Chapter 98: The Main Force
“I’m not sure. She just arrived. I haven’t had a chance to speak with her yet,” Alva said apologetically. “I can ask Haina if you’d like.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Abyss said, smiling and shaking his head. “I was just curious. We can ask Haina later.”
“Alright, then I’ll go see Her Highness,” Alva said, bowing before heading towards Givia. She likely wanted to report on her improved condition.
Givia spent a considerable amount of time with the new recruits. While waiting, Abyss pulled out a deck of cards and started playing a game of “Slave Master” with Leona and Rebecca. Flora, unfamiliar with the game, watched them curiously, memorizing the rules.
After a while, Haina, having received Alva’s message, rushed towards them.
“Oh, you’re all here!” she exclaimed, changing her course and approaching them.
“Haina, you’re here,” Flora said, smiling warmly. “Alva told me your mother came to visit. It must have been a difficult journey for her. How is she doing?”
“She’s settled in. I found her a room at an inn,” Haina replied, touched by Flora’s concern. “She traveled alone and is quite exhausted, but thankfully, the enemy didn’t harm an elderly, disabled woman. She’s safe.”
“That’s good,” Flora said, nodding.
“I’m late, so I’ll go see Her Highness now!” Haina said, bowing before rushing towards Givia.
Shortly after Haina’s departure, the soldiers’ break ended, and Givia concluded her visit to the new recruits’ barracks. Their morale boosted by her presence and her encouraging words, they declared their willingness to fight and die for her.
Givia, emerging from the barracks, saw the four waiting for her. “I apologize for keeping you waiting,” she said.
“It’s alright,” Leona said, waving her hand dismissively. “We were playing cards. We didn’t mind waiting.”
“You won’t have to wait any longer. I’m taking you to see my main force,” Givia said, pointing towards the inner part of the camp, where the sounds of training echoed. “The new recruits are outside, but my veteran troops are training within. They’re the soldiers who chose to follow me after I was forced to flee the palace. They’re well-trained and incredibly loyal. You must meet them. And if you’re willing to demonstrate your abilities, you can do so before them. They’re the main force of our army, the ones who will lead the charge to reclaim Ossi.”
Givia’s voice was filled with pride as she spoke of her troops. She clearly admired these soldiers who had risked being labeled traitors to follow her.
“Leona, it’s your turn to shine,” Abyss said, patting her shoulder. “The Ossi people value martial prowess. Your strength will impress them. Don’t embarrass yourself.”
“Who are you underestimating? I would never embarrass myself,” Leona said, glancing at him, seemingly annoyed by his reminder. “No one knows combat better than I do.”
“Leona?” Givia asked, looking at the significant height difference between them. “I understand.”
Alva and Haina joined them. As members of the princess’s Royal Guard, they had similar, if not higher, authority than Givia’s current guards.
They arrived at the training grounds of Givia’s main force. The soldiers’ training cries echoed through the air, their energy and enthusiasm palpable even from a distance.
As they approached, the soldiers stopped their training, forming neat rows, standing at attention, and shouting in unison, “Welcome, Your Highness! Long live the princess!”
Their discipline was a stark contrast to the new recruits’ enthusiasm, their synchronized movements and their powerful voices inspiring awe. It seemed Howard had informed them of Givia’s visit. They were ready.
After their greeting, they stood motionless, awaiting her inspection.
Givia nodded, her voice strong and clear. “Excellent! This is the army of Ossi! With such spirit, we fear no enemy!”
Unlike her usual gentle demeanor, she now projected an air of authority, a commanding presence. She walked among the ranks, observing her soldiers, occasionally adjusting a misplaced piece of armor or correcting a soldier’s posture.
“Good! You all look sharp!” she said, after inspecting every formation. “Maintain this spirit, and on the battlefield, you’ll make those traitors tremble! Show the people of Ossi who are the true defenders of this kingdom! General Howard!”
“Your servant!” Howard, having made all the necessary preparations, replied loudly.
“How is the soldiers’ food supply?”
“They have meat every three days, fresh vegetables daily, and all the bread they can eat! And clean drinking water!”
“And their training?”
“Daily training, without fail! Rain or shine!”
“Excellent! We’ve gathered enough strength. It’s time to confront the enemy, to reclaim our kingdom, to liberate our people from their tyrannical ruler!” Givia exclaimed, raising her arm, addressing her soldiers. “Once we achieve our first victory, with the support of our people, we will be unstoppable! I will personally claim the traitor Kevin’s head and present it to you!”
“We will follow you to death, Your Highness!” the soldiers roared in response, their voices echoing across the training grounds.
“And now, I’d like to introduce you to our powerful allies. You might have heard of them. They are all exceptional individuals! With their help, our strength will increase, and we’ll minimize our losses. I want you to remember them. Soon, they will fight alongside us against the traitor Kevin!”
Givia introduced Abyss and his companions, and all eyes turned towards them.
But their gazes quickly turned puzzled, although no one spoke.
These… heroes… seemed awfully young. Every soldier in this army was older than they were!
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