Chapter 80: Winter


    Winter wasing. You could tell from the cold wind blowing through the abandoned town under a crystal blue sky.


    Letting out a breath of air, Gilbert Gottfried looked at the ghost town in front of him that was called the ''Valley of the Dead''. To him, this ce was not unlike his first military post in Hemazia ten years ago, right after he got promoted to Captain. Sure, there were a few shops that worked, and the amount of garbage raiders walking around the town as if this was their home were more than anyone would''ve expected, but that was it. It was basically inhabitable.


    After the almost one sided Massacre at Capenea, Gottfried and his army were satisfied, as the conquest had ended up giving them a useful trade. The Empire of Dazeary had profited personally from the demise of the Capenean army by increasing their territory as well as receiving a multitude of other resources that were looted by the Dazearyns such as textile, gold and most importantly, spice. Moreover, the medicine shops, food supplies and treasuries were all ransacked as well. Although the conquest had essentially wiped the country of Capenea off the map, the Dazearyn army had considered the result an overall sess.


    Gilbert Gottfried had been expecting a simr situation with the country of Argria. Although he had expected little resistance, he believed that the victory would undoubtedly be with the Dazearyn army.


    General Ivan was waiting for him at the border of the abandoned town with a calm smile on his face, and Gilbert Gottfried couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows in suspicion. Those weren''t the eyes of someone who knew that the mighty Dazearyn Empire was going to attack their homnd. Two days ago he''d preloaded their protective gears and physical weapons  hardened carriages, physical swords to project on the cultivation technique, reducing the need to exert more spiritual energy, as well as hardened clothing. As any goodmander did, Gilbert Gottfried had already sent out his men to inspect the surrounding area in order to stop the enemy fromunching any surprising attacks and had also sent out strategists to map out the terrain in order to lessen the advantage the enemy might have because of familiarity. Surely, he was prepared for a war.


    The enemy might''ve also figured that out, but then again, there''s nothing they can do to prevent Gottfried from utilising that information to his advantage either.


    But then, why did the General seem so calm? There was no point in being too curious if he didn''t have any way to find out the answers. But Gottfried couldn''t help but rub his chin feeling a bit anxious.


    Plop, plop, plop.


    The horses moved fast, and Gilbert Gottfried and his men arrived in front of the border in no time. Gottfried''s gaze shifted to the General, who was walking towards them with a few of his soldiers right behind him. Gottfried signalled his men to get off their horses, while also motioning them with his hands to stay alert and keep an eye on their surroundings.


    Although he had said before that he''d not listen to the instructions presented by the Argrian General, Gilbert Gottfried had kept his team small, himself and five others that he trusted implicitly. It was just enough men to do the heavy lifting if necessary, but not enough to present a problem to his opponents. He didn''t mind that part of it, actually.


    Gottfried walked towards the General, and his subordinates stayed a few feet behind him, close enough to protect him, but far enough back not to make their enemies alert.


    "Wee to Argria, Emperor Gottfried! I hope you enjoy your stay here," General Ivan spoke with a smile and weed the Dazearyns.


    Emperor Gilbert Gottfried nodded his head in response to the General''s words. "It''s not bad for a ghost town. I''m sure I''d enjoy it if I was dead, but unfortunately for you, I''m not."


    "Ha ha ha ha. I didn''t expect the Emperor of one of thergest empires to be a funny person. Now isn''t that surprising?" General Ivan burst outughing. Gilbert Gottfried said, "I suppose it helps to bnce out the mood."


    He then scanned the surroundings for a few seconds, and continued,"Now if you don''t mind, General Ivan, I think we should get to talking, because I''m a very busy man and you people are running out of time."


    "Why of course, Emperor. Let''s get to it," General Ivan stretched his hand out and pointed towards the old abandoned building behind them, motioning the Emperor to head inside, who raised his eyebrows in response. "This is an abandoned town, so I''m afraid this is the best ce we''ve got."


    "Fine let''s not waste any time," Gilbert Gottfried massaged his temples and walked towards the building, and his subordinates followed him close behind.


    "I apologize, but I have to speak with the Emperor alone. So I''m afraid I''m going to have to ask you all to stay back here," But before the subordinates could take another step forward, the General''s men stood in front of them, blocking their path. This caused the eyes of the subordinates to turn bloodshot, as they screamed loudly, "Move out of the way, bitch! Or pay the price!"


    Gilbert Gottfried, who was walking forward, stopped in his tracks and turned around, his eyes squinted as he said, "What the hell is this? Do you not want to talk, or do you simply wish to die?"


    "I apologize, your majesty, but I can''t let your mene along with you. However, I assure you that you''ll be safe with me," General Ivan bowed his head as he spoke, and all of a sudden, a powerful wave of deadly aura surrounded him, making it hard for him to breathe.


    "On what basis are you saying that you can guarantee my safety, General?" Gilbert Gottfried, whose killing aura was now flowing out, asked, his expression furious.


    "Because I''ll be alone as well," Even under the intense pressure of Gottfried, General Ivan spoke out with great effort. He continued, "I promise that I''ll also enter the building without any of my men. You can guarantee that you''re powerful enough to defeat me alone, isn''t that right, your majesty?"


    Silence.


    Gottfried was looking at General Ivan, and the General was looking at him, but no one spoke.


    " Tsk, fine!" Gilbert Gottfried clicked his tongue, and suddenly the killing aura that he had been releasing simply vanished without a trace, and General Ivan let out a sigh, and had to kneel down on one knee to support himself. Gottfried looked at the General for a brief second before shifting his gaze towards his men, and said. "Stand back. I''ll be alright!"


    "B-but your highness.." one of the subordinates spoke out sounding concerned.


    BAM!


    Before he couldplete his words, Gottfried stomped his foot hard on the ground, and the whole surrounding shook for a second!


    "That''s an order, soldier!" Gilbert Gottfried yelled out, and the soldier who spoke realized that he made a mistake and bowed his head. "I-I Apologize, your highness! I''ve made a huge mistake! Please forgive me!"


    "General, let''s go!" Gottfried didn''t bother speaking with the soldier who had bowed his head and turned to General Ivan, who nodded and walked towards the building, followed by Gottfried, leaving the soldiers alone.


    The two of them stepped inside the building and walked towards one of the rooms. It was a small square room with a window and a dirty old rug on the floor, with a wooden desk and two chairs. General Ivan walked up to one of the chairs, sat down, looked up at Gottfried and smiled.


    He said, "Sit down, your highness."


    Gottfried grabbed the remaining chair, pulled it close to him and sat down, asking; "What is it that you wanted to discuss?"


    "I''m going to have to ask you to leave Argria alone," General Ivan said.


    Silence imed the room.


    Gottfried said, "You''re joking, right?"


    General Ivan said nothing.


    BAM!


    Gottfried mmed his hand over the table and screamed, "I have sent over my men to monitor your country''s situation, and have received news that the Royal Family will soon lose their power over the masses. ording to the Divine Commandments, it is my duty as a messenger of the lord to stop such an event from happening!"


    General Ivan waited for Gottfried to finish before speaking. "The King and the Queen have been reced. It seems that your information is outdated, your highness.."


    "What?" Gilbert Gottfried looked at General Ivan, stunned by his words. "What nonsense are you spouting? Are you trying to trick me, General?"


    "There''s no trickery here, your highness!" General Ivan spoke calmly and continued, "Everything that I''ve told you is the truth. The King has been overthrown by his own blood; his son, ke Bancroft. And he has been the King for the past few weeks. The people are content under his rule now, your highness! It seems that you should be worrying about your informant''s ability first, your highness!"