全城危机

"Ah yes, excellent, Your Majesty." Dubaza nodded in approval. In his mind, Alexander had risen up the food chain once more. Not back to a Demon Tiger though. He was too cunning and too sneaky by a huge margin to be a majestic Demon Tiger. A mongoose would fit him better.

King Biruz smiled his ferocious troll smile. The meeting was bearing fruits already. Poisoned meat! Why didn\'t he think of that?

Alexander laughed with glee and patted Dubaza on his back. "So you know what to do then, old man."

Dubaza frowned. "I do not understand, Your Majesty."

"I\'m sending you and the rest of the King\'s Guard to Zan. Secure their border against the beast tide and for my return. If all goes well I will be back in..."

"When will I be back Buccephalas?" Alexander asked Buccephalas quickly.

"Two months at the very minimum. Probably closer to six." Buccephalas replied.

"Eight months." Alexander finished.

"That would not be possible, Your Majesty. The job of the King\'s Guard is to ensure the safety of the King." Dubaza firmly refused Alexander.

"Excellent!" Alexander pointed at Biruz. "He\'s a King. Ensure his safety. I would be absolutely fine. I will be with Aleyria and her guards. You don\'t think you can do a better job in protecting me than Aleyria, do you?" Alexander lightly asked with a smile.

Dubaza looked at Alexander with a really troubled look. He was about to say something when a vast magical pressure erupted out of nowhere and pressed down heavily upon them. Caught by surprise, Alexander fell down to the ground with a yelp.

King Biruz and Gartroll merely gasped and struggled for a little bit before they straightened up and resisted the pressure.

A loud roar of shock and anger could be heard from the entire camp. Many trolls were caught by surprise and, like Alexander, were sent sprawling to the ground as well.

Dubaza immediately recognized the magical power that was pressing down so heavily on him. Gritting his teeth, he pointed his finger upwards and sent off a streak of lightning energy. It ripped through the tent and sizzled upwards into the sky.

At the next moment, the magical pressure lifted and Aleyria teleported directly into the tent.

She glanced at Dubaza and the two trolls in mild surprise, and then shifted her gaze to the black robed young man sprawled on the ground. She immediately went to him and helped him up.

"Hey." Aleyria said to Alexander.

"Hey yourself! What\'s with that magical pressure?" Alexander complained as he stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

"I needed to find your position. I figured Dubaza would immediately recognize my power and send a signal of some sort. Which he did very promptly. Well done Sir." Aleyria smiled warmly at Dubaza.

"I am at your service, Princess Aleyria." Dubaza bowed formally.

"How was the battle?" Alexander asked rather grumpily.

Aleyria remained silent and looked at Biruz and Gartroll with a cold, steely gaze, causing them both to stiffen in nervousness.

"Ah, right. Let me introduce you." Alexander pointed at Biruz. "This is King Biruz, the new King of Zan. King Biruz is also my subordinate and will rule Zan for me. King Biruz, meet Princess Aleyria."

Biruz nodded at Aleyria stiffly.

Aleyria\'s eyes widened slightly in surprise and then smiled radiantly at Alexander.

"Not bad." Aleyria said approvingly. "I thought I did pretty well, smashing an entire army of trolls into smithereeens. But here you are getting yourself an entire Kingdom. Well done, Your Majesty."

"So it was a successful defense. Was there another army sent to flank us from the south?" Alexander asked.

"Yes there was. The battalion you sent successfully defended against them as well. They didn\'t manage to wipe them out though, a large number of trolls dispersed and probably escaped back into the Valley of Valgorn."

"Just as I predicted." Alexander said with satisfaction at a job well done. "Did the Campaign Commander survive your defense?"

He glanced at Biruz who was showing an extremely interested expression.

"Gravely wounded, but alive."

"Hmmm. Keep him alive, but imprisoned." Alexander instructed. He then looked at Biruz and said, "Our arrangement remains."

"Dubaza will accompany you back to Zan and defend your border against the beast tide. Like I said, Dubaza, Aleyria is more than capable of keeping me safe. I need someone I can trust in Zan, and that is you." Alexander said firmly and fought down Dubaza\'s protest.

"Don\'t worry Dubaza, no harm shall fall on him." Aleyria said very simply.

"Then I shall obey my King\'s command." Dubaza bowed once more.

"Good. You have three tasks. One, solidify King Biruz\'s control over the throne. I leave the methods to achieve that fully in your hands. Two, protect King Biruz and keep him alive. Three, protect Zan and keep it intact. Are my instructions clear enough?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Dubaza replied.

"Alright, it\'s settled then. I\'ll see you at Zar\'Ator in approximately 8 months. Stay alive old man."

"I pray that you will too, Your Majesty."

"King Biruz, Dubaza represents me. His voice is my voice. So, although he would not interefere with your rule over Zan, he remains in charge. I hope you would be able to act accordingly." Alexander warned Biruz.

Biruz simply bowed in reply and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

*-*-*-*-*

Alexander and Aleyria teleported straight back to the Palace.

"Well, today was a pretty eventful day. You did very well defending against the main troll army." Alexander complimented Aleyria.

Aleyria smiled sweetly back and Alexander. "Thank you for your advice earlier this morning. Commanding soldiers during a battle really is extremely different from personal battles."

"Yes, it is." Alexander agreed. "That\'s why for a first timer, you did an extremely good job. Of course, being so overpowered like you certainly helped make your job easier."

Aleyria laughed.

"I am rather overpowered compared to trolls. However, against a dragon, the roles would be reversed. I would need to be in top condition."

"Yes, that\'s right. Take as much time as you need to recharge your powers. Would two days be enough?" Alexander asked.

"Hmm, yes it would be good. I\'ll go the Forest of Rin with my guards tomorrow to recharge. We should be ready to leave in two days." Aleyria said.

"Two days." Alexander nodded.

"Have a good meal and a good rest tonight. You deserved it. In fact, why don\'t you bring your guards to the King\'s Inn tonight? It\'s along the way to the Forest of Rin. I\'ll inform them to prepare a feast for you and you girls can eat and relax there."

Aleyria smiled at Alexander warmly and nodded in agreement. "That\'s a great idea. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Alexander."

"Hey, it\'s the least I can do for you after killing so many trolls. Alright, go! Shoo!" Alexander shooed Aleyria away.

Aleyria laughed out helplessly in surprise as a weird but pleasant feeling arose in her heart. It felt good having someone rushing her to take care of herself.. She gave Alexander one last glance and then quickly left.