Chapter 249: The King’s Bias
"Your Majesty, the matter regarding the mayor who escaped, the death of the magistrate, and the chief of the guards...it was Prince Alaric’s negligence. He fell into a trap set for him when they were in Ranuva. The soldiers were plagued with a stomach sickness that weakened them, and the bandits did not spend much effort in rescuing the prisoners."
"Useless! Idiot!" King Heimdal glared at Prince Alaric.
The prince stood tall, his spine a pillar of confidence, and his head raised high as he cast a steady glance at the king. His obsidian orbs, sharp and resolute, were filled with a quiet determination. "I am quite certain Father was aware of the mastermind behind this treachery," he declared. Alaric’s voice, though laced with respect, shimmered with a subtle tension, hinting at deeper undercurrents beneath the calm surface.
The king and the Justice Minister looked at each other briefly.
King Heimdal snorted. He did not reply to Alaric but shifted the topic: "I heard that you also advised the generals not to proceed with the attack when it was the best time to do so. If they listened to you, then the soldiers are still camping at Hainai at this time." King Heimdal’s voice was laced with anger.
Lara frowned. It was obvious that the king hated Alaric.
"If I may, Your Majesty," General Odin’s voice was deep and respectful. "It was Prince Alaric’s warning that caused us to change our plans. We were prepared during the ambush at Meander Pass. Otherwise, we would have been sitting ducks, given the strategic position of the ambush." He threw a quick glance at the eldest prince. "It was also he who fought with us in Calma, despite his injuries."
General Odin wanted to add that Prince Alaric’s presence has boosted the morale of his soldiers, but he knew better. The two princes were also there at the command center in Hainai. Wouldn’t he be insulting them if he said that it was just Prince Alaric?
Alaric’s loyal soldiers, lined up at the far end of the courtyard beside the entrance, perked up when they heard General Odin stand up for their prince. Agilus’s eyes misted. It was not often that someone would bravely take the side of their prince. He gave General Odin a thumbs-up.