Arias was sitting in Lt. Gen. Haric's office as the latter had summoned him. Though the Colonel never made it obvious, he really wished to avoid the Lt. General these days. He was afraid that he won't be able to keep himself in control.

"It's so hard to see you these days, Arias." Lt. Gen. Haric said to the young Colonel.

​​

"I'm quite caught up with Ella these days. I'm sorry, Father." Arias formally said.

Lt. Gen. Haric sighed. "Just what is on her mind? Are you sure that you don't have any misunderstandings?"

Though there were many things going on, Arias still nodded.

"Maybe she needs time for herself. Be patient with her. I also hired some men to look for her and let's hope that we will find her soon." The father uttered. His concern for his daughter was very evident in his face.

"By the way, I heard that Captain Yelena Arista return to the forces. I was quite shocked because we were informed that she would still need a few months." Lt. Gen. Haric cautiously said to the Deputy Commander.

Arias secretly clenched his fingers yet he forced a smile. "That's right. She said that her mother is quite well now. So, she insisted to return. Besides, everyone knows how devoted she is to her job."

Lt. Gen. Haric let out a laughter. "It's great to know that young people care for the country. It gives our country a bright future."

Arias recalled what this man said in the recording that Yelena sent to him. Was everything a lie? Did he never speak his real mind to him? Just the thought of it hurt the Colonel so much!

"You're right, Father. But... isn't it a good thing that Captain Yelena returned early? With Colonel Maverick gone, our forces need her more than ever." He finally spoke up, observing the Lt. General reaction.

At the mention of Maverick, the Lt. General's smile slipped. If only Maverick made another decision... he really wanted him to live. No matter what, what happens already happened. It's too late now.

"You have a point but... don't be too humble, Arias. You are as good as Maverick." Lt. Gen. Haric leaned a bit towards Arias and gently patted him on the upper arm. "I won't keep you long. You must be busy."

Arias rose from his seat and forced another smile. "I will visit you again some other day, Father. Take good care of yourself." He saluted the Lt. General and walked out of the room.

Then Sergeant Kayce made his way to the room right away.

"Any news on Sergeant Korin?" The Lt. General asked.

"No, sir. It's too hard to locate him. Do you think he leaves the country?" Sergeant Kayce said.

"I doubt that." Lt. Gen. Haric said and let out a sigh.

Hearing this, Colonel Arias who was still standing outside near the door finally walked away.

"Then I will keep on looking for him. Sergeant Korin is an orphan. That's why it's so hard to guess where he might go. He had no family or relatives." Sergeant Kayce said to the Lt. General.

"If I were him, I would surely approach Captain Yelena Arista or Lt. Morris Flavian. So, keep a good eye on both of them." The Lt. General ordered.

"I understand, sir. But... " Sergeant Kayce trailed off, wondering if he should say it or not. When the Lt. General lifted his head to look at him, he said, "Do you have no plan to tell Colonel Arias about your grand plan? He is capable and it would be great to have him on your side. Besides, he respects you a lot."

Lt. Gen. Haric slightly smiled. "You don't know him at all. Arias is capable but... he is a true soldier to the bones. He has the true mindset of a soldier and he wants peace." He paused and muttered, "Just like the young me."

"If he knows about our grand plan, he will only be an obstacle." He added.

"I don't understand. Why did you want him to be your son-in-law if you know that you aren't on the same page? It will only cause conflicts later." Sergeant Kayce asked with a confused face.

"He is very similar with Ella." Lt. Gen. Haric promptly said. "They make a good match, so... even if they can't agree with me in the future, I will just set them free. Unlike me, I wish they can stay true to themselves."

*

After Colonel Arias left the Headquarters, he went straight to the base and meet with Yelena in his office. They were quite safe in the base but... they only had to refrain from meeting outside. Besides, they also have some work-related to talk about.

"I met with Lt. Gen. Haric before I came to the base. It seems like he still struggled to locate Sergeant Korin too." The Colonel said to Yelena as soon as they finished talking about work.

Yelena fell silent for a while, thinking of their complicated situation. "It's really hard to find him. He is too quiet and I even wondered if he is still alive."

"Lt. Gen. Haric still don't locate him, so let's hope that he is still alive. Besides, it's sure that he is still loyal to Maverick. If not, he will already surrender to the Lt. General rather than hiding." Colonel Arias remarked.

"At least Colonel Maverick had someone who is still loyal to him and refuse to give in to stronger power," Yelena said. She thought further about it and got lost in her thoughts.

"You may not be entertained by this but... Maverick is an admirable man. It's not easy for him to reach that far. He suffered a lot." Arias said in a low voice.

"I know," Yelena said, snapping out of her thoughts. "I used to admired and respect him but... maybe that's why I felt so betrayed. I was blinded by that and failed to see his struggles."

"It's not your fault. If I were you, I would do the same." Arias promptly muttered. Feeling betrayed? He knew so well about it. Ella's father was the one who made him experienced it right now.

"No matter what, he is an honourable soldier and a superior," Yelena said with a little smile.

* * *

Royal Group, Edeladon

"Sir, I already told you yesterday that His Highness can't meet with anyone unless it's for a business purpose. I can't make an appointment for you as it's against the rules. Please don't make things hard for us." A female receptionist was explaining to a persistent young man who insisted to meet the Crown Prince who was also the Representative of the Royal Group.

"I really need to see the Prince. I can't enter the palace, so please let me see him for just a minute. It's very important." The young man said to the receptionist, showing no signs of backing down.

The receptionist felt so helpless. This young man had also come yesterday, trying to meet the Crown Prince. However, the latter was out for important meetings. Even yesterday, this young man was persistent and he even came back today!

If the Crown Prince didn't issue an order to treat every visitor and citizens with respect, this man would already be thrown out of the building! The receptionist had never encountered someone as stubborn as this young man!

"Please just leave, sir. Don't create any more problems for us. I truly wish that this won't be necessary but if you keep on being persistent, I will have to call the security guards to make you leave." The receptionist said, trying her best to be formal and patient. It's really hard now!

"Help me just this once. Even if I can't meet him today, I will come back tomorrow." The young man said to the receptionist. Though he was feeling quite troubled, his voice remained low and calm.

"Sir, I will repeat it for the last time. Please - "

"What is going on here?"

The female receptionist was interrupted by a voice and when she turned in the direction where the voice came, she saw the Crown Prince. The receptionist and others all bowed, except the young man.

"Your Highness, this man insisted to meet you since yesterday. He is not here for business, so I can't send him to your assistant to make an appointment." The receptionist respectfully explained.

Prince Felix turned to an unfamiliar young man who was walking towards him but... his guards stopped him when he was a few steps away.

"What is this about?" Felix asked the young man.

The young man warily observed his surroundings before he turned to the Prince. "I came from Silveren hoping that you could help me talk to Captain Yelena Arista. I can't meet her or call her as it's risky." His voice was low enough so that those who watched him from afar won't be able to hear it.

He knows Yelena? Felix slightly raised a brow. "And you are?"

Finally, the man bowed. "I'm Sergeant Korin Clive of the Silveren Army."

Sergeant Korin? Felix recognized the name right away! Last night, Yelena told him that she was searching for someone named Sergeant Korin. He also heard that the man in question had some evidence which Yelena needed!

"Follow me." The Prince promptly said to the Sergeant and take him to his office on the top floor.....