"What did you say?"
Upon hearing that three of their Martial Lords were killed by a single person, their blood was riled.
"Who is that person? What is their cultivation? Didn't they have the pill exclusive to Martial Lords?"
"Ye-yes! They have used it. The opponent was a 3-Star Martial Lord," The glasses guy gulped down. These Martial Lords' eyes were filled with killing intent. It took his all just to stand in front of them and reported this.
"What? Did a single 3-Star Martial Lord kill them? Are you kidding me?"
"N-no, I don't dare."
"Useless B*stard. I will kill him myself tomorrow, or people will think our Zhou Kingdom is weak!"
"Wait, you can't do it alone. It is not like I underestimated you or something. Southern Kingdom had yet to send out their Martial Lords or their famous cannons. We shouldn't give in to our rage and make a reckless decision." One of the Martial Lords said.
He continued, "It is better to leave 5 Martial Lords here, and the rest will go to the forest. If needed, we can make a small pincer attack to pay back for today's damage."
"That's a good idea," another Martial Lord said. "We need to check whether the Southern Kingdom has launched their cannons or not. If not, we will make a pincer attack."
Even the raging Martial Lord calmed down and agreed to it. He snorted, "Hmph, I will be here. I don't like waiting."
They continued to discuss their strategy for tomorrow's battle.
...
They were not the only ones who got devastating reports. In the Southern Kingdom's camp. After hearing the situation from Alex, Putri immediately went to their headquarters.
"The situation is not good!" Putri opened the door and came in a rush.
Inside the room, there were five people with the third princess as the leader for this campaign.
Two of them were her aides, and both of them were Martial Lords. The other two were the Southern Kingdom's retainer to supervise her action and inform him if needed.
"Putri?" The Princess was shocked by the sudden appearance of Putri. She had been entrusted by her royal father in this war, and she wanted to prove that she was the one worthy of the throne in this war.
"Third Princess, I got essential information on their number as well as their strength." Putri called her 'Third Princess' because of the formal situation. If not, she would call her 'Mega' again.
"If it is about numbers, then we have gotten it already. They have a hundred thousand troops. Although our number is lower than them, by no means are we weaker than them.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"We have our cannons and mercenary camp. I heard that one of the mercenaries managed to kill three 5-Star Martial Lords even though he was a 3-Star Martial Lord. I have been thinking about recruiting him to our kingdom." One of the king's aides said.
He was Southern Kingdom's war minister. Although the third princess had been given the opportunity to lead the war, the king sent this man to evaluate her.
He had an aged face but eyes full of wisdom. Even though he was old, his body didn't lose its will to fight. He looked at Putri and sighed. He knew she was the third princess' friend, so he forgave her action just now.
"They... they have..." Putri was surprised to hear that they knew about their number.
"We already have their number, so you can go now! Even though you are Princess Mega's friend. But we are at war. Please act with consideration." One of the princess aides, reprimanded her with scornful eyes.
"But... you need to hear this one..."
"We are discussing tomorrow's battle now. Guard, escort her out." He continued to drag Putri away as her information was not important as they had expected the number. After all, it was the only thing Putri wanted to inform them. So, it served no purpose.
Two guards outside rushed in and caught Putri in their hands.
"Wait, Third Princess, you need to hear me," Putri shouted while the guards tried to drag her outside. Putri struggled and turned to the war minister. "Minister Morgan, please, you need to hear this."
The guards didn't stop and continued to drag her away. Mega looked away bitterly like she should be. But before they dragged Putri out,
"Wait-!" The war minister, Morgan, shouted. The guards were dumbfounded. He looked at Putri's desperate face. They indeed knew about their number. And judging from Putri's expression, the number was the same as the one in Putri's mind.
But looking at her desperate face even though they had known her information. His instinct took over him, saying there might be some hidden clue.
"What do you want to say, Young Lass? Although you are the second miss of the Makmur Family, rushing like this is also inappropriate. You should tell the guards so they can convey it to us.
"But, after seeing your expression. I will let you tell us your information."
The guards released her after hearing the war minister. "Thank you, Minister Morgan."
"No big deal. Although this war is on a big scale, it is not a matter that we can't solve." Morgan narrowed his eyes.
"N-no, this war might decide our kingdom's fate."
"What did you say!" The princess's aide said again.
"Stop!" Finally, the princess stepped in. She decided to stop him after seeing the look in Morgan's eyes. She also knew that Putri was not a reckless type.
At first, she was thinking of having her aides to drag her away. Then after this, she would go to her and apologize as well as ask for the information.
With that, Putri will think she is truly a dependable friend and got deeper into the abyss that she created. Then, if it turned out that her information was useful, she could use it to enhance her position in Morgan's eyes.
But, she piqued Morgan's interest before they managed to drag her away. So, she decided to stop her plan and changed to be a good friend.
