"Lady Loki! It's an honor!"
"Lady Loki! Are you married?!"
"Lady Loki!"
The cheers erupted as I stepped forward, my na on their lips.
Their voices overlapped, ringing with an almost fanatical admiration. The knights of the Ruvelion Royal Army surrounded , their eyes shining with enthusiasm. So even looked starstruck, their awe visible in the way they straightened their stances and puffed out their chests.
The atmosphere felt... exaggerated.
Apparently, word had spread about my history: my ti as a forr guard of the esteed Raonpherys House, my service to Freya Ruvelion, and my involvent in the fierce battles at Valachia. But the tales they whispered weren't just recountings-they were fictions, painted with vibrant, exaggerated strokes.
Was this Freya's doing?
It had to be. Such embellishnts could only serve to ensure these knights would follow without question. I silently thanked her for the foresight, though I couldn't help but wonder just how much she had exaggerated.
Looking at them now-their flushed faces, the glimrs of admiration that bordered on reverence-it was weirding out. Nearly the entire Ruvelion army seed bewitched by the idea of , and it was starting to creep out yeah.
Unlike them, the contingent of Teraquin Army soldiers present were far less enthusiastic. Their expressions were neutral, their gazes assessing rather than adoring. Understandable, considering they were here more out of obligation than loyalty.
This group of soldiers had co as a gesture of goodwill from Kendelt Teraquin himself, likely pressured by Utopia's insistence to protect Elyen Kiora during the absence of the other kings. After all, with Kendel positioned as Freya's betrothed, maintaining such appearances was essential to proving his worthiness. But it was no secret that the Teraquin soldiers weren't thrilled about serving in Utopia's ranks.
And now I was supposed to lead those damn traitors...
[]
Damn, she is right.
But I have to do it.
"Lady Loki."
A new voice pulled from my thoughts. I turned to see a tall, striking figure striding toward .
This man was no ordinary soldier.
He stopped before , his every movent exuding grace, and knelt on one knee. Bowing his head, he spoke.
"I am Vesryn Kenelth, Commander of the Royal Ruvelion Army. It is an honor to et you." Ah, so this was him-the fad Vesryn I heard in several lips. His presence alone was impressive, but what caught off guard was the revelation of his strength.
Eighth Ascension.
I couldn't suppress the flicker of surprise that crossed my face.
"Vesryn, is it? Princess Freya ntioned you. Are you the one leading this army?" I asked
His entire fra seed to stiffen, his eyes snapping up to et mine with an intensity that nearly made step back.
"The Princess spoke of ?" He asked almost in disbelief.
Is he a simp as well?!
"She said I could count on you," I replied, testing his reaction.
His response was imdiate. Vesryn bowed his head so deeply it nearly grazed the ground. "You can. I assure you, Lady Loki. I've already received a letter from Her Royal Highness, detailing your command over the army to protect Elyen Kiora from the impending invasion."
So Freya had orchestrated this perfectly, as always. Still, Vesryn's fervor was, well, quite high. At least he seed competent-if a little too eager to please.
"Tell the situation," I asked.
"Yes, Milady. Please follow ," Vesryn nodded as he gestured for to follow. He led toward a barricaded building at the edge of the encampnt.
Inside, several High Elf commanders were gathered. Like Vesryn, they regarded with respect, bowing slightly as I entered. Their admiration was overwhelming, but before it could manifest into another wave of formalities, I raised a hand, silently halting their gestures.
"Enough," I said.
I had enough embarrassnt for today already.
Vesryn quickly guided to the central table, where a sleek screen embedded into its surface glowed faintly. He pressed his fingers to the screen, activating a projection that flickered to life above the table.
The image took form, revealing the Western shores and the port-a strategic position of Elyen Kiora now crawling with activity. My eyes narrowed as I studied the projection. "They've already entrenched themselves along the northern shores?" I asked dumbfounded. "Yes, Milady," Vesryn nodded..
The projection detailed the port overrun by Sancta Vedelia's forces. Ships lined the coast, their numbers quite high, and makeshift barricades were already being erected to solidify their foothold.
