"Brothers, I brought you something to eat." Laurenz said as she entered the small store.

The quiet military tent suddenly perked up as the few people lying down rose to their feet and, like a hungry wolf, snatched the food from Laurenz's arms as fast as they could.

"Laurenz, I would have starved to death if you hadn't come back." Mace chewed on the half-cooked horse meat, which he usually disdained, but now it was indescribably delicious in his mouth.

“I got it from Antonios. Metor asked them to form a special team and risk being attacked by the Aserai to remove the dead horses from the battlefield." Laurenz sighed and looked at the man lying in the innermost part of the tent and asked with concern, “How is Demarcus? Has he woken up?

"He woke up. But he was in a daze all this time, he seemed unable to recognize who was talking to him, and he didn't say a word. It seems that he is asleep now." Giorgris replied sadly.

"I think he might have sat in Charon's boat when he accidentally fell into Lethe, he has now lost his memory." Olivers said.

"To shut up!" Mace reached out and pressed Olivors's head and pushed him away.

Laurenz then forcibly separated the two men and shouted, “We are all from the same village in Sargot. In the land thousands of miles from home and surrounded by enemies. If we don't unite, I'm afraid we won't be able to come back."

Silence suddenly fell in the store.

Laurenz felt the atmosphere heavy, so he said comfortingly, “I have seen several warriors who were badly hit on the head. They are confused at first, but will return to normal after resting. Maybe tomorrow morning, Demarcus will be able to greet us with a smile.”

“Demarcus is also a veteran warrior. How could he fall when he is being chased!” Olivors had just said a couple of irritated words, and when he saw Mace looking at him again, he immediately shut his mouth.

"Laurenz, did Derfeck win or was he defeated?" The temporary silence meant that Giorgris couldn't help but talk about the most worrying yet scary problem they all faced.

Previously, only after returning to the battlefield from their pursuit of the fleeing enemies, did they discover that the Aserai troops were still there, while the Derfeck troops had disappeared. Because it was getting late, the two armies didn't feel like fighting anymore, so after clashing for a while, the Aserai troops withdrew.

Only then did the Vladian mercenaries discover that their camp had been looted. Due to their exhaustion and hunger, the soldiers naturally had no energy to think and ask this very important question.

Derfeck had led the cavalry. Whether they were victorious or defeated, he could easily leave the battlefield and join us tomorrow to fight King Aserai once more.” Laurenz said lightly.

“But King Aserai's army was much larger than ours. So if Derfeck really was defeated, there will be fewer troops to join us tomorrow.” Giorgris said worriedly.

“What are you afraid of? We have over 10,000 hoplites! The Aserai are as shy as rabbits! So no matter how many people dared to fight us, he still hadn't killed enough to be satisfied! Therefore, if there is another battle tomorrow, it would be the right thing to do!” As soon as Mace hears Giorgris, he cheers everyone on his way.

“Even if Derfeck was defeated, we defeated his left and killed many of them. Tomorrow, they will only have fewer soldiers than today! Laurenz s has the same confidence.

“These damn Aserai destroyed our camp, stole our food, and stole a lot of my silver coins! Tomorrow we are going to beat them and get our stuff back!” Mace said angrily.

"That's how it is!" They all hated the enemy: "We must not only take back our things, but also theirs."

"Oh!" Olivors thought of something and said excitedly: “I heard that Derfeck's women were also captured and only one managed to escape. That's the one I told you last time... a beautiful woman like Erasis(Goddess of love). I heard Clechus took it to her camp! She will definitely have fun tonight!…” Olivors gulped and said in a sullen voice.

"Do not say foolishness!" Laurenz warned him.

“Olivers. You must defeat King Aserai tomorrow and grab one of his women.

“Oh, that's a great idea! Mace, you really are smart from time to time.”

"Damn Olivors, you want to get hit again!"

As various people talked and laughed, a hoarse voice came from the innermost part of the store: “Don't think that Derfeck was only defeated! He is dead!"

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tilinius arrived at King Aserai's tent, and Meznja, the eunuch, was already waiting at the entrance, “The king is waiting for you. He comes in quickly!”

When Tilinius handed the sword over to the royal guard beside him, he found that the eunuch, whom King Aserai trusted the most, was somewhat gloomy and couldn't help but think, 'Is his majesty seriously injured?'

Once he entered, a rich scent of incense hit his nose, with a mixed scent of some herbs.

Dernotack was lying on his side on the sofa, dressed in a beautiful scarlet dress with his bare chest wrapped in a white cloth from which a faint blood trickled. Next to him was a beautiful maiden gently rubbing his shoulders and next to him was the doctor, Ctesias.

Ctesias then immediately withdrew once he saw Tilinius enter.

Dernotack asked her to wait outside his store, allowing her to call him immediately in case his condition changed.

Once he saw the imperial doctor retreat from the tent, Tilinius half knelt and bowed his head, then said, "Your highness of him, please punish me for losing the battle!"

Dernotack didn't speak, which made Tilinius start to feel a little uncomfortable, so he knelt more still on the ground.

It was a long time before he heard Dernotack speak: “You were defeated, Tilinius. But at least you dared to fight. I heard you led your cavalry around the Vladian hoplite and attacked his rear, only to be defeated by his peltast and nearly hit by a javelin."

"Yes, His Highness. You know everything!" Tilinius breathed a sigh of relief.

“You are much braver than those who run away even before fighting! Get up!" Dernotack was somewhat dissatisfied with yesterday's performance of the left Aserai troop; he then raised his voice, "I'm not as lucky as you. Derfeck's spear hit me, but fortunately, my armor was strong enough! and allowed me to have the opportunity to shoot him down!

Was it not the Mithríd guard who struck Derfeck with his spear? Tilinius was surprised but did not show it. Instead, he spoke with admiration and emotion.

“His highness of him, everyone used to say that Derfeck was brave. Yesterday on the battlefield, when we were about to suffer defeat, his majesty, at a great risk that a king should not take, bravely stepped forward and personally slew Derfeck the rebel! And he made us win an incredible victory! His highness of him, he deserves to be the king of kings! You were born brave!”

Meznja and Ctesias also immediately expressed their admiration for King Aserai's heroic performance.

Dernotack blushed and said resentfully, “Derfeck has always been victorious since we were children. But as a brother, I've always let it be. Even the last time he tried to kill me at the ceremony, I spared him for my mother's sake! However, I didn't expect him to consider my kindness as a weakness. He deceived me, and he dared to start a rebellion! For the sake of the stability of the empire, I have to execute him even if he is my brother!”

“The king's benevolence is well known to all the people of the empire! Derfeck, who knows nothing, is guilty of seducing outsiders and invading the land of the empire!...” Tilinius spoke with great enthusiasm.

Dernotack nodded and coughed a few times as he had spent a lot of energy talking: “My satrap, you have exposed Derfeck's conspiracy to me many times and your rule of Razid has always been excellent! When this rebellion ends, I will reward you well!”

"Your Majesty of him, as satrap of Razid, this is my duty!" Tilinius said solemnly.

Then, a complex expression appeared on Tilinius as he placed a large clay pot on the wooden table in front of his left hand: “This is Derfeck's head and hands that Meznja cut off. Take him to the Vladian camp and let them surrender immediately!!”