"It is over, Morgana. Your son has won." Ahri said as she had tears in her eyes. She had watched the whole duel unfold while Morgana had covered her eyes.
Juliet was happy, as she was smiling, even though she was all sweaty. She, too, had seen it all unfold, causing her to stop breathing from time to time.
"My son, he has broken through? Thank the Goddess Orianna..."
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Valtherion was sitting in his tent, his legs in a container of water. A few reports were laid behind him: casualties and injury rates, arrivals of materials, etc. The fight had ended, and it was now time to plan their next move: sieging Gadgeztan and conquering every castle on the way to their target.
It would take two weeks, just in time to conquer and prepare for the arrival of a second army, one that was going straight towards his uncle Julian.
"Alfred has arrived; he said that he has brought everything you requested." Luther entered the tent, looking at his now cleaned-up godson; he passed him a can of alcohol as well as a few cigarettes. Dain entered the tent as well, carrying a tray of food, tasty food. It would probably be the last time they ate proper food before they switched to military-devised rations.
"So, how does it feel, being an Expert?" Dain asked; he already seemed drunk. It was his first battle fought in a war, after all, and it had ended in victory.
"Honestly, it feels great. I can hear things from far away, my strength...it is nothing like before. Even my recovery rate! I feel like I would burst out..." Valtherion said as he chugged down the alcohol and beef that was in front of him. He was starving.
"Welcome to the club, Godson. What is our next move?" Luther finally asked as he looked at the map. A lot of castles and fortresses were marked, not something that a force of 80,000 could conquer in a short amount of time.
"I want to prevent the enemy from gathering at a single point. I am splitting the army into 8 parts. We will travel faster, each on a different road, but they will converge on sieges. It is time we catch them by surprise. The conquered objectives will be turned into our strongholds and logistic points. In the end, we should arrive at Gadgeztan and siege the city with our whole power. Thankfully, our casualties and injuries are not many; we still retain a solid number." Valtherion explained, as he had already devised which captains would lead, as well as which roads they would take.
Gadgeztan was a big city, and if they marched straight, they would be able to conquer it sooner; however, the hordes that had holed up in their castles would regroup, enough to reach a solid number of 150,000+. The best way was to divide his army and, with haste, conquer them one by one, securing himself number advantage on each siege, as well as faster travel time that brings a lot of surprise momentum.
"Perfect, just don't make me lead any armies. I am a blade, not a leader." Luther said as he expressed his wishes. Dain nodded, expressing the same desire.
"Godfather, Cousin, I never thanked you both for following me. I owe you both my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!" Valtherion stood up and bowed. It was a great gesture for both of them to tag along with him. One had a newborn, while the other could've gone to help his father by now.
"Do not mention it. I am your Godfather; he is your blood. If we die, so be it; let us die side by side. Just make sure, both of you, if something happens to me, take care of my wife and my boy." Luther said, causing a frown to appear on Dain and Valtherion's faces.
"Whatever happens, godfather, I will ensure that you are returned home alive. Someone is coming." Valtherion suddenly shifted the topic as he felt someone nearing their tent.
A messenger came in, leaving three letters with the Mograine seal on them. It was a message sent by Louis Mograine, one for Dain, one for Luther and one for Valtherion. Everyone read their letters before looking towards each other, with a wry smile. The war was escalating.
"My father sent news, cousin. A 200,000-strong army is going to be marching towards Gadgeztan in three weeks. I have been ordered to stall them, annihilate them or hinder their path. Your father is fine; he should emerge victorious in two months or so. What do your letters say?" Valtherion asked as he smiled towards Dain, who simply said the same, while Luther seemed to be in deep thought.
"Don't butt in on adults' conversations, brat!" He scolded him jokingly before reading it again, concealing his true emotions and hiding his tears as he drank more in the process. He wiped his face, pretending it was sweat, yet it was tears that stained his robe.
Brother. Thank you for joining my son on his journey. Morgana has told me you know of the prophecy. I am sorry for not telling you. The truth is, I wanted you and Ahri to stay as far away as possible, but your ass just can't stay away. Take care of my boy...and if he were to fall at the gates of the Holy City, please...Ensure that you bring me back his body. It is unknown how the prophecy will unfold, even if the result is set. I have had a lot of time during the years, but have never managed to accept the fact that it could result in the worst scenario possible. As a father, I wish I could tell you to turn him back to Emberfall, yet my duty forces me to tell you - do not hinder him from reaching the Holy City. Regardless, I will pray every day that we baptise your son there, instead of burying mine. Take care, my friend.
Louis Mograine