Azula slept comfortably until late morning.
After waking, she saw Wolf still standing guard outside the tent.
Recalling her conversation with Kahn from the previous day, she got straight to the point and asked whether he was willing to pledge his loyalty to her.
Faced with such a sudden and significant question, Wolf was montarily stunned.
But after regaining his composure, he agreed without hesitation.
Although in so ways he had little choice, this did not an he was being forced.
On the contrary, he had been waiting for this mont for a long ti.
Just as Kahn had predicted, being threatened by Azula on one side and fearing Ozai on the other had tornted him for years.
Now that he had fully joined Azula's camp, he no longer had to worry about her threats.
With the pressure greatly reduced, those past blackmail incidents even turned into achievents.
It was simply a double gain.
Moreover, having served in the Royal Palace for many years, he understood Azula's position well and was aware of Ozai's favoritism toward her.
It was precisely because of this that Azula had such a tight hold over him.
Both he and Azula had made mistakes, but if exposed, Azula would at most be confined for a few days.
He, however, would face imprisonnt or even death.
How was he supposed to deal with that?
Of course, now this was no longer a problem.
As long as Azula did not make a major mistake, their future was guaranteed.
The thought of rising alongside her in the future instantly washed away his past suffering and grievances, leaving him refreshed.
When he learned that it was Kahn's suggestion that prompted Azula to recruit him, he was quite surprised, and his impression of Kahn shifted slightly.
As Iroh's disciple, Kahn had seemingly betrayed him and pledged loyalty to Azula, even being sent by Ozai on such a mission.
Though no one said it aloud, they had all looked down on him inwardly.
Although he no longer had much right to judge, Ozai and Azula were, after all, father and daughter of the sa faction, so the situation was different.
However, from their interactions over the past few days, he could see that the relationship between Kahn and Azula was unusual, far beyond that of a simple subordinate.
Though he did not know the reason, now that he had pledged loyalty to Azula, he and Kahn were colleagues.
He had to change his previous attitude.
So he asked Azula,
"Your Highness, how should I treat Kahn?"
Azula thought for a mont and said,
"If anything happens when I'm not around, follow his orders."
"Otherwise, maintain the current arrangent."
"If he does anything unusual... forget it, just treat him as normal. That's enough."
After speaking, she suddenly rembered sothing and added aningfully,
"Also, if Kahn finds out about this conversation..."
"Yes, this subordinate understands!"
Wolf imdiately agreed, though inwardly he felt even more puzzled.
No matter how he looked at it, Kahn was not just a subordinate.
He was given such authority, almost like a second-in-command.
Recalling how the two of them laughed and talked along the way, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Kahn and Azula were close in age, and he was indeed handso.
Could it be—
He dared not continue that line of thought, though his impression of Kahn subtly changed.
Azula paid no attention to Wolf's thoughts.
After settling the matter, she stretched and walked out, preparing to et Kahn.
As if rembering sothing, she turned back and instructed Wolf,
"Notify the Royal Guards to assemble and prepare for the mission."
"This desolate place is truly boring. Let's finish quickly and head back."
"Your Highness, do you intend to personally lead the troops?"
Hearing her words, Benson felt a headache coming on.
Everything had gone smoothly yesterday, so why was she suddenly so proactive today?
Although initiative was good, he would much rather she remained as she was before.
At least then there would be fewer complications.
So he carefully chose his words and advised cautiously,
"Your Highness's bravery is admirable, and we are all impressed. However, the enemy is quite dangerous. What if—"
"Do you think I'm asking for your opinion?"
Azula interrupted him coldly, not bothering to hear any more.
"I am giving you an order."
"There is only one thing you need to do: tell the soldiers to clear the way, or find soone with basic sense to carry out my command."
"I trust that won't be difficult, will it?"
"...Yes, this subordinate obeys."
Benson could only comply reluctantly.
Though he felt humiliated, he still deployed part of his forces to follow behind, ready to support Azula at any mont.
After all, she was a princess.
If anything happened to her, even several lives of his would not be enough to answer for it.
After Azula and Kahn left the camp with the Royal Guards, Kahn finally began chatting with her.
He teased,
"They say a powerful dragon doesn't bully the local snakes. If you offend people everywhere you go, aren't you afraid soone will trip you up?"
Azula replied indifferently,
"If they oppose , they should be the ones afraid."
"Besides, I don't think a bunch of fools can cause any trouble."
"So that's what you thought during our first match too?"
"Shut up!"
Azula snapped, both angry and embarrassed.
That match, where Kahn had turned the tables and defeated her despite being much weaker, was one of her most humiliating mories.
And not just for that reason alone.
Behind them, Wolf silently observed the two joking around.
Before, he had only thought they were close, but now it seed to carry a different aning.
After so ti, they finally approached their destination.
The Royal Guards had already discovered traces of the enemy.
Wolf was both surprised and confused as to how Azula knew their location.
At that mont, Azula suddenly issued an order,
"Prepare for battle."
"I want everyone captured alive."
"Do not let see a single corpse."
"But Ozai—"
Wolf instinctively tried to remind her of Ozai's orders.
Then, rembering his current allegiance, he imdiately corrected himself.
"Yes, I obey!"
As for capturing them alive, the Royal Guards, as the elite of the Fire Nation, were confident in their abilities.
Azula waved her hand and gave the final command,
"All units, attack!"
With that, the plan officially began.
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