Bayezid had nothing to say.
He and steward just began to walk along the path.
No one noticed them as nobles coming here were common.
But still some who decided to get a peak at his face and understood who he was offered their greetings.
"Your majesty." they greeted.
But not all greeted.
Well , some were clearly busy.
But some didn't greet even if they saw him.
It was not only due to the hate of the crown , but also due to the unremarkable aura of the individuals.
Power was everything in this world.
The previous king with his middle level tier three strength would have been immediately be noticed with his aura.
High level first tier individuals although rare , could be seen in ubiquitous amounts in certain places like the guilds , dungeons and so on.
They were also knights , soldiers , officers and so on.
All in all it was not a rare sight to see and definitely one that didn't evoke respect in the soldiers.
Bayezid could just order the execution of the soldiers who were 'disrespecting' him by not greeting him but he just let it be.
For one , it would be foolish to kill the soldiers who were fighting in a war to keep the Herzians at bay and second , he had no interest to begin with.
In fact , it reminded him of the measly strength he had.
In the past nine months , he had more or less got accustomed to this world.
Not to the culture or anything but mainly the power system.
Strength was one of the things that was most important in this world.
Wealth, authority and status were important as well but they were useless without strength.
So strength could be considered as the most important thing in this world.
After walking for some time , they finally reached a tent that stood among the other smaller tents.
Its colour was different and it was brighter than the other rudimentary tents set up around.
There were two guards at the peak of the first tier defending the tent.
As soon as the guards saw Bayezid , they bowed down and offered their respects.
These were the guards who were trained in the academy and such.
They had learned about etiquette and also had knowledge of the hierarchy system in Erlands.
After Bayezid told them to stand up, one of the guards went inside to announce his presence.
Once again, steward's expression contorted.
Soon the guard came out and said to him that he could visit the general.
Even the guard had a conflicted expression on his face.
Bayezid just keeping a neutral expression entered the tent.
The world was magical and the tent too was magical.
Although from outside , it looked slightly bigger than other tents , still it was not overly big.
But when Bayezid entered inside all he could say was that the tent was massive.
With weapons assorted on all sides and with minimal decorations , it didn't look grand but for a war tent , it indeed looked like a grand one.
Definitely the general was enjoying his stay here.
At the end , there was a huge table and documents were stacked on it.
From behind the table , a powerful aura came and hit Bayezid in the face.
It was like a hot breeze was passing through his cheeks.
It didn't hurt him or anything but the aura in a sense was exerting its dominance over him.
A man with his hands behind the back was currently standing while looking out at the battlefield through a window that occupied the tent.
He was short at about 5 feet four, but just from the back one could easily say that this man was ripped.
He slowly turned around until he stood facing Bayezid and Steward , his eyes the colour of crimson , his hair the colour of blond tied in a man bun, his skin the colour of chocolate , while his face was covered with a beard. A scar on each side of his face ran from the left and the right eye and ended at the tip of the nose.
"Little general" was a name given by the people to him.
But those who gave such remarks probably never saw this man once. The man was extremely intimating to look at.
His face was clear of any emotions and he maintained a stoic expression.
His deep voice resounded.
"Your majesty." not too arrogant or humble. Just a neutral tone.
"I have been expecting your arrival."
The man slowly approached Bayezid and stood before him while extending his hand for a greeting.
He looked like a kid in front of Bayezid but Bayezid knew well not to judge him because of that.
"Nice to meet you , general Samsuddin" Bayezid offered a slight smile and shook the general's hand.
The general also extended a small smile but that was it.
"Have you rested well before your arrival here?" the general asked , but there was no concern in his voice.
"Yes, I did."
Samsuddin just nodded his head.
"Take a seat , your majesty."
Bayezid went on and took a seat while Steward stood before him.
The general sat before him.
One of the strongest , if not the strongest person in the entire kingdom of Erlands.
General Samsuddin , a peak third tier melee master.
A highly respected man throughout mortal's valley.
"Jass sent you here , so you could get a situation on the battlefield itself right?"
