The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

The 6th Prince, is the younger brother of the current Emperor. He was famous for his habit of spending his days at the brothel from early morning until the next morning. There was not a single imperial task that he did except for one, which was spending the empire's money. Because of his annoying behavior, the people from the Inheritance Staff in the division of the Imperial Clan, which was under the Ministry of Household Affairs, hated him so much.

The 6th Prince Lexis received his honorary name at the age of 9, and was bestowed the name Asura Vangelis by the former Emperor, before acquiring his imperial surname at the age of 11 in the New Emperor's era. He was a child born to a commoner on the outskirts of Belshazzar, who only found out that he was the 6th descendant of the old Emperor, at the age of 9. He was picked up from the conflict area in Valdis at that time by Grand Marshal Einri Zehra.

And the daughter of the Grand Marshal himself, was now sitting on the outskirts of the Imperial Gardens furrowing her brows, while a man was pulling the hems of her trousers up and holding her feet with both hands.

No, don't get them wrong.

It was a normal scene where Asura was helping to repair Vaishravana's minor bone fracture. The whole area on the girl's ankle was slightly green, and it seemed that this had been going on for quite some time and had not received the appropriate first treatment in time. Asura looked so skilled as he rubbed and massaged her. Vaishravana surely looked so strong as she endured the pain without the slightest complaint coming out of her mouth. Her lips were pressed together tightly, and all the pain could only be seen in her deeply furrowed brows.

"With an injury this severe, you shouldn't be able to walk anymore."

Vaishravana chuckled amidst her pain. It's not that she doesn't want to take care of her injury, but she really doesn't have the time. She had gotten used to keeping things to herself, so it was hard for her to admit she was injured, let alone admit that she needed someone else's help. The hardest thing she couldn't do was admit that she was injured in front of her father. That's a bit... Embarrassing. Who knows. She's a bit sensitive about it.

"Let's call the imperial physician. This can no longer be delayed." Asura rose from his kneeling position, releasing the girl's soft legs from his lap. Instead, he extended his hand toward the girl, urging her to leave immediately.

Vaishravana was a bit reluctant. It didn't show on her face at all. She reasoned, "I can't seem to stand up. Would you like to carry me, Your Majesty?"

Asura laughed, "Miss, you can't stand, but you can walk?"

"My pain is indeed picky."

"Okay then, let me carry you."

Vaishravana would not have expected such an answer. There was no way she could afford to let a prince go to the trouble of giving their back for her. She's not that bad. To deny it, Vaishravana immediately stood up and showed that she was still so healthy and capable. "I wouldn't dare. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"I'll take you home."

"Ah, there's no need—" Vaishravana paused when she saw the earnestness in the man's eyes. For some reason, she felt helpless to refuse it.

Vaishravana was waiting at the edge of the garden when Asura soon returned on a pitch-black horse. The man seemed reluctant as he explained the situation. "Are you comfortable with horses? Or do you want a more comfortable carriage? It will take some time to prepare."

"No problem. I am more comfortable with horses." Vaishravana herself was unsure of the motive behind this man's kindness. She walked leisurely towards the horse as if she had no leg injuries at all. As soon as she was about to ride, Asura immediately dismounted from the horse.

The man said "Excuse me" before he touched the girl's waist and lifted her in one elegant motion, helping Vaishravana to get on the horse. When the girl was in the right position, Asura also went up. He sat behind Vaishravana, with her back touching his chest. He hugged her slightly as he pulled the reins of the horse and started guiding the horse.

Be it Vaishravana or Asura, neither of the two made a sound until they came out of the palace grounds. Obviously, such a sight, when two famous people were riding horses together, would definitely be another commotion in the Capital.

The 6th Prince who had been missing from the public for a long time, when he came home, instead of directly reporting to the Emperor, chose to seduce the daughter of a Grand Marshal with the excuse of taking her home.

When Vaishravana thought that Asura would remain silent until they reached her residence, that thought was quickly dispelled with Asura bowing and speaking right into her ear. His voice was very soft and low, every breath he took seemed to tickle.

"Let me tell you. At 7 o'clock this morning, I finished half a bottle of wine alone. I'm a bit drunk. What I'm spouting next may not be coherent. Pardon me."

Vaishravana smiled gently, even though she knew her interlocutor would not be able to see her. "What a coincidence, Your Majesty. I am used to dealing with a drunkard's boast. I am very good at it."

