Siege on the Quiton Gates (8)

"About that, I-" Elizabeth began when she was interrupted.

"I have an urgent report for the generals! Our scouts spotted a flying ship south of our position, making contact with the Imperial Council at the Quiton Gates. Fifteen minutes later, fighting broke out between both parties following which the flying ship and all its passengers vanished. We have also confirmed the disappearance of Unit Commander Haea and ten Army Generals, including Unit Commander Duan, General Goumeng, and General Tang!"

"Disappeared?"

"What happened?" Everyone was stunned. They could hardly believe what they were hearing!

"Tell us more," General Petra ordered.

"That's all that we know at this time."

"Your Highness, is this…" she whispered to Elizabeth.

"Reporting!" a second messenger shouted. "A flying ship has been spotted approaching our position from the south! We believe it's the same ship from the Quiton Gates! Estimated arrival less than five minutes!"

"What?"

"They're coming here?"

This time, the generals panicked. This flying ship could casually penetrate army lines, attack the Imperial Council's leadership, and then disappear without a trace? It sounded absolutely ridiculous! And because it sounded ridiculous, these generals were scared that the same fate might fall upon them. They were half-tempted to flee from their positions and hide! That was how little faith they had in their own military; however, that was not so strange. The Featherwind Sect's battle with the Sword King flattened the provincial capital of Guanhuang in their wake. Anyone could tell that their power exceeded the realm of humans. It crossed into the realm of gods! And contending against gods was arrogance. Without the Sword King's help, their chances looked grim. Despite that, General Petra, Ten Dawn Yvonne, and Elizabeth remained steady and confident. They did not lose their heads yet.

"Alert the armies. I want everyone ready for a possible engagement with the Featherwind Sect. No one is to engage until I say so!"

"General Petra, with all due respect, we should reassess our chances. They could attack Unit Commander Haea and the rest of the leadership without issue. The same might happen to us."

"I agree with the Legion General. It's too dangerous to face the Featherwind Sect without a plan. We should retreat and wait for the Sword King's return."

"I support the Brigade Commander's opinion."

"As do I." Everyone vehemently protested General Petra's seemingly suicidal decision.

Elizabeth's voice suddenly cut through the conversation. "Trust in General Petra's judgement. We have a plan. Don't worry. Everything is under our control."

Five minutes later, much like at the Quiton Gates, a heavily damaged ship descended from the skies into the field where a large military encirclement was erected. The soldiers were particularly unnerved at the ship's appearance. Anything that defied common sense was bound to cause fear, especially when five giant birds disembarked. Their daunting figures, which towered over the tallest of men, sparked terror in the soldiers. The situation resembled the one from earlier, aside for one noticeable difference. Arcanists stood at the ready with their wands raised. They could project dozens of barrier spells at a moment's notice. Their deterrent ability was already greater than the Imperial Council.

Elizabeth and the others soon arrived, which added to the tension significantly. In particular, the Ten Dawns, Sir Winstin, Lady Mingyu, and Cardinal Hui were present. Their powers might be meager when compared to the Featherwind Sect, but they stood ready and willing to lay their lives on the line. They would not hesitate to fight to the death! Elizabeth and her friends readied themselves for a battle too. Magic Energy swirled around Elizabeth's bow and Freon's wand, while Martial Energy churned inside Benedict and Shirley. They could unleash their abilities in a heartbeat! The thick air of battle rose and yet… neither side did anything else. This awkward standstill lasted for a second before Elizabeth stepped forward.

"Your Highness!"

"It's alright," she replied. "Elder Argo, I trust you've fulfilled your end of our deal?"

The bird nodded and waved his wing. Twelve people then appeared from the ship, unconscious and restrained. They were Unit Commander Haea and the others! Their appearance stunned the audience doubly-so for the Legion Generals and Brigade Commanders. They looked at Elizabeth incredulously, realizing she had struck a deal with the Featherwind Sect! But when had she done it? Was the battle of Guanhuang part of her plans too? They were blown away by the scale of her schemes once again.

Originally, everyone looked down on her when she was appointed as the Royal Army General. It reeked of a bogus title, made for an incompetent girl begging to sound important. This battle would be deadly serious with over four hundred thousand soldiers participating. It was no place for a girl, a fraction of their age, to throw her weight around. The generals had no time to babysit! That was how everyone perceived her, a fool in over her head, who underestimated the seriousness of war. However, that sentiment slowly shifted starting from the Battle of the Maelstrom Gulf. She showed herself as more and more capable with every passing day. The generals saw her in a new light! Now, she schemed this far ahead. She was truly someone to be admired! They had nothing but respect for her now. Only she knew how hard it was to reach this point.

It happened after the battle of Guanhuang. She was returning to her room after waking up to get a drink when she realized a stranger stood in her path. Shockingly, it was a giant grey and white falcon, a bird from the Featherwind Sect, Elder Argo himself! He somehow managed to bypass the kingdom's countless defenses and arrive here, even evading Sir Winstin, Lady Mingyu, or Cardinal Hui's detection. His methods were unbelievable! Naturally, Elizabeth shouted for help! She feared a similar situation of being kidnapped by the Whispering Shadow again. Unfortunately, her voice went unanswered as a starry sky consumed her surroundings. Bloodline Ability: Starry Caged Sky activated! It manipulated the perceptions of those inside, giving the illusion of an alternate world. Realizing she was trapped, she panicked and raised her hand in defense. Although her bow was absent, the ring on her finger was an Arcanist's tool as well. It could help channel her Magic Energy in an emergency!

As a Magic Circle materialized, Elder Argo spoke up, "Princess Elizabeth, we are not your enemy. Didn't Your Highness hear our message from the Sword King?" He was confused.

"Message? What message?" Elizabeth looked at him suspiciously.

"…We wanted to inform you of our intentions to negotiate."

"Negotiate?" she scoffed and intensified her Magic Energy. "After everything you did? I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand what you're talking about. I do know that you're our enemy though."

"If we were, then we wouldn't have rescued Your Highness from Liguang."

"…Then why didn't you say so in Guanhuang? Why did you attack the Sword King?"

Elder Argo was speechless. "I believe there is a misunderstanding about what happened."

It was in the battle of Guanhuang when the Sword King broke through their barrier and crashed onto the ship's deck. His Martial Energy exploded out in every direction, sending shockwaves throughout the sky. The ship listed and almost plummeted from the pressure alone. This was a genuine Rank 3 King! His power was truly monstrous. His aura seemed to distort the air as he brandished his sword towards the five elder birds with a cruel smile. He walked forward in a show of absolute confidence. This battle was already over in his eyes. They were finished!

That was why he had the leisure to say, "Get your leader out here so I can fight them instead! I don't have the patience to deal with chicks like you!"

His condescending attitude managed to anger the birds nearly to the point of spitting blood. They were the proud elder birds of the Rank 3 civilization, the Featherwind Sect! When had anyone insult them like this? His arrogance stepped on their pride! Yet, they stayed their hand and kept their calm. No matter what he said, he was still a Rank 3 King. He was beyond their ability to handle. Besides, they had another goal in mind.

Elder Argo replied calmly, "I am the acting Sect Master of the Featherwind Sect, Elder Argo. I apologize, but our Sect Master cannot meet with you currently."

"Is that so? Then I suppose that's unfortunate for you."

"Please wait, Sword King Sin. We have no intention to fight with you. We wish to negotiate with Princess Elizabeth and the Alzar Kingdom. I believe we can come to an arrangement against the Imperial Council. Could you please pass our message on for us?"