"So here it is"
General Diego Mutan pointed the area the Aethels conquered on the map placed on the table with his stick.
"The conquered the city Anduquin and some of the villages. Their next target will be city Draska. There is a high probability they will claim it" General Diego continued as he tap on the map with his stick
"And then this part is also the same" he circled the south part area of the our land, just below the Aethels' conquered "We know this part has been taken. Their next target will be city Thonos. General Carlos and his men are defending it right now. We will have to wait for news"
The president, Garcia Manuel rubbed his face, getting stressed out on what is happening right now.
"So, the enemies are like doing somekind of a strategy here? Why are they both separated? Why are they both not on the same area?" He asked
"Maybe or not but the truths is... Our spies went to the southern are to investigate, then, there is something the saw and noticed"
General Diego changed the color of the symbol of military on the south into white.
What does he want to say? What does it mean?
"We found out there are two nations invading our land at the same time. The south has a different flag, clothes, equipments, far different than the Aethels. But they don't look like the know each other, and they don't know they are invading the same land at the same time"
The room was filled with whispers and gasps after hearing the reveal.
"They are attacking the same land without knowing!?"
I remained silent, staring at the map. How could this happen to our country?
The president look at me.
"General Lucas Alvarez, I order you to protect Draska as soon as possible. Use any tactics up in your sleeves to overtake them. I don't care if we lose some land as long as it is good for our future" the president ordered
I saluted, puting my arm across my chest diagonally and sideways, my hand straightened and touching my heart.
"What, you ordered him instead of me?"
General Javier Valdez laughed.
"You are ordering a general who gave away the big city Galeje to the Aethels. Maybe he will also give away Draska"
President Manuel slammed the table with his fists.
"Do not start a fight again General Javier. When will this conflict between of you stop"
"Why not me president, just like how I took back city Hamsel from the hands of the Aethels"
"I know you worked with General Vicento and Farjado and Lucas defended it alone so shut up. I am giving General Alvarez a chance here to take the spotlight. I always gave a chance but only once"
"Thank you president for the chance"
"You are dismissed"
I lowered my arm and marched out of the council.
My two marshals, Mateo Carson and Iho Pon stood up as I got out through the door.
"Follow me, we are going to Draska with a friend before the Aethel's arrive there"
*Volume 1: The Threefold War*
"Huano Gavel! Nice to meet you again!"
We both laughed and hugged each other.
"Sit down sit down"
We both sat down. A beautiful servan approached us.
"What's your order?"
"I want chicken and rice. Also add chili, vegetables and corn in it. And strong coffee"
"How about you sir?"
"Same with his order but without chili"
"Okay, your order will soon brought to you hot and delicious"
The servan walked away.
"That is one beautiful servan" Huano whispered
I looked out of the window, my army talking to each other, laughing by their horses.
"Hey! Come inside if you are hungry, the pay is on to me" I shouted to them
They exchanged glances some started walking inside, some just nodded.
"So, what's you reason to meet me old friend"
"Well, might be surprising. But I need help to help Draska"
His smile faded.
"Woah, Draska? That is a big city"
"Yeah, that's the reason why I need of help with your men"
"Out of all generals under the president, why did you pick me?"
"Well, you know, my history. I lost Geleje under my defence without any help. A lot of people hated me for that so I picked you, and that's also the reason why I really need help this time"
"Well, actually, there are still some people who know you but still didn't put hate on you. And I know one that can help us"
"Here's your order"
The servans dropped our orders on our table. We nodded at them.
I looked behind Huano, my soldiers are waiting while talking to each other.
At least they are still laughing and happy even after my loss of Galeje.
"I talked to this general. I asked him what do he thinks about you. And what did he say? Everyone make mistakes"
I took a sip of my coffee.
"And who is this general?"
"General Sate Polo"
I was shookened by the answer.
"General Sate Polo? The twenty-one years old and our youngest general?"
He nodded
"Yep, the general nicknamed General Strong Mind who has a strong sanity, he fight off the horrors he saw in his wars like nothing. Maybe you haven't met him before"
Suddenly, flashbacks started flooding my mind. A soldier's throat torn open, blood pouring and flowing like a stream, men dying in front of me, their helpless cries.
It was unbearable to see. I once even pointed my head with my gun because of it, I even started attacking random people because of it, I even started losing myself... Going mad.
Yet him? He just shrug it all off.
"He is young, he doesn't know what he is saying"
We both started eating our food.
"Well, maybe give him a chance. He also failed to defend a town but reclaimed Yhwan all alone and also Guweve alongside General Diego. Still conquered by the unknown enemies"
I went silent, thinking what to do.
"He might be a huge help in Draska" Huano said, trying to make me change my mind
"You know what. Okay, send a message to him. If he decline, we will go straight to Draska. If he is willing, tell him we will be meeting at province Bunat. This is going to a long ride"
*MAY 4 1873 DRASKA - 1,700 men came under General Alvarez, Huano and Sate*
We halted our horses, in front of us is the gate of Draska. The walls are made out of strong old limestones.
"So this is Draska, I have never seen it before" Sate was in amazement
"You haven't been in this place before?" I asked
He nodded
"Well, when you weren't born yet, these walls didn't exist. You just walk in and you are welcomed"
"How old were you that time?"
"Probably fourteen if my calculation is right"
The gates opened, a soldier in uniform and armed came out of the gates.
He saluted us, we saluted back.
"May I ask what general are you serving?" Huano asked the soldier
"I am under General Von's order. He ordered us to watch over Draska"
"And where is General Von?"
"He is with General Carlos with some of his men, guarding Thonos"
I exchanged glances with Huano and Sate.
"We were ordered to defend Draska. Send a message to your General that we arrive so he won't have nothing to worry about. Also ask him if he wants to call his men out of here if they need more men in Thonos"
We march inside Thonos. We greeted by the locals, giving us smiles.
But I could feel angry looks of the others at me. When will this hatred at me ends.
"It's the young handsome general!" A group of girls shouted
Most of the girls greeted Sate. Sate gave them smiles and nods.
Looks like I have another to take care off. Hope I won't fail again on this one.