Asura said softly, "The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind."

-0-

In total, Elysian has 3 giant military bases.

The first and most decisive for Elysian security, was the Great Command of the western border Garrison, which included from Varinia and Mahavira adjacent to the Verice Kingdom then the Katla-Kleitos mountains, Livia, Nirari, and ending at Walherich. The command center is in Livia, with a total of 5 major commanders guarding each city. Keeping the peace from the brutal attacks of the barbarians all year round.

The second was the Maxima navy, which stretched from Bagadata to North Tacitus, while guarding the border with the Kingdom of Parinia. There was only one command here, and for a long time, it was held by the Richthofen family, who came from commoners.

Then lastly were the major commands in the 5 Great Northeast Districts, with a total of 5 major commanders stationed in each district, and centered in Belshazzar. However, after the fall of the 5 Great Northeast Districts several years ago, Belshazzar could not be recaptured, and the command center was moved to Vigdis.

After the abdication of the Great General Ilta and the rise of Einri, the situation in the area directly adjacent to the Galahad barbaric tribe remained stable. Just like his predecessors, Einri managed to score one victory after another, and was appointed Grand Marshal at the age of 28. During that time, the Capital appointed General Clavier to occupy the Command post in Livia and served for approximately 2 years.

It was during this time that Livia's degeneration occurred.

General Clavier was actually someone who lived and grew up in the Capital. He came from one of the most famous clans in the Capital, where everyone from his family always had a place in the government system.

Formerly, General Clavier was one of the troop commanders of the Regalia Guard who got his name when Hilaria wanted to solve the rioting problem in the 5 Great Northeast Districts. At that time, for the first time the Regalia Guards plunged into such a faraway place to catch the traitorous criminals there. General Clavier happened to be stationed in Solon.

The current Empress now was his aunt.

To attend the Divine Communion which would be held in the next few days, important dignitaries scattered across the country began to gather in the Capital. Just like the 5 Great Commanders from the Northeast, even the Commanders from Maxima Naval Military Base, as well as several Commanders from the West Border Garrison, will also be present to enliven. To that end, the Crown Prince who was currently assisting in Valdis, would soon return to the Capital.

The outside officials flocked to the Capital. And the happiest people were the eunuchs and local officials.

Grand Mentor Alarik Richthofen was talking to the Deputy Commander of Sade Richthofen, his younger brother, in a teahouse on the outskirts of the Capital. By now it was getting dark. The two of them enjoyed the dimly lit view while sipping tea.

Zoe Jasper Nefeli Senka, who was the Uncle of the current Emperor, said to Grand Mentor Alarik. "The longest reign of power in Livia only rests in the hands of Old Marquis Zehra. The Capital has clearly intervened too deeply. Sahar hadn't even been in office for decades before he was drawn to the Capital."

Grand Mentor Alarik nodded. The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully, before replying. "Now that their bait has been eaten, who would have guessed that little Princess Zehra would bite it?"

Deputy Commander Nefeli carefully calculated in his mind and said, "The Emperor easily accepts that, although never once has our Empire accepted a woman as an officer, let alone a General. He thought that as long as he had a son and Zehra had a daughter, it will be easy for him to take Livia's sympathy."

Grand Mentor Alarik looked lost in thought as he spoke, "People outside the military probably wouldn't know, that the person they thought was like a little rabbit caught in a trap was actually a wolf that started claiming its territory. The Hereditary Princess is not to be underestimated. Just like her grandfather and father, Zehra's blood runs strong in her body. It had nothing to do with whether she was a girl or a boy, Zehra who was born would still be Zehra. "

"When wise people pass their power on to their descendants, that action will be branded as dirty nepotism and condemned. But strangely, when corrupt people pass their power on to their relatives, it seems invisible in the eyes of anyone, and it will become commonplace." Deputy Commander Nefeli sighed a few times. He continued, "I am an Imperial Uncle, but who am I really? Even with the blood of the imperial clan, I can't climb anywhere. Only Commander Sade at that moment was willing to open his arms towards me and let me stay, when no one else would accept me. And because of that, I'm to blame when Commander Sade's retirement came, he couldn't retired in peace and be still forced to stay and rule. The world really is…"

The Grand Mentor hit the 44-year-old man's head with a paper fan and rebuked him, "Listen to me, boy. The world is fair. What makes it unfair is humans themselves. If you want to blame suffering for your injustice on the world, then who should the world blame for its injustice?"