Chapter 16: The next destination

Chapter 16: The next destination

POV: Prince Aung (Jason)

The rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt road, the synchronized march of thousands of soldiers, and the subtle hum of Anja-infused war banners rippling in the wind marked the grand departure from Thazin.

Jason rode at the head of the army, his cloak billowing behind him. The morning sun cast its golden glow upon the vast fields, illuminating the largest force he had ever commanded.

- 5,000 Royal Army soldiers (a battalion of mixed cavalry, archers, pikemen, and swordsmen).

- 3,000 elite knights of Thazin (secretly under his command, but disguised as mercenaries).

This was not an army that could defeat a dragon.

No number of human soldiers could stand against a divine-class beast capable of destroying entire kingdoms.

But…

"Survival. That is what matters."

Jason knew that even though these 3,000 elite knights would not be enough to win against the True Ice Dragon, their presence would boost morale, raise the survival chances of his forces, and ensure that he had skilled fighters who could hold the line if things went wrong.

Because, deep down, Jason knew his real goal was not to fight the dragon.

It was to tame it.

---

POV: General Thmain Zeya

General Thmain Zeya rode beside Jason, his battle-worn face remaining impassive as he surveyed the troops.

It had been many years since he had seen an army this well-structured, and yet, he still couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

A divine-class beast…

"Even if we had ten times our numbers, we would still perish."

Thmain Zeya had fought in many wars, but no battlefield could prepare a man to fight a creature that defied the laws of mortality.

Yet, when he turned to look at Jason, the young prince's expression remained composed—borderline calculated.

"Does he truly intend to fight the dragon?"

Jason had been full of surprises so far.

He had exposed corruption, won over a powerful city, and bolstered their forces all in the span of days.

So why did Thmain Zeya feel as though the prince was holding back something even greater?

---

POV: Vice General Hla Mao Htet

Riding at the right flank, Hla Mao Htet tightened her grip on her reins, keeping pace with the marching soldiers.

She had witnessed miracles unfold in Thazin.

A prince once thought to be weak and unimportant had rewritten the fate of an entire city.

But none of that changed one simple fact.

"We are marching to our deaths."

Even with the elite knights, even with supplies, even with a disciplined force, there was no realistic way for humans to slay a dragon.

And yet…

"Why does he look so calm?"

Prince Aung did not carry the expression of a man marching toward his execution.

He carried the expression of a man who had already decided his victory.

That realization sent a chill down her spine.

"Just what are you planning, Prince Aung?"

---

POV: Vice General Ba Oo

Ba Oo adjusted his cloak, watching Jason closely from the rear guard.

This entire expedition had been designed as a death sentence—a mission to get rid of a problematic prince.

And yet, in a matter of days, Prince Aung had flipped the entire situation upside down.

He had gained an army, an alliance, and political momentum.

If Ba Oo had been an outsider observing this situation, he would bet everything that this prince was planning something far greater than just surviving this expedition.

"This isn't just about killing a dragon, is it?"

Jason Aung was building something.

And Ba Oo was going to make sure he witnessed it firsthand.

.....

POV: Commander Kyaw Zan—The Mercenary Commander

Kyaw Zan rode at the helm of his 3,000 elite knights, now disguised as mercenaries. His face remained impassive, but his mind churned with thoughts.

From the moment Mayor Hla Than entrusted them to Prince Aung, Kyaw Zan had known that his fate was now tied to this young prince's ambition.

He had fought countless battles in service of Thazin, defending its lands from bandits, rebel factions, and invading warlords. But this march was different.

They were no longer protecting fields of wheat and rice.

They were marching toward a dragon's lair;

And yet, despite the absurdity of their mission, Kyaw Zan felt no hesitation.

He had observed Jason carefully these past few days—the way he commanded loyalty without force, the way he swayed even the strongest of minds, the way he calculated every move like a seasoned ruler.

"This is no ordinary prince."

Kyaw Zan had served many nobles, but none had carried the weight of destiny like this one.

And so, despite the risks, despite the madness of facing a divine-class beast, Kyaw Zan knew he had chosen correctly.

"We are not just marching to battle. We are marching toward the birth of an era."

With that thought, Kyaw Zan tightened his grip on the reins. 

No matter the cost, he would see this prince's vision fulfilled.

…..

POV: Mayor Hla Than 

From the highest watchtower of Thazin, Mayor Hla Than watched the departing army.

His fists clenched tightly.

For years, he had only been a servant of the Crown, doing his duty for the sake of the empire.

But now…

For the first time in his life, he had chosen his own king.

"Prince Aung… no."

"My future emperor."

---

The Imperial Court 

Deep within the Royal Palace of Min Nay Pyi Taw, Crown Prince Min Ye Kyaw Htin sat upon his throne, listening to the latest reports from Thazin.

His expression was unreadable, but his fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest.

"…So my dear little brother has gained the loyalty of Mayor Hla Than?"

The messenger knelt deeply.

"Yes, Your Highness. The mayor has pledged allegiance to him in secret, though publicly, he remains neutral."

The Crown Prince was silent.

Then… he chuckled.

It was a soft, amused sound, but the room turned colder.

"He's smarter than I thought," Min Ye Kyaw Htin murmured.

The advisors around him shifted uncomfortably.

The Crown Prince's gaze darkened.

"Little brother… You were supposed to die."

"Instead, you are becoming a threat."

His fingers tightened into a fist.

"Send a letter to Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw," the Crown Prince ordered.

"Tell him to watch my dear brother's movements. If he proves useful, I will consider his ambitions for independence after I am crowned. If not… he is free to remove my brother by any means necessary."

The Crown Prince's smirk widened.

"If Prince Aung refuses to die on his own… then I will make sure he does."

---

POV: Prince Aung (Jason) 

As the army marched further from Thazin, Jason turned his gaze ahead.

Their next destination is the Commercial Hub of Myint Zine, ruled by Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw.

The last neutral province before the Khachin region.

Unlike Thazin, who had been loyal to the Crown, Duke Myint Myat Kyaw Saw had different ambitions.

- He ruled the wealthiest trading city in the empire.

- His private army was vast and well-funded.

- He was rumored to harbor dreams of independence.

And now, Jason was marching straight into his territory.

"Will he join me… or stand against me?"

Jason's lips curled into a knowing smile.

The other game had begun.

---

(Continue….)