The meeting continued on a high note for several hours until a messenger delivered critical information. Upon hearing it, the expressions on everyone rapidly changed as they jumped to their feet. They could not restrain their surprise! Even General Illion frowned hearing this news. It was something completely unexpected… The Imperial Princesses wished to speak with him! Moreover, the princesses specifically stated that Elizabeth was there, and they were prepared to hand her over… From this, General Illion's and everyone's mind stirred into action. Aside from General Illion, it was obvious how important the Royal Family thought of Elizabeth with its kingdom-wide search of her and the attack on Port Silic!
"This smells like a trap," a Legion General said. "We should ignore them."
"The Xingyuu Empire must be feeling desperate with our presence. To even pull the Imperial Princesses into their ploy…"
"But that doesn't make sense. Our reports said that the Imperial Princesses rebelled against the Xingyuu Empire with the Li Family. Do you think they are earnestly trying to talk with us?"
"That's true. The conflicts with the Li Family cannot be faked. Are the Imperial Princesses planning on using Elizabeth as a bargaining chip in negotiations?"
General Illion was silent before finally saying, "I will meet them. The importance of Elizabeth goes without saying. Do we have an exact location and time for the meeting?" he asked of the messenger. The messenger reported the details quickly.
The Legion Generals glanced over the map of the surrounding region and the meeting location. There was nothing particularly special about the area. It was all forest and mountains. However, this only served to invite more suspicion from everyone. The flat and inconspicuous area meant that anything could happen. Not to mention, they were currently in the Xingyuu Empire! If the empire wished to spring a trap, it would be hard to notice until too late. Their opinions remained divided whether to go or not go.
"The entire camp will be in high alert while I am away. As an extra precaution, send out a few scouting fleets to keep the bay clear," the general thought. "I will be personally bringing a squadron of Royal Guards and Great Knights, as well as one hundred troops. Five hundred will act as support and protect our way out, should it be necessary. Is it possible to have the arrangements done by the morning?" Illion asked.
"Of course," a Legion General respectfully replied. "I will have everything prepared."
"Then let us go with that," Illion said, giving out his orders.
***
On the next day, around mid-afternoon, General Illion was riding through the forest with an elite squadron of knights and several platoons. The march of hundreds of soldiers echoed throughout the forest grounds, shaking the dirt with their tremors. Animals fled without resistance. The sight was both impressive and terrifying. General Illion himself was wearing a spotless general's uniform, adorned with a red cape to symbolize his peak authority. He stood out amongst the monotony of dull armors and uniforms! Prior to arriving at their destination, he split the army up accordingly, gave very specific orders, and proceeded with a hundred soldiers.
Another half hour later, they entered a small clearing in the forest where two people were standing. General Illion and a few others recognized them as Sentinel Chang and Tai, the Protectors of the Imperial Princesses. Aside from the two, there was no one else in sight. Inwardly, the general felt his predictions were on-point. He was close to certain there was no trap involved from his scouts. At the very least, there was no large number of soldiers waiting to swarm him. Whether there was an elite kill squad formed of purely Imperial Sentinels was a different question, but he felt those odds were even lower. This meant that the Imperial Princesses would not be meeting him here, to prevent him from gaining an upper hand in proceeding talks.
But… Illion pondered coldly.
With a short exchange, the two Protectors led General Illion a bit further away, to a tranquil and secluded waterfall. However, this picturesque landscape was dominated by a heavy air. Two parties stood at odds with one another. On one hand, it was General Illion with his hundred troops and elite knights. On the other, it was the Imperial Princesses, their Protectors, as well as Elizabeth with her friends. Although both sides restrained their murderous aura, they were prepared to clash swords in a heartbeat! They could not let their guards down!
It was an intense battle of wits on both sides. General Illion was wary of a potential ambush. The landscape lent itself very well to ranged supremacy. For example, if there were dozens of archers posted up above the waterfall, it would be impossible to contest them. The soldiers Illion brought with him would be slaughtered. The Perception Realms were no exception. Similarly, Princess Ming tried hard to keep her façade up. In reality, she had neither the soldiers nor plans for an ambush. However, this threat gave her security. She knew that the Alzar Kingdom would not go overboard for fear of a harsh retaliation. In her case, the few people on her side formed a powerful illusion of strength! The two leaders were internally anxious but showed calm expressions on the surface!
Meanwhile, Lorenzo was stunned. As a Great Knight and Brigade Commander, he was chosen to both protect General Illion and help lead the soldiers. He was a unique case in which he was both excelled in combat and leadership. Initially, he heard about the Imperial Princesses returning Elizabeth, and his mind wandered. If Elizabeth was still alive, then there was a chance for his brother, Benedict, to also be alive! He hoped that was the case, but there was always a seed of doubt. The greater the hope, the deeper the disappointment! He did not want to be dismayed. But seeing Benedict, in the flesh, in front of him had removed all such thoughts from him! It was truly a miracle!