Trash Prince and Ice Queen 10th Re - Life-Chapter 171: Prepare For War part II
Meanwhile, at the front lines of the war between Fredonia and Durnhill, inside the command tent of the Fredonian army camp located at the bridge fortress crossing into the southern continent—the border with the Durnhill Kingdom—Alicia and Pyria sat behind a long table typically used for strategy meetings. Across from them sat Alexis, who was currently reading the letter from Ard they had delivered. Alexis’s expression shifted from tense to relaxed and back to tense again. However, he eventually looked relieved and offered a thin smile, though his eyes seemed tinged with sadness, perhaps because he missed his younger brother. Once he finished, he set the letter on the table and looked at Alicia and Pyria.
"So that’s the plan... Before long, legendary kingdoms from the underground will launch an attack. The Durnhill Kingdom and Ard want us to break through the border, join the assault against them, and then push onward to the central continent to strike at the Orthus Empire," Alexis muttered, deep in thought.
"That’s exactly right, Brother Alexis. Right now, Eva, Geoffrey, Mirea, and Milia are down there speaking with the two kings. They already said they would help us, and it’s clear we need their strength now," Alicia said.
"It’s the truth, Prince Alexis. Alicia and I saw and heard everything for ourselves," Pyria added.
"Yes, I believe you. Ard has clearly thought this through. He knows exactly that we’re capable of breaking through and crushing the Durnhill forces, who keep baiting us by advancing and retreating to stall for time. I’ve felt something was off about this war from the start; we never engage in a frontal battle, and it seems the enemy’s goal really is just to delay us," Alexis muttered, deep in thought.
"That’s exactly right, Brother," Alicia said.
"Just as you suspected, Ard read the situation perfectly. He said that in a direct confrontation, Fredonia—the second most powerful kingdom in the world—could never lose to Durnhill. The only reason Durnhill is playing this game of cat and mouse is to buy time to send troops to the Orthus Empire while keeping Fredonia too busy to send reinforcements to the Ateras Kingdom," Pyria added, clarifying the plan.
"Hmm... I see. And according to this letter, we’re going to be assisted by the Vampires?" Alexis asked, pointing toward the scroll.
"That’s right, Brother. One of our companions is currently meeting with the Elf and Vampire tribal chiefs in the Sacred Forest. Ard has arranged for the Elves to support the Rellios Kingdom while the Vampires will be coming to our aid," Alicia answered.
The tent fell silent. Alicia and Pyria glanced at each other as they watched Alexis think hard. After a few moments, Alexis rolled Ard’s letter back up and looked at them both with a smile, his eyes showing he had made his decision.
"Alright, I understand. I trust Ard, and I trust you two. The moment we get word from the Raven squad in Whitdale, we will immediately break through and launch an assault across the border," Alexis said firmly.
Hearing his words, Alicia and Pyria’s faces lit up. They turned to each other, clasping hands, before looking back at Alexis.
"Thank you, Brother. Please let Pyria and me join you in the attack," Alicia said.
"That’s right, Your Highness," Pyria added.
"Very well, I understand... You two are my future sisters-in-law, after all. I’ll look out for you in this war. And Pyria, please don’t call me ’Your Highness.’ We’re going to be family one day; don’t be so formal with me," Alexis replied with a smile.
"Alright... Brother," Pyria replied shyly. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
"Now, that’s much better, haha!" Alexis laughed.
After that, without any further delay, Alexis ordered his guards to summon all of his generals for an immediate meeting to plan their offensive. He also requested that Alicia and Pyria join the meeting with him, sitting right by his side.
***
At the same time, in the home of the elf village chief, inside the room where Abel was being treated, Eledar and Dimitri were reading the letters Xeria had delivered to them. Meanwhile, Abel, still sitting on the bed with a pale face, watched the two of them closely. Xeria, disguised as a human, stood in the corner of the room, waiting for the chief and the count to finish reading their respective letters.
After finishing the letters, Eledar and Dimitri fell silent for a moment, both lost in thought with serious expressions. This made Abel curious, and he finally asked, "What did Ard say, Elder? Count Dimitri?"
