End of the Battles

"Tell Commander Ron, to mobilize the reserve troops to guard the fort," Prince Arshakein whispered to the bodyguards who were surrounding him.

Upon hearing this, the bodyguards nodded and hastened to locate Ron, who remained on the same floor. Despite his trust in the guards protecting him, Prince Arshakein gripped the hilt of his sword tightly around his waist and was ready to draw it.

It wasn't long before fighting could be heard from downstairs, indicating that the soldiers were battling the enemy who had managed to enter the fortress area.

"Clean up, make sure there's nothing left!" Ron's voice was heard faintly. Prince Arshakein hoped that the man wasn't hurt, he was the most reliable commander and there was no replacement.

"You can go, thank you," Prince Arshakein said to his guards who had not taken a single step from their position.

"Let us fix the stairs, Your Highness," said one of the guards.

"No need, I'm not a child and I can still jump. Just attach a strong rope to make it more efficient," Prince Arshakein said. It was ridiculous that everyone in this war was only focused on serving him when there were still so many things to be done.

Prince Arshakein charged out of the fortress ready to face whatever was out there. His neutral gaze circulated looking for certain figures that were imprinted in his head. He memorized the faces and stature of the commanders of the Gordeganemian army. While searching for their leaders, who according to his soldiers' vision had also intervened, Prince Arshakein cut down the opposing soldiers who crossed his path.

"His Highness the Second Prince, who has always been overlooked, we finally meet again," exclaimed the commander of the opposing army.

"Mr. Gord ...."

"Greg!" The man corrected Prince Arshakein harshly.

"Yes, how are you?" Prince Arshakein's lips continued to respond to the man but his brain and nerves did not let down at all. 

"Still adventuring with my seven lives," Commander Greg replied.

"Oh, good," Prince Arshakein hissed, dodging as the man swung his sword in a very smooth motion.

One hand of Prince Arshakein's sword followed Commander Greg, while the other hand pretended to control the horse with difficulty.

"Hya!"

"Ezzz?!"

Both had very reflex movements to attack and dodge, again Prince Arshakein's life was spared. Just as his hand holding the sword regained its balance, the other hand swiftly went into action.

"Agghhh!"

A knife found its mark on Commander Greg's neck, causing the man to tumble from his horse lifeless. The soldiers behind Prince Arshakein advanced to protect their commander. Although Commander Greg was already lifeless, the remaining enemy soldiers did not give up easily, for Greg was not their only commander.

The battle intensified after Prince Arshakein jumped into the fray. The enemy commanders also openly came forward, this was a new strategy that was quite risky. Prince Arshakein deliberately lured them into giving up their lives.

"I know where the commander is, Your Highness," Ron exclaimed to Prince Arshakein as they fought on his horse.

"Do your will, Ron. You know how to do it," Prince Arshakein replied.

His hands didn't stop blocking the swords of the enemies that surrounded him. At a distance of three meters from him the shields of the soldiers formed a circle, protecting their commander from spear attacks, as well as to keep the enemies who had broken through trapped inside the circle.

Second by second Prince Arshakein's hand movements were not as massive as before, He was not exhausted, but the approaching enemies were getting less and less. There were none at the moment.

"Some of the enemies are fleeing, Your Highness," said his soldier.

"Let it go, let's go back to the fortress," Prince Arshakein responded.

At the same time, Ron and some other soldiers brought someone on a horse. Prince Arshakein narrowed his eyes, he was sure that the human was still alive.

"Prince Andomure, Your Highness. The Grand Commander we managed to retrieve," Ron said in answer to Prince Arshakein's unspoken question.

"Hmm," he muttered under his breath. "You maimed him, Lord Ron. Disable him even more and send him back to Gordeganemian," Prince Arshakein said coldly as usual. Then the soldiers who heard him burst out laughing. 

Ron cut off the man's tongue after breaking one leg and one arm, fortunately, the scars were immediately bandaged with a cloth to prevent blood flow. The other soldiers followed Prince Arshakein back to the fortress. There the medics were attending to the wounded soldiers.

"Take note of those who are seriously injured," Prince Arshakein said with concern.

Groans of pain filled the fortress building, the smell of sweat and blood mixed. The windows were opened to freshen up the room a little. A group of reserve soldiers, still fresh and fit, prepared leftover food to ensure the surviving war victims wouldn't go hungry.

Prince Arshakein was provided with a list of the seriously wounded soldiers. They would need stretchers when they returned to the capital. He rushed to the soldiers who were arranging the logs on the side of the fortress.

"Set aside the best quality wood, we need a lot of stretchers. The rest can be used for other purposes," Prince Arshakein said as he predicted how much wood could be used.

"Shall we use the logs for a funeral pyre, Your Highness?" responded one of the soldiers at work.

"Yes, after this we will perform the ceremony." Prince Arshakein nodded.

"Ready, Your Highness," they said in unison.

Logs were sorted by quality, and the fallen heroes were prepared for a ceremonial cremation. Prince Arshakein led the ceremony solemnly, tears not ceasing to flow as the fire began to burn. The scent of flowers, camphor, and oil mixed with firewood wafted into the air, accompanying them to the afterlife.

"We must share our duties and return home immediately," Prince Arshakein ordered to conclude the ceremony. He ordered the soldiers to make additional stretchers. It was impossible to leave the medics and seriously wounded soldiers riding alone or on foot.

Prior to embarking on the journey home, many soldiers took a moment to pen letters to their families. Some of them also carried ashes in their carry-on bags in honor of their fallen brothers-in-arms.

"Long live His Highness Prince Arshakein," Commander Ron exclaimed in his hoarse voice.

"Long live His Highness Prince Arshakein," responded the other commanders in louder voices. The soldiers responded with the same praise, making Prince Arshakein smile with emotion.

"Long live Seodurnag, long live His Majesty King Meghalodein," Prince Arshakein exclaimed no less enthusiastically.

The drums that had been used to start the battle were now beaten to a rousing tune along with other smaller drums. Cheers echoed as Seodurnag's troops triumphantly returned from the battlefield.

As the troops marched through neighborhoods, markets, and bustling areas, they were welcomed with pride. Various fruits were presented to the soldiers through the hands of small children who cheered with their distinctive voices. Not a single soldier went home hungry. Prince Arshakein was happy and proud of his battle achievements.

"Your Highness, your wife must be very proud," said an old woman.

Upon hearing this, Prince Arshakein simply smiled. Everyone should know that he was not married and had never been in a relationship with a woman. But he believed that a kind word is a prayer. One day, he hoped to make any woman proud as his wife.

"You should marry a queen, Your Highness," Ron whispered.

"Huh, a queen from where? There has never been a female ruler in this world. Don't be delirious, Mr. Ron." Prince Arshakein clucked.

***