Chapter 10.5

"Nerre, tell one of your subordinates to search the area to the west, not even a day's ride from here." Ero crouched down, picking up his sword. Before sheathing it, his fingers lovingly traced the engraving on the blade. "There, they will find the camp of two bands of robbers, who Alina was supposed to deal with. My father is passing on the order. We should only capture the leaders."

"We?" Alina inclined her head in a reproachful glance back. She was the one who took on all the work in their partnership while the master found a sunny spot for himself.

The boy wasn't impressed by her look. Bravely, he even stepped up beside his supposed betrothed.

"There, you will only find the corpses of their subordinates. Alina has taken care of them."

The girl beside him subtly pursed her lips. At least she wasn't alone, but let her friend continue to believe it. Besides, she could have figured her way out of this situation herself.

"Who is the target now?" Alina's voice became more urgent. And even though Nerre didn't believe a word from either of them, she told them.

"I want the head of a redhead beast, supposed to be your age."

The commander passed by them to her sword. None of them believed she would make such a mistake again. If she did, they could still call their students.

Even if they didn't stand a chance against an army, they would still teach Nerre a lesson.

"She is currently near Morlo. For the infamous bloody angel, it shouldn't be a problem to sneak in there." The commander's gaze scrutinized the girl, who bit back any comment. "Bring her to me, and a rewarding prize awaits you. But if you dare to make a fool of me, I will instruct my people to burn down this school along with its students!"

Alina didn't doubt the seriousness of her words for a moment. But while her father and Ero looked at her incredulously, her expression remained as icy as befitting such negotiations. Without showing any sign of the fear raging within her.

"If you don't believe it, Ero should ask his father for advice," she spat out. "He knows what I'm willing to do to eliminate the pitiful remnants of the once proud Amazon army."

"You're insane!" Ero exclaimed, shocked. His eyes widened not only at the clear threat against everything they held dear. "There are no more Amazons."

"More than you think, boy," Nerre retorted coolly. "This bitch has escaped me once before. She's Alesa's granddaughter and intends to revive the glory of the Amazons."

"Trying to infiltrate Morlo's hideout is impossible. It's like a fortress. Many have failed before, and you seriously think about trying it? That's madness! I beg you, Alina, refuse this assignment."

Ero roughly grabbed her shoulders. Shook her. But she was fully aware of all of it.

"What else can I do?" Her gaze met his directly. If he had a better suggestion, he should lay it out for her.

An overwhelming sense of fear surged within Alina, one she hadn't felt in so many years. Not since she had been with Marno for several years, haunted by this paralyzing fear that her family could be taken from her again.

Underneath, this life with her father and among the students seemed like a much too beautiful dream, now threatened to shatter.

Yes, Nerre was known for continuing her fight against the Amazons with full force even more than a decade later. It wasn't enough for her what loss her family suffered or which families she would still destroy.

So Alina had to do it.

For Marno and the students.