Chapter 2: 5000 Soldiers

Emperor Lucas Tang was in his late twenties to early thirties. He strived for power and domination. He wants to rule the whole entire continent. He will stop at nothing until he owns it all.

Clenching her fist tightly together, she told herself she couldn't give up. Not when she's so close to saving her grandfather. Summoning up her courage she followed Prince Regent to his tent. As she stepped in, she could hear them talking about strategies.

"Prince Regent, we have barely thirty thousand soldiers left. How would we possibly break through their first, second, and third flank?" questioned Commander Wang.

Prince Regent remained quiet. He ponders at the question. He too is running out of ideas on how to win against such a large force. If he wasn't tricked and lie to, then maybe his other twenty thousand men would have survived and lived to fight with him till the very end. What's worst now is that he is poison. He couldn't use his magic to his fullest. He couldn't show his golden dragon as he intended to. He sighs as he felt that this maybe the end for him and his men. 

"I will do it," said Elisa. She was walking towards Prince Regent. 

"What?" asked all three of them.

"I will be the distraction. If I can help break through those three flanks, we will stand a chance to win against Emperor Lucas."

"Don't be a fool. No one can break through such defenses," said Left Prime Minister.

Prince Regent looked at her with a cold and stern face.

Elisa was shocked and frightened. She had never seen such a serious look before.

"You think this is a joke?" asked Prince Regent walking to her.

"No. I dare not," said Elisa.

"These men's lives are at stake if you fail."

"I know, your highness. Those men have brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mother, father, wives, and grandparents. I would never risk their life for my own foolishness."

He stared at her for a very long time. "Very well. As long as you know that." Prince Regent walked away from her.

"I can do it," said Elisa, with determination in her voice.

Rosie was the last of the phoenix's bloodline. She have the true power of the phoenix. Being the most powerful of them all, she believes she have the ability to break through the flanks. She can turn the fight around. 

"How?"

"I need five thousand men to stand behind me while I rammed into them."

"Five thousand men?" questioned Prince Regent. He turned around to look at her. He raised his right eyebrow at her.

Elisa nodded.

He walked back to her and asked again, "You need only five thousand?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Please, I can do it."

"No." He walked away and out of the tent. 

Left prime minister thought of something and ran after him. He stopped Prince Regent and said, "Prince Regent, if she can cause the distraction we need, then maybe some of us can run. To survive and live, and to fight another day is better than being dead." 

Prince Regent became silent.

Commander Wang was also coming from behind. "Yes. I agree with left prime minister."

"It's a better option than what we have now," said Left Prime Minister. 

"What are you saying?" asked Prince Regent. 

"If she fights the enemy head on, then we can take the chance to run."

"I won't do it. I won't leave my men behind to die."

"Prince Regent, if she is able to win against the heavily three defenses, then we can always stay to fight. However, if she loses than we can take the chance to escape. Your life is worth more than anyone here. You need to go back and fight for the throne. Don't let that wicked brother of yours take over the kingdom," said Commander Wang. 

"It's better that we lost five thousand men than the whole army," said Left Prime Minister. 

After a long while he said, "Fine. I will take your guys advices." He let out a heavy sigh. He knows that he must live to fight another day. He cannot die. He have much to do for his father's kingdom.

His father Alexander Zhu, was a good ruler. He brought the kingdom from poverty into one of the richest land in the countries. He made sure all his people from poor to rich were treated equally. Even though he was a good man, he was not good at choosing his women. The Empress whom he loved the most after his mother's death, was put him into a coma for the past ten years. 

The kingdom is now being ruled by the Empress. She is literally running the kingdom into ruined. She kills anyone who stands against her. She enslave those who betrays her. She even have her own quarter of men that she kept for her own needs. She uses them for sexual pleasures and physical needs. Taking any men she finds fit to do her bidding whether it was day or night. 

Prince Regent clenches his fist tightly as he hated her. They were right. He must live. He must return back alive to get the throne from that vile woman. He must do whatever it takes to not let the Crown Prince take the kingdom. For the Zhu kingdom will die with disgrace before his ancestors. 

"Good choice," said Left Prime Minister.

"Wise chose, your highness," said Commander Wang. 

Prince Regent walked back into the tent. He looked at Elisa. "Hey, you."

Elisa looked up at him. "Yes, your highness."

"I will grant your wish."

Elisa beamed happily at him.

Commander Wand and Left Prime Minister followed.

"But know this, if you die, it will be because you decided to die for the kingdom."

Elisa too excited bowed down and said, "Thank you. Thank you, Prince Regent. I won't let you down."

"Humph. Foolish," he said. He walked away from her with annoyance.

Elisa frowned at his attitude. Left Prime Minister and Commander Wang also followed him back out.

"What an idiot," said Commander Wang.

"At least she offers her life up," said Left Prime Minister.

Elisa didn't care for she had the chance to save her grandfather. As long as she can save him, that's all that matters.

For three days she planned with Prince Regent, Left Prime Minister, and Commander Wang on what her plan was. They were not fond of her plan, as she plans on charging head on with the enemy just like she said. Because she was young and foolish, they went ahead and let her carry on with her idea. Their goal was to escape while she plans on trying to be victorious. 

"She's so confident even when she lack experiences in war," said Left Prime Minister. 

Prince Regent frown. He too remembers when he was young like that. He was 12 when he was sent to war. He fought nonstop for the past 10 years. For the Zhu kingdom he have shed sweat, tears, and blood. Now at the age of 21, he have seen too many bloodsheds and too many deaths to even care abut making any foolish plans like her. 

"Prince Regent?" asked Commander Wang.

"Yes?" answered Prince Regent.

"If Miss Elisa's plan worked, are we planning to go in with her?"

"Of course. That is, if she breaks through the flanks."

"Very well, Prince Regent."

"Send out that lad, Fanatic Hu to help her."

"Yes, your highness."