Valerian, The Legendary

174 Embroilment.

Ashlyn heard the news of war and frowned, she cast a gaze at the general and found that the man was hesitating a bit. She asked, “What do you have to say?”

The general said, “Your Excellency, Pinola City is the bordering city, the defenses are not very good, and it serves as a scout station. In the past when the city was made, the Emperor had suggested that the civilians must not be allowed to reside that close to the border.

That city is a false front, everyone behind those city walls is a soldier, and many of them are just trainees.”

Ashlyn lost her temper at this and slammed the armrest as she hollered, “Are all of you fools? Why are the trainees being sent to the border? Have you all completely lost it and gone senile? General Mosak, I will be waiting for your resignation after this situation. I do not want brainless fools to follow the orders of the emperors blindly in my court.”

She had decided that she did not want such people working in important positions and even more so, lack of intellect will simply bring the empire down sooner or later. Ignoring the downcast general she looked at the rest of the people in the court and asked, “Any suggestions on how we should rescue those people?”

One of the ministers said, “We can lift them with the help of the winged beasts. However, if the Valkyrians had any ballistas, it will be riskier.”

The people began to whisper among each other, what this minister said was true, Ballistas were simply death warrants for the winged beasts. This weapon of war was used to shoot a two-meter-long arrow and kill winged beasts.

Valerian has read about this weapon in books and was aware of the damage it could deal to the flying creatures and bring down the air force military. Suddenly he heard a scoff in his mind, followed by an ethereal voice, “Do they think that every beast can be as invincible as a dragon? I am telling you the flames I breathe can melt those arrows in the void.”

Valerian did not understand why this kitty was flexing her powers but he asked, “Fortuna, how many arrows can you deal with at a time?”

.....

Fortuna replied, “One, why do you ask?”

Valerian was helpless at how smug she sounded, this dragonling was stupid. He replied, “What if they target you with two?”

Fortuna smacked his face gently and said, “What do you know, Pleb? A dragon can cast defensive magic spells as well. Are you looking down on me with this question?”

Valerian shook his head and replied, “How dare I look down on your highness?”

He did not know what happened but he grabbed the cat off his shoulder and began to scratch her and the dragon constantly let out threatening growls in his mind. The two were like frienmies at the moment. Ignis, who was sitting beside Valerian, suddenly, said, “We can send two teams, one of them being the ground units that can take down the ballistas if they have any, and right behind them the winged beasts to rescue the trainees.”

The people nodded, this was not an excellent plan but it was very efficient and many people had this in mind. Ignis saw them talking over it and said, “You all might think this is a very low-key plan but the thing is that the Valkyrians will not expect us to do this. They believe in frontal battles and massacres. How can they imagine us doing something like this?”

The logic was presented in front of everyone and the ministers nodded in support. Ashlyn nodded and said, “Then I hereby command, Deputy General Kunta to organize a team of soldiers to attack the enemy forces and at the same time organize a rescue.”

Valerian said, “I would like to volunteer in this mission.”

His words surprised everyone, while everyone was thinking that Prince Ignis will stop his younger brother, the latter sat silently. Ashlyn nodded and said, “Go safe.”

Valerian nodded and followed Deputy General Kunta out of the courtroom.

...

Ashlyn and Ignis sat inside the study and the former asked, “Why did you not stop Valerian from leaving? The battle is dangerous.”

Ignis put down the teacup in his hand and said, “You might have underestimated him a bit. That boy is capable enough to face a beast horde. Last time it was not Vertex who won great merit by stopping the invasion, but Valerian Verus. He is going to fight to his fill this time around.

Also, I am not capable enough to command him to do anything. He listens to only my mother. That reminds me, I need to report all this to them, also your sister will be coming over, at this moment, you can use some of her wisdom.”

Ashlyn was surprised to hear that Ignis was not capable of commanding the young boy. Throughout the situation, she found that Valerian was not just a cold-faced genius, but he was much more. He was a good actor and he was a good torture expert as well. Recalling the scene in the courtroom she shivered.

Sylvia came inside the study and said, “Your Highness, the units are ready to depart.”

Ashlyn nodded and headed outside to see them off while Ignis was busy reporting the situation to fragrantia.

...

Valerian was standing in the square with two hundred men and a few big birds at the back. When he saw Ashlyn coming over. However, he knew that she was going to deliver a motivational speech, but he had no interest in it, and while raising his hand to the sky he said, “Flamma Iaculator.”

A flame javelin flew high in the sky and when it reached above the palace dome height, it exploded. The day has been long and the sky was starting to darken a little. The soldiers thought that the young man was trying to boost their morale in the night by lighting a fire. They all started yelling, “Hail Sapientia.”

The chant was like a fire through dry grass. Suddenly an azure streak of lightning flashed in the sky, and then it dove down diagonally, looking as if it was going to hit Valerian. Just when the soldiers were about to warn him, the young boy jumped with the silver cat in his hands and landed on the back of the lightning streak.

The soldiers were shocked and they all fell silent, when they heard a calm voice, “I will wait for you at the border, my brothers.”

A prince just called the soldiers his brothers, the soldiers cheered and they all pumped their fists high. The entire palace could hear their ruckus, it was as if they were not going to war but they were going to celebrate.

Valerian waved his hand to the princess on the ground and Linea flashed away into the void. Ashlyn looked at the soldiers and said, “Your safety is the priority, now, go and do your best. Let them know that Sapientia is not weak.”

The soldiers cheered and hailed the princess shortly before taking off the ground and following Valerian.

...

Ashlyn snorted and said, “This guy almost took away my job.”

Sylvia smiled helplessly and shook her head as they headed back to the palace.

...

Lumen empire, everything seemed to be the same on the surface but the political corridor of the nation was broiling. Fragrantia was sitting in her study thinking about the report from Ignis when the door was knocked and Adele came inside.

The lady sighed when she saw the swollen eyes of her daughter-in-law. Now that the emperor and the empress were done for, Adele was someone without parents, the reality of life had taken a toll on her.

Fragrantia stood up and walked over to her, she did not say much and directly took the girl in her embrace and consoled her. Adele calmed down and said, “Mother, I want to go to Sapientia to help Ashlyn. She is young and it will be hard for her to manage all that on her own.”

Fragrantia patted her head and nodded, she said, “You can take Azula and Priscilla with you, at the same time, I beg your understanding, but Ignis needs to head back home. This is a crucial time, and the entire western continent will experience the after-shocks of this war. I hope you do not blame me.”

Adele shook her head and said, “You do not have to worry Mother. I will personally send Ignis to the front. As royalty, it is our duty to look after the welfare of our people. As much as I am a daughter of the Sapientia nation, I am the daughter of the Lumen Empire as well. I will not let anything unfortunate happen because of my selfishness.”

Fragrantia nodded and the princess departed shortly after. The empress looked at the ceiling and said, “Val, you better come back safe.”