Firstborn: Return of the heir

"Are you sure you want to take that scolding with your head hung low?"

With part of both Saulus' and Bloys units escorting Venna out of the scene, Bloy asked uneasily. Even though there were differences between them in the past, right now they shared the same goal. To protect the reemerging house of Burn from the harm caused by Retesian Patriarch's loyalists.

Because of it, it made sense for Bloy to worry about things like the relationship between Saulus and Venna. It made sense for him to worry when the queen did such a demoralizing act right in front of their troops.

"It will be better for her if she doesn't know all the details behind this situation. Speaking of which, we need to hurry up."

Taking a quick glance behind, where the rest of the soldiers that remained with them carried the corpses of those who had fallen in battle. Releasing a deep sigh, Saulus shook his head before picking the topic up again.

"While it's nothing much besides my own guess and logical way of explaining several problems in one go… I have reasons to believe that our dear enemies won't wait for the harvest season to begin their assault. I'm worried that we underestimated our opponents in this regard."

Releasing yet another deep sigh, Saulus picked up the pace, quickly distancing himself from the rest of the soldiers. Even though it seemed to be a rude way of behaving, especially after a battle when those soldiers risked their lives for him, when discussing military plans, there was no way Saulus would let anyone unnecessary hear about them.

Noticing his ally's intention, Bloy had no other choice but to follow after him. Only when the two of them reached a considerable distance away from anyone's ears did the two come to a stop.

Resting his back against one of the many trees in the area, Saulus remained silent for a moment.

"Why do you think they will attack in advance? They should have exactly the same reasons to hold back as we do right now. How are they going to feed their armies on the march without a stockpile of food stocks?"

Unable to handle the prolonged silence, Bloy asked. Taking the same position as Saulus, just against a different tree, he seemed to copy every single detail of the other man's posture while waiting for the answer.

"There is one thing we didn't consider. What if they are putting everything on the line? What if they are advancing even if it potentially means starving their army out, just because they hope to get food from our lands?"

Raising his head towards the skies, Saulus paused for a moment before suddenly looking down and spitting on the ground.

"I know it's far-fetched to be a real reason to worry, but I can't find any other explanation for their attack at the forest. It was just too desperate. It required too many resources, manpower and secrecy to go through. Unless we are fighting with an absolute idiot, then this is the only explanation I can come up with. Feel free to enlighten me if you find some other possibility."

Gnashing his teeth, Saulus closed his eyes in an attempt to calm down. With all the tiredness mounting on top of his injured back, it wasn't as easy for the general to keep his mind at its best. Maybe if he could just get some long-deserved sleep…

But knowing his own state, Saulus was perfectly aware that not even the most comfortable mattress would let him escape from the world of living for a moment. Even if he were to lie down on the softest material existing on the continent, Venna's words would continue to hound him through the night, preventing the young man from ever closing his eyes properly.

"I didn't mean it in that way. Aren't you the one who basically turned her into a queen from nothing? I just found it strange that she would lash out at you for something small like that. But what you said just now… I'm not gonna lie, brother. It's a worrisome perspective."

Shaking his head despite agreeing with what Saulus said, Bloy suddenly pushed his back against the tree, effectively making a few steps forward.

"The good thing is, the northern lands should start their harvest any day now. For now, all we need to do is to hold on to the frontline we have at the current moment. In fact, it would be for the best if we could just stay in the current stalemate for a year or two more. With all the subsidies from the north along with the profits from the trade and tax exemptions…"

Allowed freedom to think about the far-off future, Bloy had a dreamy look on his face. Seeing this, Saulus couldn't help but smirk a bit, showing any sort of emotion for the first time since Venna publicly scolded him.

"I doubt we will get such a luxury. Even though I really wish to be wrong here, we can't just put our hopes on it and pray to the firstborns for me to be wrong. I will be setting off for the frontlines tomorrow. When will you be able to gather your forces and bring them south?"

Following the example of his current brother in arms, Saulus moved away from the tree he was resting his back against before looking towards the far-away frontlines.

"All of them? Two weeks at the very least. The core units that you wanted to reinforce your legion? They could be on the frontlines within five days."

Hearing the response, Saulus closed his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he held it in his lungs for a long while before finally exhaling it away.

"Let's do it then."

That was all it took for the entire rebellion to decide on the course of the coming intensification of the war. Even though there were far more people in the royal council than just the two of them, excluding Venna, they were the only ones that actually had any real power.

"Funny, isn't it?"

Suddenly breaking the silence, Saulus surprisingly laughed out loud.

"What is funny?"

Startled by the sudden development, Bloy turned his head towards him.

"We just decided how the war will play out and where it will start… While basically taking a stroll in the forest. Isn't it hilarious how the actions that could change the face of the entire continent are decided in such a low-key manner?"