Chapter 17

Havens POV

The war was something that came unexpectedly but when did it ever come knocking on the door. I have always been involved in expeditions which dealt with monsters that'd show up in the nearby forests, bandits and so on. I'm experienced when it comes to those things but war. I've heard a lot about war from my father and my late grandfather, now I'll experience it in person.

Compared to the Western and Eastern Empire, our empire is more advanced and powerful. Just the fact that they want to go on war with us suddenly means that they have something up themselves. I have looked into everything but still there is no sign of what they're leaning towards for their success in the war. With the help of the Southern Empire, we'll bring victory but something about this war isn't sitting well with me. Speaking of the Southern Empire, they were quick to provide a plan for the war which made the whole process a little faster and during the war they have been very helpful. In the Western Empire, our army has been having victories and defeats whereas in the Eastern Empire, we heard of mostly the victories of the battle by the Southern army. What took me by surprise were the rumors that were flowing around my knights.

"So there is a knight in the Southern Army who has exceptional swordsmanship skills…?" I asked, intrigued with the information provided by my personal knight.

"Yes, Your Highness." Sir Edwin replied back.

"Mhm…it seems that knights are the reason why they've been gaining victories. I want that knight to fight alongside us! Try to find out who that person is as soon as they arrive at the base." I said while looking over at the letter from the Northern Empires Army which contained the casualties from the last battle.

"I think it'll be hard. I tried finding out information on this knight but the only thing I could find was the name which is given to that knight." Sir Edwin informed.

"I see. And what is that name?" I asked, all my attention on him now.

"…The most cruel and cold-hearted knight." He thought for a while before responding. This made me even more intrigued. I'd love to work with such a knight.

"That's one long name….He must be someone with a lot of strength! Let's just wait until they arrive. You may leave now." I instructed him, leaning back on my chair.

"This sure is enthralling." I mumbled to myself.

Today, the Northern Empires Army arrived at the base. I didn't have time to greet them but I'll meet the Captain and Generals at the meeting which I'm heading to at the moment. I'm looking forward to meeting that knight or will they continue resisting to tell me who that knight is? I enter the meeting room with everyone sitting in their respective chairs while looking around I notice a very unfamiliar face and that too of a lady. There were Captains who were women but she looked quite young to be on the battlefield. For now, let's start this meeting.

"Good Afternoon everyone! I sincerely apologize to the Southern Captains and Generals for not greeting the army at your arrival."

"We accept your apology!" The Head Captain Gabriel responded back with a slight smile.

"Then shall we continue with the meeting?" I immediately started the meeting which covered the outcomes of all the battles so far and came up with plans for the upcoming battles, soon ending the war completely. The meeting lasted for quite awhile and I couldn't help notice the strange gaze from the unfamiliar lady throughout the whole meeting. Even when the meeting was done, she was absolutely zoned out that Duke Aspen had to quietly yell to bring her back to consciousness. Just as they are about to leave, I stop them by abruptly speaking out.

"I heard there is a knight who has exceptional swordsmanship skills." I spoke out. They both halted in their steps and seemed a little nervous.

"Pardon?" Duke Aspen said while the lady hid behind him.

"I want that knight to fight alongside me during the next battle." I informed them, almost a command.

"Regardless of whose side she fights, we'll win the battle!" Duke Aspen urgently assured me but what caught my attention was the word "she" so that knight is a woman.

What caught my attention the most was what Duke Aspen said after I tried to get her name. "I'm afraid you can't meet her. I have very specific orders to conceal that person's identity unless she, herself, wants to reveal her identity. I sincerely apologize." It seems that woman is more important than I expected. The conversation was kept short as I asked for who the lady is which Duke Aspen replied back that she's his assistant general. That was something I didn't expect, from what I know Duke Aspen never brings an assistant general even for expeditions. The only reason why I know this is because the moment the war began, I had to become familiar with the Southern Empires Army so when they arrive at the base I won't have much trouble addressing who is who. It seems that the assistant general entered the army at the beginning of this war or else I would've known who she was. Regardless of that, it seems I'll have to dig around to find who that knight is. It'd be great help if she fights alongside me though Sir Edwin is an amazing partner but I also want to see how cruel this knight is.

