"Why are they taking so long? How long can we wait!"
"Your Majesty, the communications mage reported that they were attacked near the capital. They have just entered the battle."
"When did that puppy manage to send an army? And why didn't our scouts spot him earlier?"
"But no enemy army was detected. This is a surprise attack... Your Majesty, the communications mage says that they were attacked by a ghost!"
"What nonsense? Have they all gone crazy?"
"I don't know, my king. I'm just passing on a message. According to the informer, at first the earth swelled in waves like the sea, then dust rose up without wind, and soldiers fell one after another from stab wounds, but there was no enemy or his weapons!"
"Earth, you speak in waves. No, it can't be August. He died more than two years ago. Then who else could have such strong earth magic?"
"I don't know, Your Majesty..."
"What do you even know? Lately, you've become a useless slave and bring me only bad news! Send three hundred soldiers to help. No matter how strong that mage is, his energy reserves are not endless. We will not let him regain his strength. Tell him that I want to see this brave man alive."
"Yes, my king."
As soon as the door closed behind the high slave, the king swept all the documents off the table in one fell swoop. He was furious. Ever since his own son made a public statement, he had been receiving messages asking for an explanation.
He is the king and he doesn't have to explain anything to anyone! That was before. Before that bastard had a choice. Ichiro knew that many had already taken advantage of Klaus's offer. He had intercepted several messages at his queen's estate. How many had he missed? Who knew how much power Klaus had gained during his week of inaction?
At least he had the largest army now. Among the Council of Six, only Slash Digger could match her in strength, but he loved war to the core, and Klaus was offering the complete opposite.
Ichiro stood up and picked up one of the letters. The one Digger had sent yesterday. He hadn't asked for an explanation. He had said that he would come in three days to hear an explanation for the gossip. Ichiro had only one day left. He had to convince Klaus to surrender. What Abel was supposed to deliver was the perfect leverage for the king. His victory was so close. He couldn't let this chance pass.
Klaus knew. He knew from the very beginning that there was something fishy going on, but he still listened to his chief adviser and elder brother. Now he was ready to rip his head off with his own hands. How could he hide something like that from him? How could he go on a risky mission almost alone?
"I'm asking, why didn't anyone report to me?"
Klaus stood in the center of the soldiers' barracks. The air around him was so electrified that no one dared to come closer than ten steps to the prince.
"The captain ordered to keep everything a secret from you," the young soldier, who was not even sixteen, squeaked almost crying.
"You all bent the knee and swore allegiance to me! So why do you put the captain's order above mine?"
"Your Majesty, we did not put the captain's order above yours! We were simply following the orders of your right hand."
"I am issuing a new rule from this second and I want you to convey it to everyone. I forbid you from hiding any information from me! If you receive such an order again, even from the gods, you must immediately inform me of it. Where did he go?"
"He took the portal of a village, not far from the capital."
"What is the closest portal to Anatodom you have?"
"Almost at the very gates."
"What next?"
"On the edge of the forest."
"Is that on the side of the road to the capital or on the opposite side from it?"
"On the side of the road."
"Excellent. I need this portal immediately."
'Who will you take with you?"
"I'm going there alone."
"You'll go there with me," Gorald's low voice was heard behind his.
"You're staying here in charge."
"Your life is important to me, and I can't let you go..."
"This is my order. Or do you want to challenge it too?"
"Klaus, come to your senses..."
"I've said my word. Leave your man here, go back to the estate yourself and take my place. You're not stupid, you'll figure out how to explain my absence."
"Klaus..."
The prince did not wait for an answer. He took the ball and went out. He could not think straight now. Two people dear to him were in danger while he sat in a stuffy office and had conversations with highborns. He had to bring Egor back. He had to save August. Save him, and then personally break his neck.
Klaus was indeed standing on the edge of the forest. He looked around, remembering in which direction his hometown was, but he did not need to strain his memory. A dark cloud was visible in the distance. He knew only one person who was capable of this. Without thinking twice, he directed his horse there.
***
The camouflage stopped when most of the enemies were defeated, but Augustus still hadn't managed to get to Abel. This little rascal had enslaved all the non-magic warriors in fear and put them to defend him. Unlike regular soldiers, the puppets weren't afraid of death and existed only for the sake of an order. This made the task much more difficult.
The second problem was that the captain's magical powers were almost exhausted, and for some reason he hadn't thought to take the stimulant balls with him.
Of the four soldiers he had taken with him, only two remained. As soon as the camouflage wore off, their advantage was gone. Now the dust curtain was hindering them as much as the enemies.
August lowered the dust. It was taking a lot of strength, and he thought it was of little use now. The captain went for a frontal attack. Thanks to his ability, stab wounds did not harm him, and there were few enemy mages left and they were all in their right minds, so they acted carefully.
The third trouble. Augustus expected this turn of events, but still hoped that reinforcements would arrive after he was done here. Well, August has no choice but to fight to the end. He will try to delay them. Buy time.
"Hey!" he shouted, hoping that the soldier who remained with Egor would hear him. "Take him and run. Catch," he threw a portal behind him, "this one is on the edge of the forest. You will get there faster."
"But the captain!"
"Don't you dare argue with me now. It's over! Can't you see it yourself?"
The young soldier listened to him. August sighed, gathered his last strength, and the ground beneath the puppet warriors' feet rose up. He had done this trick many times, but he had never risked it when he was alone. He knew that after this he wouldn't be able to use magic, but his defensive abilities would hold out for a while.
He cleared the way to Abel. He saw the same fear in his younger brother's eyes again, just like that day in the underground city. Involuntarily, August' face spread into a smile.
"Well, little brother, are we going to die together today?"
"Fuck you! I'm not going to die! His Majesty will save me!"
The clatter of hooves could already be clearly heard behind him. Arrows flew at his back, but they could not stop the invulnerable earth mage. August continued to approach the frightened Abel.
The fireball forced the captain to change his trajectory. Several hundred soldiers surrounded the cart and aimed their weapons at the only enemy.
"Surrender, earth mage."
"Kill him, kill him immediately," Abel screamed.
"The king's order is to deliver him alive."
"Who told you that I would surrender alive?" August grinned, clutching his sword tighter.
"You are the only one left! We have already taken the trophy, and that worthless soldier was killed. Surrender!"
August looked into the distance. Indeed. Egor was lying across one of the horses. He was not moving. The captain hoped that he had simply been knocked out so that he would not resist.
"Then I'll kill him myself," Abel shouted.
August turned to face him and saw... A gun? A weapon from another world?
"Where did it come from..."
The captain didn't have time to finish his question. Abel pulled the trigger. August saw everything as if in slow motion. A small iron projectile was flying straight at him. A burning pain pierced August's stomach. He looked at the wound from which blood was flowing, uncomprehending. This can't be! He couldn't have been wounded!
Abel himself was frightened by the loud shot. He didn't know what kind of weapon it was, but it turned out to be more than useful. In a panic, he threw it at his dying brother, forced one of the soldiers to free his horse and rushed towards Anatodom. No one tried to stop him.
August fell to his knees. Blood began to flow from his mouth. His exhausted magical abilities had taken away his physical strength as well. He could hear the soldiers approaching him. He could not allow himself to be captured by them. The captain took a small knife from his breast pocket and prepared to slit his throat.