"How did they gain entry so easily?" I was more curious than anything else. The seas around Utopia were supposed to be heavily patrolled. Such a breach should have been impossible.
I had myself hard ti reaching Elyen Kiora and I did it only thanks to Levina. "I bear full responsibility, Milady."
A new voice answered. I turned, already recognizing the figure stepping into the tent.
Toran.
I had t him before, back in Vanadias. His presence here now, standing amidst this gathering of leaders, only confird what I already suspected: he was a traitor too.
The High Elf commanders shifted uneasily, their gazes narrowing as they focused on Toran. The unspoken accusation in their eyes was indeed there, and it was clear they blad him for the disastrous situation.
Toran didn't flinch, though. "After Sancta Vedelia's forces arrived, we were overwheld. In desperation, we called for the Ruvelion Army's aid."
Vesryn added, "Our forces had been securing the southern shores until we were forced to redirect support here to aid the Teraquin army."
I folded my arms, scrutinizing Toran. How utterly incompetent could one be to not only fail
to repel enemy ships but to allow them to establish a base along the shores?
"I suppose their numbers grew steadily as more ships arrived?" I asked, turning my attention
back to Vesryn.
"Yes," Vesryn confird, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "At this point, we estimate
over five thousand knights on their side. While we still outnumber them, it has forced us to consider recalling other armies from key strategic points. Worse, we cannot afford to launch a
full-scale assault against them."
Figures.
The city beyond these shores-Elyen Kiora-was a living capital. Beyond the encampnt lay countless civilians, their lives entwined with the bustling heart of Utopia. A reckless assault
could risk everything.
"Who is leading them?" I asked, my gaze still fixed on the projection.
"They're a coalition army composed of all races, led by a certain Karl Dolphis," Vesryn
replied.
"Karl Dolphis, you say..."
The na struck a nerve, pulling a bitter mory to the surface. Karl Dolphis-one of those despicable bastards who had refused to save my mother.
"Do you know him, Milady?" Vesryn asked.
"Oh, I know that trash," I said curtly. At least with him as my opponent, I wouldn't have to
wrestle with any moral dilemmas about going all out.
"He may be trash, but he's still a Dolphis. That ans he might have sothing of a brain," I added with a sigh, leaning closer to study the map.
The projection displayed detailed information about their movents, positions, and fortifications. But as I stared at it, a cold truth dawned on : I was no strategist.
This was my first war, and I didn't have a degree in warfare. Hell, I barely had experience commanding anything beyond a small squad. Yet the eyes of the commanders around glead with anticipation, as if they expected to conjure so brilliant strategy on the
spot.
What did Freyja say about to make them look at like this?!
I pushed the thought aside and focused on the map, forcing myself to think clearly. The main goal wasn't total annihilation-it was minimizing losses on both sides while ensuring the Ruvelion Army's victory. The fewer lives lost, the better.
My eyes locked onto the fleet. There had to be at least a hundred ships docked along the
northern shores, their supply lines a lifeline we couldn't ignore.
"Let's draw them in," I said finally.
"Yes?" Vesryn and the others exchanged uncertain glances.
"We'll feign retreat, making it seem like we're overwheld. As they pursue, we'll lure them deeper inland-away from their ships, away from their supply lines," I explained.
"Draw them in?"
A sharp, grating voice rang to my ears. "That's exactly what we're supposed to prevent, isn't
it?"
I turned toward the speaker, instantly recognizing him as one of the Teraquin knights. "That's why won shouldn't be given command of an army..." he added smugly.
My eyes narrowed.
I recognized him.
The sa vile bastard who had attempted to harass two of my classmates back in Vanadias.
"You..." Vesryn's hand moved instinctively toward his sword, and the other Ruvelion commanders bristled with fury. But before anyone could act, I raised my arm, halting them.
"Please, I apologize on his behalf," Toran said but not a single trace of sincerity marred his
tone.
Frankly, the perverted elf wasn't worth my ti or energy, so I dismissed him and Toran with
a single glance.
