The Third Prince Of Darkness

-A Few Weeks Later

For the past few days, I have been commanding the army assigned to me, and now I find myself in a military camp near a forested area in the southern part of the Asina Kingdom. The total number of combat-ready soldiers in this army is approximately 10,000. Although this number is less than I desired, it is still enough to change the course of a war if used effectively.

However, after a few days of inspections and observations, it didn't take me long to realize that every soldier in this army was highly inexperienced, and their Kaizer powers were minimal at best. While I hadn't expected them to give me the most skilled and experienced soldiers, I also hadn't anticipated this level of inadequacy. My initial plan was to shadow Alpshar's army from a few days' distance and lure them to a location of my choosing, allowing me to dictate the battlefield. However, since almost all of my troops are infantry, this plan is entirely unfeasible.

The most notable thing about southern armies is their exceptional horsemanship. Southern horses are renowned for their agility, making it nearly impossible for me to evade Alpshar's vanguard cavalry during a chase. Also, I repeatedly demanded that the Tamerid Empire send me someone who was highly familiar with the south. They eventually did send someone claiming to be knowledgeable, but after a few consultation sessions, I realized he was an incompetent fool.

In short, I now have what looks like an army on paper, but in reality, it is nothing more than a militia composed of a handful of peasants. Reaching my objective has become significantly harder, but now is not the time to succumb to despair. Even if they deliberately gave me such an army, there is no point in reacting emotionally. At present, the coalition's main army has already advanced swiftly to the south. One of the leaders of this army is my father, Richard, who reported that they have, quite literally, lost track of Alpshar's forces.

Yes, an entire army has seemingly vanished—as if such a thing were possible! I requested intelligence from the Servant Guild regarding Alpshar's army, and from what I know, a response should arrive today. Hopefully, they will provide something useful, as I am at a loss for what to do next. Should I take the risk and head south, or wait for Alpshar's first move? For now, I have decided to stay here until I gather sufficient information.

Suddenly, my bannerman entered through the cloth doorway of the large tent I was in.

"Your Excellency, a young woman claiming to bring important news to you, has arrived. Shall we let her in?"

It seemed the person from the Servant Guild was finally here with the information I had been waiting for.

"Let her in."

As I poured myself coffee from the pot simmering over the low fire beside the table, which was covered with maps, an unexpected figure stepped into the tent. She was a strikingly beautiful woman with long crimson hair and stunning emerald eyes. Since the last time I had seen her, she had matured in every sense. Not just her physique, but even the look in her eyes was far more profound than I remembered. Still, there was a distinct hint of surprise in her expression as she looked at me.

"I wasn't expecting you today, Althea... You seem to have grown quite a bit."

Maintaining her expression, Althea respectfully bowed her head before me. "I am grateful for your praise. My mother has sent here me to deliver information to you, Your Excellency."

"Is that so? How delightful... So, where is this information?"

Seeing that she carried neither papers or anything resembling a report, I couldn't help but ask this question.

"Recently, obtaining information from the south has become exceedingly risky. Therefore, we have resorted to transmitting intelligence verbally. I will deliver all the information to you personally, Your Excellency."

Her words made me pause momentarily, but this situation was likely indicative of Alpshar's strong intelligence network.

"Where is Alpshar's army?"

For a moment, Althea remained silent, her eyes seemingly lost in thought. Then, lifting her gaze to meet mine, she continued. "Your Excellency, that question is complicated. Alpshar's army appears to have vanished, but there are rumors suggesting that part of it may have retreated to the southern Blue Forest. However, I lack concrete evidence, as the flow of information from the south is severely limited. Still, I have a strong feeling that there is something behind this disappearance. Someone might have taken measures to conceal the movements of his forces. Based on the information we have, they should be near or within the Blue Forest, which serves as the natural border between the south and the north."

The area known as the Blue Forest was, in fact, the very place I had sent Roxanne long ago after she escaped from her dungeon with the Servant Guild's help. However, those forests were notorious for their dangerous beasts and poisonous plants. Keeping an entire army near such a place would either be the act of a madman… or a genius.

"So, Alpshar's army has retreated near the Blue Forest?"

Althea nodded, continuing, "Yes, Your Excellency. However, this information is not definitive. There are many rumors, but no concrete evidence. The dangers within the Blue Forest pose a significant risk of maintaining an army there, especially one of that size."

