"Rion told me that his Commander spends each day here, looking for a path."

Commander Iria quickly turned around when she heard a familiar voice. Then she saw Prince Orius riding his horse towards her.

"Your Highness."

"I heard that it's been 7 days, Commander Iria," Orius Aventine said when he halted his horse beside hers. "Are you still insisting to go with this plan? The enemies will set out anytime now."

"I know that," Iria Alewine promptly replied. "But I have a backup plan and that doesn't need much preparation. So, I refused to give up while there is still some time."

"Backup plan?" Orius Aventine asked as he had never heard about that. "What is it?"

Iria Alewine hesitated for a while. However, the Second Prince will be in charge of the Royal Army in the upcoming war and they will have to work together in everything. So, she finally responded by saying, "I plan to use myself as bait."

Bait?!

The Second Prince's eyes grew wide when he heard her.

Had she gone crazy?!

"That's absurd," he snapped. "I don't know the details but if anything goes wrong, our side will lose our Commander-in-chief. Do you think the soldiers will be able to continue fighting if that happens?"

"I know it's a huge risk but... if succeeded, it will be very effective," the Commander argued in a pretty firm voice.

When Prince Orius didn't say anything, she continued explaining.

"King Rozalez is thirsty for revenge and... I'm the one he wants." She made a deliberate pause, recalling the war that took place 4 months ago. "We killed two Generals in that war and both of them died in my hands. I know one of the Generals well and if the Second Prince was there disguising as a General, he should be the other one. I had never seen him before."

"That's the more reason why you shouldn't use yourself as bait," Prince Orius argued. However, he was aware of her stubborn nature. What happened in Qalagon was the proof.

When Iria tried to speak up, he asked, "If we find the path, that means you don't have to use that plan you mentioned, right?"

The Commander nodded with a confused face and when the Second Prince saw this, he explained by saying, "You're the Commander-in-chief for this war and that means you're above me. If you really insisted, there's nothing I could do. So, I think finding that path is the only hope."

"You will also look for the path?" Iria asked. Her confusion was still there.

It felt like the Prince had switched back to his behaviour in Qalagon but... thinking of the indifferent behaviour he showed her since they return to Jerivia, she only felt more troubled.

Why did the puzzle become more and more complicated?

Orius Aventine simply nodded at her question. "Let's go. We don't have much time."

* * *

The war between Qalagon and Alora had reached its peak. With both sides fighting nonstop for a while now, every part of the ground was stained with blood.

Despite being lesser in numbers, the Qalagon soldiers were highly motivated to win the war. Putting in mind that their homes and their beloved kingdom will be in danger if they lose this war, they gave their all to fight the enemies.

King Declan still haven't made any movement as it was his son, the Crown Prince who lead the soldiers. Riding his horse, his gaze was fixated on the Qalagon Crown Prince who strikes down every Alorian who dared to stand in his way!

The King spent most of his prime on the battlefield and though he was past his prime now, he still participated in wars often. Even if he didn't fight it himself, he knew how his soldiers were motivated by his presence alone. So, he always participated if he could.

However, King Declan was highly impressed by the skills and bravery of the young Qalagon Crown Prince. How the soldiers trusted him was something to be wary of. The Crown Prince reminded him of himself in his prime.

Too bad he was an enemy.

King Declan reached out his right hand to the side and a soldier handed him a bow and arrow. Pulling the strings, the head of his arrow was aimed at the Qalagon Crown Prince. Soon, he released the arrow.

Arin Helev always had a great sense and hearing. As such, it wasn't hard for him to catch the arrow despite being busy slashing his enemies! Glancing at the King of Alora with his gaze devoid of any fear, he used the same arrow to kill one of the Alorian soldiers. Seeing this, there was a little smirk on the King's lips.

"Your Majesty, we already lost too many soldiers. If this goes on, we might be at a disadvantage," the General of Alora Army who was in the right of the King said while observing the war.

The power of the high morale soldiers was always powerful than one could ever imagine and... the war they were currently fighting was one example.

"The Qalagons are aggressive but after a while, they will be worn out," the King simply said. "They are humans too. It's not like they can't run out of energy."

"The Crown Prince of Qalagon is pretty confident, Your Majesty. Maybe he has some backup plan," the other General on the left said to King Declan.

King Declan briefly thought about it and said, "The Duke will surely tell us if there is such a thing. He is more desperate for victory than us."

"You have a point, Your Majesty," the General on the right spoke up again. "The Duke will surely know that if we lose here, his plan to claim back Nardodia might fail."

King Declan lifted his head and stared at the sky. "I think the Duke will already be successful in occupying the land. The Qalagon soldiers who are in the area might be wiped out by now."

"Your Majesty! The Crown Prince of Qalagon is coming at His Highness!"

King Declan immediately shifted his gaze to his son when he heard one of his Generals. He noticed how the two Crown Princes already started fighting!

"I'll go and aid His Highness," one of the Generals quickly said and tried to ride his horse towards the two Crown Princes. However, one swift arrow from the Qalagons which was perfectly planted on his chest was enough to take him down!

The King and others all shifted their gaze in the direction where the arrow was coming. What they saw was a young man with a bow in his hand. Simply tilting his head and staring at them as if he didn't care much, the young man's lips curved into a little smile.

King Declan was known for his patience but... he was instantly filled with rage when he saw the young man. Clenching his fist, he glared at him as he grunted, "Nico Petrus!"