The Princess and the remaining survivors took me to the Castle forest, the trip took 7 days, but I was unconscious during those days. Using an excessive amount of power made my body very tired and painful, not to mention that I used recreation magic twice in a single day.

But if i remember correctly, the Princess told me before that the Castle Forest is located not far away from here. Now that I think about it, the place where Rhaegal teleported me four years ago was on some unknown island and it's basically outside the Entros continent. I think it's better to see a map or something to make sure of it.

When I woke up I was in a very dark room, there isn't a single light that  shines into the room and I can hear sounds of magical chains that are restraining my freedom to move.

Several minutes pass by and my eyes were able to adjust in the dark, I began to look at my surroundings, a few meters in front of me, I saw  iron bars that surrounds the room and that alone, gives me a good idea about my situation.

"This time, I'm really in real prison..."

I was unconscious when they brought me here so I have no idea if i am currently located underground or some isolated prison of the Castle Forest. I haven't even had the chance to see what the main forest of the Elves looks like.

"I wonder if Kaya will come and visit me..." 

I'm pretty confident that she'll listen to me and won't forsake me.

"Arrgg!!" My wounds are getting more and more painful and I can't even use magic to ease the pain because these chains are restraining my power. 

What's going to happen to me now? What if Kaya fails to protect me? Then that means I have to escape from this place as soon as possible.... But I can't do that, I made a promise to Kaya, i don't want to betray her feelings. I want to at least promise her that even if I leave, I will always return to her side.

While I was thinking about what to do, I heard several footsteps coming to this room. When they reached in front of the iron bars they stopped and looked at me then began to whisper to each other, Some of them are holding their long staff and gentle light emits from the crystals that are attached to those staffs.

One of them stepped forward and kneel down to match my gaze.

"....So you are Flint Entros..." 

This guy has a big scar across his face, but what surprised me is the fact that they know who I am. Did Kaya tell them? No. i don't think she'll do something that will endanger me so it's probably Mau. 

He must've told them when he went to the Castle Forest before. Just when I thought that things couldn't get any worse..... Damn it!

"Regarding about Mau's body, we managed to find his arms and legs, but we didn't find the rest of his body.... Did his body completely disappeared when you used your dark magic against him?" 

There's no point in lying it will only give me disadvantages to prove them that i wasn't the one who initiated the battle. 

"..... Yes" 

They began to become noisy again after they heard my answer, some of them began to leak some killing intent towards me, for the first time in my life, I feel like i'm safer inside the prison.

"So he really did defeat Mau..."

"How could that be? He's one of our proud veterans and to be defeated by just a single human and what's more? He's way too young "

The man with a scarface closes his eyes and...

"Silence...!" His fellow elves around him  were taken aback and shut their mouth. He again turns his attention to me, but this time, I can notice that his expression is somewhat indignant.

"Are you the one who attacked him?"

"..No... He initiated the fight and I did the thing that any person would do in that kind of situation and that is to defend myself."

"I see...."

I feel this guy would be fair towards me... Unlike his subordinates who are still leaking out such bloodlust, it is really making me uncomfortable.

"Leave us for now.." The  guy with scarface seems like to notice my irritation and gave an order to his subordinate to leave, they didn't object his order, they bowed their heads to him and they left.

"My name is Connor... I am the General of the Elven Magic Swordsmen... I've worked together with Mau several times during the war several hundreds of years ago and he's gotta be the bravest man I ever saw. "

"I see..." I don't get the reason why this guy is telling me something  like this, but let's just go with the flow for now.... I don't want to piss him off so I'll be obedient.

"But he changed..... During the war, the sorcerer's unit where his wife was assigned has been attacked by the humans and the person who's leading them was the Emperor himself... Only very few people know what happened to his family, even his student the Princess doesn't know this."

"I see..." His words became heavier as he continues to speak and by that, I can already guess what happened to his family.

"His son and wife were killed by the Emperor.... He was also dying when we went to rescue them... But his eyes during those times were full of hatred... His hatred kept him alive."

That's why he hated me so much not because I am a human, but it's because I'm the son of the emperor... I thought his anger towards me has subsided in these past four years, but I was wrong. It was just a facade.

"In the eyes of the humans, the Emperor must be a hero, because of him their knowledge of magic was able to advance greatly. Thanks to that  the Human race are now one of the strongest race and they can live much longer than before. They were able to achieve those things by sacrificing other race.... By their heartless experiments.....In the eyes of the other race, the Emperor is an existence that brought destruction upon this world, until now we all that the only way to save our people is to defeat the emperor... But that's impossible."

Of course, I know that... I'm also against the emperor's way of doing things. Taking the future of another race for his own sake is very wrong but no person in existence can stop him.

"When Mau reported that you're the son of the Emperor, we were all shocked, but believe me, we all wanted you to die and the only thing that's keeping us from doing that is our own honor. The sin of the father is not the sin of the son. We are different from people like you, we live by our honor."

That's why no one has tried to take my life during those four years, even though some of them were showing clear hostility towards me, they didn't dare to make a move because their beliefs were holding them back.

And I just gave them a valid reason to kill me...

"I believe that you weren't the one who started the fight, you don't look stupid enough to start a fight in a foreign land... But it doesn't change the fact that you killed a lot of Elves and you will be punished by that."

He spoke those words while walking out, he went out to call his subordinates and after they came back, they cast several spells on me. My body began to feel more restraint and two of Connor's men took the magical chains that were attached to the ground. They began to pull the chains away and forcefully pulled me out of the prison, I almost choke when they suddenly do that because one the chains were Binding my neck while the other were binding my feet and hands.

