A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

Gastad's army and the mixed army of various countries following the Gastad people total 10,000+, and they are marching towards the royal city of Aaron Landis.

Aaron Landis has a total of six legions.

The cavalry units of the First Army, Sixth Army, and Third Army were destroyed in the western battlefield.

The Second Army and the Fifth Army guarded the northern border to resist the resurgent Geshurians, and were unable to go south to rescue them.

The Fourth Army guarded the eastern border, and was pinned down at the border by the pessimistic Islamic people, and was also unable to go to the rescue.

The Wangcheng, which is at stake, only has the infantry unit of the Third Legion, less than [-] soldiers, guarding the Wangcheng.

In the various cities of Aaron Landis, most of the troops responsible for guarding the cities have only a few thousand people, and cities with more than [-] troops are extremely rare.

Leaving aside the combat power of individual soldiers, they simply cannot match the Gastadians in numbers alone, let alone rescue the royal city.

If the Lion King is still there, as long as he shouts loudly, troops from all directions will gather immediately, and the troops from all cities will gather under his command.

however……

Without a clear banner, the city lords and consuls of each city could only guard their own cities helplessly and cautiously, watching the army of the Gastadians march towards the royal city.

At this time, when Gastad's army was still advancing on the road, a group of cavalry from the North had rushed into the royal city in the dark.

The leading black knight completely ignored the uproar caused by his return in the palace, threw his dusty cloak on the welcoming maid, and walked straight to Garlan's palace.

The guards guarding around the palace day and night according to the order of the crown prince were all taken aback when they saw Heymos suddenly appear here.

The leading knight commander was silent for a moment, then he signaled the others to get out of the way, and put Heymos in. He looked at Heymos with a little surprise in his eyes, because although he had received the order, but Unexpectedly, the prince would really come back.

Heymos, who only wanted to see Garlan, didn't notice the knight commander's eyes at all.

He strode in.

Everything in the palace was exactly the same as before he left, without any change, including the group of lavender hyacinths by the pool, still fluttering gently in the night wind as before.

However, perhaps because the owner here was injured, or perhaps because it was late at night, the courtyard seemed very deserted at this moment.

Therefore, the sound of Heymos' hurried footsteps was very clear in this silent courtyard.

Pushing open the door, Heymos walked in quickly, and saw the bulging white blanket on the bed at a glance.

The blanket wrapped in something was gently undulating.

Rhythmic, no rush.

Heimos breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that Garlan's body should be recovering pretty well, otherwise he wouldn't have slept so soundly, and even heard a slight snoring...

snore?

Garlan never snores when he sleeps.

Heymos raised his eyebrows and carefully looked at the bulging blanket.

The drum is too round.

That handsome face instantly sank, and his expression became gloomy.

Heymos took a step forward, without saying a word, he stretched out his hand and lifted off the wrapped white blanket.

Thus, the chubby boy hidden under the blanket was exposed to Heymos.

Unaware that the person he feared the most was by his side, Tal continued to sleep soundly, and even whimpered twice like a pig because he felt a little cold.

Slightly narrowing his golden-red eyes, Heymos lifted his foot and kicked Taal off Garlan's bed.

The little fat man was soundly asleep, when he suddenly fell to the ground with a bang, he was stunned.

He was lying on the ground, with a trace of sleepy saliva at the corner of his mouth, and his sleepy eyes were open with a dazed expression.

Tal was still at a loss.

Heymos was already impatient, so he reached out and picked up the little fat man who was still lying on the ground looking left and right.

As soon as Tal raised his head and met those golden-red eyes, he immediately trembled.

After seeing clearly the dangerous gleam in Heymos' eyes staring at him, his heart almost jumped out of his throat.

"Where is Garlan..."

Heymos didn't finish his question.

Tal, who was frightened to death, hugged his head and shouted in a low voice.

"Your Highness, don't do anything! The prince asked me to wait for you here!"

"........."

Heymos paused.

Therefore, the little fat man, who was terrified by Heymos's glance just now, took advantage of the moment he paused, pretended that the prince was injured, and together with Shemuer and others, seduced the forces hidden underground in the king's city. Hey Moss was told everything about everything he came out to catch up with.

Naturally, it included the fact that the prince left a substitute and secretly ran out of the king's city to go to the battlefield.

"You mean, Garlan asked you to wait for me here?"

"Yes, I received a message from the prince from the western region a few days ago."

Tull nodded vigorously.

"The prince said that you will definitely come to him, so let me wait for you in his room, and when I see you, I will give you this."