Since that day, I have had some of my knights keep an eye on Duke Aspen and his assistant general but most of the time I watch them train and so on. I have also been sparring against the high ranking knights which include the females as well. Though I do this in excuse of me wanting to get more practice but in actuality it's to find out who that knight is. I even fought against Evadine who is closely acquainted with that lady and Duke Aspen but all of the sparring came with disappointment. Now the only one left to spar is that lady but she always finds a way to slip away. Soon I had to lessen my surveillance due to the battle preparations and a month had passed since then. It's a day before the battle, to my surprise the lady is training with Captain Gabriel in the training grounds. I stopped to watch her train but it seems like she noticed my presence as she abruptly stopped. I should ask her to spar with me. If I don't, I'll get the chance again. I approached them to which they both greeted me but I came to the realization that I didn't even know her name.

"What's your name?" I asked, closely observing her expression.

""Pardon?" She replied back with confusion written all over her face.

"You didn't give your name when we met last time." I said nonchalantly.

"Ah…my name is Lainey." She replied back quite slowly, if she knew that her name would leave me speechless.

"…Lainey likes the late Empress's middle name?" I questioned, breaking the silence.

"…..Ah yes! The late Empress had named me since my family had served the Imperial family for generations." She answered back, leaving me in a trance. I never heard of the Empress being in close connections with a commoner's family or even a noble family. Oh well, let's ask her about Irene.

"Perhaps…were you Princess Irene's knight back at the palace?" I continued questioning her, just so I can find some information on my mysterious fiancee.

"Yes, Your Highness." She replied back.

"Then why are you here and not with Princess Irene?" I curiously asked.

"Her highness went abroad for further studies and took Sir Grayson with her." She said with a blank expression.

"…Abroad?" I mumbled. Seems like the Emperor sent Irene abroad to keep her safe while the war broke out, at least she's safe.

"If you don't mind, shall I take my leave?" She abruptly says, so she's trying to escape once again.

"No. Stay to spar with me!" I demanded.

"Uhm your highness, she has trained for the past 3 hours and she needs to rest for the battle tomorrow!" Captain Gabriel worryingly spoke out, I couldn't help but let her slip away willingly. One day, I'll get to spar against her…who knows maybe she's that knight?

The next few months have been busier with the battles as both of the battles lasted longer than expected but what was more surprising was that the unknown knight is quite extraordinary but I've still not been able to see her. It seems like she purposely fought the battles away from me. Nonetheless, we won the first battle but not the second one, there seems to be a weapon that the Western Empire started to utilize now—giving them an upper hand in the battle. That is exactly what today's meeting is on as we discuss the possible mishaps which happened in the previous battle and what to do in the next battle since we have a month left to wrap up everything.

"There is a chance that they are using a weapon which is powered by magic." One of the Captains spoke out.

"I doubt they would've been able to get a powerful magician. Additionally, they aren't advanced enough to build such weapons." I concluded, thinking of other possibilities but nothing came across in my head. "…Let's pause the meeting here and continue it later!" I said after noticing that everyone was stuck. They one by one got up and proceeded to leave the room while I stayed back with Sir Edwin.

"Duke Aspen! Stay back for a while. I have something to discuss with you." I calmly spoke out as he was making his way to the door.

"Yes, Your Highness." Duke Aspen respectfully responded back.

"For this last battle…I need her to fight beside me! Even though we don't know what this weapon is, I need her skills to turn the tables in the battle." I explained to him, hoping he'll tell me who she is. I may not sound desperate but inside, I feel quite desperate to know who she is because we can only win this war if she fights in the front besides me.

"…I apologize but her life can't be risked!" Duke Aspen claimed, making me agitated. How important can this person be that he can't even tell me? Is she…his sister? No, that can't be! I've never heard of House Astley having a daughter or maybe…she's an illegitimate child? I just want, whoever that woman is, to fight alongside me.

"I understand but this is very important!" I emphasized, getting even more frustrated.

"…I'll discuss this matter with her. Then I'll take my leave." He bowed down as I got up from my chair.

"I'll leave with you." I told him, making my way out the door.

Suddenly, I heard some lady's voice which sounded quite familiar. "SIR EDWIN! PROTECT THE PRINCE!!" Lainey yelled at us, frantically. I watch the dark figure approach us slowly but quickly. My eyes moved back and forth from the figure to Lainey as she threw the knife, perfectly aiming it at the dark figure turning him into black ashes.

"What…was that?" Sir Edwin asked with horror.

"They had sent an assassinator…to kill Prince Haven!" Lainey spoke out while trying to catch her breath, walking towards the pile of dust which radiated sinister magic.

"Lainey, are you ok-?" Duke Aspen worriedly looked at her.

"…Black magic!" She spoke out after a while, her attention was only on the pile of ashes in front of her.

"What?" I asked, bewildered.

