Chapter 336: Chapter333-Charlotte’s Choice
Chapter 336: Chapter333-Charlotte’s Choice
With fierce shouts, countless citizens and mages surged out of Emberveil Kingdom.
Their numbers were vast, like a never-ending tide that shook the earth with intense tremors, clouds of dust rising to blot out the sky.
Even on the border of Emberveil Kingdom, where General Stanley and the Azure Kingdom's commanders had assembled the army, they could see this impressive scene from afar.
At this moment, General Stanley had surrounded the border with his troops, with over a million elite soldiers standing ready, awaiting the command to take Emberveil Kingdom by
storm.
"These Macedonian knights seem... strange!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Stanley, standing on a hillside, furrowed his brow as he watched the soldiers of Emberveil Kingdom surge forward like a tidal wave.
There were far too many of them, and something about their state was unsettling.
Their eyes lacked any whites, radiating an eerie, frenzied aura!
This was completely different from the information they'd gathered beforehand, and it seemed their strength had surged significantly in a short period.
The deputies and lieutenants behind Stanley looked solemn, asking if they should launch an immediate attack.
"General, though the people of Emberveil Kingdom seem strange, our forces are vastly superior, with full support from the other divisions. A swift assault could take them down!"
Other lieutenants nodded, gripping their mage staffs eagerly.
This was their first large-scale operation since the Emperor and Empress had emerged from seclusion.
They all wanted to perform admirably and not disappoint the Emperor and Empress.
As generals of the Azure Kingdom, their lagging ranks and abilities had left them on the brink of irrelevance, struggling to keep up with the rapidly expanding Azure Kingdom.
But the Emperor and Empress had provided them with ample resources and opportunities for cultivation, allowing them to catch up.
This consideration and generosity was something they were determined to repay! Stanley, however, glanced back with a contemplative look, shaking his head slightly. "Wait a moment. Her Majesty the Empress has her own plans for this."
The other generals were puzzled and quickly followed his gaze.
In the distance, at the top of a steep hill, stood a breathtaking woman in an elegant court gown that billowed in the wind.
She was staring at the dense ranks of Emberveil Kingdom's soldiers below. It was none other than Madelyn, who had come here.
Behind Madelyn, Leslie and Charlotte sat in a pavilion, watching her lonely figure.
Charlotte spoke quietly, concern in her voice:
"Your Majesty, Emberveil Kingdom has a mage army numbering over a million. Can Miss Madelyn really handle this?"
While Charlotte knew Madelyn was unusually strong now, the sheer number of enemies made her uneasy.
After all, Madelyn was the Empress's sister. If anything went wrong, she couldn't bear the responsibility.
Leslie replied calmly, "She can handle it; she just needs a bit of pressure."
--
On the hillside.
A potbellied lieutenant looked at the advancing Emberveil Kingdom army, now drawing dangerously close, and asked hesitantly:
"General, the Emberveil Kingdom forces are getting closer by the minute. Ten minutes, at most, until they reach our formations. Shouldn't we attack now?"
The other lieutenants also looked to Stanley.
Stanley didn't respond immediately. Initially, his thoughts had been in line with the lieutenants, but seeing Madelyn here, he realized things were more complex than he'd assumed.
Instead of answering, he looked toward the distant horizon.
Emberveil Kingdom's army had formed a phalanx, charging forward like an unstoppable beast, exuding a terrifying aura.
They could feel the faint tremors of the earth from the advancing horde.
The overwhelming magical energy above the phalanx even distorted the air, which now felt as
if it were sizzling with heat.
As Stanley hesitated, the other lieutenants grew increasingly anxious, though they knew Stanley to be a decisive leader. If he hadn't given the order by now, there had to be a reason.
"General, if we don't act soon, they'll build up their momentum, putting us at a disadvantage!"
One of the lieutenants frowned.
"Just a bit longer," Stanley replied calmly.
A trace of confusion flashed in the lieutenants' eyes. At this critical moment, what were they
waiting for?
Before they could ask further, a shadow appeared like a phantom, silencing the agitated soldiers.
When Charlotte arrived, she immediately addressed Stanley:
"General Stanley, Her Majesty has ordered an immediate retreat. Without the Empress's command, no one is to engage!"
Stanley and the others rubbed their ears, stunned and incredulous, their expressions filled with shock and confusion.
As the Empress's confidante, Charlotte had not come to issue a command to attack but to order a retreat. How could this be?
Hadn't this operation been about the annihilation of Emberveil Kingdom?
If it weren't for the fact that Charlotte was delivering the order, they wouldn't have believed
it was from Her Majesty.
But with the enemy now charging toward them, why retreat?
This command clashed entirely with their understanding of Leslie's assertive nature!
Just then, a streak of blood-red light flew toward them, and they recognized it as Madelyn descending from the hilltop.
They exchanged glances, their confusion deepening.
As the Empress's sister, Madelyn could have remained safely in the rear. Why was she now at
the front line?
Seeing their puzzlement, Charlotte explained calmly:
"Her Majesty has decreed that the entire rebel force be left for Miss Madelyn to handle
alone!"
What?
Stanley and the others stared in disbelief, mouths agape.
Emberveil Kingdom's army was charging!
The chaotic, frenzied energy from the army was much stronger than they'd anticipated.
To leave Miss Madelyn alone against this... it was like sending her to her death! When a mage army formed into a cohesive unit, every mage's strength was greatly amplified.
This wasn't simply a matter of addition.
Even a god-tier mage like Madelyn, or even a God King-tier mage, would be doomed facing
an army of over a million mages.
However, Charlotte paid no mind to their astonished reactions, urging them:
"Obey the order!"
Seeing no other option, Stanley and his forces retreated.
As soldiers, they could not disobey the Empress's command.
Soon, under Stanley's direction, the million-strong army began an orderly withdrawal.
With their departure, only Madelyn and Charlotte remained on the hill.
Taking a deep breath, Madelyn turned to Charlotte and asked:
"Charlotte, you've been with my sister the longest. Do you think... do you think she dislikes
me?"
Charlotte remained silent for a moment.
In her memory, the Empress had never truly liked anyone; people and situations alike were
merely pieces on her board.
That was, until she met the Emperor, Owen.
Now, the Empress cared only for Owen.
In Charlotte's understanding, no one else could be said to hold any special place in her heart.
However, not wanting to hurt Madelyn, she comforted her: "You're the Empress's sister.
There's no way she dislikes you."
As one of the Empress's closest attendants, Charlotte knew very well that the Empress treated
Madelyn this way not out of dislike but to sharpen her.
To prepare her to stand alone, to awaken the full power of the Blood Eye.
After all, the fragile peace they enjoyed was soon to be shattered.
No one would be able to stay out of it; they all needed to grow as strong as possible.
Hearing Charlotte's comforting words, Madelyn's expression grew colder.
"I know my brother-in-law and my sister love each other deeply, and I'm happy they've
found one another," she said.
"After all, how many couples can truly love each other, willing to sacrifice everything for one
another?"