As the little fat man said, he quickly climbed back onto the bed with agility that was not like a fat man, turned over a corner of the mattress, and took out a cloth bag and handed it to Heymos.

It was a palm-sized cloth bag, light-colored, with a little stain.

The thin golden rope wraps the opening tightly, making it impossible to see what's inside.

Seeing Heymos staring at the small cloth bag in his hand, Tal quickly added something.

"I didn't open it, I definitely didn't open it while you were away, I swear, I swear to Shamash!"

Too lazy to talk to the nervous little fat man, Heymos untied the rope and threw it on the palm of his hand.

A small emerald green object lightly landed on his hand.

He was startled.

Malachite earrings.

The emerald green gemstone earrings that he put back on for Garlan with his own hands are now lying quietly in his palm.

Followed by it, there was a folded white note.

As soon as it was unfolded, Heymos saw the familiar handwriting on the paper.

'Hold the king's city. '

The light-colored thin lips were slightly pursed, Heymos lowered his eyes, and the black eyelashes cast a little shadow on his cheeks. He was silent and did not speak.

He clenched his hands tightly, holding the malachite earring tightly in his palm.

Seeing that Heymos kept his eyes down and remained silent, and ignored him, the little fat man's eyeballs rolled around.

"Here, I've got the things for you. I've done what the prince asked me to do."

Moaning, he climbed out of bed, and said, "I can go and find the Prince now."

He showed a happy expression.

The period not long ago was a nightmare for Tal.

Others don't know, but as the prince's confidant, he naturally knows where the prince has gone.

The news of the annihilation of the Aaron Landis army on the western front was like a bolt from the blue, and he couldn't recover for a while.

King Kamos died in battle... what about his...his prince?

completely annihilated.

In other words, his prince also died in battle?

From that day on, he was in a daze and couldn't even eat. Every day he ran to the lion garden and cried loudly at the big lion Nega.

His eyes were red and swollen every day, and he lost weight at a speed visible to the naked eye.

And the big lion Nega is also very irritable, always wanting to escape from the lion garden, as if he wanted to find someone.

It wasn't until receiving a secret letter from the prince that Taal came back to life again.

If it wasn't for the prince's order, he would have run to find Garlan regardless.

It doesn't matter how dangerous the place where the prince is now is.

Many years ago, when the little prince not only didn't punish him, but picked him out of many children, a fat and useless man, he made a vow in his heart.

He has been the prince's most loyal servant ever since.

No matter what happens, he will always accompany the prince and never leave.

So, now he has to go find the prince.

How can the prince do without him?

His Excellency Kehoes doesn't know how to take care of people, and he doesn't tell jokes to the prince to make the prince happy.

Tal thought.

He is the most loyal subordinate of the prince, so no matter what happens at any time, he has to stay by the prince's side.

Ah, by the way, I have to take the big lion Niega with me, otherwise the big lion will go crazy. It has been so anxious that it has started to lose its hair recently. If the prince comes back and sees a bald lion...

While thinking about this in his heart, Tal quickly climbed off the bed, and was about to run out with his legs up.

After all, Priest Ximuer had promised him that as long as he sent a message to His Royal Highness Heymos, he would send someone to send him and Nega to the prince immediately.

Hmm~~he will be able to see his prince again soon~~

"stop."

The words from behind made Tal, who was about to run away, tremble in his heart.

With a stiff body, he turned around slowly, looking nervously at Heymos who called him.

"Your Highness, what else do you want?"

"Are you going to see Garlan?"

Holding the malachite earring in his hand, Heymos, who had been silent all this time, looked up at Tal.

"Uh... yes."

"Help me give Garlan a word."

As Heymos walked towards Tal, he raised his hand and took off the lapis lazuli earring that had never been taken off by his ear.

He handed it to Tal.

"Give this to him."

Heymos stared at the rough lapis lazuli earring in his hand, and his golden-red pupils reflected the blue color of the day, as if melting together.

There seemed to be something inexplicable surging in his eyes, making his eyes deeper.

"'good'."

Alright, I will defend the royal city.

"'I'll wait for your return.'"

I'm here in Wangcheng, waiting for your return.

…………

........................

Judas City was as quiet as usual.

Gastard's soldiers were as usual, rampant in the city they conquered.

In the middle of the night, in a remote corner of the castle, there is a large piece of wasteland, and small shacks or simple wooden houses are built on the wasteland.

This is where the slaves live.