"They are using black magic! The reason he turned into dust is because of the inscriptions on the knife but even if he was to kill you with it, you would die instantly but not turn into dust." She informed us, touching the dust lightly.

"Why did he turn into dust?" I questioned.

"I believe he's the one who made the inscriptions on the knife and…because he was already dying." She answered, looking up at me as our eyes met. "…Their secret weapon are magicians who know black magic and seeing how ominous his aura was, it seems they are quite powerful! We'll have to take the initiative on this battle too but rather secretly so we can first get rid of these magicians and when that's done, the Western Empire would surrender instantly. Though this has a lot of risks." She informed us. She's clever and quick to catch onto the opponent's tricks.

"We could make something work with that plan…I can't believe they went ahead to use something that is banned in all the territories." I angrily said, almost in disbelief at their action. "Edwin, give me information on any recent black magic activity." I immediately turned to Edwin and left. The whole afternoon, I spent gathering information on how the Western Empire even got their hands on magicians who can perform black magic. Black magic was something completely sinister which is why it's banned in all territories though there might be a handful of people who still perform black magic but many of them were executed so this is just bizarre that there are still some alive. At least for now we know that one of them died…but how many are even the Western Empires under control?

I look out the window and it is pitch black, without realizing I've been up very late into the night. I'm still waiting for some more information which Edwin should be bringing soon. The incident from early afternoon was still relaying in my head and the way she wisely handled it was also impressive. Is it possible that she's the rumored knight…? Just as I'm lost in that thought, I get out of my daze from a knock on the door.

"Come in." I commanded as I looked up at the approaching figure.

"Here's the documents." Sir Edwin placed the documents on the desk. "Your Highness, you've been in this room for the past few hours…Why don't we go on a short walk?" He suggested politely.

"…Sure. Let's discuss these documents on the walk." I got up from my chair and together, we left for a short walk. It was completely dark outside and the only light available was from the moonlight along with some lamps being on which dimly shone. During the walk, we discussed the underhand activities which the Western and Eastern Empire were involved in. Everything was falling into place and we could end them at any moment. After about a 30 minute long walk, I felt somewhat refreshed. I was still looking at the document when I caught onto something strange, making me stop right in front of the door which is the exit leading to the small garden. It seems like the Eastern Empire was personally teaching their magicians, black magic, which means their King never completely banned black magic.

Me and Edwin started examining the documents once more when I suddenly felt someone else's presence. At first, I decided to ignore it, thinking that I'm just restless but then it felt like someone was staring at me. I slowly turned around, the only thing that came in my eyesight confused me.

"Am I hallucinating?" I mumbled to myself. I could swear that I saw brown curly hair flowing as if someone ran towards that dark hallway but that hair resembles exactly like Irenes and the late Empress. I think I'm hallucinating…there is no way Irene could even be here. It's impossible.

"Is there something over there?" Edwin asked, making me turn around to face him.

"No…but I thought I saw Irene." I confusingly told him.

"Her Highness, the Princess?" He asked, baffled.

"I think I'm tired and let's not talk about her, this is more important than that girl." I said with no emotion.

"…But she's your fiancée." Edwin cautiously spoke out.

"We both don't acknowledge ourselves as fiancés plus she even wanted to break the engagement….I was never able to tolerate her presence when we were younger and I know I still won't when I meet her again after the war." I stated with bitterness as I headed to my room. The flashbacks from our childhood flooded back in my head as I remembered her annoying me whenever I wanted to peacefully read but she'd always join in with her book. Though I had to be gentle with her because after all, she is my parents' friend's daughter. But I never liked her due to her overly bubbly personality and could care less about her which is why I had agreed to the annulment of the engagement but then mother refused. I remember going to her debutante and unknowingly she caught my eyes but I believe that was just a moment of illusion.

The last battle was the most difficult and excruciating—we lost many of the knights, bloodshed and fire blazed almost everywhere. We had made the first attack at the Western Empires base and kept a close eye on their movements. The battle went on for almost 2 weeks since it was so difficult to pinpoint where the magicians were kept but with the underground tunnel, we were led to the prison which kept those magicians. It was quite shocking to see the magicians being held captive in such harsh conditions but we had to end their lives for them. Just like that we fought their army for the next few days. And my suspicions were right, Lainey is that knight with exceptional skills. When I first got a glimpse of her fighting, I was stunned. She wielded her sword beyond words as she easily attacked the enemies even on her horse, she kept a brilliant posture and killed them. I couldn't wait to talk to her after we headed to the base. That day, we claimed our victory and put a close to the 2 year long war.