Chapter 126: The Imposter
“Leona, stop pulling. You might anger him,” Flora whispered.
Leona paused, considering her words. “But shouldn’t he be obedient to Abyss? …He wouldn’t get angry, would he?”
“Shh… Keep your voice down,” Flora said, placing a finger on her lips, not wanting anyone to overhear their conversation.
Rebecca, watching them, smiled knowingly.
The wagons were quickly unloaded. The guerrillas, accustomed to handling supplies, worked efficiently. Soon, every soldier received a fist-sized chunk of meat and a cup of high-quality Ossi liquor—a favorite among adult Ossi men.
The Restoration Army wouldn’t have been able to afford such a generous supply of alcohol, even with the full support of Oakning’s breweries. But Rebecca had solved this problem. She had given the Shodo Town brewery owner a potion to add to their freshly brewed liquor. The potion quickly filtered out the impurities, and after a simple distillation process, it transformed into perfect Ossi liquor, its aroma and flavor indistinguishable from the real thing.
The brewery owner, awestruck by her alchemical prowess, had offered to purchase the formula, but Rebecca had declined. She still wasn’t comfortable sharing her secrets with strangers. Instead, she had gifted him a few extra bottles of the potion as a reward for his support.
Meat couldn’t be conjured from thin air, but the Restoration Army wasn’t completely broke. The Western Empire’s current policy was to encourage trade with Oakning. They had purchased a large quantity of livestock from Western Empire farmers. A war was about to begin. They needed to ensure their soldiers were well-fed. From now on, they would live off the land.
As the Restoration Army reclaimed their territory, the local population would surely provide support. There was no need to be stingy with their funds.
The seventeen nobles Abyss had targeted were only those whose gardens contained the Lord of Nightmares’ mutated trees. There were other nobles who had pledged their loyalty to Kevin. They would all be dealt with, their assets seized and added to the Ossi Kingdom’s treasury. Givia was confident they wouldn’t be lacking funds once the war began.
The new equipment had also been distributed. It was now lunchtime. Givia instructed the soldiers to eat their fill, then, escorted by two guards, she walked among them, inquiring about their well-being, just as she had done at the barracks near Shodo Town, earning their gratitude.
After lunch, the rally began.
The stage prepared for Givia offered a clear view of the surrounding area and was well-protected, preventing any potential attacks from enemy archers. Although the enemy couldn’t reach them, security was still a priority.
Givia ascended the stage, flanked by four guards and two guerrilla soldiers, their shields raised, ensuring her safety. She began her speech.
It wasn’t long-winded. She knew these soldiers weren’t fond of speeches. She praised their accomplishments, outlined their strategy for the upcoming war, and detailed the rewards they would receive upon victory.
This civil war would inevitably lead to a reshuffling of the Ossi Kingdom’s nobility, creating opportunities for those who sought to earn titles through their military service. Givia promised to reward those who distinguished themselves with titles, much to the soldiers’ delight.
“But, my friends, some of us will die in this war. Although the people of Ossi support us, those who have betrayed our kingdom will fight fiercely to protect their interests,” Givia said, clearing her throat, her voice somber, as she addressed the final point of her speech. “If any of you are afraid, you may withdraw now and assist our efforts from the rear. Is there anyone who wishes to do so?”
The soldiers remained silent. They had chosen to fight on the front lines, risking their lives. None of them feared death.
“Good! That’s the spirit I expect from my warriors!” Givia said, her voice filled with pride. “I promise you, the families of those who die in service to our kingdom will receive triple the usual compensation, ensuring their well-being…”
As she was outlining the benefits for the families of fallen soldiers, a voice from the crowd shouted, “She’s a liar!”
The words, like a stone thrown into a still pond, created ripples of shock and confusion among the soldiers. They turned towards the source of the voice. A young soldier, his appearance unremarkable, pointed at Givia. “She’s a liar! Don’t believe her!”
“Who is that?! Seize him!” Commander Hunter shouted, his voice filled with anger and surprise. All these soldiers supported the princess. Why was someone causing trouble now?
Abyss and his companions looked at Givia. Leona, setting down her half-eaten lamb shank, glanced at Rebecca. “Should I silence him? He must be an enemy agent.”
“Let him speak!”
Givia, her voice firm and unwavering, addressed the soldier directly.
“She’s an imposter! Someone used Transformation magic to disguise themselves as her! The real princess is hiding in Shodo Town!” the soldier shouted, as if he knew the truth. “She’s a coward! She’s afraid to leave her base!”
“You bastard! Say that again!” another soldier roared, grabbing him by the collar, ready to fight.
The accused soldier grinned. “Even if you kill me, she’s still an imposter—why don’t we have someone verify it?”
As he spoke, one of the guerrilla soldiers guarding Givia began chanting a strange incantation, a prayer of sorts. A bright light emanated from his fingertips, illuminating Givia.
“That’s a truth-revealing Divine Art! Hahaha!” the soldier in the crowd shouted, his laughter filled with triumph. “The Transformation magic will soon fade! Let’s see what kind of coward our ‘princess’ truly is!”
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