Capital Monsell, outskirts, deep mountains, Storm Revolutionary Army stronghold.
“How’s the news? Anything yet?”
Inside the largest wooden house, with a thatched roof and a fire burning, more than a dozen of the most important members of the Revolutionary Army had gathered.
“Yes. Our informants inside Monsell and those tracking Willis have sent back reports.”
“Hm? Speak quickly!”
“This time, Willis’s escort consists of 1,200 soldiers, plus fifty personnel from the Church of Judicature responsible for perimeter security.”
“Those are the official numbers, but secretly there are more people guarding the surroundings. Our investigations reveal they are all from the Church of Judicature.”
Hearing this, someone nearby sighed, “I heard the Church of Judicature reached an agreement with Willis. It seems that’s indeed the case.”
“The Church of Judicature personnel are expected. They’re just scouts with low combat capability—not a big concern.”
“This time, the First Princess Hill Yu assigned all those 1,000 soldiers to Willis, but I heard the Emperor promised she could bring two thousand more?”
The thatched house fell silent for a moment.
After a while, someone finally spoke, “But from the intelligence, Hill Yu hasn’t actually dispatched those two thousand soldiers, and it seems the Emperor didn’t permit her to lend them to Willis as escorts.”
“If that’s the case, then the force we face is just those 1,200 soldiers, plus the Church of Judicature’s covert forces, roughly around 1,400 in total.”
At this moment, the man seated at the head of the long table spoke.
“Willis has already been through two attacks. Unless she’s an idiot, she wouldn’t recklessly take troops to Ushi City.”
“Even if she were stupid, she wouldn’t be surrounded by fools. So, we still have to prepare for at least 3,200 city defense soldiers.”
“Boss?”
A junior officer below asked in surprise. “You mean!?”
“That’s right! Although Willis’s convoy has a dozen or so carriages, no one has seen the First Princess Hill Yu or her Royal Knight Victoria.”
“Hill Yu likely parted ways with Victoria before leaving Monsell. As long as the official reason isn’t to guard Willis, Hill Yu can command another two thousand soldiers!”
“Right now, they may be trailing behind Willis’s convoy with those two thousand city defense soldiers.”
Upon hearing this, all the Revolutionary Army officers were shocked.
“Really? But two thousand soldiers can’t be that quiet. Our people haven’t reported any movement, and there’s no sign from Monsell’s barracks either.”
The leader shook his head firmly, eyes unwavering.
“No movement doesn’t mean they’re not there. If I were Willis, I would have Hill Yu and Victoria each lead a thousand soldiers to set an ambush nearby.”
“We can’t hide the Revolutionary Army or the Glorious Restoration Church’s activities from the Empire’s eyes. Willis must know this.”
“Any rational person around her would take precautions.”
Inside the room, everyone’s expression grew grim. “So what you’re saying is Willis is just bait? The real threat is the two thousand soldiers Hill Yu can deploy?”
“Exactly!”
The leader nodded.
“We originally planned to ambush near Yufeng Valley. If both Empire Princesses died, the Empire would be thrown into chaos.”
“But Yufeng Valley is surrounded by tall mountains and dense forests—perfect for hiding two thousand soldiers! Even during the day, no one would spot them.”
“If we launch a surprise attack, we’ll fall into their trap. Yufeng Valley only has escape routes in front and behind. We’d be wiped out!”
When the leader finished, everyone’s faces showed terror, sweat pouring down.
“But boss, could it really be like that?”
Someone still found it hard to believe.
The leader sneered, “Normally, after suffering so many attacks, Willis should be more cautious.”
“But Emperor Rubas won’t give Willis more guards. At most, she can only gather about two hundred escort troops.”
“With that few, a normal person wanting safety would either not travel or go undercover—split forces. Publicly, use those two hundred to make a show and distract the enemy, while the real Willis sneaks back to Ushi City or elsewhere.”
“But Willis deliberately brought the First Princess and flaunted that one thousand soldiers. This makes it seem like she’s prepared and fearless of attacks.”
“Yet, who is this Empire Second Princess? Would she just endure oppression without fighting back? Impossible…”
“If she lacked strength, fine, but now she brought the First Princess and can theoretically muster three thousand troops. Yet she only brought a thousand. Do you believe that’s not a conspiracy?”
The leader’s words were blunt and obvious, and everyone suddenly understood.
“So what should we do, boss? Willis will reach Yufeng Valley at sunset. Should we cancel the ambush?”
“No!” The leader sneered. “Now that we’ve seen through Willis’s trick, we have to annihilate her and the First Princess in one strike!”
“Three thousand soldiers? The Storm Revolutionary Army has been recuperating for years—it’s time to show the world our strength!”
Upon hearing this, the others relaxed.
Exactly!
The Storm Revolutionary Army has been operating around Storm Valley for years. They had infiltrated more than three hundred people near Monsell.
Those 1,400 were just recently gathered—and likely a false count.
“This battle will make us famous and shake the Empire, attracting patriots to join us!”
As the group whispered excitedly, a counterattack plan gradually took shape and was refined.
By nightfall, everyone’s faces bore confident expressions.
“Very well, time is tight. Everyone, deploy immediately!”
“Yes!”
Taking their orders, the entire camp soon stirred to life.
The leader stared at the now empty thatched house, still seated at the head, calculating every detail.
At that moment, someone entered with a sinister smile.
It was the burly man from earlier who argued with Winnie Kanasha—Kebo.
“Kebo, you’re here. What’s the situation?”
The leader asked.
“Heh heh, just as we thought. Those elves can’t stay still anymore—they’re itching to make a move.”
Kebo chuckled coldly. “But our arrangements are already in place. Now we only wait for the prey to fall into the trap.”
“Boss, can I keep that Winnie Kanasha for myself? I want to personally ‘train’ her~”
“No,” the leader refused sternly. “She’s valuable merchandise and will fetch a good price. If you spoil her, how will we trade?”
“Remember, those female elves are property! Since they refuse to cooperate, we can only exchange them for remaining value. None of you are allowed to harm them!”
Disappointed at the rejection, Kebo’s face showed a trace of dissatisfaction.
But soon he asked, “Then can I keep a few male elves? Though they’re elven warriors, their flavor isn’t any worse than the females’!”
Hearing this, the leader shuddered inwardly but did not refuse.
“If you like, suit yourself.”
“Thanks, boss!” Kebo saluted excitedly.
“But act fast. Our time is short. Once we finish with these elves, this place won’t be usable anymore.”
“Understood, boss! Heh heh!” Kebo turned and left.