Chapter 11 (a new path unfolds)

Meanwhile, on the generals' side.

Countless cuts have been made on

Zarok's deadly skin, but they heal

instantly.

The two generals are already breathing

heavily, sweat streaming down their

cheeks. "There is no end to this,"

General Orion said, wiping his brow with

his right thumb.

General Darius stretches his hand,

gripping his spear firmly. "I think I have a

proposal." He said, partially turning to

General Orion. General Orion nods

slowly in agreement. "Why don't we

strike simultaneously, creating an

opening? I'll be the one to strike with my

aura when there's an opening; you give

the finish blow, not giving him any

chance to recover." He  floated. General

Darius adjusts his grip on the spear,

charging forward, jabbing quickly,

keeping his distance, and aiming for his

weak spots.

But Zarok is relentless. With every thrust,

he parri with the flat of his axe, trying to

close the distance.

Zarok raises his right axe into the air,

aiming to strike General Darius. General

Orion intervenes swiftly, attacking from

behind, distracting Zarok.

Zarok raises both axes sideways,

spinning them heavily, creating a

powerful wind impact that forces both

generals to retreat. General Darius spins

his spear.

"Ice Aura: cold snap Aura (3 circle)." He

invoked a small mana circle materialize

behind his spear, releasing a burst of

cold emanating around him, causing

front to build up on the surface of it. He

strikes Zarok in the chest, piercing

through and freezing his flesh. Zarok

tries pulling out the spear as General

Orion strikes.

"Ice Aura: Ice spear barrage (3 circles)."

He evoked. A small mana circle

materialized behind his spear,

summoning multiple ice spears from the

air, launching them repeatedly at Zarok's

back, and slicing down, severing Zarok's

head. Zarok's body falls to the ground,

his head rolling away. Both generals fall

back, exhausted.

Five days later, in the meeting room of

the Kaldris kingdom palace, General

Orion and General Darius set with folded

hands, patiently awaiting the new

monarch's address.

They hear a knock on the door: "Knock,

knock, knock." The door opens, and

Drake enters. He sensed the bitter

atmosphere around the generals and

walks towards them cautiously.

"May I ask if she has shown up since she

returned back to the palace?" he

inquired. General Darius, taking deep

breath.

"No, perhaps you should check on her;

she's in his majesty chamber." He

replied.

Just then, the door opens, and Isabella

steps in. "You don't need to bother; I'm

here," Isabella announced.

Thank you all for condolences and your

support until the end," she said, turning

to the two generals.

"I would truly appreciate it if you could

continue supporting the kingdom until

your last breath."

The two generals kneel on their right

legs, placing their right hand on their

chest.

"Kaldris is our home, where our stories

have meaning. We will protect what gives

our life meaning till our last breath.

Please give us your order," both

generals said in unison. Isabella steps

forward, touching their shoulders.

"You can both stand." The two generals

stand.

"Thanks for trusting us; we will make

sure our services are up to your

expectation." The said, stepping back a

bit.

"Okay, you can both leave. I need to

speak with Drake privately." She said.

""Yes, your highness." They both

rejoined. Drake and Isabella turn, looking

at them as they open the door and leave.

Isabella turns back to Drake.

"Sorry for bringing you worry and

concern." She digs her hands into her

attire and brings out a scroll. "It seems

we can't keep you here anymore. Please

take this." She passed the scroll and

badge to Drake. "What are these for?"

He curiously inquired.

Isabella folds her arms, walking around

the meeting room. "When you get to

Greenland at the Central Plan, can you

please ask for someone called Maximus

at the Phantom mercenary office and

pass that scroll to him?" She walks back

to him. "As for that badge, you can have

it."

Drake passes back the badge, "You

don't need to give me an additional

badge. I have gotten one already."

Isabella pushes the badge on his hand

back to him.

"Just have it; it may serve another

purpose; as you can see, it is useless to

me because I can't attend anymore. Just

give it to anyone you think he or she

deserves it." Walking towards the door,

"Dave, you need to start preparing to

leave, and I won't see you off." Drake is

intrigued, watching Isabella leave the

room. 

Thirty minutes later, at the Kaldris

kingdom's main gate. Drake is about to

leave when a man, pulling a hairy horse,

walks towards him.

"You must be Mr. Alexander Drake." The

man said. Drake's jaw tenses, and his

mouth closes. "Hum, sorry for the late

introduction," the man continue. "My

name is Kendrick, the formal king's

informant. I was sent down here by the

queen to pass this horse to you."

Kendrick gently pulls the horse across

Drake.

"Okay, pass my massage," Drake said.

"That I appreciate this gift." He climbs

onto the house while Kendrick holds it

steady.

"This is my fifth time riding a horse after

taking riding lessons at the riding stable

on Earth." He gently rides out the main

gate.