Although the city changed masters, and the slaves naturally changed masters, their lives remained unchanged.

At most, it is just a more harsh and fierce master.

As usual, they went out early and returned late, working sincerely for their new masters, and getting a few dry biscuits a day to barely satisfy their hunger.

There is no future, no hope, day after day, year after year, just live a lifetime in such a muddle until death.

It is like a soulless tool held in the hands of others. When it is used up, it will be ruthlessly discarded.

At this moment, a man lying in the wooden house rested his head on his hands and stared at the cobweb-covered ceiling in a daze.

Although dozens of people are crowded into one room, this kind of simple wooden house is much better than a shack built with grass. Only slaves like them who are strong and able to work can live in it.

He was in a daze, not knowing what to think, when suddenly, a companion beside him poked him.

"Have you decided yet?"

the man asked.

The man closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I've decided," he said.

He opened his eyes suddenly and gritted his teeth.

"Fight it!"

He lowered his voice and said, "They are also slaves. We can do what he can do! The big deal is death! But if we succeed and survive, we can get rid of our status as slaves!"

His companion also nodded with bright eyes, but there was a trace of worry on his face.

"But, do you think it's possible to lie to us? After all, those nobles have always...they lied to us to risk their lives, and if we regret it in the end, there is nothing we can do, isn't it?"

"I may not believe other nobles, but the crown prince is different. Do you remember the city of Tozes?"

It has long been rumored that many slaves in that city were released after the war, and those who got rid of slavery became the envy of slaves all over the country.

You know, if you are born a slave, you will be a slave all your life, and your children and grandchildren will be slaves.

And the slaves of Tozes actually obtained the civilian status they dreamed of, which is as beautiful as a dream.

"The man who came to persuade us a few days ago was a slave there—no, it should be said that he used to be a slave in Tozeth City, but he is no longer."

There was light in the man's eyes.

Now they have that opportunity too.

"He said that at that time, the crown prince promised them that they would abolish their status as slaves if they defended the city of Tozeth. Therefore, he is no longer a slave, but a subordinate of the crown prince."

"A crown prince who is willing to let a person who was born as a slave become his subordinate will definitely keep his promise to us slaves!"

The man gritted his teeth, "This may be the only chance in our life to get rid of our slave status. Even if it is death, I will accept it!"

Amidst the man's voice, the other people in the wooden house raised their heads one by one and looked at the man.

There was a look of determination on everyone's face.

This scene was played out simultaneously in different ways in the many circles of slaves in the city of Judas.

Some timid slaves chose to retreat, but more slaves yearning for freedom chose to fight.

The freed slaves in Tozes City were among them, telling their personal experience from slaves to soldiers, and telling them that these people live a life full of hope every day after getting rid of slavery.

The hearts of the slaves of Judas became hotter by the day.

……

………………

Another day and night passed in such a hurry, the sun rose and then set on the horizon again.

Judas City, as always, quieted down with the night, silent in the night.

There are very few lights in the city. Due to the fear of the Gastadians, the city residents seldom light up lights after dark. Therefore, these days, the whole city is pitch black at night.

Only the barracks where the Garstad army was stationed, the camp where Aaron Landis' troops were stationed, and the castle standing on the ground in the center of the city were brightly lit at night.

They became the brightest places in the city.

Utah was eating in the richly decorated dining room, with Gasdard's generals.

Prince Tyre took the army with him, but he also left troops in the city of Judas.

After all, this city will become a transit base for his army's food supplies, so although Aaron Landis has no troops to fight against the Gastadians, he still cautiously leaves a certain number of troops to guard Ruda Sicheng.

Juta, who gained Tyre's trust, was kept here because he was familiar with the city, but the suspicious Prince of Tyre still left behind a Gastadian army and two generals.

Juta ate the exquisite food calmly, and the two generals of Garstad obviously disdain to be with him, and sat at the other end of the long table far away from him.

Most of the Gastadians are straightforward and simple in personality. They look down on this despicable person who betrayed their own country, and they will not give him a good face.

Juta, who was used to this, didn't care.

Yes, he doesn't need to care about the thoughts of these reckless people at all, he just needs to follow Prince Tyre closely and gain the prince's favor.

Uta never regretted betraying Aaron Landis.

loyalty?Belief?

What can those things give him?

And as long as he follows Prince Tyre, he can become a true nobleman, a ruler over ten thousand people, and the true master of this city!

traitor?

Ah.

History is written by the victors.

