The man quietly hid the piece of tore dress in his pocket as he heard several approaching footsteps outside the cave.
His face fell into a serious expression and his eyes became hollow as if everything he sees will sink into the deepest part of the abyss.
Soon, the footsteps arrived and several men in crimson uniform were standing in an orderly manner.
"General, we are glad from the bottom of our heart that you are safe!" One of the men took a step forward and stood upright.
By the time they arrived, the injured man already had his uniform on so his men did not see the bandages wrapped around his body.
"Good work." Said the General as he grabs Cotton in his arms.
"Sir, a messenger from the palace arrived not too long. And the order stated that we are to make haste and go back as soon as possible."
The General creased his brows and gave a menacing glance at his subordinate, which made him shudder to his hair. The subordinate didn't know what to do. He was only doing his job, yet he feels like even just doing his job is something that he shouldn't do.
In the presence of this General, either one wrong move or one wrong word means the end of one's life.
He is not someone you can afford to displease as this noble man is none other than the Bloodstained Cardinal.
The name that was the enemies' subject of fear, Dylan Caess Rozen. The one and only son of the Rozen duchy.
With the passing of his father, Dylan had already assumed the title of the duke at the age of twenty-one and was proclaimed as the youngest to ever become a duke in history.
During that time, he had only completed his knight training and graduated as the greatest swordsman to ever graduate in the Saint Cross Knight School.
Not long after he became a duke, he volunteered to fight on the front lines as to gain experience as well as to assess his own limitation at the same time.
At first, he had only observed however when they had their backs to the wall, he couldn't stay silent any longer and voiced out his opinions.
Using his sharp mind, he had displayed immense wisdom proposing unique and peculiar tactics that no one could have ever thought of which greatly contributed to the empire's winning the war.
From then on, he gradually rose to the position of a commander as he achieved victories after victories.
And finally, when he turned Twenty-four, he was granted the role of a general and gained the emperor's trust.
He then received the Blue-winged Crest badge, the highest medal of honor that can be awarded to an individual as token of the emperor's acknowledgement. Only three people in the empire had managed to acquire this medal including himself.
After years of spending time in the front lines, those who fought beside him started to notice how he had grown more vicious, more inhumane and more dreadful.
The looks of admiration they had for him had turned into fear because the sight they saw was a curtain of blood and the agonizing faces of those being mercilessly slayed by him.
It was pure terror. One look on his crimson bloodshed eyes means certain demise, and one swing of his sword would mean a guarantee of one's surging blood out of their body. Like the angel of death ascended to collect all of his preys.
The scenery of his battles were just too terrifying and his talent for killing is not that befitting for his age.
People started calling him names. Crimson Nightmare, The Beheading General and The Starving Hellion. But the one that best describes the scenery of his battles earned him the name of the Bloodstained Cardinal.
With his swift slashes that no one can grasp, blood gushes out from the enemies necks as if pouring rain, staining him red all over his body.
Genius mind and an unparalleled strength. He had saved the empire countless times and spared no one regardless of their age and gender. Once he had acknowledged someone as his enemy then expect that their life will be no more.
So what made this general get into a foul mood when hearing the order? He might have some unfinished business that he wanted to deal with immediately.
Yes, and that unfinished business was related to the lady who had stayed and cared for his injury. He originally had planned to go search for her first thing when he got up. The lady might still be close to the area so it's not yet too late, but then this had to happen.
His plan was ruined. Of course he would be in a sour mood, however he couldn't refuse. This is a direct order from the emperor himself so he had no choice but to compromise. Although right now he's having an urge to kill, sighing silently is the only thing he could do.
"Understood. Get me a horse and prepare to dispatch immediately. We're going back to the palace!"
"Yes, General!" Seeing the general gradually consumed his bloodlust, the man finally relaxed his tensed muscles and wiped the sweat on his forehead. And without a moment wasted, they made their way back to the palace.
Meanwhile, in the crowded street of the city of Bamburgh, Leticia was walking around for about three hours now, not knowing where she was headed.
"Maybe I should've bought a map of the town with me. I wonder if they sell one for a cheap price." Leticia wondered around looking for stalls that sells the town's map when she finally found one.
"This map cost eight silver coins, young lady." Said the stall owner.
Eight silver coins? That's too expensive for a map. Leticia gulped in surprise. But then again, this is Bamburgh City, the heart of businesses and flourishing town of the empire of Erstonia.
"I'll buy one, mister." Leticia conceded. Though she wasn't willing to spend that much money, the situation wouldn't allow her to refuse as this was a necessity.
"Thank you for your patronage!" Said the owner joyfully.
"Oh, can I ask one question, mister?" Leticia asked as she spread the map open.
"Of course, young lady!"
"Is this forest here safe for picking herbs?"
"For a young lady like you, I wouldn't recommend it if you go alone. Packs of wolves are often found there roaming."
"Really? Oh no, what should I do?"
"If you really want to go then I suggest you hire a bodyguard. You can find them in guilds. Just pay the allotted fee and you wouldn't have to worry about dangers!"