Jonady, seated in his quarters, was deep in thought, analyzing everything he had learned and observed.
Certain details didn't add up, and it unsettled him.
Yes, the two enemy nations were powerful, but their rapid advance across Ednia's territory seemed abnormal.
At first, he had attributed it to their numerical superiority on the battlefield, but something felt off. These enemy armies were fighting on unfamiliar terrain—an island they had never set foot on before . How could they move with such efficiency, almost as if they were anticipating every move of Ednia's forces?
They acted as though they had prior knowledge of military plans. But how was that possible?
Jonady systematically dismissed potential explanations. It couldn't be one of the generals; they were on the frontlines, risking their lives alongside the soldiers.
If they were betraying the kingdom, they would be endangering themselves. So, who stood to gain from such intelligence?
He recalled an earlier conversation with Princess Raelia. She had mentioned that most nobles avoided direct involvement in combat.
An idea began to form in his mind.
He quickly sought out Raelia and declared:
— "Princess, we need to create a special unit to monitor the nobles."
Raelia, taken aback by the suggestion, frowned.
— "The nobles? Why them? If there were a leak, wouldn't it be more likely that a soldier captured by the enemy spilled information under torture?"
Jonady nodded, acknowledging the plausibility of her point but remaining unconvinced.
— "I understand your reasoning, Princess, but think about it. These enemy armies aren't reacting as if they extracted scraps of information from a captured soldier.
They are acting strategically, as though they have a detailed view of our plans. This points to a deeper betrayal."
He paused, carefully choosing his next words.
— "Consider this: it's possible that a noble family has allied with the demons. Perhaps during the initial invasion or even farther back in the kingdom's history.
Remember, not all noble families accepted the unification of the kingdom willingly. Some lost their autonomy and power and may still harbor deep resentment. They might want to fracture the kingdom, longing for the days of the old principalities."
Raelia crossed her arms, her expression becoming more serious.
— "You're suggesting they would betray the kingdom... to establish a puppet regime under demon control?"
Jonady nodded.
— "Exactly. That would explain why the enemy acts with such precision. If a noble family is working in the shadows to feed them information, it puts Ednia in a dire situation."
The princess was silent for a moment, processing the theory. Then, with a resigned sigh, she said:
— "Very well. I'll form a special unit tasked with monitoring the nobles and detecting any suspicious activity among them. However, this mission will need to be conducted discreetly. Alerting the honest nobles could cause panic or create internal tensions."
Jonady nodded in agreement.
— "That's the right call. With this plan, we can not only identify the source of the leaks but also prevent future disasters."
Raelia's expression hardened, and a determined glint shone in her eyes.
— "Then the plan begins now."