System Change

Chapter 297: War Efforts

Border of Cydaria

Indria-Astrus Alliance Base Camp

Dammit! Ryven Elras crushed the goblet in his hand and threw it with enough force that it ripped through the tent wall and continued on. Its been a whole year, and this is what we have to show for it? Are the both of you this inept?

Ryven had been made commander of the alliance between Indria and Astrus. He gladly accepted the position, as the war was planned to be a very short, sure thing. But then, he had been embarrassed around every corner.

First, he had chosen his nephew, Orion, as one of the armys captains. Orion Elras was the second prince, and the one who would most likely take command of the kingdoms military once his brother took to the throne. Ryven had figured that this would be a great learning experience for the young prince. Before the war, other than practice and sparring, hed yet to have any real battle experience. This year, the boy would be in his mid-30s, so it was more than time for him to step up.

As for the second captain, that wasnt his choice. The crown prince of Astrus, Titus Sinclair, took it upon himself to volunteer for the position, and as both countries supposedly had an equal stake in the war, Ryven had to accept him. The man had been even more useless than his nephew.Fịndd new updates at wuxiahere.com

The two boys seemed to take pride in one-upping each others incompetence. Just looking at the two sent a burning rage through Ryvens body.

Dont answer that! he hushed his two captains when they tried to speak. It was rhetorical. Of course you are. If not, then you would have been able to capture more than one city in the entire year I gave the two of you control. A single city, and five sub-cities all in the same area. Are you not ashamed? No, no, youre not. The two of you stand there proud. Proud because youve destroyed countless backwater villages Ryven shook his head. If your fathers could see you right now

Uncle Orion began, but Ryven quickly cut him off.

Commander! I am not your uncle on the battlefield, and you will not refer to me as such. Youve already had enough special treatment. You will have no more.

Commander Orion said. There was no way we could have known that Cydaria would put up such a resistance. And that woman just how much money does she have?

The woman his nephew was referring to was Natalie Savannah. When Ryven first declared war on Cydaria, he reached out to two people. The first, Alanah Swan, and the second, was Natalie Savannah. Negotiations with Alanah Swan had gone well enough.

She seemed to care deeply for her own, so she hadnt made a move since learning that their army had captured three of Cydarias sub-cities, each housing one of her lesser Crown Restaurants. The woman was reluctant to have her own people slaughtered along with other Cydarian leadership. So, since the beginning of the war, Ms. Swan had been quiet.

However, the same could not be said for Natalie Savannah. His communication with the woman had been brief, but he learned all he needed to know. That woman refused to bow down to anyone. She would serve nobody but herself. And she had the funds to do so.

Just going by elite forces, she controlled at least half of what Cydaria had been able to muster in defense. If not for her, they surely would have already taken over the capital. But every battle, every skirmish, elites would show up, bearing her symbol. It was mind blowing. Still, even with her cooperation, there was no way Cydaria should have still been putting up a struggle after an entire year.

Its easy enough to hide them among your mercenaries, Alanah said. She might not be able to take to the battlefield, but that didnt mean she was helpless. She had many Deathsworn, each an elite in their own right.

With mercenaries, it wasnt hard to slip a few Deathsworn into their ranks without them knowing what was happening. All Natalie had to do was suggest that shed paid another elite to join them and that was that. With that nature of mercenaries, that was enough. So, with the combined efforts of Alanah and Natalie, they had been able to weather the war for a little over a year. But something was bound to give. She just didnt know which side it would be on.

Giving up Wilmette was the best course of action, Natalie said. We minimized damages before breaking off the teleporter.

I wish we could have evacuated more of the surrounding sub-cities before they got hit. The best I could do was direct some important or loyal families to my restaurants in the sub-cities. Alanah sighed. Im worried that something big is going to happen soon.

I agree. Its been five months since we gave the Wilmette. Its about time for them to show their true colors. Im surprised Ryven has let those two play at war for this long. Hell take over soon, thats to be sure, Natalie said.

Of course, Natalie had many people on her payroll, including spies in the enemys camp. She had learned long ago that two princes had been directing their army since Ryvens initial communication with her. The man was known as a fierce warrior, and an adept strategist when needed. Though strategy was seldom needed when you had overwhelming strength.

But, fortunately, Cydaria, Natalie, and Alanahs reserves were enough to counter, albeit barely, the combined armys overwhelming strength. Which is why after the sub-cities fell, Edwin, Edward, Natalie, and Alanah all agreed to slowly lose control of Wilmette while maintaining as few casualties as possible to allow the prince duo a win. They wanted to keep those two in control for as long as possible. And so far, it had worked.

Were both playing at the same game, Alanah said. Were waiting for Edgar, Avery, and Derek to return to tip the scales, or at least even them out, and Ryven will soon push forward. Hell want to finish things before they get out.

They have to know something is happening by now. A portion of their army finally pushed forward and captured Torith, or Searidge.

Unfortunately, I wasnt able to save all of Walter Searidges family. Our building in Torith wasnt big enough for everyone, so they had to choose, and most of the elders of the family chose the younger generation. It was a good thing some were already in the capital when the invasion started. Alanah closed her eyes and sighed again.

Were able to keep everyone fed and healthy through our material teleporters, but those in the restaurants around Wilmette are getting restless. The enemy army has been pretty restrained with non-combatants so far, but we dont know when thats going to change, Alanah said.

If the situation changes, you may have to step in, you know. Weve been able to evacuate most of your employees and their families, leaving only those in the captured sub-cities and Wilmette. I hate to say it, but you are the most deadly weapon in the kingdom, currently. At least until Mr. Hunt gets back, that is. I think hes going to surprise us, Natalie said before taking a sip of her own coffee.

Alanah balled her fists, then loosened them. You dont have to tell me. Though, if I am forced to attack, they better pray to the Great System they are able to escape before I get my hands on them.

For now, Ryven thinks he has you contained. I know it will be hard to lose your own. But if you do have to act, I dont envy Ryven and his army.

Alanah finished her coffee and stood. Its been a pleasure. She smirked. And I agree. Derek had yet to reach his full potential when last I seen him.