Chapter 99: The First Disciple
As General Odin and Prince Alaric discussed their war strategies, a lone figure emerged from the steep slopes of Mount Roca. The spy moved with practiced ease despite the treacherous climb, his cloak blending into the jagged rocks behind him.
Their small plateau, located a third of the way up the mountain, offered an unmatched vantage point that commanded a sweeping view of the town of Carles below. From here, the Sentro—stood like a formidable fortress, its thick walls of quarried stone and adobe stretching across and enclosed two square kilometers of the town’s fortified heart. Seven meters tall and two meters thick, the daunting walls had withstood countless storms, both of nature and of war.
Yet, for all its formidable defenses, there remained one vulnerability: an attack from above. However, scaling Mount Roca was in itself a challenge, hence no enemy soldiers succeded in exploiting this vulnerability.
The spy barely had time to steady himself before General Odin’s voice cut through the crisp mountain air.
"Speak!" General Odin commanded the person who was half kneeling on the ground when he realized who the general was with.
"You can rise," Alaric added. "There is no need for any of you to bow or kneel before me. We are at war, so treat me as a general."
The spy rose and nodded at Prince Alaric, his eyes full of reverence.
"General Odin, the mayor of Carles has rallied the people against the soldiers of Northem. News was spreading that it was the Northem soldiers who set the town hall on fire. The people are very angry and the Mayor is stoking the fire."
Alaric’s expression darkened. "Hadn’t the civilians had evacuated?"
"Yesterday, when we sneaked inside Sentro and gained control of the Town Hall after the soldiers of Estalis surrendered, we asked the people to leave, but they were not willing."
"General! Look!" A soldier’s voice rang out from behind them.