Chapter 352 - Preparations for the Final Battle (2) (unedited) (1/2)
(Regaleon's POV)
After the battle with Gladiolus' men, I let my men rest and set up camp in a more safe place. It was well past midnight but sleep evaded me. Many thoughts have been running inside my head that I cannot rest easily. I gave up sleeping and went out of my tent to reorganize my thoughts. After stepping out, I saw Dimitri sitting quietly by my tent entrance.
”Your majesty.” Dimitri bowed and greeted me.
”Why are you not resting Dimitri?” I asked. ”You have traveled without stopping. I am sure you are also fatigued.”
”I cannot just let his majesty rest without someone guarding your tent.” Dimitri said with a solemn voice.
I remember ordering all my men to sleep and rest to restore enough energy for the trip back to the city of Veluria. I have rejected them having to take turns guarding me, since I know all of them are fatigued after the battle with Gladiolus' men. Some of them are also injured and wounded, and unfortunately some also lost their lives in the fight.
”How about you, your majesty? Don't you also need to rest?” Dimitri asked. ”Can you not sleep, thinking about her majesty?” I sighed deeply hearing Dimitri's words.
”You know me to well, Dimitri.” I made a faint smile.
”I have been by your side since you were young. If anyone would know you quite well, then that will be no other than me.” Dimitri said with a faint smile. ”In fact, I see you as a little brother your majesty.” I smiled hearing his words.
”I also look up to you as an older brother.” I said with all honesty. ”You were all I have when mother left this world. And I am grateful that you have never left me alone in that palace that were filled with snakes, just waiting to snap at me once I let my guard down.”
”It has been my pleasure serving you, sire.” Dimitri replied.
”Sleep seems to not want to visit me tonight.” I sighed. ”I cannot but help worry, now that Gladiolus has the other half of the key.”
”I understand your majesty's worries, but please rest assured that he cannot go near her majesty with just half of the key.” Dimitri said. ”The other half is still in our possession, and because of that they are surely to have to change their plans.”
What Dimitri just said was true. Gladiolus cannot do anything with just the half of the key. At least I was relieved knowing that he cannot go to where Alicia was, with the divine beast guarding. But the threat is still there. As Jeremy had said, Patricia had a cunning tactician on her side. High Priest Hector is not someone to be taken lightly.
”They will surely need sh.i.p.s to board if they want to reach the forbidden magic's location. It would be best to station guards on all ports on the east coast.” I said while deep in thought.
”I have already sent a letter to his highness, crown prince Richard in the capital with the request of deploying nearby forces of Alvannia.” Dimitri said. ”But with such little time to prepare, I am not sure if we can have the numbers to face off Queen Patricia's army of Atlantians. If only my special unit can travel here with the speed of light.” He said with regret.
”We did not anticipate such things to happen Dimitri, so do not blame yourself.” I patted his shoulders. ”I would be thankful to my brother in law if he can deploy Alvannian forces nearby to aid us. At least we can face off Patricia's own army.”
Richard is currently his father, King Edward's proxy at the moment, feigning illness as a cause. But in truth, Edward was planning to step down from his position after a Richard gains experience. As for Dimitri's half of the special unit, they have gone back to Grandcrest when William picked him up. Even if Dimitri send orders summoning them, it will takes at least two weeks for them to travel the fastest by the southern seas. Traveling by land will take them a month to get from end to end of the continent even without much stops along the way.
'Normal humans are no match to Atlantians with fighting magic, and I am sure Patricia's men are not some weaklings to look down upon. They might be not that big in number, but even a handful of them could be equal in strength as one battalion of humans.' I thought. 'We would need Dimitri's unit to keep them at bay or at least someone as powerful as an Atlantian.' That was when I remembered the sirens and lycans that had just become my ally.
”Dimitri, send word to Anatalia in Veluria.” I said. ”She was left in Duke Destia's estate to keep an eye on Alicia. Tell her I will be needing the help of her race.”