Chapter 141: The Restoration Army Marches
The Restoration Army’s campaign had begun.
Givia, having deployed all her forces from Oakning, finally launched her long-awaited invasion of the Ossi Kingdom. Within a day, they had captured a border town.
It wasn’t because the Restoration Army was overwhelmingly powerful—even with their high morale and their determination, they were outnumbered five to one by the Ossi Kingdom army. But the enemy’s morale had plummeted. Many of their commanders were unwilling to fight. The commander of the captured town, after a token resistance, had surrendered, opening the gates and handing over his troops and their supplies to the Restoration Army.
Kevin’s prolonged silence had emboldened some of the wavering commanders, encouraging them to join the seemingly victorious Restoration Army.
The battle had been swift, the casualties minimal. The townspeople and the villagers in the surrounding area had welcomed the Restoration Army, offering them food and shelter.
But Givia, despite this easy victory, remained cautious. She forbade her soldiers from taking anything from the locals, even refusing their offered food. All supplies were purchased at market price, their debts carefully recorded, to be repaid with interest after the war.
Years of hardship and exile had transformed her from an impulsive young princess into a shrewd and calculating leader. She understood that this victory had been achieved with minimal effort because the border troops, demoralized by the guerrillas’ constant harassment, had been eager to surrender.
Abyss had warned her that the Lord of Nightmares still had many agents within the kingdom’s army and among the nobility. They couldn’t underestimate the enemy or let their guard down.
Givia, heeding his advice, didn’t fully trust the surrendered troops. She confiscated their weapons and armor, holding them as prisoners of war.
Night had fallen. The Restoration Army camped near the captured town, the prisoners held in the town’s jail. They hadn’t forgotten that this was a civil war, a conflict between fellow Ossi citizens. They treated their prisoners with respect, ensuring their safety and providing them with food and shelter.
The army rested, preparing to continue their march the next day. Givia, at the townspeople’s insistence, stayed at the governor’s mansion—the governor, along with the military commander, had surrendered, leaving the house vacant.
The battle had been a minor skirmish, but Givia, leading an army for the first time, felt the weight of command—the constant tension, the need for vigilance.
She entered a bedroom in the mansion, yawning, and after a quick wash, she removed her armor and her outer garments, collapsing onto the bed.
Abyss and his companions weren’t present. While the Restoration Army had been processing the surrendered troops, Abyss had excused himself, claiming he had important matters to attend to, then left with the three girls.
Givia seemed exhausted. She fell asleep almost instantly, her soft snores filling the room. The only other sound was the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. The entire town was silent.
But the peace didn’t last.
An hour later, the door creaked open.
The hallway lights, usually bright, didn’t illuminate the room. And outside, the moon, which had been shining brightly, was now obscured by darkness.
The only light came from a small lamp on Givia’s bedside table, its flame casting long, flickering shadows. A thin figure, shrouded in darkness, crept into the room.
The figure approached the sleeping Givia, raising a small, sharp shovel, its tip aimed at her head.
Thump! Bam!
Just as the figure struck, Givia, seemingly asleep, suddenly moved! Her body erupted in bright Dou Qi flames, and her foot, from beneath the blankets, connected with the attacker’s chest, sending him flying into the wall!
Givia might not have been a seasoned warrior, but she was a mid-level Dou Warrior. Her enhanced strength, amplified by the element of surprise, sent the attacker crashing against the wall, creating cracks in the plaster.
She quickly chanted a spell, a small light emanating from her fingertips. The light, propelled by magic, stuck to the ceiling, illuminating the room.
A simple Light spell, a basic cantrip that even novice mages could master. Givia, as a noble, knew it as well.
The attacker coughed, then struggled to his feet. His face, illuminated by the dim light, was revealed—it was one of the town elders, a respected figure who had welcomed the Restoration Army earlier that day.
“Princess Givia… You weren’t asleep?” the elder asked, his voice cold and mocking. “I intended to give you a quick death, but it seems you’re not ready to embrace your fate.”
“I knew something was wrong with you when you welcomed us into the town,” Givia said, her voice calm, her Dou Qi flames flickering around her, as she retrieved a dagger from beneath her nightgown, where it was strapped to her thigh. “Mr. Abyss warned me that the Lord of Nightmares’ followers are everywhere, and that they might possess artifacts with special powers. It seems he was right.”
“I don’t recall revealing my allegiance, Your Highness,” the elder said, his voice calm. He seemed unharmed by Givia’s kick. “Could you tell me where I went wrong?”
Leave a Reply