THE STRATEGIST

I've been locked up in prison for three days. Duke must be looking for me. What is their real purpose? I shook my head. No matter what the reason is, I have to run away from this place immediately. This prison is tiny. Walls surround it, and there is only one window, and it is small in size. How can I get out of here? Soon one of the bandits came with a loaf of bread and a glass of warm milk. They gave me delicious food and drink. Isn't this too good for a prisoner? I tried to think for a moment. Is it possible that they kidnapped me because Duke and I have been bothering them? Or do they already know that I am an empress? It seems impossible. Seeing those who aren't afraid of me, they likely don't know my identity. That means the bandits who kidnapped me have received orders from someone. If so, someone gave them orders. I have to do something. For some time, the empress walked to the right then to the left. Find a way to escape from prison.

"It seems there is only one way. I don't know if this will work."

***

In the palace, Karol and Emmanuel set off together with the 20 best warriors. They all ride horses. The prime minister temporarily guards the court. The empress' confidant as well as her teacher and uncle. Unlike other nobles. The empress uncle who was the younger brother of the late emperor did not like the king's status. Actually uncle is the rightful heir to the throne. He left the heir because he wanted to live in peace with the woman he loved. Empress uncle loves girls from among the common people. He is willing to leave his throne in order to marry the girl he loves. Because it was the empress who took the place of the uncle. Karol and Emmanuel hand over the palace to the prime minister. Before leaving, uncle asked Karol and Emmanuel for help to save the empress. Can't be hurt at all. After all the empress was the only niece she had. Karol and Emmanuel promised to fulfill the prime minister's wish. The horse's speed is very fast. It only took them a day to arrive at the empress' initial tent.

"Where's the Duke?" Emmanuel asked the coachman. In the tent lived the coachman alone.

"Lord Duke is currently in the Mist region looking for the empress."

"That bastard hasn't found him yet. Unlucky!"

Karol gritted his teeth furiously and smacked his palm fist.

"How did you guys communicate?"

"We never communicated with each other. I was only ordered by the Duke to guard this tent."

"We better head to the Mist region immediately." Karol said to Emmanuel. 

They both nodded their heads in agreement with each other. Without rest, they all continued their journey back. Karol ordered the coachman to stay in the tent and delivered a message if the Duke returned. After travelling away. Finally, they arrived at the Mist region. Emmanuel saw a sad sight. The poverty of the people as he had felt after he managed to escape from the murderer. Emmanuel felt a deep pain in his heart.

"We'd better find an inn first." Karol said to Emmanuel. 

He then nodded his head. We are looking for an inn located on the edge of the village. When you go inside, they didn't accidentally run into the Duke. Karol angrily then walked towards Duke, then a glance landed on Duke's cheeks.

"What is this?"

The duke was annoyed to see Karol's actions.

"Such a loser. Where have you been all this time?"

"Of course I am looking for Her Highness the Empress."

"You two don't fight. We'd better strategize to save the empress."

Karol and Duke then glared at Emmanuel. It wasn't long before the Duke then sighed.

"You guys come into my room. We can discuss it there."

Karol and Emmanuel then followed the Duke into the room. Arriving at the Duke's room, he took something. A sheet of paper is placed on the table.

"This is an address."

Emmanuel read the paper.

"I got it from a trustworthy person."

"Is this their hiding place?"

The duke was silent, not answering Emmanuel's question. He then raised his head. He was staring at the roof of the sky. Forward view.

"I've checked. But it's not an easy place to visit."

They heard the answer from the Duke. Karol and Emmanuel then looked at each other. Luckily they brought some soldiers.

"I have already sent a letter to the Lion crown prince. Maybe tomorrow he'll be in the Mist region." Karol said as he stood up and folded his arms.

"Then what should we do?" Emmanuel asked Karol and Duke.

"First there has to be a bait for them." The duke answered Emmanuel's question. He gave his ideas.

"I will do it."

Duke is famous for being a strategist. Emmanuel believes this is a good idea. Karol then looked towards Emmanuel. Being bait means having to be ready to sacrifice one's life. Would it be okay if a concubine who was just a slave did it?

"In that case, okay. You have to get the robbers out of their hiding places." The duke said to Emmanuel.

"I see. I'm here to play catch, okay?"

Emmanuel burst out laughing. All this time, he lived life and gathered companions in a hidden way. Now he doesn't play hide and seeks.

"Even though they have to run, their number is not small. If only I could only distract them for fifteen minutes." Karol continued the conversation.

"Two hours. No, give me at least an hour. Meanwhile, lord Karol and his troops will attack the robbers who are still guarding their hideout."

"When are we going to do it?" Emmanuel asked the Duke.

"We will act today as the sun is about to set."

***

In the bar where the information chief is. A young man dressed in a black robe stood in front of the door. Jack, who knew the young man, then walked over to him.

"Long time no see sir."

The man then nodded his head. Jack immediately took him. The lead informant smiled upon seeing the arrival of the Lion crown prince.

"When it comes to that woman. You came here very quickly."

"My wife is in danger right now. There's no more time to talk. Tell me the truth."

The cold words conveyed by the crown prince Lion made the chief informant's expression turn serious.

"Okay, I'll tell you everything I know."

Crown prince Lion then sat on the chair opposite the chief informant. The story starts from the first arrival of Duke Magnus along with the empress, who was disguised as a man, to the informant's place. The client asks for help from informants regarding the names and families of the bandits and what they have been doing for the past five years. The head of information only found out that the empress had been kidnapped after the Duke came to see her.

"You told me earlier that the rain in the Mist region was related to the disappearance of the empress?" Crown prince Lion asked the information leader.

"Yes. Looks like your wife has done something. She is an attractive woman. This area has experienced a long drought. Your wife is the one who made it rain until now it often rains in this area. The land that was originally barren is now fertile. The farmers have also started planting again."

"If what you say is true. They definitely want to make an exchange."

"The bandits feel themselves at a loss because of the empress's actions. They definitely want to ask for the loss."

The information leader believed that the bandits couldn't kidnap the empress without a purpose to benefit them. The crown prince Lion then stood up.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Of course saving the empress."

"This is the address of their hideout. A few days ago I also gave him this address."

The information leader gave the address to his best friend.

"I now owe you a favor."

"You can replace it at a suitable price."

"Of course."

The Lion crown prince then left the place.