86 chapter 26

The next day, on the path toward to the northern border and the garrison city.

"Your grace, is this really necessary?" Conner asked Erik, who rode his horse leading a legion of soldiers to headed for the northern border to aid his son, Vandal.

"What necessary?" Erik questioned him.

"For you to personally lead the troops." Conner clarified.

"It is, since even my third son, the one who was well known as the most incompetent of the three, actually secretly heading off toward the northern border to aid his brother, what does that make me if I were to stay in the back and watched everything?" Erik told him.

"Talking about the third young master, do you think that he was really incompetent and a fool all these time, your grace?" Conner switched topic and began discussing Leonard.

"That, I don't really know, I thought you were supposed to know that question better than me, aren't you supposed to be watching over him all these time?" Erik shot the man a glance.

"..." Conner was speechless, because it indeed true, however, Conner wanted to retort back to the man by saying "Aren't you supposed to be his father?!" however, he did not say that.

"What do you think about the news that Vandal sent over, Conner?" Erik asked him.

"...it's hard to believe, your grace...for the young master...to accomplished all of those feats, but other than that, If I had an opinion to give, it would be good work." Conner gives his honest opinion.

"I wonder how the Church and the Rosen kingdom old fool realized who was the mastermind that screwed them over true identity is…." Erik smirk as he said those words.

The old fool of the Rosen kingdom that Erik mentioned was none other than it current king, Cromwell Rosen.

"Indeed, I believe their reaction would be...priceless, your grace," Conner added, the two of them laughed merrily as the journey went on.

*****

At the back end of the army, where the logistic troops are located, there- Mavis and Ryan were dressed as the logistic units to blend in with the other.

"Hey hey, Ryan, I want to ask you something." Mavis quickly moved closer to Ryan side.

"What is it, Mavis?" Ryan looks at her curiously.

"Tell me, are you in love with Leonard?" she dropped the question bluntly.

"..." Ryan remained silent, however slowly her face burned bright pink, she quickly turned away to hide her expression from Mavis.

"Awwww our Ryan is embarrassed." Mavis cooed her, which does not help much in the situation.

"Stop it Mavis…are you not interest in Leonard as well?" Ryan protested and called her out.

"I would indeed be lying to myself if I say no to that, however that interest isn't a romantic one." Mavis leaned back on the wagon.

"What do you mean by that?" Ryan questioned her.

"You know, when I first met him, I was nothing but a soldier caught in battle by the enemy and then sold into slavery, I thought it would be the end for me, however fortunately and yet, unfortunately, no one has the gut to purchase me- all except for one." Mavis retold her story to Ryan who was listening intensely.

"It was Leonard right?" Ryan asked her.

Mavis nodded. "Yes, it was indeed him...I'm now feeling grateful for him because of that." Mavis looked back at Ryan with a warm smile on her face.

"And don't worry kiddo, I won't be your competition...just yet, maybe when he's a bit older," Mavis added jokingly.

"Huh!!!!" Ryan was surprised by what Mavis at the end and couldn't help but raised her voice.

"Look like we have arrived." Mavis then told Ryan as she stood up, she could already roughly make out the large camp that was entrenched further up ahead.

*****

A few hours back, in the Evergreen army camp.

Vandal has received notice that the Duke of Ironwood, Erik Welser, his father- will personally make an appearance in this conflict, by first lead the reinforcement over.

Upon receiving the letter that was delivered to him by the courier Vandal immediately went into preparation to welcome his father.

"The duke will personally lead us in this war, my lord?" Ralph who was standing next to Vandal asked him.

"Yes, he should be arriving soon." Vandal replied.

"Look like we're going for a massacre…" Ralph muttered in a low tone.

"Oh look! They're here!" Vandal pointed out to him, the two of them quickly rushed out to the entrance of the camp to greet Erik.

"Hmm, you certainly look like you're doing well, Vandal," Erik told him.

"It's all thank to the officers and Leonard that I was able to do this well, father." Vandal replied in a respectful tone of speech.

"Alright, If you don't mind, I will be in charge of the upcoming invasion," Erik suggested.

"Yes father, all the troops here will be under your command." Vandal salutes him.

After he said that a knight quickly rushed over to them.

"Commander! Emergency new! The enemy has begun their invasion! Their troops are currently lined up and ready for moving out!" he reported.

Vandal then looks at Erik.

"Have the troop ready to meet them on the field!" Erik gave the order.

"At your command," Ralph spoke up and immediately headed off, taking Vandal with him as well.

******

When Ryan and Mavis arrived at the camp, they immediately went around and begin to ask for Leonard, weirdly enough, most of the troop don't really know where he went, they only know that Leonard has "borrowed" some of their comrades and the new crossbows from the commander of the camp, Vandal, then they vanished for a few days.

"He's definitely here for sure...but for some reason he left, and brought along soldiers with him as well….what is he up to?" Mavis muttered while in deep thought.

"Oh no...could he be…." then a rough idea went into her head.

"What is it, Mavis?" Ryan, who was on the side notice Mavis acting strangely and asked her.

"Ryan...do not freak out at what I'm about to tell you…" Mavis then look at Ryan.