“I’m Milas, son of Turt village’s chief. I’m here to warn the city about the salamander stampede that is heading for our village and request assistance. Here is my father’s proof of identity.”

I bring out medal that my father gave me and show it to the guard.

“Call the captain.”

After few seconds, man in slightly fancy armor and helmet comes before me.

“Are you the one who’s here to warn about the stampede”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“About an hour ago, an adventurer named Alder came into our house and told my father that there are hundreds of salamanders stampeding to our village’s direction and told us to evacuate, inform the city about the stampede. If city doesn’t do something, our village will be trampled and I’m pretty sure salamanders won’t stop there.”

“Okay. What about that adventurer?”

“He went back to buy us some time.”

“Al!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Go to the Guild and ask about this Alder. While doing that inform the guild about the stampede.”

“Yes, sir.”

Captain talks to the guard that I met first and sends him on an errand.

“You, come with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

He brings me together with him into the city. After entering the city, he hails a chariot.

“Go to the archduke’s castle.”

………

“Princess, there is a salamander stampede heading for the Turt village right now. This is your chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you manage to subjugate that monster wave, it will look good for you. It will allow you to pass by your brother in the race.”

“What makes you think that?”

“According to the information: there is a least two hundred salamanders rampaging. If it is left alone, it will decimate the dukedom village by village. And at the end it will be headed to the capital.

As for the race: frankly, you don’t have a lot of political power. But what you got is military power. Under guild and the guild will fight for now that you managed to pull the guild master into your camp. So, if you manage to subjugate the salamanders, it will put you in front of your brother.

So, you need to inform your father immediately and gather your force as fast as you can. And sortie immediately.”

“I will contact you back on that.”

“Yes, princess. But be quick.”

I cut the connection with Owl.

“So, what do you think about that, Elize?”

“I think guild master has a point. True or not, you lack political power without nobles on your side. But you got the military power due to under guild master and guild master. And your knight’s order. If you manage to sortie earlier and subjugate the stampede, I’m sure archduke will be pleased.”

“I guess you are right. Gather the soldiers and prepare to sortie immediately.”

I contact the Owl again.

“Your decision?”

“We sortie out immediately. Prepare your forces and inform the guild master.”

“Yes, your highness.”

………

Jewel on my wrist loses its glow after the princess cut the connection. I knew he was about to do something, but I didn’t expect this. Hundreds of salamanders. That will surely do the job. So, his name is Alder.

Bracelet on my other hand glows.

“What do you want?”

“Don’t be so cold. Princess decided to subjugate the salamanders. Pick your best and send them to the princess. Salamanders are strong monsters. So, their rank needs to be at least Silver ranked.”

“Don’t tell what to do. I know what I need to do.”

“Yes, you do. Sorry. I think it is better if we both go along with the princess.”

“That I will agree with you.”

Bracelet’s glow disappears.

………

“Father I would like to go and subjugate the salamanders.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I will lead my forces personally.”

“Then, good luck, my daughter.”

“And be careful.”

“I understand, father, mother.”

………

After entering the castle with the guards, captain and informing the archduke about the invasion, we come out of the castle and head for the main gate.

“What is the capital’s decision, captain?”

“Princess will personally lead her forces to subjugate the salamanders.”

After waiting for almost three hours, I finally see the so called: princess’ forces. At the head is thirty women in armors led by the princess.

So, I suppose those are the famous princess’ female knight’s order. Behind them walk soldiers in armors with Sylvester archduke’s house symbol on their chests. I think there is about hundreds of them.

And after that come the adventurers. I think there is another hundreds of them too.

Finally, at last walk people in black cloaks. I have no idea who those people are. But from the looks of it, if that adventurer manages to stall long enough, I think they can save our village.

They march out the castle gate and start to stand in a row. And princess rides her horse and circle around once and starts to walk in my village’s direction.

For some reason I expected pep talk from her.

………

“Both guild masters are out of the capital and are heading to the Turt village with the princess.”

“I never though we would have this kind of opportunity. With them both gone, we can start our plan earlier.”

“Inform the others and prepare to start the plan.”