"Ard wants us elves to help the Rellios Kingdom push forward and pressure the Imperial forces that have crossed into the northern continent from the east. Meanwhile, he and the demon race will attack the enemy in the north from the west. Our goal is to assist the Ateras Kingdom and guard the gates of hell that imprison Malekh," Eledar said with a smile.
"And Ard is asking the vampires to help the Fredonian army launch an open assault on the Durnhill Kingdom... and after that, strike the Orthus Empire. In other words, Ard is moving every kingdom to wipe out the Orthus Empire in a single blow. It’s actually a brilliant strategy, and I can’t refuse since Pyria—Eledar and Velvet’s daughter—is out there," Dimitri said, smiling.
"You’re incredible, Ard... truly my foolish little brother and the trash prince of Fredonia," Abel said, smiling with watery eyes, his face radiating pride.
"So, what is your decision, Village Elder? Count?" Xeria asked expectantly.
"No need to ask, is there? I will mobilize my forces to the Fredonia-Durnhill border immediately," Dimitri answered, standing up with a smile.
"Yes, I will do the same. I’ll send an envoy to the Rellios Kingdom to let them know we are joining their side," Eledar added, standing up as well.
"No need to worry about that, Elder. His Highness already explained everything in the letter he sent to King Brutus," Xeria said.
"I know, which is why I must send an envoy to confirm that what is written in the letter he received is the truth." Eledar turned to look at Abel. "Prince Abel, for the time being, please stay in our village to recover. Please remain here and do not leave. Ard wrote that in his letter as well—here, read it yourself," Eledar said, handing the letter to Abel.
Abel read the letter, his jaw tightening. At the bottom, there was indeed a personal message Ard had written for him.
"Brother Abel, stay calm there and don’t get involved in the war. You’ve fought enough; it’s time for you to rest and find happiness. Leave the rest to me. I love you."
Abel crumpled the letter, his tears falling in streams. He bowed his head, his trembling lips forming a smile as he whispered, "You foolish brother... truly a fool... thank you, Ard... I love you too, and I’ll be waiting for you to come back," he muttered silently.
Eledar and Dimitri smiled as they looked at Abel. They approached him as he sat there sobbing with his head bowed, each placing a hand on his shoulders. From the corner of the room, Xeria watched them, smiling as she wiped away a stray tear with her finger. Once Abel had regained his composure,
"Very well. Please excuse me, Prince Abel. I will organize my troops first so that we can depart for the border this very day," Count Dimitri said.
"That’s right. I also ask for a moment to speak with the villagers—the elven forces—to prepare for our departure to the Rellios Kingdom," Eledar added.
"All right. Thank you, Elder Eledar... Count Dimitri," Abel replied with a faint smile.
Without any further delay, Eledar and Dimitri quickly stepped out of the room where Abel was staying. Abel then turned to look at Xeria, who was standing in the corner of the room.
"Aren’t you going with them, Xeria? And what about Baalbel, who is currently disguised as me at the palace?" Abel asked.
"I am not going, Your Highness. I will remain here to accompany you. Also, I have a message from Baalbel for you," Xeria said, pulling a letter from inside her clothes and handing it to him.
Abel took the letter and read it, his eyes darting back and forth with intense focus. His jaw tightened, but then he smiled and looked up at Xeria.
"Very well. Tell Baalbel he has my permission. Mobilize all the Raven forces to map out the Durnhill royal army and incite a rebellion within their capital. Tell him quickly, Xeria," Abel said, his voice full of excitement.
"As you wish, Your Highness. With pleasure. I’ll be gone for just a moment and will return to your side immediately. I’ll take my leave now," Xeria replied with a bow and a smile.
Xeria then opened a portal and stepped through to meet Baalbel, leaving Abel alone in the room. "Crinkle," Abel crumpled the letter, a massive grin spreading across his face.
"Sorry, Ard, but there’s no way I can just sit still in a situation like this. Don’t worry, I’ll move in the shadows and support your plan. And sorry for borrowing two of your generals," Abel muttered to himself, looking up at the ceiling with a wide smile.
