Undead Beast Master: Living Solely for My Desires-Chapter 174 : United We Stand

"Look, isn't that disgusting? How can they call themselves an empire when they rely on such disgraceful tactics?" General Hadrik spoke with disgust as he glanced at the horizon.

"I have to agree with you, sir," one of the soldiers Hadrik had taken with him when he went for the scout mission spoke evenly.

"Rather than attacking us and trying to seize their cities back, they choose to stand back and wait. It is an honorless tactic, no, even worse, it is cowardly!"

Shifting his gaze from the horizon, the general got off the horse he was riding with a grunt. Gazing at the men he had brought with him, he commanded,

"We have ridden enough, take a moment to satisfy your hunger and wet your throats."

With a nod, the men complied. They got off their horses as well.

They acted silently and in harmony. They were truly the best the empire had to offer.

One gathered wood and started a fire, another took out part of the food they had started the journey with, and others took out a few cups and began to fill them up with water.

There was one that climbed high into a tree, making absolutely sure that there weren't any enemies around them.

Once the temporary camp was settled, they all began to eat and drink silently. There wasn't a hint of happiness or gratitude. Even in this somewhat safe environment, they were still in the middle of war, deep in enemy territory, and as such, they didn't allow themselves even a moment of true rest as all of them were on guard.

"Was it truly wise to leave the army and come so far here to scout, sir?" One of the men finally broke the silence that had fallen on them.

Not bothering to look the man in the eyes, Hadrik replied,

"These spineless cowards wouldn't attack even if they knew that the enemy general isn't there, so there is no need to worry about the matter."

Despite being trained to not show emotions, it was clear that the elite knights that were alongside the general had worried looks on their faces. It was rare that they saw their general so angry.

"How do you think we should proceed?" another man asked as he gazed at his empty cup.

Hadrik sighed as he shifted his gaze to the cloudy sky. It was soon going to rain.

"We have invaded their territory and conquered a few of their cities… and yet rather than fighting back, they do not dare to attack. Instead, they have fortified their cities… almost like they are waiting for something."

That thought was what bothered the general so much. It was clear that his enemy was biding for time. But why? What could they hope to achieve by doing that?

It wasn't like the other empires were going to come to their aid… nor would they deploy all their forces just to deal with the few thousand men Hadrik had gathered with him.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.

"Maybe they would send their strongest forces? Is that why they are waiting?" Hadrik muttered under his breath.

He wasn't seeing the full picture, which was rare for him. He had to find what he was missing as soon as possible. It wasn't just the lives of the men he was commanding that were at stake, it was something much more important.

Solara Virelia's life was to be protected at all costs, and yet they had managed to let the enemy capture her.

It was a disgrace to the Crimson Sun Empire and their abilities.

Making up his mind, Hadrik gazed at the men he had taken with him.

"Once our rest is done, we are to return to the main camp."

One of the soldiers raised an eyebrow.

"Do you happen to have come up with a plan, sir?"

Meeting the knight's gaze, Hadrik spoke, his voice tinged with regret.

"Yes. We tried the honorable way… but it seems that there would be no honor in this war. As such, once we are united with the main camp, we will immediately move."

His eyes seemed to darken more than usual. "If they think we can't go around them, they are severely mistaken."

*****

"The general is coming back!" The woman's voice, stationed to stand guard, echoed across the captured city.

The army was stationed in one of the cities that they had conquered. After killing everybody, including the civilians, they concluded that the place would make a good temporary shelter.

"General Hadrik!"

As soon as they saw their leader, the soldiers in the vicinity all saluted in respect.

"Where is Thorne?" Hadrik was asking for where his right-hand man was.

"Good to see you return safe and sound, my liege," a younger man in his late twenties came at the general's request.

"Have we been attacked?" Hadrik asked despite already knowing the answer.

"No, sir, we haven't been bothered at all. It's like they are reluctant to oppose us."

Hadrik scoffed as he heard those words. "Figures… spread the word, I want the thousand best men in our camp ready to go the next morning!"

Thorne's eyes widened at the general's words. "Do you have a plan, sir?"

"Yes, our enemy is too afraid to attack us, leaving us with no choice but to move toward them instead."

Raising an eyebrow, Thorne asked, "But wouldn't that be playing right into their plan?"

"No, we would go around them."

"With all due respect, we can't. They have fortified the nearby cities, and if we attack by land, we'll be spotted immediately."

"That is right." Hadrik smirked as he pointed east.

"If we attack by land, that is, but they've left us no choice. You'll stay here with the main army, so we seem uncertain of our next move. Meanwhile, I'll lead the chosen men around their empire by the ocean."

The general's eyes seemed to shine menacingly as he spoke. "They will regret moving such a large force far from their capital."