Mercy says "We are not threatening you, Alexa just doesn't know how to speak properly!"

Alexa looks ashamed and bows to Mercy and then apologizes to me. It seems Alexis is a lot like Alannis after all, but that makes sense since they are sisters. Although Alannis seems to be the more mature of the two, maybe because of her experiences.

Zamart says "Considering the gift you gave me, you don't need to worry. I would never allow them to attack you."

Mercy says "What?! What gift did he give you that would turn you against me?!"

Zamart says "Mercy, I would never turn against you! I mean I will prevent things from coming to conflict between you."

Mercy says "Oh, but still what gift could be so precious?"

Zamart says "He gave me five books from the ancient empire, and a primer to learn the language."

Mercy says "Ah, that is indeed priceless!"

Zamart says "He also gave me the robe of the ancient empire's archmage. If we are talking about monetary value it is worth more than the kingdom."

Mery, Alexa, and Ricken say "What?!?"

"It was just something I picked up along the way, not that big of a deal."

Zamart says "Maybe not to you, but to me it is an amazing thing."

Mercy says "Then why aren't you wearing it?"

Zamart says "To be honest I don't feel I am worthy of it."

Alexa says "That is ridiculous! You are the greatest mage in the nation!"

Mercy says "Worthy or not, it was given to you. If you don't wear it isn't that insulting Ash?"

Ricken says "I know it is not my place to speak, but Lord Zamart wouldn't the rebellion have already fallen without you?"

"You seem to be outnumbered, old man, you should probably surrender."

Zamart says "It would seem so, please excuse me for a moment."

Zamart gets up, gives a small bow to the princess, and leaves the tent. While he is gone Mercy, Alexa, and Ricken discuss the readiness of various units within the rebellion. When Zamart returns he is wearing the robe and everyone is stunned by the changes in him.

Mercy says "Zamart! What's this? You look twenty years younger!"

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Zamart says "What? I do??"

Alexa says "Yes, your hair is darker and your face is less wrinkled!"

Mercy says "Could the robe have some kind of rejuvenation effect?"

Zamart says "I suppose it is possible, I can't say for sure. The robe is beyond my capability to identify."

Mercy says "How can that be possible?"

Zamart says "This robe contains more magic than the castle did before I removed the enchantments. I could study it for a hundred years and not fully understand it."

Alexa says "Doesn't that mean it is an artifact?"

Zamart says "Yes, and probably the greatest artifact ever discovered."

At that statement everyone turns to look at me. Then Mercy politely demands the full story of how and where I got the robe. By the time I am done telling the story it is quite late and we all agree to end it there for the night.

The rebels provide us with a series of tents all nicely set up already for us. When I go to sleep I am alone, when I wake up I am in the middle of a cuddle pile again. If it's going to be like this I should just tell the rebels we only need one tent.

Once everyone is up and has eaten breakfast we all split up to go do our own things. I have told everyone to get to know people and see what the common troops think of the leaders. I want an accurate gauge of the morale of the soldiers and their loyalty to the rebellion.

Meanwhile, I go and spend most of the day helping sort through the girls I brought in. Figuring out who wants to go home and where that home is takes hours. All those who are from Illium are the easiest to get home.

They are sent through the gate as soon as they are all gathered, they may not be home right away but they are at least with their people. Maybe the rebels will even get some good will for having saved some of Illium's people. Either way I am just glad they can go home, I just hope their home is still there to accept them back.

The next group to go through will be those from the Free Union, but they will have to wait a bit. The Free Union's ambassador has been notified and will be arranging an escort for them. They will also be going home, it will just take a bit longer.

Out of all the women from within the kingdom, not one wants to try to return home. They are all joining the rebels, in one capacity or another. With all that sorted out I feel quite a bit less weight on my shoulders, their safety is no longer my responsibility.

It is with a lighter heart and step that I head towards Mercy's tent for our next meeting. We are going to talk over dinner again, it will be the same people as last night. Hopefully, we can get a bit more work about the battle done instead of all the side stuff from last night.

Once again after everyone is seated we eat dinner before discussing anything about the war. Alexa, Zamart, and Ricken look the same as yesterday, but Mercy seems different. She seems more relaxed, and she is wearing a dress, in fact she looks quite beautiful.

"Mercy, you look lovely this evening."

Mercy says "Thank you!" and blushes a little.

'She blushed? A princess should be used to compliments, why would she blush? Now I'm a little worried, I'll make sure not to compliment her again!'

"Um, so how goes the battle plan?"

Alexa says "Well enough, we will be ready even if they come early."

Mercy says "Yes, and we have modified our plans to account for the suicidal attacks."

"Good, sounds like everything is ready. Is there anything you need us to do?"

Mercy says "Not really, we have been preparing for this for a while now. Your group can just relax until the battle."

Guard says "Highness! Scout reporting!"

Mercy says "Send him in!"

Drog says "Master!"

Hawk says "Princess, Lord Ash was right, they will be here in two days!"

Alexa says "Two days is enough time, anything else to report?"

Hawk says "They number twelve thousand, and there is something off about them."

"Drog?"

Drog says "The two thousand are animated corpses. The entire army is under mental control."

"Well, that's going to be a problem. Anything else?"

Drog says "The hero leading the army is possessed by a rank five shadow demon."