"Yes, it seems so."
"Not good."
Bayezid's face contorted.
"Not good?"
"The situation is not good at the battlefield."
Bayezid knew that much.
"Yesterday , we just lost one middle second tier , ten early second tier , fifteen peak first tier and twenty middle first tier." the general dropped the bomb.
"Wha..?"
Both Bayezid and Steward looked at Samsuddin as though staring at a ghost.
forty six top soldiers were killed just like that... but how?
As if sensing what they were trying to ask , the general took the lead.
"A crucial confidential mission was put in motion two days . Operation Hex."
"Operation Hex?" Bayezid was more confused now. Details of such a mission never came to his ears.
"Its a mission , I didn't convey to Jass" The general said nonchalantly as if though he was not afraid of the consequences.
'Are you serious right now dude? A high profile mission such as this... you never said it to Jass?' Bayezid thought but didn't voice it out loud.
While he didn't care that these soldiers died but it did pain him to see the top assets of the kingdom just dying like that. If they were present, the war could be staled for two years at most, until the losses of both sides were too high that both sides would just agree to a white peace.
Erlands currently were 8 km deep in Herza..
At the start of the war with King Argonian taking command as the supreme commander , Erlands proceeded fast even taking many outskirts town in Herza and also almost taking a city by the second year of the war.
The people were spared but their belongings looted.
The city about to be captured was known for its fertile agricultural land. If it was taken then surely food supplies to the Herzians would be cut.
But as though facing an invisible wall, the steadfast army of Erlands came to a stand still.
The siege of the city proved to be a disaster.
The army was encircled. The duke's faction had conveyed the details of the siege to the enemies.
The city danced in blood. The herzian soldiers laughed crazily as hot blood grazed their bodies.
The Erlands's soldiers were massacred.
King Argonian, a commendable man of strength killed an early ,a middle third tier practitioner three peak second tiers and many foot soldiers of Herza.
Although it looked good on paper , this feat almost took him ten days of continuous fighting , healing and constant chasing.
Due to being concentrated on taking out the powerhouses of the opposite army he couldn't help the common soldiers.
All in all at the end , although Herza lost some of its top soldiers and officers due to King Argonian, it was the Erlands, that took the massive blow.
50, 000 casualties in one battle. More than half of the casualties in the long war started 6 years ago on the zeroth year of the 51st era.
Either the soldiers were dead or severely wounded with lost limbs or just disappeared.
As king Argonian was heavily wounded as well , Silliands took the chance and put a curse on him which would have not worked as efficiently if he was in his peak condition.
Erlands was greatly damaged but still Herza or in other words Sillilands didn't proceed with aggressive operations.
Herza was the second most populated state in Silliands.
Many of the towns were damaged beyond repair , its people estranged.
The city which Argonian attacked , although it had been nearly four years since it was attacked ,was still devastated due to the war and couldn't be rebuilt to its former glory.
"What was the mission about?" Bayezid asked unable to contain his curiosity.
General Samsuddin raised an eyebrow and frowned but soon he came back to his stoic expression.
"The mission was to secretly infiltrate the capital of Herza, Wardland and directly attack its war headquarters and disrupt communication between the soldiers at the frontlines and city.
If successful, due to no possible air resistance , we would have advanced in with tanks and almost 30 k soldiers. It would have a full blown out push and definitely Herza would have fallen."
Bayezid just sat there without saying anything.
Silence permeated the surroundings for some time.
"Honestly" the general sighed "It was the only way , we could have made any progress. Yeah , we might have fought for a white peace but that would cause unrest and disappointment.
We have lost about 100k men and equipments worth 15 million bronze coins."
"Also as a general , my pride wouldn't have allowed me to settle for peace."
'But now there is a chance we might lose this war without some of our top soldiers' Bayezid thought.
"The plan was somewhat successful. Lots of communication devices and equipments of the base were destroyed. Almost all of the people stationed in the headquarters were killed. If not for the unseen error , we might have pulled through."
