Caesar walked off the podium and headed towards the middle of the arena, the blood knights and night-rangers were currently finishing up their battle.
"HALT" Caesar roared from the middle of the arena grounds.
As if time stopped, all of the troops stopped fighting and shifted their attention toward Caesar. They all looked at him with confusion apparent in their expressions.
"I decree that the battle is now over, LINE UP!" Caesar ordered once again.
The blood knights and night-rangers quickly threw their weapons to the ground and scrambled to get in front of Caesar, the blood knights that had been knocked out had miraculously woken up from Caesar's shout and also promptly lined up.
Once the last soldier lined up, Caesar put his behind his back and paced in front of them…
"Both groups had fought their hardest, however, one fought smarter than the other…" Caesar said quietly while pacing in front of them.
Tod stepped forward and kneeled down, "It was my fault, I was far too rash and led my troops to defeat… I do not deserve the title,supreme commander of the blood knights" he lamented.
"Indeed, if this had been a real battle all of your troop's blood would have been on your hands" Caesar nodded his head and spoke coldly.
Tod brought his head further down and his expression clearly showcased his regret.
"But, your might and charisma are overwhelming… with a little bit of training, you would make an excellent war general" Caesar complimented causing tod's face to blossom with a slight smile.
Caesar turned towards the other side of the troops.
"Sylvian, you are cunning and you lead your troops excellently, however, you did not fight on the front lines once… you need to hone your personal strength if you want to be a great leader"
"Yes, Marshall!" Sylvian cuffed his hands and roared out respectively.
"Nonetheless, you have all done well… everyone makes mistakes and has faults, even I have a surplus of faults. Discern your faults and fix them in the military school…"
All of the troops looked at Caesar in wonder…
"M-Marshall, I thought only 10 of us would get sponsored by you?" Sylvian asked curiously
"You're right, however, just because you aren't sponsored by me doesn't essentially mean you can not train at the military school, right?" Caesar asked back curiously.
All of the troops sucked in a breath of cold air and realization flashed in their eyes.
"I have consulted with a few military advisors, initially there was only going to be a war tactics division, but, after all of the new recruits started signing up they changed their minds" Caesar calmly explained.
Sylvian suddenly took a step forward and asked what was on everyone's mind, "What are the rewards for the winners?" he asked Caesar curiously.
Caesar stroked his chin in contemplation for a moment, "I will decide once I return" He said after thinking for a moment.
"Return?" Slyvian tilted his head in confusion.
"I will be making a trip for a while, I leave tonight… I don't know when I will be back, but, it should be relatively soon" Caesar explained
All of the troops nodded their heads in understanding, seeing this Caesar smiled and started walking out of the wooden arena he had crafted.
"The blood knights and the other losers will be taking down this wooden arena and placing it somewhere else… that is their punishment for losing" Caesar ordered while walking away.
"As for the rest, you are dismissed"
The blood knights and the others that had lost their battles were crestfallen while the night-rangers we ecstatic.
"Sweet, thanks, Sylvian!"
"The victory was due to your efforts Sylvian!!" A few elves roared out in applause as they followed behind Caesar.
Once Caesar made it passed the wooden arena he headed towards the castle gates, "Those guards should still be running laps… I hope that everything went well with Ahri and Adriana" Caesar mused to himself as he walked past the gates.
"Hey, you there" A deep and husky voice rang in Caesar's ear as he walked past the gates, Caesar glanced to his right and saw a very big man leaning on the wall while crossing his arms.
"Are you referring to me?" Caesar halted his footsteps and asked curiously.
"Yes, why is a dark species in this kingdom?" The man asked not containing his killing intent in the slightest.
"Is it wrong for the crown prince and marshall of the kingdom to be here?" Caesar asked innocently.
"Tsk, I wonder what race you are… perhaps a cotall, or maybe even magnetar, I can also see you as being a dokkaebi"
"Hahaha" Caesar's melodious laugh echoed out…
After a few seconds of laughter, he finally held himself back and looked the cloaked figure with a trace of interest…
"You are quite foolish...what is your name?" Caesar asked
"Joseph" The man answered back quickly.
"Well, Joseph, I am not any of those races that you just spoke of, and even if I was… what could you possibly do about it?" Caesar asked with a wide smile.
Joseph pulled his cloak down and revealed a very mangled face, it is clear that he had been through many battles and suffered a plethora of battle scars.
"I won't do anything in particular, I was just curious as to how a member of the dark races infiltrated this kingdom…" Joseph said in a deep voice.
Joseph started walking out of the gates and waved his hand, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone… I still treasure my life. also, I have no interest in fighting you, we will probably meet again in the future though… haha" Joseph laughed loudly and trotted away.
Caesar replaced his smile with a cold look, he scrutinized Josephs back for a few seconds before finally turning away and walked towards the palace.
"He's an interesting one…" Caesar thought to himself quietly as he walked.
He shortly made it to he place gates and was greeted by the two guards, they bowed deeply and looked at Caesar with a 'knowing' look.
"Misses Ahri is already inside, your majesty," they both said respectfully when they noticed Caesar's shirtless figure.
Caesar shook his head with a wry smile and walked inside, he walked past the busy butlers and maids and headed towards his room.
*creak*
Caesar pulled the knob and walked inside…
"Daddy, look at these new friends I made!" Elizabeth said excitedly and plunged into Caesar's arms.
