Accompanied by Princess Raelia, Jonady walked through the castle's corridors.
During their walk, he couldn't help but notice her attire: an elegant yet formidable light armor, designed for battle while reflecting her noble status. Intrigued, he asked:
— "Princess Raelia, why are you wearing military attire? It's not exactly what I expected for a princess."
Raelia turned her head towards him, a faint smile playing on her lips.
— "I am indeed a princess, but above all, I am a warrior... and a mage," she replied calmly.
She didn't seem to be boasting, but Jonady could sense a profound conviction in her words. She went on to explain that she was skilled in elemental fire magic.
She also mentioned a kingdom law requiring all women to be conscripted at the age of sixteen to serve the nation.
— "That said," she added, "most nobles avoid direct involvement in combat. But how could I, as the king's daughter, stay confined in the castle while so many young people risk their lives on the battlefield?"
Her words were filled with determination. Jonady felt a deep respect for the young woman. A saying from his own world came to mind:
— "Older men declare war, but it's the young who must fight and die."
They arrived at a grand door guarded by two soldiers who, upon seeing their princess, bowed respectfully before opening the way.
The room they entered was vast, lit by chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. At the center was a long table around which six military leaders were seated. Maps, battle plans, and documents were scattered across the table's surface.
At Raelia's entrance, all the generals stood up in unison. She quickly gestured for them to break protocol and sit.
— "Alright. What's the status on the frontlines?" Raelia asked, her tone direct, wasting no time on formalities.
A man stood up. Tall, clad in a pristine military uniform, he had flaming red hair and a face marked by fatigue but radiating determination. He appeared to be in his thirties.
— "Princess, we have managed to hold off the combined invasion for now. But our lines are too spread out to be reinforced effectively.
At this rate, our forces won't hold for more than two weeks."
A heavy silence followed his words. The generals exchanged glances, fully aware of the dire situation. Raelia furrowed her brows slightly, clearly deep in strategic thought.
After an intense exchange of ideas and strategies, they agreed to send an additional contingent to reinforce the frontline and buy more time. The discussions dragged on, with every detail meticulously analyzed.
When the meeting finally concluded, the military leaders left the room, leaving Jonady and Raelia alone. The princess seemed puzzled.
She found it strange that Jonady, summoned as a hero, hadn't spoken a single word during the entire meeting. She was about to question him when he spoke first.
— "Princess Raelia," he said calmly, "we have a traitor in our ranks."
His words hit Raelia like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened slightly, and a chill ran down her spine.
— "What makes you say that?" she asked, her tone serious and slightly concerned.
Jonady fixed his gaze on the table, where the scattered battle plans remained.
— Certain details don't add up. The enemy forces always seem to anticipate our movements. This isn't just a result of their strength... Someone is feeding them information from the inside."Raelia clenched her fists, her expression hardening.
If what he said was true, the situation was far graver than she had realized.
— Then we must uncover who this traitor is, and quickly," she said, her voice trembling with anger and resolve.
Thus, a new complication emerged, adding another layer of peril to Jonady's mission and the kingdom's survival.