"Unseen error?" Bayezid arched his eyebrows.
"It seemed that a third tier practitioner from the state of Coopland was there."
'Coopland? Isn't coopland like the poorest region in Erlands and has very little population?' Bayezid thought.
Silliands was divided into five regions.
In the northern side , there were two regions.
To the north west was coopland.
To the north east , sharing some coastline was Aziland.
The centre of Silliands was called Centusus.
The south was called Herza.
The east region which had most of the coastline of Silliands was called Edra. It had the capital of Silliands, Inuphis.
Each region was in fact a state that all came in a federated union to form a country called Silliands.
Silliands, just like any other nation in Golden rock had fascinating history that stretched back thousands of years.
"Coopland you say?
But isn't coopland like poor and has no natural wealth except their dense forests ?
I heard it was a tribal state and had weak people in general.
How could they have a third tier practitioner?
But even if they had , wouldn't it imply that we are war with two states now?
Someone this powerful has to be directly be involved with the affairs of Coopland."
Bayezid asked his questions.
The general leaned back in his chair and seemed to be thinking something.
"The third tier practitioner from what I gather matches the description of the tribal leader of Coopland.
So yes, it might imply we are war with two states , although there is no official declaration of war.
But nonetheless it couldn't be taken as a direct war between coopland and Erlands either.
The practitioner just dealt with intruders who were hostile to the nation.
It's like if Duke Sophia's army personally deals with some hostile forces when they enter her territory.
Or A farm owner uses a shotgun on someone who trespasses his farm.
Armies who are not at war with each other could still fight against hostile forces. It is permissible under the International law of war and fighting."
Both Steward and Bayezid gulped. What the general said was correct but still it couldn't calm them down.
The possibility of taking on a third tier practitioner and another state even though weak , didn't sit well with them.
"So general , what are we going to do going forward?" Bayezid asked.
General looked at Bayezid's eye.
Bayezid felt as though a beast was staring at his eyes.
But now that the general saw Bayezid , wasn't this guy too carefree and... calm?
He didn't react much to the loss of the top soldiers and even let his disrespect pass by.
In the first place , wasn't he afraid that he could kill him at one strike?
But the General cursed himself at that simple thought.
If this guy didn't have any backup while coming here, which he definitely did , it would have been foolish.
He didn't know the full picture but when Silliands decided to curse the previous king , it was said that they almost sent three third tier mercenaries they hired , to the capital.
Although their mission was successful , all the mercenaries disappeared just like that and never went back to Sillainds.
How did he know?
Actually he knew the full picture... It was he who communicated with the Sillianders, snitched the information about the siege, got Argonian heavily injured and helped getting him cursed by providing them with the location of the secret tunnels of the palace that led to the king.
On paper , it was the duke's faction who sold the information , but it was him who sold the information.
He also knew that there were some powerful entities protecting the king from the background whose strength he estimated to be all at least third tier.
Due to heavily investing on the mercenaries , Silliands never launched a counter offensive and if they did would have definitely toppled Erlands , when of course, if he was providing them with information about the army and such...
But after that incident , he never sided with Silliands until now.
Why?
Simple, he was threatened by the individuals who were in the dark.
He felt helpless when Jass came to him with all these formidable individuals.
The general was never aligning with one side.
During the early years of the war , he was with Erlands per se.
As Erlands was plundering lots of villages and towns , he embezzled some of the wealth plundered and put it in his own bank.
But when Silliands offered hundreds of golds to him just so he could provide them information about the important strategies of the army and to the secret routes to the king's bedroom in the palace so they could curse him...
He technically shifted to Silliands's side and was a traitor.
For almost a year , he got away with his treacherous activities unnoticed.
Then, he was caught and was threatened immediately after the king was cursed.
They could have killed him , but it would have been a waste.
It was not everyday or even a lifetime when you saw a peak third tier.
After the king was pushed to a coma , for the next three years until now , he was just instructed to defend and not launch any offensive.
If he had to launch any offensive , even minor , he would have to convey the information to Jass and then proceed.