Caesar caught the girl into his embrace and looked at his bed, three young fox-kin girls were all playing with a few dolls… they all carried happy smiles on their faces but they looked at Caesar warily.
"That's good you made some friends, what are their names?" Caesar smiled widely and asked the young girl in his arms.
"Hehe, they are Betsy, Denise, and Lynda" She pointed at each of them when she called their names.
"I see, what are you guys doing in my room?" Caesar asked curiously
"Mama told us to play here?? She is talking with big sister and a few others about some 'SERIOUS' stuff" Elizabeth laughed playfully and jumped on Caesar's bed.
Caesar rolled his eyes, "It's good you have made some friends, I will go talk to mommy for a bit… be good" Caesar said sternly and left his room.
*slam*
"Did Ahri bring the ex-slaves to the palace?" Caesar massaged his forehead with his hands as he walked towards her room.
He soon arrived in front of her door, he raised his hands and knocked on it quietly.
*knock*
*knock*
Caesar could hear ruffling inside the room for a few seconds before he finally heard Ahri's clearly hesitant voice.
"Who is it?" she asked in a troubled tone.
"It's me" Caesar replied.
*cacha*
The door was unlocked and swung open, Caesar looked inside and saw a large amount of malnourished and sickly looking people… they every one of them looked at him warily or with disgust.
Caesar didn't mind their looks and walked inside, Ahri looked at Caesar with an apologetic smile.
"They didn't have anywhere to go... " Ahri said quietly.
"Sigh, the Rudolph household didn't actually break the law…. Killing them is akin to stepping on the nobles faces, all of you will be wanted soon" Caesar breathed a deep sigh.
Adriana soon stepped forward, "we are not asking for you to house us, we only want you to take care of her," she said as she gestured to the baby girl in her arms.
Caesar lowered his gaze and sighed once again… "very well, I will see to it that she is taken care of" Caesar reassured her and took the baby from her arms.
Adriana nodded her head thankfully, "thank you, we owe you" she said respectfully and made her way out of the room.
"Tsk, why do we have to owe a noble" one of the men clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"The Rudolph family had looked down on commoners due to prejudice, I hope you don't turn out the same way" Caesar smiled and snapped back.
The man's face turned ugly but he didn't respond, the last one soon exited Ahri's room and closed the door.
*slam*
Caesar turned towards Ahri, "I assume they have a plan to sneak out?" he asked curiously
"Yes, I have already prepared them servants clothes so they can leave without gathering too much attention.
Caesar nodded his head and pulled Ahri into his embrace, he hugged her tightly and whispered into her ear.
"How dare you invite so many men into your room," he said while faking an angry tone.
"Hpmh, are you jealous?" Ahri whispered back seductively.
"Haha, if we didn't need to leave right now… I would eat you up right now" Caesar blew hot air in her ear and parted ways from her.
"Don't forget that bet we made, the one before the grand ball" Caesar smiled slyly and headed towards the door.
Ahri's face flushed a deep red as she remembered the words she had said, "w-when are we leaving" Ahri changed the subject masking her embarrassment.
"We are leaving tonight, Sebastian has already prepared the carriages and supplies… Joe and Edward should meet us there"
Ahri nodded her head slowly, "I have everything prepared as well… shall we go together?" she asked cutely
Caesar's lips curled, "yes, let's say goodbye to my father and Elizabeth first"
They both left the room and walked towards Caesar's room where Elizabeth was currently residing…
"Young master!" Sebastian called out from behind
Caesar and Ahri both turned around, Caesar's smile grew wider as he said: "Ah, I need to discuss some things with you"
"The place guards had told me you wanted to talk with me, what do you require of me, young master?" Sebastian bowed deeply and asked respectfully.
Caesar took out a piece of paper from his pocket, "I want you to make sure the 10 people marked on this paper get VIP status in the military school and are funded accordingly" Caesar explained calmly.
Sebastian took the piece of paper from Caesar's hands and nodded solemnly "As you wish, I will deliver this to the king"
"Haha, I also have one more favor I want you to do for me," Caesar said after thinking for a second.
Sebastian tilted his head in confusion "Anything within my capabilities I am willing to do"
"Tell my father goodbye for me, I don't want him to get any second thoughts and ask me to stay haha" Caesar chuckled and patted Sebastian on the shoulder.
Sebastian let out a small laugh, "haha, that does sound like your father, very well… I will do as you ask of me…"
"Thank you, Sebastian, you are as responsible as ever" Caesar thanked Sebastian and walked away with Ahri.
"It is merely my duties, young master" Sebastian bowed and walked in an opposite direction.
After walking for a few minutes in silence Caesar turned towards Ahri, "do you sense anything when you are around Elizabeth?" he asked curiously
"Elizabeth? No, I just feel extremely warm" Ahri replied after thinking for a second…
"Do you think it's normal for fox-kin little girls that happened to be treated as slaves by the humans open up so easily to a human girl within minutes?" Caesar asked again curiously.
"It shouldn't be possible…" Ahri thought after a few seconds.
"Goblins and orcs do not discriminate against adult and child correct, would it be possible for goblins and orcs to not touch a child?"
"Goblins and orcs are known not to care, whether it is an adult or young child, as long as it is female they will put their disgusting hands on them" Ahri calmly explained.
Caesar stroked his chin in contemplation… "how interesting…" He whispered under his breath as they walked towards his room.