"Then… what you are saying Leon… that the transport of the prisoners is most likely.." Antoine thought it over and shuddered as he realized another crucial matter.
The moment the rest heard Antoine's words, everyone's faces darkened.
Leon closed his eyes and took a deep breath before replying, "Yes, most likely."
There was an eerie silence in the room. Kazimir and Antoine were lost for words. Hearing all this made them feel a complex of emotions.
"You are saying that we are walking in their trap… yet we have no choice but to bite the bullet and go with it?" Kazimir coldly asked, looking at Leon with an intensified gaze.
Emperor Valentin sighed, as expected, Kazimir and Antoine might resent him and Leon for withholding such a crucial matter. Looking at the two's complicated faces, there was a trace of disbelief, conflict, and anxiousness in their expressions and gestures.
"Yes… we will knowingly walk into the trap. As to why you were only informed now, it is because we do not want to alarm the enemies that we have already figured out.
The matter was only limited to me as the investigator, the Governor and Grandmasters, and finally the select leaders of our allies.
And even if the sudden request of the Pope did not happen, the appeal to involve you in the loop has already been requested by me. I have no intention to keep you blinded for this matter."
Leon saw the complex emotions of the two and decided that to avoid any misunderstanding, he opted to tell everything to them in one breath.
True enough, his explanation helped smoothen the bitter feeling brewing in Kazimir and Antoine's hearts. Only when they were finally calmed by their emotions did they finally have an open mind to also understand the thinking done by their father in letting Leon be the one to know first among the three.
Because it was only Leon who had the most significant experience in cross-border warfare. As for them, they were only sent to occasional apprehension missions with their respective knights.
Moreover, the fact that it was Leon himself who petitioned for the two to be part of the loop as well, was already an indication that their youngest brother had no intention of getting all the work and glory.
After all, this is war… and in worst cases, war requires everyone's participation.
"So… what are we going to do right now?" Kazimir's clenched fist finally relaxed and opened the topic of planning.
Antoine gave a stare that indicated that he understood everything too.
Only then did Leon finally sit down and allow their Father to carry on the discussion. This is also a sign for the other two to know that even he did not know what was on their Father's mind.
Emperor Valentin cleared his throat and started to tell them the plans he had for the preparation.
Like Leon and him discussed last morning, Emperor Valentin emphasized the importance of working under the shadows so that the enemy was not alerted.
Moreover, he also told them that he needed manpower to organize the help given by the allying nations should the war start.
As such, the Emperor needed them to engage in diplomatic talks in order to ensure that these nations would surely extend their hands to the Empire when the matter arises.
Kazimir and Antoine nodded, if it's a matter of diplomatic engagement and treaties that require future trade-offs and progress, they are confident about this one. Because this area is where they are most proficient.
Soon the planning slowly took shape. All that is needed is to discuss this matter with the other people that must be included in the loop.
"Tomorrow, we shall discuss this matter with the Grandmasters and the rest. Hopefully, they could give more suggestions and help improve our plans." Emperor Valentin finally smiled, content with the fruitful discussion he had with his sons.
The three princes could also relax, with this not only could they prepare for the worst, but they may also even surprise the enemy by letting them attack with the thought that Seirende Forces does not have any idea of their plans.
"One more thing, while we are facing the Vanderford in a war. There is a high possibility that the Spectre will not yet reveal itself.
Most probably, they will try to integrate some of their dispensable forces into the enemy troops… but their important members might stay behind and watch how everything unfolds.
So I want that as we face these troops, you and your men would have the mentality that we will not end this war until we manage to force out the Spectres and for Lord Raven to reveal himself.
There were also other matters that I am not allowed to tell all of you, especially in the matters of the Temple.
But know that all my decisions to withhold and disseminate information were done with you in mind."
Emperor Valentin clarified everything. What he was pertaining to was the fact that Eli and Kayden had their separate mission to infiltrate the Main Temple.
And should that be successful, they would be hearing about Eli and Kayden's work to nip the bud of evil once and for all.
The smoke of war had already risen and the movements of the enemy were all laid bare in their eyes.
While they looked around the seemingly peaceful night for the citizens of the country, there they were, worried and nervous as to how to protect the peace that they all cherished.
After the meeting, Emperor Valentin proceeded to have a quick visit to First Queen Lucia's place.
"What bothers you, my Emperor?"
Lucia calmly asked, her eyes bearing a profound light similar to when she first approached him during the time when Carolina forced him to marry.
"Have you seen a lot of signs lately, my First Queen?"
Emperor Valentin asked. His voice was laced with uncertainty and trouble, especially as a father. Because he is allowing all of his sons to walk directly to the battlefield.
"My Emperor, the visions that I had only showed me a peaceful ending… unfortunately I could not see the amount of bloodshed needed for that ending to be achieved."
First Queen Lucia straightforwardly explained.
During this time, the visions that she received were no longer as frequent as when Carolina was still uncaptured.
As if she was afraid that Emperor Valentin would not believe it, she continued to explain,
"It is like my gift had already achieved its purpose when the former Empress was captured. To tell you honestly, I've tried hard to see Antoine's future. But in the end, I could only see the skies and the cries of victory.
I have seen no people around, just their victorious cries and the bright blue skies… and as to who managed to survive…
This Queen does not have any idea."
--
On the other hand, Kazimir, Antoine, and Leon were on their way out of the palace to retreat to their respective palaces when they saw the Anti-Curse Committee also finishing their meeting in the place.
Just as they were about to greet Eli and the rest, Baobao suddenly materialized out of thin air and protectively blocked Eli with his furry body.
"Baobao... What's the matter?" Eli was taken aback by Baobao's sudden movement especially seeing that her furry buddy is in attack mode.
While the three princes and the rest of the crew stayed calm, they were still taken aback by Baobao's sudden vigilance and show of hostility.
"Master! There's a trace of curse user powers in their body!" Baobao exclaimed.
"W-what!" Everyone panicked and looked at each other.
Kazimir and Antoine's hearts jumped and a wave of anxiousness crept into their hearts.
Of all the people whom the curse user could have encountered, it was the three of them who were just with the Emperor talking about how to deal with the enemy!
What if the curse magic is actually spying magic?!
"Do not fear, Father Emperor's chambers have multiple anti-eavesdropping arrays that automatically block any type of magic that attempts to record or listen to the conversation done inside."
Leon on the other hand kept calm and maintained a level-headed state of mind.
Hearing Leon's words, Kazimir and Antoine immediately calmed down.
"But How on earth did they have the curse power traces?" Eli and Kayden could not help but question Baobao.
"On the First Prince and Second Prince, the traces were on their hands... while the traces on the Third Prince is on his shoulder... Other than that, I cannot say anything else." Baobao shook his head as he replied.
After all, he could only detect the traces of malevolent energy on someone's body. As to what type of energy it is, he no longer has any clue.
"Your Highnesses... if you do not mind, let this servant check what kind of curse magic did you come in contact with." Since Baobao was clueless about the nature of the curse, Mishael was the one who took the step and address the matter.
"Very well, Captain Mishael... we'll entrust you this matter." The three princes replied with understanding and quickly followed Mishael to take out the traces on their bodies.
