Book 3.5: Chapter 16
“Your majesty, for today’s battle strategy…….” The empress sliced a piece of meat, put it in between bread, took the plan Castell handed her, tossed it into the stove, and then said: “You may leave, Castell. You’ve done very well during this time. I’m glad to see that. Come to think of it, it’s been five years since I adopted you. I watched your transformation these last five years. It was like seeing my son grow up. I’m very happy to see that.”
Castell’s body quivered. He took in a deep breath to supress his urge to burst out in tears and in a shaky voice said: “Thank… Thank you, your majesty! I… I too have always been grateful for your adoption. I will never forget the past five years.”
“But at the end of the day, you aren’t my son.”
The empress stood up and walked up to him. She stroked his back and then walked to the entrance of the tent. She looked at the lustre gold light shining at the top of the tower in the distance. That was the tallest tower in the elven imperial palace. The gold statue at the top was in the shape of a canopy. That was where the elven imperial palace was, and that was also the place she wanted to conquer.
“I have a son that’s eight years old this year. I’ve seen him once. He’s very cute. He has the same hair and eyes as me. He is my only son, the child I and my most beloved gave life to. But my son is currently trapped in there, in the prison of the elves.”
The empress took in a deep breath. The cup in her hand clinked. She turned around to look at Castell and said: “I will definitely personally lead the army in to attack the elven imperial palace. You don’t need to hand me a battle strategy. I’m preparing weapons. We won’t need to attack for a few days. Let the troops rest.”
“Understood.”
Castell took in a deep breath, faced the empress and bowed to her before leaving the tent. He quickly walked to the back of the tent, found himself a corner where nobody was around, looked at the large tree before him, violently drew his sword and slashed at the tree trunk with all his might.
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!”