Princess of Victory - Guardians of Forewood [1]

Chapter 24: Capital Chaos

Day 25of the Fourth Month, Year 1016

Capital City of Naveland, Nave Province

AFTER spending the whole morning on the horse, they arrived in the Capital City of Naveland right before noon. The terrain was smoothened by the stone road, but still, it was quite far. For the Princess, though, it wasn't much. She used to go back and forth from Naveland to Dustor in secret.

"Actually, I was thinking... You don't have to do this," Victoria said as she walked beside Dev and his horse. "You can go back after I arrive in the Capital."

"True, I have to take care of my company," he considered, and then shook his head. "No, according to the General's message, I have to be escorting you. I couldn't go back until I make sure you are safe." He glanced at her. "Unless you are planning to report your safety?"

Victoria winced. "Sorry," she said. "It's just... Well, if I went to the palace, there was no chance I could go back out."

"Why do you have to do it, anyway?" He asked. "Can't you ask someone to do it for you?"

"Probably, but it's just... There's not many people that I can trust," she replied wryly. "With this traitor business and all."

Dev was silent. "You are right."

Victoria stopped by the tower of the Capital's wall and walked up to the guard standing beside the door. "Excuse me, can I meet Sergeant Alize Darkbrown, if she is on duty?"

The guard in Capital Guards uniform gave her a look. He didn't recognize her, thankfully, especially in her commoners' getup. "Please wait," he said slowly before turning to go inside the tower.

"You're looking for your friend?" Dev asked.

Victoria nodded. "I need her help."

Not long after, Alize walked out. "Victa," she greeted. "I had a feeling it was you." She looked past her to Dev. "And you even brought your friend!"

Victoria laughed. "Can I talk to you for a moment, Sergeant?"

"Sure. Marty, take care of things here," Alize said to the guard from earlier, who nodded obediently. They walked to a corner wall nearby while Dev looked about, making sure no one was around to eavesdrop on their conversation. "What happened?"

Victoria sighed. "I'm glad you're alright. What about the task I gave you?"

"Ah," Alize sighed. "It's not going well. I moved most of them elsewhere and reassembled them, but some had already gotten killed." She winced and leaned forward to whisper, "I just went to talk to the Lieutenant this dusk, but I found... Nile is dead. I'm sorry."

Victoria took in a sharp breath. She thought that might be the case, but she really did hope they hadn't killed him... She gritted her teeth and focused her mind. "But you moved most of them? What about the newbie's place?" She tried her hardest not to use the word 'soldiers' or 'barracks'.

Alize looked down. "I tried to secure them," she said, and Victoria's heart lurched to her stomach. "It was empty. I think Nile had moved them elsewhere, so I tried to talk to him but you know... Now we don't know where he had moved them."

Victoria bit her lip. Those newly trained soldiers were a big part of the Corps, and although they weren't as good as the veterans, they were still trained hard and generally were better than ordinary soldiers. That was why Crimson Corps was elite, after all. "Okay, I'll take care of it. Thanks for this, Alize."

She didn't want Alize to get involved further, which the other girl understood. Victoria was never too keen on receiving help from her friends, especially if said help would put her friends in danger. Disaster almost happened again with Luz because she was careless—this time she would do it herself.