This operation Hex was something that had to be conveyed , but he didn't.
Although it was planned by Silliands , the backer was not silliands.
The backer was someone unknown and powerful.
Definitely , Jass and the others would come to investigate sooner or later.
In the three years since Argonian's discharge from the army , everything had been going smooth. In fact too smooth. It was as though Samsuddin never worked with Silliands.
He wasn't a permanent agent for Silliands that was ready to bounce back anytime.
For the three years, he had sided with both the Duke's faction and the King's faction.
Sometimes , the bastards from the duke's faction offered him good money to swindle some of the arms and ammunition , so they could stock it up themselves, so in case of a civil war they could use them.
It all went under the radar as it wasn't too much of a big deal.
Now , he had sided with Silliands , yes , but he was sure he could get away with it.
Operation hex was both a failure and a success.
He was sure if he conveyed how it went and the 'unseen' error, he would be let alive , albeit punishments would be served without compromise.
After he was let to live , he would discharge from the army citing stress and go live in count's shore with his new wealth...
The general couldn't wait but be let off of here as soon as possible.
"You tell me , your majesty... what do you suggest?" he asked while putting his hands on the table.
"I suggest... that we defend vigorously for now." Bayezid paused for some time ensuring that the general had his attention , when he confirmed it , he began again.
"We have about 30k soldiers right?"
The general nodded.
"The average prowess of them seems to be about the low level of the first tier. But interestingly many of them are almost about to breakthrough to the middle level. It would be wise if we train the soldiers and let the average prowess reach the middle level of the first tier."
It looked well on the paper , but was it really possible?
Making sure, lets say , a thousand soldiers reach that level on average would be possible but thirty times that?
What about the teachers required? the gold?
But before the general could dismiss his ridiculous notion , Bayezid said again.
"You don't have to worry about the gold , general , the crown would supply you with that soon."
The general had a frown.
'The crown would supply? the crown was dirt poor... Was Sophia going to supply money now that her daughter was married to this guy?'
"What do you say general? no offensive attacks just holding the position like you have been doing for the past three years. Just add to that , the extra task of training the soldiers meticulously. The goal could be achieved in three months. I don't think the idea is far fetched."
The General just thought for sometime.
"Well , your majesty , I would do just that." He stood up.
Internally he was smirking. He would be gone from here at the latest , so he couldn't be bothered.
"Alright then , the teachers would come at most in two months or three months , until that make sure the soldiers learn from the top officers at least at the peak of first tier."
'Fuck... a peak fist tier is ordering me... only if the whoresons Sillianders are slightly useful or I could get away from here even without resigning...'
Samsuddin unconsciously rubbed his shoulders.
'Why... am I feeling chills? my necks doesn't seem to be safe. One ill intent in my aura and I feel like my head would fly off... did he bring one of them?'
"At ease , your majesty , I will make sure your commands are fulfilled." He gritted his teeth and replied.
"Thank you , general. If thats then..." with a smile Bayezid stood up and proceeded to the exit.
But that was when... the ground rattled and shook.
Bayezid almost lost his balance. To make a peak first tier lose his footing...
Suddenly, cries and bellows were heard.
'AHHHHHH' 'AHHHHHH'
The camp was at unrest.
All the three rushed out of the camp to see the cause of the commotion.
Their sight was met with an ostrich.
While the ostrich looked normal... wait...
It didn't look normal at all...
It was about five meters in height , almost double the height of normal ostriches back on earth and its face was covered in blue fire. It fur was black. At certain places , they were spikes protruding out.
Currently it was decapitating the limbs of a soldier who seemed to be crying in pain.
'What the...'
Steward seemed to be saying something.
"Beast tide... but how?"
Both of them turned to see the general.
But as usual he had a calm expression on his face.
But Bayezid could see it... a slight crease in his lips.
"Your majesty... Im afraid but we might just have an...undetected... beast tide in our hands." he almost stressed on the word 'Undetected'
But there was no time to say further.
