Chương 174: The King Goes to War

At the center of the continent, in the forest regions. Xia, Leah, and Mason walked along a narrow path that wound its way through the forest. Towering trees rose above them, their trunks as wide as towers and their branches intertwining so high above that they almost completely concealed the sky. They seemed to have existed for thousands of years, as though they had endured countless ages without ever yielding to the passage of time. Leah sighed, looking around with an exasperated expression.

"I'm tired of seeing trees this big…how damn vast is this forest?" Mason smiled faintly.

"We are in the heart of the continent, in the forest regions, my dear Leah. They are called that because the forest stretches for thousands of kilometers, covering several regions". Leah glanced at him.

"Thousands of kilometers? Are you sure we're not lost?"

"I understand your fear, it's easy to get lost here but you have nothing to fear with me. I know this place well".

"Oh really?" Mason nodded.

"Trust me". That night, they stopped to rest beneath a massive tree whose thick foliage provided them with only partial shelter from the persistent drizzle. Leah fell asleep on the grass, wrapped in a white blanket. Mason sat on a log with his legs crossed. Xia approached him in silence.

"What are your intentions with her?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean. You were the one who showed me those memories of our past. I know what kind of monster you are".

"Don't worry, Leah is just temporary entertainment. I don't intend to keep this going for too long. Once we leave this forest, I'll leave her behind".

"So you don't know where we're going. You don't know this place at all".

"No, this place all looks the same. I have no idea where we're going".

"Then why don't you teleport us out of here?" Mason smiled.

"Why should I? I'm only here to enjoy Xia without her memories, not to help her". Xia sighed, annoyed by his attitude, then walked away with an elegant stride. The following morning, the rain had stopped, but the sky remained covered by a thick blanket of clouds that seemed to promise more rainfall. The three of them followed a muddy path when Xia, who was walking a few steps ahead, suddenly stopped. She lowered her gaze to the ground, carefully examining the footprints left in the mud.

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"Horse and human tracks. They're fresh. They were heading in that direction" she said, pointing with her index finger. Leah immediately placed a hand on the hilt of her sword. Her expression grew serious. Mason, on the other hand, maintained a calm expression, though he slowed his pace. They continued forward more cautiously, following the tracks. After a few minutes, the path suddenly opened into a wide clearing. Dozens upon dozens of bodies lay scattered across the mud.

Broken armor and torn banners were strewn everywhere, while blood had already mixed with the damp earth. They were soldiers of the Kingdom of Valeron. Leah's eyes widened.

"So many dead…" Mason placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Soldiers of the King. They tried to retake the central regions but it doesn't seem to have gone the way they hoped". Xia moved among the corpses with a cold, attentive gaze. She examined them one by one until she crouched beside a soldier lying on top of another body. She carefully moved him aside. Beneath him was a young female soldier with blonde hair and bangs. Her face was covered in mud and blood. Yet her chest was still rising, albeit faintly. Mason approached and noticed her barely perceptible breathing.

He gently placed his boot on the girl's shoulder.

"Hey you, stop pretending to be dead". The girl's eyes suddenly flew open. With a swift movement, she drew a dagger and attempted to strike him, but Mason was faster and seized her wrist. Leah drew her sword and, without hesitation, held the blade against the girl's throat.

"Drop the dagger, now. I don't want to hurt you". The girl stared at her for a moment, then dropped the weapon into the mud.

"Who are you? You don't seem to be part of the coalition" she asked, her voice tense.

"Because we're not" Mason replied. Xia studied her.

"Why did you pretend to be dead?" The girl did not answer.

"What's your name?" Leah asked, sheathing her sword but remaining on guard. The young woman straightened herself despite her exhaustion.

"Fedora. Fedora Gavalis. Captain of the Golden Knights". Her blue eyes still shone with determination. Mason raised an eyebrow.

"Captain of the Golden Knights and you pretend to be dead?" Fedora glared at him.

"My commander ordered me to stay alive at all costs. That's what I did. We tried to repel one of their support squads but we were surrounded, pretending to be dead allowed me to survive". She then looked at them one by one.

"I don't know where you're headed but you should turn back. There's a real massacre further ahead". Xia slowly shook her head.

"We won't. Take us to the battlefield".

"Are you insane? The Coalition's army will kill you". Mason gave a faint smile.

"Don't underestimate us, Captain. Now lead us there". Fedora looked at each of them in turn.

"Don't say I didn't warn you". She crouched beside the body of one of her fallen comrades and picked up his sword. Gently, she closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry…I'll make sure your deaths were not in vain". She sheathed the sword and began walking, leading the way. Meanwhile, at the royal palace, the atmosphere was extremely tense. Oscar paced back and forth through the throne room, his black cloak brushing against the marble floor with every step.

"Xarath has disappeared?!" Declan lowered his gaze.

"Yes, Your Majesty. My spies report that he has stopped conquering the Coalition's lands". Serjey stepped forward.

"At this rate, the Coalition with the seven legendary swords will reclaim those lands in no time. And the capital will be at risk again". Karl folded his hands.

"Your Majesty…what do you intend to do?" Oscar stopped. For a moment, his gaze grew distant.

"My heir will be born soon. But if I lose this war…he will never become King. The House Hawk will die with me…and if that happens, I will be remembered as the worst king in my family's history, even worse than that fat bastard of a brother of mine. I cannot allow that". He clenched his fists. Then he raised his gaze, now burning with fierce determination.

"I will personally go to the army stationed in the central regions. Riding Death. I will burn every single enemy". Teresa stepped forward, horrified.

"Absolutely not. You're the King. You will not fight on the front lines. We have already discussed this". Oscar looked at her without hesitation.

"Yes, and I remain convinced of my position. I will go to war and lead my army".

"You can't go there alone…it's too dangerous".

"And who said I would be alone? I'll need the other dragons as well. And you will lead them, Mother. Are you up to it?"

"The Queen Mother as well?" Serjey asked.

"Your Majesty, perhaps you should reconsider-" Karl tried to say"No, this is my decision. Mother, will you come with me?" Oscar said confidently. Teresa, although hesitant, nodded.

"Yes, my son…I will come with you".