Capítulo 55: The War Front
After several days, Mirr finally arrived at Shadowfen, the last city in the Holy Kingdom, before reaching the Brenzinan Mountains. The army was gathering outside the city to prepare to cross the mountains and enter Hanzel. It would be a problematic cross as there is only a small Peninsula between the western and central continents. Traveling by sea was not going to work because to the north was a series of random whirlpools, and the mountain range continued down the western coast.
This only left the Brenzinan mountain pass. It was currently the only reliable path to make it through. The army had tents outside Shadowfen as they prepared to cross into the mountain. Among these people was Duke Richt. In his older years, his strawberry-blonde hair shows faint signs of the red color that it was in his younger years. The man stood looking over the army. His imposing figure stood tall like a tyrant beside the commander's tent.
One of the bodyguards introduced Mirr to Duke Richt. "This is the fourth Prince of Ainzel Kingdom, Mirrlock Ambrose." Mirr bowed to Garth. The man's face was almost a more mature version of Asher's. His face was worn and scared from years of battle, but his gaze showed gentleness. It was the same way Asher's eyes seemed to look through people rather than at them.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Duke Richt. I will be acting as your squire." Mirr tried to speak normally, but the intimidating gaze caused him to lose volume. His voice quietly squeaked out the last part. Mirr was used to dealing with nobles, but something about this man put him on edge.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Mirralock." The duke's voice was cold and unreflective of any emotion. "I do not believe that we have had the pleasure of meeting. We can talk inside." Garth turned, and Mirr followed him into the command tent.
When they were alone, the silence was threatening. Garth sat at a makeshift desk that could easily be picked up for army movement. The map and plan were scattered all over the desk.
When Garth spoke, Mirr flinched out of reflex. "So, how is your father?"
"His Majesty, the King is healthy and happy with the prosperity of his people."
Garth rolled his eyes. "I had kicked his Royal ass since when we were in diapers. You can talk freely. No need for titles when we are alone."
Mirr was baffled by Garth's uncouth attitude. The intimidating atmosphere dispersed almost immediately. "Okay. My father is doing well. He said you are quite capable, and I can learn a lot from you."
"Hahaha... Of course, he did. He could never beat me since we were children running around the palace grounds." Garth was practically falling out of his chair. "I look forward to working with you." Garth pulled out a map of the area. "Come here."
Mirr joined Garth's side. He handed Mirr a stack of reports detailing everything from scouting reports, monster migrations, terrain, and weather projections. "What are these for?"
"We have to plan a marching route for the soldiers. With you here, it should go faster." Garth explained. "I suppose your father sent you here to learn how to be a general so you can join the military when you come of age, correct?"
"That is correct, Sir." Mirr felt weird talking so informally. Usually, when he spoke with nobles, they would either kiss his ass or demand respect. However, Duke Richt was different. He talked so casually about anything and everything. As they spent hours looking over the reports, they exchanged pleasantries. Garth asked about his family and his trip from the capital city.
"I got the chance to meet your son," Mirr smirked.
"Oh. You mean Jude, right? He is rough around the edges but a good kid overall." Garth said casually without even looking at Mirr. He was more interested in the reports.
"I was talking about Asher." Garth froze and, for the first time, looked up from the reports. Garth coughed and stuttered. Asher was the last name he thought he would hear from the prince's mouth.
Sweat began to form on Garth's forehead. "Oh, I see. I am glad you got the chance to meet him. Unfortunately, he was not well enough to meet you during his awakening ceremony because of his mana sickness. I am glad he was well enough to meet with you when you based my territory." Garth tried to laugh it off.
"I know he doesn't have mana sickness, but he does have one hell of a right hook." Mirr smiles kindly at the duke.
Garth felt like he was hit by lightning. He was utterly dumbfounded. By the time he recovered, he had jumped out of his seat and bowed with his head pressed against the ground. "My apologies. Do not punish him for my foolishness. I will personally accept any punishment his majesty deems appropriate for my son's offenses against you." Garth did not want Asher to suffer more humiliation than he was already forced to suffer.