The general disappeared almost in thin air and appeared near the ostrich.
A punch imbued with energiya was met with the surface of the ostrich's fur.
Just before the ostrich flew away , the fire on its head met with the energiya of the punch and swirled and
*Pow*
the fire and energiya met with each other to give a spark seen in colour crackers.
"I guess we have no choice but to fight. Steward for now... let's keep the interrogation later." Bayezid took out his sword.
Steward in what seemed like a second took out his dagger and slashed the head of another ostrich approaching them at fast speeds.
"As you say... your majesty"
'That speed right now... it was unbelievable.'
Even though Bayezid was a peak first tier in both the arts, he was having trouble seeing the attacks of Steward just now who was also a peak first tier.
'Maybe , thats the experience thing, Jass says I'm lacking' Bayezid started to appreciate Jass even more now...
They both soon took off from their place to kill the ostriches.
It was a Hell pit ostriches beast tide...
---
The Male monarch's office.
It was just a well designed , sufficient and minimally decorated room given to the male Monarch to administer the affairs of the state.
Usually it was occupied by Bayezid but now it was occupied by Ellis.
Ellis sat elegantly on her chair while signing off documents after documents.
Her hands moved as if programmed to do so , while her eyes made sure to capture every details of the documents that laid in front of her.
The sun was almost about to set and the alarm clock, beside her as indicating that, rang.
*Beep* *Beep*
Ellis closing the document , soon stopped the alarm clock.
Stretching her body and yawning, she laid back on her chair.
"The crown does get a lot of official stuffs as compared to the Duchy" she sighed.
"I'm surprised Mr. Jass even let me sign the documents..."
Usually Jass was the one who signed these documents as Bayezid had in simple terms, no interests in these documents.
The important ones , Jass made sure to get it signed by Bayezid , but the usual ones he took care of.
"I guess the four months I was here... I didn't do anything suspicious in his eyes or the fact that now my information chamber is supplying them with vital information..."
But... a sudden thought struck her.
"It was three months though... as for one month, I was simply imprisoned or something along those lines."
What Bayezid did to her , she had no words to describe it.
"Well , I guess now that I'm the queen of Erlands , I have the same authority as the king to make decisions... atleast on paper."
She was the queen of Erlands... but how should she feel about it? she was in terms of status , authority , above all in Erlands.
Bayezid would be gone for about a month , travelling across Erlands to address officials and oversee constructions and factories.
So she was the reagent until the king made it back.
It was not that he was far away by any means.
At most, at any given time, he would be across 100 kilometres, that showed how small Erlands was.
But suddenly her eyes darted to some documents that laid segregated from others.
Signed and not signed , the documents were separated like that.
But there was another two sections of documents.
'Illegal activities' 'Confidential information'
The first document that laid on top of others in the 'illegal activities' section described the assassination of one of the important member of the king's faction.
Earl Michael.
He was running a fairly successful business and was owner of almost all of the drama theatres across Erlands.
Assassinated while making coffee in his kitchen.
He was a middle aged man who had no wife and children.
He had no slaves or servants and such and only had one estate by a hill where he lived.
The two middle first tier guards were killed swiftly and the earl, an early second tier healer was also killed swiftly.
On the hindsight , it may seem that the duke faction did this... but Ellis was sure they didn't.
As soon as she saw the document , she let one of her closest aids probe into this situation.
There was no answer still now but definitely, a third party was in the shadows.
I couldn't be directly be pointed to Silliands. Other nations may have a hand as well.
Beneath the document , laid many similar documents.
Murder of Baron Seth, baron Nadia, Knight Godman...
Just in a single day yesterday , more than six nobles, knights, upper common people like merchants , artisans, mercenaries were killed.
The scary fact was that this was "average" and happened every single day.
A worrisome thing was that some of the important people who died daily were merchants from other countries...
Suddenly the doors to her room were opened abruptly and a guard came in.
Ellis frowned seeing the guard's rude behaviour but didn't point it out.
The guard panted for some time before straightening his back.
"Queen we have some issue"