As long as Prince Tyre becomes the master of Aaron Landis and he becomes the prince's confidant and beloved general, then the records of him in the history books will change from a so-called betrayer to a person who knows the times and follows the master.

And the truth will be buried in the river of time with the demise of Aaron Landis and disappear without a trace.

Just when Juta finished his dinner and stood up to leave, suddenly, the originally quiet city suddenly became noisy.

There were shouts everywhere, and from the floor-to-ceiling windows, sporadic fires suddenly appeared in the dark night, which was extremely conspicuous.

And the places where the flames appeared were mostly places where slaves were confined in the city—including the place where the castle was lit.

The two Gastard generals put down their unfinished dinner and stood up frowning.

Soon, a soldier hurried over to report.

"My lord! The slaves in the city are rioting! Not just the slaves here in the castle, but all the slaves in the entire city!"

"slave?"

A Garstad general frowned.

In his impression, slaves are like pigs and sheep, so these fellows who are equivalent to livestock dare to resist the Gastadians, which he does not understand.

However, it doesn't matter if you don't understand, as the city's defender general, he must suppress those guys.

He said to his companions, "Mobilize the army to suppress those guys and kill them all."

They were just some slaves, if they dared to resist the Gastadians, they would kill them all.

Gastadians have never known mercy.

If you are not obedient, kill until you are obedient.

His companion nodded and was about to go out with him when suddenly a voice came from behind them.

"Not right."

Juta frowned tightly and said, "Why did the slaves suddenly resist? Something is wrong with this matter, I'm afraid it's not that simple."

He was already extremely suspicious and said, "It's best not to act rashly, and look at the situation first."

Those two people used to look down on Juta, and after hearing this, they just snorted heavily with their noses, didn't bother to talk to Uta, and walked out quickly.

They are going to mobilize the army to suppress the rioting slaves.

Seeing that the two Garstad generals ignored him, Juta's brows and eyes were full of gloom.

You two stupid fellows, wait, you will regret it.

Is it just that the slaves can't bear the oppression of the invaders so they resist?

No, things must not be that simple.

Otherwise, why didn't those slaves resist earlier or later, but why did they resist at this time?

And those slaves should understand that they can't be the opponents of the army at all, even if they catch the army by surprise for a while, they will eventually be suppressed by the army.

So, why would they do something that has no chance of winning?

unless…………

Juta's heart tightened suddenly.

Unless someone can meet them!

Some people wanted these slaves to cause commotion from within, and took the opportunity to open the city gate, allowing the responders to rush in!

Thinking of this, Juta couldn't hold back anymore.He quickly ran out of the castle, and hastily dispatched his subordinates to the city gates in three directions.

And he himself led a group of cavalry, and galloped quickly towards the east gate.

Gastadians are enough to suppress slaves, and he has to arrange people to guard the gates of the city.

Juta frowned.

Although I don't know where the reinforcements came from, as long as the slaves are not allowed to approach the city gate and the city gate cannot be opened from the inside, then the person who planned this matter will be considered a failure.

Juta galloped like a horse, thinking in his heart.

However, who is the person who secretly planned this matter, who actually made the slaves in the entire city of Judas willing to fight to the death...

Before he could figure it out, when Juta looked up, the East City Gate was right in front of him.

The tall city gate stands in the dark night, quietly, without any fire.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Well, it seems to catch up.

Those slaves haven't rushed here yet.

Just when Juta was relieved——

In an instant, the flames burst into flames.

Dozens of burning torches lit up on the wall of the east city gate, and the blazing fire light suddenly reflected on Juta's face, causing him to subconsciously close his eyes.

It took a few seconds for the stinging pain in the eyes to subside. When Juta opened his eyes again, his pupils suddenly dilated.

On the city gate, on the high wall, someone stood in the flames.

Dozens of flames were burning behind the man, and the face could not be seen clearly, only a slightly slender boy could be seen roughly.

The boy stood in the flames.

The bow in his hand has been stretched to the limit.

The sharp arrow flashed coldly.

The taut bowstring seemed to break in the next second.

The strong wind whizzed past the young man on the high wall, and the bright blond hair reflecting the fire was flying in the air, like a cluster of golden flames burning in the dark night.

That is--

The long golden hair flying in the night sky like a cloud is deeply reflected in the depths of Jutah's dilated pupils.

A hum.

A sharp arrow pierces through the air.

A cold light pierced the night.

Heart-piercing pain suddenly came from his shoulder.

Juta, whose left shoulder was pierced by the arrow, fell heavily from his horse to the ground.