Mirr laughed. "Please get up. If anyone sees you like this, it will demoralize the troops. I am not going to tell my father anything. Besides, I find Asher rather charming in a way."
Garth got himself back to his feet with the help of Mirr. He slumped in his chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "I swear that child is going to be the death of me. He has always caused so much trouble. I would have never thought he would be dumb enough to punch a prince."
"Technically, he did it twice." Mirr laughed, much to Garth's dismay. Garth let out a groan as he learned that Asher punched Mirr twice. If Mirr had not been as patient, Garth and his whole family would have suffered due to Asher. "But you have stories about Asher from when he was young. Do tell." Mirr snickered, knowing he was about to get some good dirt on the wild redhead.
"I swear to the goddess, that boy is going to be the death of me. Once, he found a Hellhound pup and snuck it into the manner, except its parents did not like that. So, we had four hellhounds running around the manor with Asher riding it like a horse." Garth smirked as he shared, much to Mirr's delight. "And now he has the taming element. I will not be surprised if he shows up with a dragon in tow. I will not be surprised."
Mirr busted out laughing. "He did not. He rode the hellhound." Mirr knew Asher was not expected, but he had never heard of someone riding a wild hellhound. "Bet the servants enjoyed that."
"Oh yeah. Several servants refuse to come anywhere near him. He is always causing some trouble. He got it from his mother." Garth smiled, remembering his first wife. "Katherine was a spitfire. Nothing could stop her when she made up her mind. I see a lot of her in Asher. Sometimes, I forget how young he is. Sometimes, he seems to act a lot older than he is."
"I get that feeling. I talked to him for only a while, but I felt like I was talking to someone much older." Mirr laughed with Garth.
The two laughed but were interrupted by a loud man barging in. "Yeah, yeah, I will be quick." A hulking man entered into the tent. He had a twisted mustache that seemed far too oily. He was a very unhandsome hulking man. Mirr wiped his smile from his face to not give away his thoughts. 'I don't recognize him, but he makes an ogre look like a model.' Mirr tried to laugh at his idea.
As the man got closer, Mirr had to move away from him because he distinctly smelled of smoke and booze. He saw Mirr, and the man stumble and gave a sloppy bow to Mirr. "Prince Mirrlock, I did not realize you would be here."
"Mirrlock is my acting squire. Do not worry about formalities. I hope you have a reason for barging in here." Garth spoke with a powerful tone. His voice cut through the air, sending a chill up Mirr's spine. The man laughing and joking with him just a minute ago was nowhere to be seen. Mirr recognized the look that Garth gave the man. It was the same look Asher gave him. The one that said, 'Waste my time at your own risk.'
If that is how Asher will be when he is older... Mirr took a large gulp. He might have gotten his wild personality from his mother, but his intimidating aura is from his father. Even the soldier was feeling the pressure that Garth had over him. "I am sorry for interrupting you. I am Olren, captain of the 9 division. I have word from some of my scouts. Several Salamanders are blocking the entrance to the pass. So far, they are not actively attacking, but the number is making removing them for the main army impossible."
"How many?" Garth questioned.
"10 total: 7 Advanced, two knights, one king," Olren reported. Mirr knew that even one knight monster would be a problem, but two and a king were ludicrous. With the number of advanced species, it could wipe out the whole army if they become aggressive.
"Dispatch a scout team and keep an eye on them. Report immediately if they start moving toward the main force," Garth commanded. He waved Olren away.
Once he left, Garth turned to Mirr. "Work is never done. Though, ten salamanders are overkill."
"You think someone put them there," Mirr asked.
"I don't know how they did it or who they are. Salamanders are not group-oriented monsters and rarely form packs of more than 3. Someone does not want us to go into that pass." Garth hypothesized.
Outside the tent, Olren walked away, smirking. "So, the littlest prince is here too. Probably trying to prove he has the stomach to be a knight to dear Daddy." The ugly man's lips curled into a hideous grin before joining some of the other soldiers who were busy playing drinking games.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Brennan_Poole
Brennan_Poole Hey sorry for the late chapter school is back up. So I will try to keep a nice schedule for everyone.
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