- Shari -

Things are seriously moving too fast for me. For some reason, the commander of the enemy army is none other than the captain of the royal guard from back when I was working in the palace. And this very man just now gave the count we were hunting a stomach-churner that definitely will keep him on the ground for a while. I'm not the only one who finds this development weird, right?

But even if there are so many thoughts swirling through my core that even high-speed processing is rather occupied, I should probably listen to what happens next. While the count was knocked to the ground, that doesn't keep him from talking up.

"You! How dare you lay hand on a noble?! You will pay for this!" (Hovari)

"Men, take the dear count and put him into custody." (Soma)

"You won't get away with this! I will enact my vengeance!" (Hovari)

"Also, stuff his mouth. He'll have opportunity enough to talk in the dungeon." (Soma)

With this, the soldiers pull a screaming count behind their lines. Soma, in the meantime, steps forward, engaging a troop of very befuddled, opposing soldiers.

"Soldiers! I'm rather sure you're aware, but let me press the matter that you're highly outnumbered and surrounded. I may not know your circumstances, but are you truly willing to give your life for such a cause? To betray your fatherland without anything to expect in return?" (Soma)

Yeah, I remember how he had the natural charisma that goes with his position. This shows now, as none of the soldiers seem very inclined to fight. Did I mention that the new army is around twice as large as the one we were following? Archers already nock their arrows to take down whoever decides to try to escape. And apparently, they are on our side.

"Prepare! Whoever runs gets killed. Everyone else will have a chance to live." (Peras)

Now it shows why Peras decided to take formation on the road. This way, the only other way is blocked. These soldiers can either run into the Evergrove or to the north, but in both cases, their chances are slim.

Just then, realization hits me. Was Peras in the know!?! This would explain everything. Why was he so insistent on following? So sure we'd be able to deal with this, despite knowing about the expected enemy reinforcements. And why he decided to wait like this for "their" troop.

"Run! Run!" (soldiers)

Of course, there's always someone who has to test it out.

"Sstk"

Only to be taken down by the archers of the new army. Those kills are apparently enough to shut down any further attempts in this direction.

After this, things begin to wrap up, and I make use of the chance to move to Soma.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Captain Soma? For real?!" (Shari)

"Oh damn! You? Seriously?" (Soma)

"What are you doing here? I know what I'm doing, this is part of my current assignment, but what are the chances of finding you right here? And as the leader of this army? Shouldn't you be guarding the queen in the capital?" (Shari)

Instead of answering, he focuses on Peras, who's approaching from behind me.

"Captain." (Soma)

At least that one seems to be willing to address me.

"We were in need of qualified leaders for troop dispatchment. This operation required us to deploy a lot of troops in all too short time." (Peras)

"Operation? You're not just talking about the purging of Ekoras, right?" (Shari)

"No. While Ekoras was the centerpiece, we were expecting The Pact to answer in some way. For this reason, of course, countermeasures were put into action. One of them being to prepare a quick dispatch unit against any troop movements from Siras, which is confirmed by now to be under enemy control." (Peras)

Okay, makes sense. I was part of that interrogation. They wouldn't leave this city unchecked. Yet this still seemed pretty risky.

"But how did you know that the army that was coming was ours? What if they just slipped through whatever blockade was there and were marching in front of the dispatch unit?" (Shari)

"I may be able to answer this question. Let me say that our information network is very advanced. By now, most enemy camps should be destroyed or rendered unusable. The attack was quite certainly stopped in its tracks." (Soma)

"Well, and how did you manage to achieve this feat?" (Shari)

"We were provided intel right from the castle of Ekoras. It conveyed all assumed enemy positions. Rounding them up and dealing with them was a simple matter afterwards." (Soma)

From the castle? Wait!

"Michael! Michael told you! But why am I learning about this just now?" (Shari)

"Hey, would you stop making a scene? This is by no means the kind of thing that should be spouted out at this volume." (Soma)

"Oh, sorry that I'm the slightest bit confused about your presence. However, I seriously didn't expect you to show up here! So excuse me if I'm the slightest bit irritated about the fact that you're suddenly part of an army I didn't even know about since five minutes ago!" (Shari)

"You don't seem to fully grasp the concept of covert missions." (Soma)

"Don't diss me like this! It's truly above me how things could play out like this. What even happened with this ominous enemy army I heard about?" (Shari)

At this, Soma looks at me with a blank expression.

"Agent Shari, I'd ask you to mind your manners. Surely not even one of your status is entitled to know every step of Their Majesties' plans." (Peras)

Urgh, but that would be so much simpler! At least Soma seems willing to tell me his part.

"Isn't it obvious? I already told you. We dealt with them. Or what did you think these soldiers did until now? This mission was in many ways a success." (Soma)

Following his gesture, I become aware that the soldiers' equipment is by no means pristine. Rather, it's obvious they were in combat not too long ago. However, this is clearly the coat of arms of the enemy side, so those must be the uniform of the defeated army.

"I wasn't thrilled that we were ordered to wear these uniforms, but it certainly helped to make the enemy lower their guard." (Soma)

So they were just defeated? Maybe a bit anticlimactic of an end.

"So you won?" (Shari)

"It's still a bit of a process." (Soma)

What does that mean?

"Some sabotage, some disrupted supply lines, and they were quite unable to make any kind of move. At this moment, the rest of them should be dealt with by the shadow army we built up for situations just as these. Yet the dispatchment in this direction was necessary to stop them before they could make their move on Ekoras." (Soma)

"You knew they were planning this?!" (Shari)

"Of course I did. You shouldn't underestimate the crown's intel network." (Soma)

As if I would be satisfied with just this!

"Sorry, but I still want to know how it comes that you know about something in advance that we only just now heard about for the first time." (Shari)

"I got the intel from our informants. One of them you would know. After all, he's your liaison officer. That, next to some documents I went through in my spare time when I didn't have to babysit you, was enough to get a big enough picture." (Soma)

"Then why didn't he warn us as well?!" (Shari)

I seriously don't like to be left in the dark.

"It might be that he didn't trust you to safekeep such information. As I know you, you aren't the most secretive. Especially about your own, very peculiar secret." (Soma)

Okay, now I am offended.

"Seriously! Just because I, at times, choose to play with open cards, if I deem this to be the best course of action, doesn't mean I can't keep my mouth shut about top secret information! I'm not that incompetent! When did you ever see either of us slip up in a crucial manner?!" (Shari)

"SHAAAARIII!" (Liqu)

Suddenly, a dreadful shout emerges. Dreadful because of all the worrisome implications it carries. Yep, there's a green slime storming right my way. Oh, and did I mention that she's wholly naked?

"Sigh. Did I mention that those men I'm commanding here weren't at all informed about the queen's newest additions to her entourage?" (Soma)

Now you tell me!

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