"As I said, we will lure them in," I repeated. "Although their total numbers reach five thousand, not all of them are on the battlefield. Most remain stationed on their boats, prepared to flee at the first sign of reinforcents. They won't commit their entire force on the ground-it would be an act of reckless stupidity. If they were ambushed in mass, they'd be annihilated. What I propose is simple: draw out a smaller detachnt, perhaps a thousand soldiers at most, by ceding the field to them. Let them think we're retreating."
"And you truly believe they are so naive?" Toran asked with a chuckle shaking his head.
His mockery echoed as several of the other elves joined in.
Beside , Vesryn sat rigid, his fists clenched tightly against his sides. I could see his seething
eyes but he held himself back.
"They aren't naive," I replied, my gaze resting on Toran, "but thanks to your extraordinary failure alongside the Teraquin army, they're overconfident. They believe victory is within their grasp. To them, we're nothing but weaklings, a rabble that can be trampled with ease. If
they see the sa pathetic cowards retreating yet again, do you think they'll hesitate? Do you think they'll suspect a trap? So might indeed but most of them would simply think they
again won the battle and would quickly try to securize the ground to widen their grasp on the Western shores."
My words clearly aid to mock them silenced the chuckles. A few High Elves behind
snickered quietly, their amusent tinged with disdain, while the Teraquin Elves shot murderous glares.
Toran's fists tightened as he t my gaze. "You're suggesting, that we-"
"As expected, you grasp my aning quickly, Commander Toran," I interrupted with a smile
so warm it bordered on patronizing. "Yes, I'm suggesting that you and your army take the front lines. After all, you excel at one thing: retreating. Simply do what you do best-lose and
run. It'll appear perfectly natural to the enemy. No need to strain yourselves with theatrics." "You-! Enough! This insult-"
One of Toran's subordinates, again the leering elf with a sour expression, surged forward.
"Silence," Toran lifted a hand to halt his mid-tirade. His gaze locked onto mine. "After drawing them in, what are you going to do?"
"We will set this line of ships ablaze," I said, gesturing toward the long row of vessels docked
at the shore. "This will prevent the forces on board from quickly descending to rescue the
army that you and your n will draw out."
"Vesryn, with two thousand of his best n, will circle around to position themselves behind the baited army, cutting off their retreat. At the sa ti, they'll advance toward the burning ships. Your main task, Vesryn, will be to destroy those ships swiftly before they can
even suspect sothing. Be prepared-those vessels are likely fortified with powerful mana barriers." I locked eyes with Vesryn as I spoke.
Vesryn smiled confidently and placed a hand over his chest. "You can count on , Commander," he replied.
I nodded. If only those Teraquin fools could learn from the discipline and competence of the
High Elves. "What happens after we draw them in?" A disgruntled Teraquin soldier interrupted.. "Do you expect us to run away the whole ti?"
"Not at all," I said calmly. "Once Vesryn's forces flank the baited army, you will strike from
the front. Together, you'll trap them in a pincer, cutting off their escape routes. anwhile, another thousand of Vesryn's n will hold the shores to deal with any reinforcents that might slip past the burning ships. The flas won't hold them off forever, but they'll buy us precious ti to annihilate the trapped forces."
I continued after a mont. "When the baited army realizes they are being flanked, they'll
inevitably try to escape to the sides. To prevent this, I'll need units capable of unleashing long-range spells to pin them in place."
"I can handle that, Commander."
The voice, clear and confident, drew my attention. A beautiful blond haired High Elf woman
stepped forward. In an instant, I could sense her power-at least 7th Ascension, perhaps higher. Her confidence was well-earned.
"Rania," Vesryn said before I could inquire further. "She's a master of both fire and wind
attributes, and she's highly proficient in long-range spells. Rania has commanded nurous successful battles defending Elyen Kiora as well."
I nodded, my eyes eting hers. "You can handle this?"
Rania bowed her head politely. "Please count on , Commander." "Excellent," I said, turning to face Toran and his disgruntled army. "I expect a significant
contribution from you, Teraquins this ti. Please endeavor to rectify your previous mistakes."
A chilling silence followed my words as I turned and strode away.
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