Book 3.5: Chapter 20


    A feeling of loneliness will always fill the air on the battlefieldte at night. The humans had fire torches alight. The soldiers that did battle for the entire day didnt even have the energy left to speak, so they sat around a fire and fell into a daze. It wasnt that they didnt want to rest, but rather because they were waiting to leave the battlefield. The empress gave orders for the soldiers from the five toons who fought a tough battle during the day and suffered heavy losses to all leave the battlefield. They were ordered to return to the country, replenish their men and resources to avoid older soldiers dying and decreasing morale. The four toons that were supposed to arrive tonight were to rece their positions in the camp. Right now, they were orderly leaving the battlegrounds.


    The armys morale took a big hit when they found out their empress got wounded during her battle with the elf queen during the day. While they basically achieved their goal for the day, the morale in the camp was like that of defeat. The red uniform army saw the empress as a being that would never be wounded, a goddess of battle, a goddess. However, she was wounded before their eyes today, albeit the enemy also getting wounded.


    They werent too concerned about the empress winning or losing, but rather how her wound was. Countless soldiers gathered before her tent to check up on her despite their fatigue. The Valkyries held their long swords in their hands to keep them away. They didnt act impulsively, nor did they cause a ruckus. They just quietly sat on the ground.


    The empress set down the towel she was biting, wore her shirt on and asked Castell: Castell What is our morale like?


    Her smooth and shiny white skin looked alluringly supple under the light. However, the red blood on the blood-soaked bandage, the ck blood, and even her skin the in basin left one helplessly concerned. The empress didnt see a doctor. She instead, bit down on a towel and dug out the dirt Vyvyan smothered on out using a knife. She cut open her dead skin and burnt flesh, and finally applied medicine to her wound.


    The men are worried about your injuries so our morale has dropped a lot.


    Castell replied honestly. There is to be no lying in the army. Further, the empress never med anybody if their situation wasnt looking good.


    Is that so? Well, I need to head out there then.


    The empress stood up, wore her battle robe back on and then stamped her feet. She was very careful with her movements, worried that her wound would open up again. She looked pale. The empress was aware of that. She covered the blood on the ground, touched her forehead and lips, and then took in a deep breath. She touched the wound on her chest and then walked out with confidence.


    Your majesty!!


    When the soldiers outside saw the tent open, they orderly knelt on the ground. Their voices showed that they were worried and relieved. The empress scanned therge group of soldiers knelt before her. She then took hermander sabre, aggressively stabbed it into the dirt and shouted: What are you all gathered here for?! You think you can allze around just because Im having a short rest?! We are in enemy territory! What are we going to do if the elvesunch a sneak attack on us at night?! Where are your posts? What happen to your shifts? Whats the point of you all gathering here? How could I be defeated by this insignificant skin-deep wound? Not only am I fine, Im going to ride out there to fight tomorrow!


    Your majesty!


    Oh, right, you all performed very well today. The empress looked at a group of soldiers who were crying tears of joy already. She then softened her tone and added: I notice the bravery and skills you all show. You have all already met my standards. You have proven that you are warriors worthy of standing by my side. I am proud of all of you. You should be proud of your loyalty. I am d to have you as my men. You are true warriors! I shall reward all of you!


    Long live your majesty! Long live your majesty!


    The troops stood up with their eyes full of worship towards the empress and warm tears. They looked at their empress and shouted so loudly with all their might one would think that they would lose their voice. Their tone was filled with pride and sobs. They were all ted and lively as they looked at their empress and swore their loyalty. Some of the old veterans even knelt on the ground and broke out in tears.


    The heavy, gloomy atmosphere was swept away and reced with hope. The entire camp gleefully cheered. The troops whod lost their will and were fatigued were once again filled with vigour thanks to the encouragement of their empress. They moved more than twice as fast, moving things and leaving.


    The empress watched the soldiers cheerfully leave. She wiped her sweat off her forehead and signalled with her hand. A Valkyrie then quickly rushed over to support her back into the tent.


    Castell approached the queen, helped her onto her bed and in a sobbing tone said: Your majesty! You must rest. Youve bled too much blood!


    I already promised our men that I would fight tomorrow, so I cant go back on my words.


    The empress shut her eyes and her fatigued showed between her eyebrows. Her domineering voice now sounded weak. She had lost blood, she was in pain and the fatigue left the empress exhausted. If she were to fight tomorrow, her body would probably give in.


    Your majesty!


    Its pointless to say any more, Castell.


    The empress opened her eyes. She looked at the upset Castell with her gentle ck eyes, I know that youre worried about me, and I know that my body is very tired. However, I cant rx. Its not that I regret trusting you with the army, its just that I must stand at the front of our men. Im not doing it to raise morale. Im doing it just so that I can hold my son a little sooner.


    Castell knelt on the ground, gripped the bed tightly and in his sobbing tone said: Your majesty You must consider your own well-being


    Silly child. I know, I know.


    The empress reached her hand out and gently stroked Castells head. Castell then cried out loud. He knelt before the empress and cried loudly.


    Ill rest tonight, starting from now.


    The empress closed her eyes and then wearily said: I believe that my body will have recovered enough by tomorrow to allow me to ride on horseback. Ive survived more difficult times before, so this minor injury is nothing. You saw how Vyvyan wouldnt give up. Shes injured too. I injured her left leg and shoulder, but I believe that she will still stand at the forefront of her forces tomorrow. This may be just a normal war to you, but for us, its about the pride of a mother.


    Your majesty, you are an empress, not just a simple mother.


    No, I am a mother before I am an empress.


    The empress chuckled helplessly and said: I dont have anything else I desire. Land, wealth, cheers, worship, vengeance I dont need any of that anymore. The only thing I want now is my son. He was the only man I ever loved, and my son is my only son. Once I have my son, Ill be able to enjoy my life in the future in peace. Being able to see my son grow up day-by-day is the most blissful thing in the world to me.


    Castell clenched his teeth. The empresss voice got softer and softer until there was only the sound of her gentle breathing. Castell said no more. He just stood up with his tears running as he looked at the empress. The empress still wore a happy smile on her face. Perhaps thest sentence she said about living with her son was iparably blissful.


    Castell bowed deeply as he sobbed and said: Goodnight, your majesty.


    He then wiped his tears and exited the tent. He looked towards the imperial city of the elves without speaking for a long while.


    Castell, how is her majesty?


    Alices voice came from his side. Castell didnt lower his head or look at the tent behind him. He instead kept his eyes on the city in front of him and said: Her majesty is resting.


    Really? Thats great then.


    Alice let out a sigh of relief. She then chuckled and said: What are you looking at then? Are you checking out thend you will be rewarded in the future or your rank as a duke? The elves have nicend. I think thend will most likely be rewarded to you.


    No. Im wondering just how outstanding the prince is for her majesty to love him so much.