empire's armies are focused on the two warfronts. They shouldn't have any excess manpower to sit around. Although the standing army in Yongtein is strong, we've made appropriate preparations. Furthermore, not even the army under Lord Korogin's command has any idea what or where they're headed. They don't even know Lord Korogin is leading it. How could the Imperial Council know? The battle will be over before they know it."