"That's finally the news I like to hear…" In the carriage, Crown Prince Ranon could not help but smile as he read the contents of the notification paper sent to him that night.
Finally, the most crucial part of the operations was already dealt with! Now, he only needed to wait and ensure that the ambush troops and their convoy met and everything would unravel on its own!
His eyes squinted in craftiness as he thought of how seemingly smooth everything would transpire after the capture of Leon.
"Although we have indeed incurred a lot of casualties, I can say that it is still worth it knowing that we have taken one of the strongest people of the enemy." He thought to himself.
As his carriage continued to head towards the camping point they set for the night, he was already contacting his men who were also tailing them safely from behind. Of course, he did not forget to inform Nikolai and Arabella about the capture of Leon.
After that, he casually strolled out of his carriage and finally went on his way to interact with the other members of the convoy, especially Mishael, Kazimir, and Antoine.
His goal was to observe how the three were doing, trying to sound out if they were worried about Leon's lack of report these days.
"A pleasant evening, gentlemen…" He greeted them as the three solemnly sat by the fire with their food rations for the night.
The three responded perfunctorily, not masking the glum look on their faces.
"Is everything alright?" He innocently asked, but deep inside he very much wanted to rub salt in their wounds.
"Nothing much… it's just that we haven't heard of the advance party yet." Antoine, being the one whom Mishael and Kazimir pressured to answer by their gazes could only reply.
"Hmm… probably he was not yet able to see something wrong, hence the lack of notices…" Crown Prince Ranon outwardly attempted to lighten up the mood and encourage them.
'Heh… you wish! Your Third brother is already in our hands!' His thoughts were already gloating and celebrating their worried expressions.
The men no longer bothered to answer, but Crown Prince Ranon no longer cared for their attitudes as he already got what they wanted.
With an excuse of wanting to retire early, he asked this aide to lead him to his tent.
"Get me some wine, I want to relax a little bit." He ordered the aide with an expression saying that he was a little bit tired of the journey.
However, only he knew that he just wanted to celebrate while everyone was occupied by the anxiousness of not having to hear from Leon's side.
"Is what you told us really true?" Arabella's voice suddenly rang in his mind.
Crown Prince Ranon swirled the contents of the wine glass lazily on his hand as he looked at the certain shadowy part of the tent, "What do you think? Will I even be in the mood of drinking now if that is not the case?"
"Then… our mission…" Arabella replied.
"Just do your mission well, tell your brother to also get ready. Even if we already do not have to keep the mad blood prince in mind, the enemy is still a ferocious lion. They will not go down without a bloody fight." Crown Prince Ranon answered with a warning in his tone.
"Hmm…" Arabella hummed excitedly and soon her presence was no longer felt in the tent.
With that, Crown Prince Ranon continued enjoying his wine in a lazy and carefree manner. His heart was feeling excited about the day when everything they had planned would unravel.
In the remote corner of the Northern City walls, Nikolai heard the good piece of news Arabella shared with him at the moment.
"Tell the Crown Prince that we have already successfully infiltrated the city and have also located the members of the Imperial Family who took refuge in the Governor's palace. He had nothing to be worried about on our side. We are ready to execute our part once we receive the signal." Nikolai told his sisters.
For days, they stealthily roamed around the northern territory, familiarizing all the people around the Governor's place and painstakingly bypassing every tough security layer just to infiltrate the vicinity.
After days of careful operations, they were finally able to finish their preparations and were ready to attack at any time. He had the confidence that once they revealed themselves, the enemies would not even have the chance to resist and could only do as they were told.
"En.. I will. Brother… just a few more days, we will be able to save our mom, dad, and auntie… We will also get our revenge on the Seirendes and even that traitor of a cousin that we have.`` Arabella's voice was tinged with resentment as she said these words.
"Hmm… remember to save Kazimir for me to torture, do not haggle all the fun, and let me carry out my own revenge before he dies." Nikolai's eyes were filled with ruthlessness as he coldly said these words.
"Of course, big brother…" Arabella answered.
As the night went on, the siblings continued to talk about their plans after their agreement with Crown Prince Ranon was completed. Their minds were only filled with revenge and how they will put the enemy's head under their feet.
The same excitement was felt just beyond the borders of the Desolate Wastelands.
The Pope and Rachana marched towards the other end of the desolate wastelands to catch up with the rear army forces and join them in finally igniting the war against the Seirende Territory.
"Finally, everything will commence," The Pope could not help but comment with relief in his tone.
"We are very fortunate that such an untoward incident happened to the prince. Now it will also be easier for me to do what I have to do." Rachana replied as the lust on her face could no longer be masked.
Yes, she was to look for ways to take Leon as her partner and copulate with him… However, who doesn't like such a fine and able man?
Now that he is at their mercy, she could not wait and even wanted to rush towards the area.
The Pope also detected her thoughts but he could not help but look at her sternly, clearly displeased by her carnal desires.
"You shall not let your guard down. We still have no news about the paladin. What if she suddenly appeared in front of us and you were only filled with lustful thoughts?! Are you sure you can defeat her with such a dirty state of mind?!" He reprimanded.
"I know… and I'll never let her go once I see her again!" Rachana glared at the Pope and gritted her teeth as she remembered the suffering and humiliation she suffered because of Eli.
"I vow through my soul that I will do everything to defeat her at all cost! Her love shall perish the day I see her once more!" She declared with a sinister voice.
As they were talking about what they would do once they saw the Paladin, the very person they were talking about at the moment had already finally reached their destination, the Holy Island!
With her were fifty or so talented warriors from the non-human races from the Green Wave Institute.
"My Lady, Great Doctor, are you really sure that you do not need us to go with you inside the Main Temple?" Prince Nalu asked the two with worry and anxiousness.
"We will be fine… as agreed, we shall contact you through the notification paper and communication stone. Once we come to such great danger, we shall not hesitate to ask for your help." Kayden looked at them sincerely and promised to not hesitate to contact them once they needed help.
Seeing that the two have no intention to disregard their efforts yet also keeping in mind their firmness to go inside alone, the little army of warriors could only respect their decision.
Throughout the journey, they gained a clear view of the characters of Eli and Kayden, and so they did not take offense to their insistence but expressed their support regardless of their decision.
"Just be careful, my lady and great doctor… remember that we are here to be a force to help you." A warrior from the dragon clan looked at them and respectfully expressed his opinion.
"Thank you… we will be sure to remember it." Eli smiled and looked at him and the rest of the warriors gratefully.
"We shall head on our way…" Kayden announced and looked at them gratefully.
After bidding goodbye, the sworn siblings carefully neared the Temple and observed the situation.
"Eli-chan, shall I disguise like a bird and look around?"
Suddenly, as Eli and Kayden blended into the shadows of the forest and looked up to see the gigantic temple building in front of them, a voice that Eli had not heard for a long time sounded.
Wisey, who remained dormant for so long has finally woken up, thanks to the sweet and touching efforts of her beloved Little Han!