The Courtesan

Chapter 63

KRON

“HIS HIGHNESS HAS RETURNED!!”

It was such an ostentatious welcome even though I was aware the officials were displeased with me. I walked straight to my father’s office and wasn’t surprised to see them all there, waiting with disapproval on their faces.

I knelt on one knee to greet my father who sat on his throne. He looked bored and acknowledged my greeting with the barest of nods.

“Report.”

“We have secured the forest area and are making plans to advance. The enemy is armed with trebuchets and many other weapons. They also seem to use rifles but they pose no problem as of now. We can advance to Turia.”

“Have you spotted any war generals or commanders?”

“I killed the front commander but I spotted no war generals,” I replied proudly. It was the reason why I was so motivated to stay in the frontlines.

“That’s fine. As you all know, the six war generals of Uramuth pose the biggest threat to us. They are rumored to have the strength of ten men and possess a remarkable ability to not die. I have witnessed the strength of one first hand.”

Father had? I had no idea.

The Six War Generals of Uramuth were legendary figures who had their tales told all around the continent. Uramuth was a large empire that conquered their territory fully less than ten years ago. This was mainly due to their war generals who possessed special weapons made from Iorite and their special skills. None of the generals have been replaced and their infamy never faded.

Knowing this, my father was still confident in challenging Uramuth. None of us still fully knew what his strategy was but whatever he was cooking up, all of us knew there couldn’t be anyone scarier than my father.

Dismissed from the meeting, I walked back to my assigned area where Reid was already waiting for me. From the looks of it, he had a lot to tell me.

“So, how’d it go?”

“They weren’t impressed but at least they didn’t withdraw me from the front lines.”

“I kind of wish they did,” he mumbled.

“What was that?”

“I said I wish your highness were safer.”

“We’re at war, Reid. Tis’ nothing but a pipe dream. So, what did you come to report?”

“The troops have grown a bit since after we left.”

“Conscription?”

“No, not from that. The general of the west sent some of his soldiers.”

“Hmm?! How did my father manage to convince him?!”

“I don’t fully know but I don’t think that’s the case. The Captain he sent had specific instructions to ally themselves with you, the crown prince. There are rumors going around that you’ve done the impossible and managed to get two generals on your side.”

“But… I haven’t though…”

“I know that your highness but they don’t and they don’t have to. I don’t want to wish you any ill luck but we have to be extremely careful.”

“... You’re right.”

“On the bright side, your plan might be finally working!”

“... Why does it feel like you’re being sarcastic?”

“You’re being too paranoid, your highness. The captain wants to meet with you. Should I call him now?”

“Yes.”

Reid left the room for a while and soon returned with a tall man with black hair with locks of grey in them and piercing hazel eyes wearing thin armor. He had the crest of the Tiller House, a spear pointing downwards with four barbs at the head and a whirlwind wrapping around the body of the spear.

It represented the soldiers of the Tiller House and Fort Rix adequately as they were excellent spearmen and long distance fighters. They didn’t fall behind with recent technology too, managing to create a fighting technique perfect for themselves.

“Greetings to your highness the crown prince.” He saluted.

“Greetings to you too. Can you tell me for what purpose General Tiller has sent you to me?”

“I was ordered by the general to assist your highness in battle. My general has said if you prove your worth in this war, he would lend his support and even more troops. He has promised to send down his top commander too.”

“When you say top commander, you don’t mean that beast, do you?” Reid interjected, horror radiating off him.

Among infamous legends, the beast in General Tiller’s troops was very well known. Known as the berserker, she was able to tear through every opponent in her way with seemingly inhuman strength. She was part of the few people in Casella rumored to be able to take down a war general.

“With all due respect, we do not like our young lady being referred to as a beast. It would ruin her chances of marriage.”

Goodluck finding someone who can deal with someone like her.

From the look on Reid’s face, he was thinking the same thing I was.

“What’s your name?”

“I am called Plato, your highness.”

“Alright Captain Plato, we will begin sharing our strategies and plans with you immediately. As of now, we wish to secure the frontlines and move forward into Uramuth. We also have plans to lure a war general out.”

“... Isn’t that a reckless move, your highness?”

“Drawing out a war general? Of course it is. It’s the riskiest plan I have ever thought of in my entire existence.”

“That is not what I speak of, your highness. I meant, is it reckless of you to tell us your plans and strategies?”

“Oh... well, aren’t you a strange one? I thought you would prefer perfect honesty so you can report back accurately to your master.”

“What if I didn’t give back an accurate report? My master will always take my word over yours?”

“If so, the risk would be mine to bear.”

“So, you would risk the lives of your men and your position as crown prince over a gut feeling, your highness?”

“Oi! You’re already trespassing your boundaries. You cannot speak to his highness anyhow you like,” Reid interjected angrily. However this man remained unaffected.

“Your highness, I do not believe you are such a foolish man. The General doesn’t trust you nor does he appreciate your strength, achievements or selflessness. Truth be told, the general did this off the recommendation from the commander herself. The commander isn’t such a petty person that she would withdraw the troops she sent in case of your suspicious behavior but for her to send us here, it means she plans on joining the battle. And the way I see it, you are not fit to lead an army and therefore, not fit for the commander’s support.”

“Oi!”

“Reid, wait. Captain Plato, what exactly is your endpoint?”

“I’m glad to see you are willing to listen, your highness. I have received a mandate from my commander. I am to train you and make you worthy of her support. Or better yet, worthy of felling a war general on your own.”

“And you are assured of my victory?”

“Of course. After all, I was the one who trained the famous beast of the west.”