The Female Soldier

Chapter 1

"Your Highness, you're back!" the attendant exclaimed, shocked of the prince's sudden arrival to the camp base. He bowed respectfully but fumbled and fell to the ground as his shaking knees gave way.

A tall dark figure stood at the entrance of the main camp. As he took a step inside, every soldier fell to their knee in respect and fear. This was Crown Prince Shou , heir to the throne, general of a thousand armies and also known as the Dark Prince. His reputation precedes him. He kills without mercy, he punishes the weak and he has no tolerance for excuses. This was the legendary general that had won hundreds of battle in his young age. He wears a black mask that covers half of his lower face. Some says he has a hideous battle scar hidden under the mask. But nobody truly knows as no one has ever seen the prince's face.

"Where is Moren?" his asked. His authoritative voice filled the room.

"H-he's.." the attendant stuttered. Fear of the prince's anger of the missing subject. The room became pin drop silent as the guards quietly swallowed their saliva and prayed that their sweat does not make a sound when it drips to the ground.

"I'm here, my Prince," a man dressed in his training armor announced at the entrance of the tent. Everyone finally exhaled. He bowed respectfully to the prince as well and stood up when the prince waved at him to rise.

"Update me of the new recruits status," the prince ordered. But Moren couldn't help notice the slight annoyance in the prince's tone. He knew the valiant dark prince was called back from his glorious battlefield by the orders of the king to oversee the base. In his opinion, it was a waste of his time and talent. Moren is one of the Prince's trusted retainers. He came back a week earlier to assess the situation beforehand.

Moren sighed. He knew the prince would not like what he's about to say. 

"There are 20,000 new soldiers that had been recruited in this half a year. Every first born son of each family are ordered by the king to join the army. Among them, only 200 were qualified to be the elite soldiers," he paused, waiting for the storm.

Everyone stopped breathing again. Sweats were profusely pouring at this moment, blood was drained from their face. No one dared to look up at the prince.

"Incompetence," the prince said under his breath but the anger was loud and clear in everyone's ears. Everyone started praying.

"Out," the prince ordered.

The attendant and the guards were so shocked that they looked at each other in confusion. Did they hear wrongly? Were they not going to die? Usually this is the part where people starts dying.

As if Moren understood their confusion, he looked at the attendant and silently urged them to leave the camp before the prince changed his mind to kill them all. The attendants and guards finally gathered their wits together and quickly scrambled to their feet and leave the camp quietly after saying a few departure words.

When there was no longer anyone in the tent, Moren took a step forward and stood beside the prince. 

"Prince," he addressed seriously while raising both arms in front of him and held his fist, "I am ready to receive your orders."

The dark prince remained silent and looked out of the tent, staring onto the training ground with both his hands behind his back. Then suddenly he gave out a short chuckle. Moren peeked from underneath. 

"Two hundred you said," the prince repeated Moren's earlier report thoughtfully. "Well then, let's test them out."

The prince flipped his cape out of the way and walked out of the tent. Moren followed closely, wondering what his prince was planning. But no matter, he trusted his prince. He could feel a new army would be reborn under the rule of the Dark Prince.