War Breaks Out

The Temper Kingdom had main nine states whose defence was fortified and not to be worried about amongst those nine states there's Yerdbral. Yerdbral was the northern border of the Temper Kingdom and was considered to be one of its weaknesses even though its a city with a fortified defence. And that is because of the route.

"Yerdbral has a linear route to Ordeta, not to just Ordeta, to the palace itself," Leon said to the members of WhiteOrl who could not understand why he was flustered.

"That's crazy! Is that even possible?!" Flux asked.

"Yes, I came across it while studying the kingdom's map, but it's so discreet that only when Knight Finduilas told me was I able to notice it, so for them to know, it either means there's a spy or they've been studying our kingdom's map. Oh, and Knight Finduilas is the head of knights back in my duchy."

"I don't think Glasgow will take time to study the kingdom's map, it's safe to say there's a spy and it's also safe to assume that spy is a player," Hakita said.

Leon smiled, "I'm sorry to burden you guys with this as soon as we just reunited. Yardbral state has thirteen thousand troops stationed there, it is not enough against Glasgow's fifty thousand troops that includes mages. So I might have to lead reinforcements to Yardbrel."

"Yardbrel is a beautiful city, I've been meaning to go there for a while," Loret said, smiling.

"Uh?" Leon was taken aback.

"What do you mean uh? We're you thinking of ditching us and going on your own. We are a family, we should stick together. Plus, I bet we will receive a good quest from this." Flux added.

Leon smiled, 'How could I forget how heartwarming they are...' He shook his head as his maid's voice rang in it again.

"So what happens now?" Tara asked, brimming with excitement.

"I have to go see the Queen, then whatever will happen will be decided after that," Leon said and stood up. He headed out after telling them to stay.

"It's a good decision that you didn't tell them the real thing," Oweyn said as they walked out of the hall.

"Don't ever do that without permission. Don't ever speak in my head without my permission."

"Yes, your grace." He said bowing his head.

Daryon looked at him and looked at Leon, one could tell he was very uncomfortable with the coldness between Oweyn and Leon.

~Rawr~

The cub let out a soft growl as it staggered while trying to walk, having not fully opened its eyes.

Leon upon entering his room was happy to see his companion awake and even trying to walk, he bent down and awaited the little lion's approach which took some stagger and fall but it finally laid its paw on his knees. Leon gently patted the cub's head and smiled.

"You are awake now..."

~rawr~

The cub replied with a soft growl yet again which Leon did not understand. He carried the cub into his arms and after a while, it was already going back to sleep.

... ... ...

"The fact that Glasgow rallied their troops at Yerdbral alone tells that there's a spy amidst us." Count Vladimir said.

"I second that." Count Vincent stated.

"Should we retaliate just as they expected. Yerdbral might not be where the magical weapon is located but it's a fortress that contributes to the solid defence of our kingdom. Even with THE DRENCHED KNIGHT there. They alone can't ward off thirty thousand, plus I'm sure Glasgow has reinforcements from the empire." Duke Ewster said.

"What is more shocking is Glasgow movements, it been only days since we heard of their declaration of war and they are already on the move, it's quick...its as though they are driving towards something and the fact that we do not know what it is should bother us." Marquis Preston said.

Everyone paused and digested what he just said.

"What do you think Duke Blind?" Duke Sharr subtly spoke, and everyone's attention shifted to Leon.

"I think we should take into consideration what Marquis Preston just said, our war with Glasgow has been a silent one for many years, unless they are sure that they will win there's no reason for them to move suddenly. Plus the fact that the empire is also supporting them means whatever it is that they have that makes them so sure that they'll win, the empire must've seen it and believed it. I think we should be careful and thorough with however we act."

"So—..." Duke Sharr held his peace as Leon continued which he considered rude.

"However, the fact that your subjects are in Yerdbral should not be overlooked, every citizen should be protected. I believe that should be the priority of the kingdom. Yerdbral might be a city that the kingdom uses to deceive our enemies' intel but there are people there and we need to protect them." Leon concluded.

"That is naive Duke Blind. You think we can save every single person in this kingdom from dying when there's war?!" Count Vladimir voiced out towards him.

"It's enough." The Queen said and looked at Leon, "You are the defence minister, whatever course of action you want to take is your decision to make. However do know that your decisions decide the fate of our kingdom, they can either save us or destroy us." She said and looked at the others, "Everything will be fine. It's the times of war, just like how you nobles do, hide your riches and yourselves, however, the ones that will remain in this court are the ones that march to the battlefield with me." She said and stood up, they all bowed as she walked out of the room.

... ... ...

"So what are you going to do?" Queen Lia asked Leon who was seated in front of her, with Knight Barrister standing behind her.

"Shouldn't we move our troops to Yerdbral too, if we move twenty thousand we can overpower them," Leon suggested.

"That will leave the capital defenceless. The capital alone has thirty thousand troops, ninety are divided around the nine states and that's all. We have a hundred mages which are all we could afford, you know already that we are bad at magic."

"Then should we move the troops from other states?"

"Likewise, the governors wouldn't want to leave their cities defenceless." She replied to him.

"But they have no choice if it is a royal decree."

"Of course but should anything happen while the troops are away, they have a solid reason to dethrone me after all this is over." She said.

"..."

Leon's stare flustered her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked.

"So you won't protect the bother because you are scared of being dethroned," Leon said.

"Be careful there lad..." immediately Knight Barrister rebuked him.

"Stop Barry, Leon is my friend and he should always speak the truth because that's what friends do." She said, looking at Leon who was not fazed. "So what do you suggest I do?"

"I think we should move troops to Yerdbral no matter how small. Have you thought of hiring mercenaries, specifically players?" Leon said.

She chuckled, "If we were to hire mercenaries, we'd need close to twenty thousand, we'd need to supply them. Temper has no such riches."

"It doesn't have to be that much, a hundred should be enough." He said.

She was quite surprised and doubtful at the same time, "A hundred? What's that going to do?" She asked, still doubtful.

"Put a level 100 restriction and leave the rest to me." Leon said and continued, "...I will go to Ordeta with ten thousand troops, to be specific the light legion, seven hundred cavalries, guardknights and foot soldiers."

Queen Lia smiled, "Someone seems to have been taking their office serious. If you know the light legion you must also know the several Knight division we have all round the kingdom."

"It's terrifying, it's no joke that Temper has the best when it comes to physical combat," Leon said, his eyeball twitching with excitement.