"Ho! Do you think our army is so weak that we can't repel them?"
"N-No, I don't dare. Our army is strong." Putri shook her head hurriedly, then she continued, "But, our enemy... they have a hundred thousand soldiers."
"We already know that. They split their enemy to conquer our cities. Because they took us by surprise this time, we are not prepared to engage them beside this city. That's why we sent eighty thousand Soldiers to devastate them.
"Even though they managed to conquer the cities, they won't have that many soldiers left, and our eighty thousand Soldiers will devastate them here. Even if they made a pincer attack."
Putri didn't comment on Morgan's remark, she continued in saying her pieces, "They have twenty thousand Martial Grandmasters and Five Hundred Martial Lords."
"What?" Morgan can't help but shout after hearing that unreasonable number. All of the people in the room were dumbfounded, including the princess.
"Lass, are you joking with me? Even us who's known for its wealth didn't have that many Martial Lords. Are you joking with us? Or do you think they are foolish enough to let you know about it?
"They won't let their kingdom unguarded and want to make us panic by letting you know about that number! If you can't even think like that, you are not qualified on the battlefield. With my authority, you are hereby locked for trying to incite panic. Guards take her away!" Morgan snarled.
To think he heard such foolish information. Even with their wealth and cultivation resources, they could only make around three hundred Martial Lords across the country. That was the reason why he was so angry when he heard about Putri's illogical information.
Putri was dragged by the guards and locked away in prison. She struggled with all of her might, but to no avail as the jail was made of special materials that even for her, it was impossible to break. She thought it was also illogical information.
But, after hearing it from Alex, she couldn't think so. From her experience with Alex, he never lied to her.
...
A few hours later, Mega came to visit her.
"Mega, I..." When she saw Mega visited her, she immediately wanted to explain.
"It's alright. I managed to calm Minister Morgan."
"Do you think I lie too?"
"No, that's why I'm here to hear you out. Who gave you the information?"
"I... Alex." She hesitated for a bit, but she decided to tell her that she got the information from Alex because of her sincerity for coming here. "He is a trustable person."
"!!!" When she heard Alex's name, she immediately became alarmed. She let out a small evil smile. "Do you trust him that much?"
"Yes. He saved my life a few times. And his information is accurate."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Alright. I will try to convince Minister Morgan after here. But, I couldn't take you out of here at the moment. After all, if minister Morgan sees you later. I'm afraid he will be mad again. I hope you can understand this." She strangely agreed without questioning that much.
Because they were forced by the situation, Putri didn't question her any further. Instead, she was grateful to her that she would listen to her. And more so to Alex. She thought there would be a chance for them to make up with Alex.
Considering Alex's power, he might become a powerhouse. If Mega had become Alex's friend, it might be good for their kingdom.
"It's alright. I understand your situation. I'm sorry to put you in this situation."
"Then, I will go first before Minister Morgan comes here. I will find a way to take you out of here after the situation calmer."
"Yes. Be careful."
Mega then left.
Unbeknownst to Putri, Mega's fate had been sealed at this moment.
After she left, her aides came to her.
"Princess, are you sure you want to release her? Isn't it the perfect time to let her rot there? She has angered Minister Morgan. If he wanted to destroy her, then we can just blame Minister Morgan when Heavenly Sword Sect asked us."
"Who says I want to release her? I never mean it. But I just got good information from her. Do you know about the person that I made you search for?"
"Do you mean Alexander Sirius?"
"Yes. I don't know how she contacted him. But considering the situation now, he should be close. Do you know anything about it?"
"Hmm..." He pondered for a moment before something flashed on his mind. "I don't know whether this is true or not. But, I heard there is a group that helps us today. They are coming from the forest but refuse to come here.
"Their group is led by a man that fits your highness' description. I think he is the one that your highness is searching for."
"Forest..." She let out an evil grin, "Good. Eric managed to convince his family to do a full search for this Alexander by inciting their greed. He also became a criminal in the Zhou Kingdom. It is perfect.
"You will lead another two Martial Lords to Eric Family and have them send another five Martial Lords. Your mission is to kill him and search for his belongings. He should have the inheritance of a Martial Emperor in his Space Ring. Then we can send his dead body to the Zhou Kingdom."
"Princess, isn't that a little bit overkill? I mean, three Martial Lords should be enough to kill him. He should only be a 5-Star Martial Grandmaster, according to your highness's description."
"Do you question my judgment?" She narrowed her eyes.
"No, this subordinate doesn't dare. I will immediately execute your order."
"Good, then go."
He then disappeared as Mega's eyes were filled with greed. How can she not? This continent only had four Martial Kings. The enticement of a Martial Emperor's inheritance became so big that even nations would make war for it.
She didn't inform her country so she could grasp it for herself. Although she might give a portion of it to Eric's family per the agreement, she would still have a very large portion. It was enough for her to ascend the throne with that inheritance.