The God of War
Chapter 8 The Plan to Take the City of Union

In a special tent located in the middle of the Imperial army camp, a tense and serious atmosphere enveloped the residents. The tent was made soundproof and heavily guarded by the Empire's heavily armed soldiers. Inside, there were five people sitting around a large table containing maps and documents of war.

They were Prince Louis, Imperial Marshal; princess Mitia, daughter of the Federation who joined the Empire; Count Kylar, a noble who led the city of Dylurd; general Fredrick, commander-in-chief of the Imperial army; and five lieutenants commanding each division of the army.

They were discussing the war situation and the plan to seize the United city, the border town of the Federation territory.

"Thank you for coming here, Marshal, and honorable Count Kylar" Fredrick said politely. "I am General Frederick, commander-in-chief of the Imperial forces appointed directly by the Emperor."

"Together, General. I've been looking forward to this meeting" Prince Louis replied with a faint smile.

"Before we start discussing our strategy, I want to ask you something" Count Kylar said in a sharp tone. "Who is the beautiful woman sitting next to you, Marshal? Was she really Princess Mitia of the Federation? I heard the news that he was dead."

"I am Princess Mitia of the Federation, Count Kylar," Princess Mitia replied firmly. 

"The news of my death is propaganda made by the Federation to provoke the Empire into starting a war." Princess Mitia.

"So so," said Count Kylar with a suspicious look.

"Then what's the reason you're participating in this war, Princess Mitia? Don't you have no army or authority here? Aren't you just going to be a burden to us?" count Kylar.

"Princess Mitia is the temporary Military Chief of the Empire appointed by the Emperor himself" Prince Louis said in a cold tone. 

"I ordered him to participate in this war because he has the knowledge and experience of the Federation that could be useful to us. He also has the right to speak at this meeting. Do you have a problem with the decision of the Emperor and I, Count Kylar?" prince Louis said.

“I'm sorry, Marshal. I do not mean to insult you or Princess Mitia,” Count Kylar said as he bowed his head.

“Then let's start this meeting,” General Fredrick said firmly.

“Whoever has a brilliant plan to pound the enemy, it is time to talk!” prince Louis exclaimed with vigor.

“How about we directly besiege the city of United, and tear down their fortress in full force?” general Frederick confidently proposed.

“Hmm, that sounds promising, but how long can we control the city?” prince Louis asked curiously.

General Frederick turned to one of the Lieutenant-General leading the Artillery Division.

“The United City has a formidable defense, but it will not last long under the attack of the Artillery Division. In two weeks, we can destroy them completely!” replied the Lieutenant General excitedly.

“Too long. According to information from spies, the main forces of the Federation will arrive in one week” Prince Louis said. “General Fredrick, take a look at the city map of the States, do you realize anything?”

General Frederick stared at the map carefully, the city of the Union looked solid with a magnificent, yet fragile defensive fortification in the port section. There was no sign of a fleet of ships ready for the attack.

“See, their port is wide open, but we also have no advantage there. If we could sneak into the territory of the Federation by sea, we could encircle the city of Union from two sides!” general Frederick said excitedly.

“But their port is heavily guarded by their troops, if we pretend to be traders, there are few troops we can bring” Count Kylar said hesitantly.

“I have another idea. How about we take the city of Union through negotiations with the generals there? The Federation has been split into two camps, I know some Generals who want to turn to the Empire side, we can take advantage of this situation to reduce the bloodshed” proposed by Princess Mitia gently.

“That's a brilliant idea, Princess! We will infiltrate the Federation through their ports, we will cooperate with the pro-Empire generals through the intercession of Princess Mitia, then we will kill the Generals who do not want to join, ” said Prince Louis.

The meeting was soon closed, and the names that were about to depart for the territory of the Federation became a secret known only to those present at the meeting. Prince Louis and General Frederick were preparing to infiltrate, accompanied by 12 selected soldiers trusted by Prince Louis and General Frederick.

...***...

Before departure to the port area, Princess Mitia had to send a letter to the Imperial Pro General in order to help Prince Louis and his entourage. Princess Mitia was inside a special war tent in General Frederick's army. Prince Louis went to Princess Mitia's tent without preaching to surprise the Princess.

The sound of footsteps approached and entered the tent, making Princess Mitia who was focusing on writing stop for a moment. Princess Mitia sighed “hasn't I said that don't go into the tent carelessly, come out I don't need guard,” said Princess Mitia as she continued her writing.

Prince Louis, who had intended to surprise Princess Mitia, became very excited. Quickly Prince Louis closed Princess Mitia's eyes and whispered into her ear, “guess who I am?”

Princess Mitia was surprised, the whispers in her ears made Princess Mitia's face flushed and embarrassed. Princess Mitia knew that Prince Louis was the one who closed his eyes. Princess Mitia held Prince Louis' hand and slowly removed Prince Louis' hand from his eyes.

“Prince Louis, what is it??” princess Mitia asked as she turned to look at Prince Louis with a timid face.

“I just want to meet my wife, is that wrong?” prince Louis smiled.

Princess Mitia continued her writing and took her eyes off Prince Louis. Princess Mitia tried to focus and write the letter completely, while Prince Louis only saw it from the side while looking at Princess Mitia.

Moments later, Princess Mitia returned her ink pen to her place a sign that she had finished writing a letter. Princess Mitia was nervous as Prince Louis kept seeing her, Princess Mitia spoke with annoyance “what's the Prince?”

Prince Louis spoke as he continued to look at Princess Mitia “nothing, only. After I've seen your face for longer somehow I feel like you're a beautiful woman. Are you done with your work?”

“Stop those words of your seduction, quickly say your need because I want to rest, ” said Princess Mitia shyly.

Prince Louis smiled slightly, and approaching Princess Mitia then held onto both shoulders of Princess Mitia and saw her deeply within a very close distance, even the breath of Prince Louis could be heard by Princess Mitia.

Princess Mitia's inner conflict began to occur.

Calm down, I need to calm down. What happened to this prince? Suddenly he got into the tent and seduced me. Is it possible that he asked for the night ration?! It was possible, he was also a man, so it was natural for him to think so.

“I am not seducing you, I am just saying what I feel,” Prince Louis said firmly.

Princess Mitia's face turned red, she was so embarrassed that she took her eyes off Prince Louis's face. Princess Mitia spoke in a slow tone“what prince came to request a ration from me?”

Prince Louis gasped and did not expect his wife's sweet reaction. Without another word, Prince Louis carried Princess Mitia and lowered her on the bed. Princess Mitia just kept quiet and held back her embarrassment.

Prince Louis stroked his wife's head and smiled. With such a sincere look, Prince Louis said gently “I came here to comfort you. In your blood flows the homeland of the Federation, are you able to fight against your own people Princess Mitia?”

Princess Mitia felt a strong determination growing within her. Hardly, Princess Mitia looked at Prince Louis and said, "I swear I will fight with a strong determination to ensure the peace of the Federation and the sustainability of the fate of my own people, albeit by means of civil war."

Seeing Princess Mitia's eyes that look very convincing and full of confidence makes Prince Louis relieved. Prince Louis hugged Princess Mitia, slowly Prince Louis approached Princess Mitia's ears and whispered “we will have fun when this war is over and the Federation surrenders to Empire”

Princess Mitia resigned herself and closed her eyes, she was so embarrassed that she could not see the face of Prince Louis. Prince Louis kissed Princess Mitia on the forehead then left Princess Mitia's tent and returned to the fortress.