GATE: thus the dominion and the JSDF fought their

part 12

~ Falmart : some random town

"Lord Duran . . . ." said Pina as she found herself speechless.

Continuing her investigation into the mysterious enemy she needed more information on who they were as well as their military strength. Locating a few survivors, they were less then helpful as they were too terrified to talk about the battle. Believing that the gods had spared them as they did not wish to get involved. 

Hearing these things, she had to wonder just what kind of enemy that could terrify and demoralize these seasoned soldiers to such extent.

With rumors hanging in the air, she finally got her first lead as she arrived at a monastery. Coming to see a trustworthy man, she was horrified at what had become of the king of Elbe. She would've never imagined him to be in such a deplorable state. Tended to by the nuns, Duran's left arm and leg were gone as his hair had turned completely white. Just what horrors did he go through to be in such a state?

"Milady Pina . . . . Why? . . . . Did you come all the way from the capital to mock a defeated man?" asked duran

"Don't be absurd!" Pina then shot out moving to his bedside. "You are the lord of Elbe kingdom! Why are you the only one here!"

Giving a soft breath, the old king shared his story. After barely managing to survive by the skin of his teeth, he was brought here to recuperate while his army and vassals scattered and returned home. As he told this his tone held anger, regret, and fear recalling the hell he barely survived.

"Just what happened in Alnus?" the young princess asked scared of what she might hear.

"You haven't heard? The fate of the hundred-thousand soldiers of the unified kingdom . . . ." shouted Duran angerly

"Yes I have know. The Imperial Army was beaten, that much I knew. But I did not know what sort of enemy was waiting for us there, nor that the Coalition Army we sent there would end up like this..." answered pina

"Than what bring an imperial princess here ?" asked Duran not happy about her existence

"I was sent to gather any information on the enemies from the two Hills and report it to the capital so that the Empire's army could create new battle tactics to defeat the Other worlders. When I heard you were recovering here, I thought you may be capable of providing me with some information about the Other worlders that the Allied Kingdoms fought" said the princess

"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you, But please go!, Princess. I do not wish someone armored in lies and wielding a sword of deception to stand before me. The Coalition Army would have fought to the bitter end to protect this continent. However, our greatest enemy was actually behind us all along."

"what do you mean by that my lord?"

"It's The Empire! the empire was our true enemy from the beginning, I have been thinking about it till now, Why the Emperor would summon the Coalition Army to fight this war... after becoming like this, I understood. The bastard molt knew this would happen. I think he was angry that we remained intact while his troops were beaten. In other words, you father wanted to have the enemy destroy us for him."

Duran did not use honorifics to dignify the Emperor, which showed his anger. Since he was about to die, he figured he might as well speak his mind.

"I say again, Princess, please go I have nothing to tell you or your empire and even if I know something. I will never talk! "

Pina stand there shocked about the king of Elbe hostile reaction toward her and the way he addressed her father show her that she was not welcome here, however she need information and she would not give up easily