This situation aligned with my own thoughts. If Alpshar had indeed retreated to that location, it was not an escape, but a meticulously calculated strategy. The Blue Forest was teeming with perilous creatures and vegetation. Using it to hide an army would be an incredibly effective way to mislead the enemy. However, it also carried immense risks. If an error were made within or near the forest, an army trapped there could easily be destroyed. Still, this task was better suited for the coalition's primary army rather than my inexperienced and underpowered forces.

Althea's words stirred countless questions and strategic possibilities in my mind. If Alpshar's army truly was there, confirming this would matter; yet, at the same time, it might also pull me into their trap.

"Positioning an army in the Blue Forest is certainly a bold move," I said, focusing on the map before me. "However, I have my thoughts on this kind of strategy. If Alpshar's army is indeed there, locating it and devising a strategy will be easy."

Althea remained silent for a moment, as if weighing my words. Then, stepping closer, she spoke in a lower tone.

"Your Excellency, my mother confirmed this information, but by other sources as well. However, I cannot confidently say we have anyone we can truly trust. A few local villagers reported movement deep within the forest, but no one dares to approach, and no concrete details have emerged. The Blue Forests are extremely dangerous. Hiding an army there would require an exceptionally well-devised plan."

At that moment, a realization struck me. As Althea had mentioned, concealing an army within that forest would not only mislead the enemy but also turn the entire region into a trap. Entering the Blue Forests meant accepting every conceivable risk. But it also hinted at the possibility that controlling areas near the forest might not be as difficult as it seemed. Such a move indicated that Alpshar wasn't merely hiding—there was a much more calculated reason for retreating to the Blue Forests.

In such a situation, Alpshar had to think of appropriate strategies for survival, but he also had to better monitor his enemy. But I don't think that was Alpshar's original plan.... He had retreated to the Blue Forest for a much more subtle reason.

It became evident that Alpshar must have known the Tamerid Empire was monitoring him and his forces. Moreover, he likely knew that the coalition forces were discussing battle strategies in the Tamerid capital. By moving his army early, he forced the coalition into quicker decision-making. In short, Alpshar probably knew that the Tiamat Emperor Lutharion would propose to split the coalition forces. This revelation made one thing clear—Lutharion was a traitor.

I let out a deep sigh. It finally became clear why Roxanne said we would lose this war despite all our advantages. Lutharion had betrayed us to prevent his niece Catherine from claiming the throne and to establish himself as the sole, legitimate ruler of the Tiamat Empire.

"Haah... Thank you for bringing me this information,"

Althea seemed to notice my morale had plummeted as she hesitated to leave the tent.

"Could you fetch me that piece of paper over there?" I asked, gesturing toward a letter on the table behind her.

Without delay, Althea retrieved the paper and handed it to me. I picked up a pen and began to think. I needed to send this letter to Richard immediately, but there was a high risk of interception. Writing it in code was essential, but I wasn't sure how to craft a cipher Richard would understand.

"Althea, can you help me? I imagine the Servant's Guild must have trained you in writing coded messages."

Althea hesitated briefly before nodding. "Yes, Your Excellency. The Servant's Guild is highly skilled in encryption and covert communication. I can assist… but is everything alright? You seem quite exhausted."

"I'm fine. Just write it in a way my father, King Richard, will be able to decipher."

After a moment of hesitation, Althea carefully sat down across from me and began explaining how the letter should be encrypted. In no time, we outlined specific symbols and letter placements on the paper. Every step was meticulously planned, and each letter was chosen with precision to convey its intended meaning. Her knowledge was yet another testament to the Servant's Guild's remarkable abilities.

"In this way, only those with the correct key can decode the message," Althea said, handing over the completed letter. "I've incorporated some unique markers that only your father would recognize."

I examined the letter closely. Thanks to Althea's expertise, the message was entirely secure. Now, the only challenge was ensuring it reached Richard safely—a task fraught with its own dangers. If the enemy intercepted this letter, everything we had could be jeopardized.

"Thank you, Althea. You've been an incredible help," I said, carefully folding the paper and tucking it into my pocket. Though uncertainty and doubt lingered, I felt a small measure of relief. Once this letter reached Richard, we'd have a clearer path forward. For now, all I could do was wait for the right moment to act.