Chapter 71: New Village

The two women were just walking after parting with the warriors of the Warman.

They didn't talk and just continued walking.

However, May was extremely curious about why her lord jumped in to talk with them.

That was something rare, even for her who has sided and stayed with her for a long, long time.

That was why she asked. Even though she knew it was rude, she just had to.

"Uhm, my lord. W-why did you tell them that?" May asked while clasping her hands together between her thighs.

It seems she really didn't want to ask, but she just couldn't help it.

"Oh, that? I don't want to fight in the Raoz forest." The woman said rather sorrowfully.

Whoooo.

Her veil that was covering her face soon fluttered as the wind blew near her.

The woman continued walking despite that, and thin, pink lips were seen curved in a faint smile.

Of course, May didn't dare ask again. Her lord was rather down lately, but this was the only time she was so generous that she would actually answer a question from May.

Anyway, the duo walked for a long, long time. The sun that was shining on top of their heads soon disappeared and the darkness of the night embraced the sky.

The winds blew, but it no longer disturbed the veil.

The moon rose, but it didn't light up the world as the sun did.

The two walked, but soon, their journey came to a stop.

The woman May called lord came to a stop just before passing a particular cave in the forest.

The cave was small, and the inside was dark. The area around it was full of trees, but just past that was a forest glade.

Looking over at the cave, the woman sighed before turning back.

May just followed her without saying anything.

And, just before they seriously began walking towards their home, the woman muttered.

"When will I finally meet you..."

Her words carried by the wind were brought to the forest's ears. However, no one answered her wistful voice.

****

Bam!

A hand struck down the table in front of the man as he shouted, "What the hell is going on here?! How can we lose to mere bandits?! That's surely Narkus' doing!!!"

The other men listening to him were struck speechless. Although they were of the same rank, the foundation they have is vastly different.

That was why when Duke Zembo lashed out like that, Duke Gamboa and Duke Pragno were staying quiet.

"Fucking bastard!!" Duke Zembo clenched his teeth while veins were popping in his forehead.

Well, it was reasonable for him to be angry.

The only reason why they agreed to cooperate with Narkus was that he said that he wouldn't attack any of their towns, villages, or their whole territories.

Also, the only extent was only inside the Raoz forest.

They never expected that he would come out and attack the south like this.

After all, Rosas kingdom is so big that a proper response in the war was late.

However, even if they were late, the wrath of the Rosas kingdom could end any attackers in just a single war.

That was how they were able to retain a land bigger than what the current administration could digest.

However, the real reason why they were getting angry like this was because...

"The Southern Army still hasn't dealt with them?!" Duke Zembo asked; his eyes were literally blood-red right now from extreme anger.

"D-duke. I've been told that they are having a hard time catching the enemies' troops." Duke Gamboa tried to explain.

What he said was true.

The enemies this time weren't your normal, everyday bandits. That could be seen from how they moved their army, their tactics, and their overall strategy.

Their units were able to move from village to village in a single day. The enemies weren't gathering their troops but instead scattering them.

This was insane considering how war is fought, but they couldn't deny it.

After all, this was happening right in front of their eyes.

Moreover, Prawler and his southern army don't know the identity of the enemies.

Not knowing the enemies' identites may be a small issue, but it actually impacts the mind and weakens a person.

Not knowing who your enemies are could be a scary thing in a large-scale war.

After all, who could move such a massive force without naming himself? Who could control a thousand men without a general?

Who could order them on-site and lead them to victory while not having a commander's camp?

They didn't know the identity of the enemy and the one leading them, so it was only natural that Prawler and his southern army were at a disadvantage.

"Aren't they afraid of the church?! Who would dare ignore the church's words that they would actually start a war now?!" Duke Zembo exclaimed.

He thought that he could end Forpor kingdom now that they violated the church's words.

However, he had a second thought as he realized his name would get caught up.

Well, not only his name but also his life.

After all, how could he know the identity of the enemy when his own country, the best in the east, was left in the shadows?

If he got caught making deals with the Forpor kingdom's crown prince, it is not only the church who will try to destroy Duke Zembo, but also his king.

That was a betrayal made for only his own benefit. Of course, these facts were known to the other two dukes.

Their situation right now was so tight that they could lose everything they have right now.

The only choice they have now is to win the war against the 'bandits.'

Driving off the invading force will not only retain their own lands but also increase their own popularity to their people.

If by chance they were able to win, the kingdom's royal palace will surely reward them.

It would surely be better if they could defeat them while the news has not reached the capital.

"W-well, it's because the country doesn't know their identity. And also, the soldiers they have are well-trained and are actually bandits in their lands."

While his fat belly was swaying, Duke Gamboa spoke, making Duke Zembo's ears perk up.

"Are actually bandits in their lands?" Duke Zembo spoke quietly.

It seems he has managed to stay calm now that the talks are finally proceeding.

"You know Baby, right? That bastard who has a brain inside his head."

"Yes. I know of him. What of it?"

"He already has interrogated the enemy soldiers and found out that they are actually bandits in their country."

It was then.

The face of Duke Zembo that has become calm has now turned into a raging bull's angry face as he shouted out some words furiously.

Bam! Bam!

He slammed the table hard as he spoke. His face became red from sheer anger.

"You stupid bastard!!! That's just a ploy to know if some idiots have betrayed them!!"

"P-ploy? What could you mean, Sir Duke Zembo?"

Duke Gamboa spoke while wiping off the sweat that formed on his forehead.

"Huuuuu." Duke Zembo breathed in and out to calm himself down.

Nothing would go forward if he becomes like this.

"If you were to support that statement, he would know that you were the one who let those bastards in. You remember, right? We twiddled on his information network so that the news wouldn't come so fast to him."

"O-of course. I remember that. But why do you say that he would know?"

"It's because Narkus, that little bastard of a crown prince, would take care of that side. He would never leak information that would point to the Forpor kingdom."

Gulp.

Duke Gamboa's throat gulped down some saliva as he remembered how he was about to tell that it was indeed Forpor kingdom after this meeting.

He just noticed that it was weird how it was 'bandits in their country,' not 'bandits in Forpor kingdom.'

"Now, it all comes down to how we deal with this. How are we going to deal with this situation?"

The one guy who was staying silent all this time, Duke Pragno, asked the two dukes.

This was the most important part.

The answer was actually simple. They just had to defeat the enemy.

However, for the nobles in the south and to the nobles who follow the three Dukes, well, Duke Zembo, as this was his territory, would never accept to work with Prawler.

Incidentally, the other two were following Duke Zembo and have several businesses in the south. Their real territory was somewhere else.

It was quite obvious as three dukes wouldn't be placed on a single location.

"How about we lead with Sir Duke Zembo to attack the enemies and defeat them?"

Duke Gamboa suggested with a smile on his face.

It seems the victory was already clear on his head as he showcased a fist.

It was then.

The Duke Zembo, who was calculative, has returned as his angry face disappeared with a grin replacing it.

He then explained how they were going to deal with this.

"We'll let another General come into the south!!"