Starting as a Prince, I Don’t Even Know How I Could Lose Chapter 101 : Chapter 101

Chapter 101. The Lavishly Equipped Gold Legion and Zoe’s Thoughtfulness

As the night deepened, the lights of Blackstone Fortress ca on one after another like scattered stars, tracing the outline of the fortress against the darkness.

After dinner, William did not return to his tent to rest. Instead, he headed straight for the Gold Legion’s encampnt.

This was the ace legion he had personally selected, one that his royal father had spent several years training in the Secret Realm. He had long wanted to see it with his own eyes.

When he arrived outside the Gold Legion’s camp, two Gold Knights stood guard at the entrance. They wore bright silver armor, and the golden patterns on their helts glead brilliantly beneath the lamplight.

The mont they saw William, both n imdiately dropped to one knee in salute. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

William gave a slight nod and strode into the camp.

Unlike the bustle of the Ninth Legion, the Gold Legion’s camp was so quiet that it felt grimly oppressive.

Even while resting, the soldiers maintained postures that suggested they could throw themselves into battle at any mont. Their armor hung neatly beside their tents, and their weapons had been polished until they glead.

Yet after making a full inspection, William’s heart was thrown into turmoil.

He discovered that within this ace legion, not a single mber of the royal family or noble offspring held an important position. From the Legion Commander down to the squad leaders, every single one of them was a warrior of slave origin.

It was simply unbelievable.

He had to know that in the Heart of Steel Knight Order he had personally established, every core position was held by trustworthy sons of commoners.

And yet the Gold Legion had managed to accomplish this, and had even beco the ace force his father called “under absolute control”... How exactly had the royal family done it?

Could it be a Divine Artifact?

William walked toward the Gold Legion’s Main Tent. Outside it, a stern-faced man clad in heavy armor had already stepped forward to receive him. Judging by the insignia on his shoulder guards, he was the Legion Commander.

He gave William a solemn salute. “Greetings, Fourth Prince.”

William acknowledged him with a nod and stepped into the tent.

The Legion Commander followed closely behind. Zoe and the black-robed young man, anwhile, stayed outside with practiced understanding and did not enter.

The furnishings inside the tent were simple. There was only a massive sand table and several wooden desks piled with dossiers. William sat down at the seat of honor and looked at the man before him.

“What is your na?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate is Kru,” the man replied in a deep voice, standing straight as a spear.

“What orders did my father give you?” William asked directly.

Kru answered, “Your Highness, His Majesty’s orders were that the Gold Legion is to obey your command in all things.”

“However, His Majesty specifically instructed that after the war ends, we are to bring twenty thousand captives with Silver Aptitude or above back to the Secret Realm.”

William nodded in understanding. “No problem.”

His father was clearly doing this to strengthen the reserve forces of the Gold Legion.

After that, the two of them spoke at length about the Gold Legion’s organization, troop composition, and tactical characteristics.

Kru explained everything in detail. The legion was composed of seven infantry battalions, one mage battalion, and two cavalry battalions. The ordinary soldiers all possessed Gold-Rank Combat Power, the battalion commanders and deputy battalion commanders were all Sky-Rank Combatants, and the Legion Commander and Deputy Legion Commander were both Legends.

Even William was montarily stunned when he heard this lineup. It was extravagant to the extre. The sight of a thousand Gold-rank mages chanting spells at once would likely be utterly breathtaking.

Only after learning a few more details did William finally rise to take his leave.

Kru escorted him out of the tent and bowed once more. “If Your Highness has any commands, this subordinate will be on standby at all tis.”

After leaving the Gold Legion’s camp, William went on to visit the residences of the Legendary Combatants.

These Legendary Combatants were all retainers of the royal palace, among them several whom Aganzo, Keli, and Irene knew very well.

It could be said that Kroll II had sent almost all of the royal family’s retainers to the Western Frontier.

William visited them one by one. After all, when war reached its final stage, what mattered was whose side had more Legends.

By the ti he returned to his own quarters, it was already deep into the night.

The fortress lay in utter silence, with only the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers’ footsteps carrying through the stillness.

After finishing the military docunts in his hands, William took out a bottle of pale blue ditation Potion from his Spatial Ring and tipped his head back to drink it.

The potion slid down his throat, and a gentle yet exquisitely pure flow of mana instantly spread through every part of his body, nourishing his ridians.

William sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and sank into ditation.

The mana within his body circulated slowly like a stream, each cycle more condensed than the last.

His current strength had already reached the high Silver Rank, only a single step away from Gold Rank.

During this period, the marches and preparations had taxed his mind, but they had also made his control over his power more refined. The bottleneck before him had already begun to loosen.

“Breaking into Gold Rank will happen within the next few months,” William thought to himself.

Early the next morning, William opened his eyes right on ti. A night of ditation had left him exceptionally refreshed, and the mana within him was even more condensed than it had been the day before.

He stretched, his joints giving a series of faint cracks, then pushed open the door after a quick wash.

Outside, Zoe was standing there with a tray in her hands. On it were a few pieces of freshly baked white bread, a small dish of jam, and a cup of hot milk.

When she saw him co out, a faint smile appeared on her face. “Your Highness, try the white bread I just made. It’s still warm.”

Smiling, William stepped aside to let her in.

“Zoe, you’re my personal attendant. A maid can handle these small tasks. There’s no need for you to do everything yourself.”

Zoe set the tray down on the table and shook her head, her tone earnest.

“Being able to do things for Your Highness makes Zoe happy.”

From the day she had begun following William, she had already regarded looking after his daily needs as part of her duty. It had nothing to do with status, only with that unspoken loyalty.

William did not try to persuade her further. He picked up a piece of white bread and took a bite. The fragrance of wheat spread through his mouth together with its lingering warmth.

“It tastes good.”

After offering that praise, he asked, “Are the Legion Commanders and Marquis Disra ready?”

“They’ve already gathered at the fortress gate,” Zoe replied. “The envoys from Kadiya and Dragon have also sent people to inquire twice. They said their respective Commanders-in-Chief are already waiting at the allied army’s main camp.”

William nodded and quickened the pace of his al.

“We’ll leave as soon as I finish eating. The sooner we get a clear picture of the allied army, the sooner we can set a date for the general offensive.”

Sunlight stread in through the lattice window, bathing their figures in a layer of warmth.

After the simple breakfast, William rose and adjusted his armor. Then, together with Zoe and the others waiting outside, he mounted his horse and rode toward the allied camp.