" What's the total strength of the enemy? Do they have more sorcerers like them?" Noah asked. He didn't know the condition of increasing the weights of things that he could summon but if it was extended, he would be able to bring more powerful weapon that would be enough to topple a small town noble.
" Do you think sorcerers grow on trees? I took my disciples to experience the world but after few months of us leaving the capital the country was invaded. I am sure Mr Alastair could best describe what's the situation the country is in." Old man Felix scratched his beard and waited for Alastair to answer.
From what he had seen, Alastair seemed to be hiding something and most of the people in the village was unaware how royally fucked they were. Lulon Kingdom was nearing it's end after the Sericin invasion.
They were a cruel force that rapidly started expanding in past decade already that had already conquered three neighbouring island kingdom. Lulon Empire was their next target. There was also rumours floating around that one of the three guilds were supporting them but the reason was still unknown.
" He is right. Even though the last battle I had with them, we won by hair's margin but seeing the death and destruction, I left the army. Being the knight commander compelled me to participate in the battle but after finding out one of the royal family member was helping the invading army behind the scenes. I decided to disband the unit and retire from the army."
" Hmm...it was second prince right?"
" How did you-" Alastair was shocked that Felix knew about it. He was only able to learn about it due to special circumstances. A knight commander was a highest ranking titles only shy of commander in chief that was responsible for all the forces in the kingdom.
Such a role was only given to direct lineage royal family members so it was no surprise when he learned that the person he was following was the same one that undermined his own army just to get a leg up in succession race.
How else could one explain Seracin taking down the capital in three months? It was a giant fortress city that withstood numerous invasion without any sign of faltering. Without the help of second prince, the commander in chief it would be impossible for the invading army to breach through it.
" Don't underestimate an old person's intuition. I had met up with every royal descendant from the crown princess to the sixth prince, there is only one person that constantly tried to appease and recruit me and my pupils. After investigating a bit, I could see the true face he was hiding behind that benevolent smile."
" If you knew about it! Why didn't you warn anyone!?" Alastair slammed the desk in fury. If they had little more time, they would have prevented a disaster!
" Like anyone would move without any proof. I am not affiliated with the Royal family or any noble house. We work for the Sorcerers guild, what's goes in the country are none of our concerns." Felix gave him a stern look.
" But-"
" He is right father. There is no point of mulling over what already happened. Do you think anyone would be safe when accusing a royal family of doing anything? They are the worst when it came to accountability. They would have locked you up for treason if you said anything despite how high rank you were in the army." Mera said with a serious tone. They don't have time to worry about royal family when their own village was being on the brink of disaster because of a noble.
" We could at least save the crown princess. She was our only hope in turning the tides of war." Alastair felt guilty. It was a mix of leaving the battlefield behind and going against his oath of protecting the kingdom. A knight's honour was a precious things even when he elevated to a position where he commanded said individuals.
" If you worried about crown princess then I have a piece of good news for you."
" What? I thought most of the royal family were arrested or slaughtered. Those bastards didn't even care about the code of conduct of the war!" What happened in capital was nothing short of one sided massacre.
The houses were burned down and they didn't even leave the civilian that surrendered. Alastair did pass through the razed town only to see countless bodies lying around and all the villages around it pillaged and burned to crisp.
Seracin were famous for their cruel invasions, leaving nothing behind. They only spared the royal castle probably because they wanted to build the kingdom under their name. He was sure the foolish second prince would soon be stabbed in the back after which Seracin would swallow the whole kingdom operating it to further invade other kingdoms.
" That may be so but last I heard, she was alive. The center of the kingdom might have fallen but don't forget it was a modified port city. There was many powerful noble forces fighting for to repel the invading army. The crown princess hunkered up with the Northern duke."
" What?" Alastair was perplexed. If it's the Northern Duke that they can hold on for several more month due to the mountain terrain. If they get enough supplies it's not farfetch to see them take back few of the town from the enemy.
But the most astounding news was they were quite close to this village. If could easily reach her if they travelled for few days after passing few towns. They wouldn't even encounter any Seracin since they invaded from the south!