"Let's go outside.. There's something i want to show you." Connor showed a cold expression and he leads the way outside.

Even though i feel the displeasure of what they just did, I walked behind them without saying anything.

When we reach outside, the bright light of the sun began to warm my skin, it feels nice to expose your body in the sun after a long time. We headed to a place full of tall trees, the trees are lined up with each other as if covering what's behind. 

Connor went to the nearby trees and chanted some spell, The trees began to move on its own  responding to Connors command, Their root was pulled out from the soil and the trees began to walk aside giving way to Connor and his subordinates.

"Treants...." I whispered those words to myself, it's my first time to encounter them. There are no Treants in the Elven village where I stayed for four years.

"Right now, you're in the outer part of Forest Castle and this is the way going to the inner part of the Castle Forest... I thought I would tell you something about the place where you are going to die so.... "

I remained silent even after hearing his words.. I have to find a way to meet the princess or escape.

We went inside and after walking for several minutes I saw something  very eye-catching in the sky. That's because there is a very large rock and on top of it was a very big castle on it, It has the appearance of the Winter Palace back on earth, but this one is way bigger and taller.  The majestic wall that surrounds it has a size of approximately 90 km². This one is invisible from the outside, You can't see anything floating in the sky if you're outside the probably because this entire place is protected by different kinds of barrier...

You can see smaller castles nearby though I called it small.... The main castle is just too big that makes the surrounding castle 'small'. 

So beautiful.... I can't help but be amazed by it. So that is what they Elves called Castle forest. I'm not an artist, but I'm pretty sure anyone would have their jaw dropped to the ground while looking at this enchanting and captivating castle.

It's like a city of very rich people.... I can't help but think that way since I never saw something like this before.

Connor began to chant magic without caring about me and a few seconds later a large magic circle appeared on the ground then he walk inside of the magic circle, we followed him after a while we began to float.... No this is different.... i feel like flying, but our body is gradually fading..... A transfer magic.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

We appeared in front of the big wall that surrounds the floating island and few meters ahead i saw a strange gate with some elven design carved on it.

The gates slowly opened as if welcoming Connor's arrival.

"Let's go, there is something I have to show you before you face the trial." 

When we entered the gate, A huge crowd appeared around us. Some are looking at me with pure curiosity, some are worried, some are looking at me with caution and some are gazing at me with hostility.

The people made a way for us to walk and while we're following Connor a group of soldiers appeared and whispered something to him.

"I see. Then let's go."

Connor began to walk quickly, his subordinates pulled the magical chains giving me a signal to walk faster, iI almost trip when they did that, but I managed to hold my balance.

These people are treating me like a dog.

A few minutes of walking and we finally reached our destination. It's some kind of a church or something, Connor lead the way in and what met my eyes were several coffins made by oak wood currently lined up in front while an Elf who looked like a priest is giving his blessing to those dead people, the coffins are not actually closed and beside them were people, which maybe their relatives. 

Those were the people that I accidentally killed....

"I see" I murmured quietly this guy wanted to show me this, probably he wants to see if I feel any remorse or regret.

By Connor's lead, we began to check them one by one....

The first coffin, there was a young man around the age of 17 lying inside, his lower body is nowhere to be found, but a lot of different kind of flowers was placed on where his lower body should be, there is a woman crying beside her, it must be her mother. I didn't make an eye contact with her because it would just hurt her feelings even more. The second coffin, there was a child lying in it, there are two people standing beside his coffin, the man is glaring at me with hate while the woman was looking blankly at her own child.

"This kid has a huge potential, he has a talent of controlling four elements... Such talent to be wasted just because of accident"

Connor whispered those words to me. I really don't get why he's showing this to me, but I have a good hunch that his fueling the rage of the people so it won't leave them a bad taste killing a young human as a punishment since these people care so much about their honor and pride, they don't want to kill an unarmed pitiful prisoner even though that man was the son of the emperor. So he's basically doing this so that the entire elves won't feel bad killing a young person if the people won't see any regret or remorse from me they would think that i killed like it's nothing even though it was done by accident.

Even though I want to act like i'm grieving... they'll notice that i'm just acting if they look at me in the eyes and that will enrage them more. 

In the end, I believe I deserved their anger.

Unfortunately, I killed a lot of people when I was still in the army and I'm already used to it that I don't feel anything at all.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Kaya,s POV

4 years ago.

He seems to struggle a little bit, but he is working  hard to control his mana. Selyn told me that this person thinks differently from the people of the empire though at first it was hard for me to believe it but as I began to know him, I began to understand what Selyn is trying to say. He doesn't look down upon my people, he's a prisoner yet he treat them with kindness, people look at him with hostility yet he looks at them with gentle eyes.

[What do you think of the Elves?]

"I think they're more disciplined than I thought."

[..Hm? Why so?]

"When i was brought here I thought that they would instantly beat me but they didn't. "

[Would humans do that?]

[Well.. That depends, but under some circumstances they would try to kill you during imprisonment to prevent you from leaking out information.]

[That's terrible...]

"The world is more terrible than you think."

✦✦✦✦✦✦

2 years ago

He managed to improve controlling a medium amount of his mana. He learned fast, He's so dedicated to control his mana. Why does he want to be strong? Does he want to fight someone? Is it because he's a prince? There's nothing wrong living a simple life, that way you can avoid big troubles. To be honest, I would never consider becoming physically strong if I wasn't the princess. Living simple and peaceful is still much better after all.

[Why are you trying so hard to be strong.]

He turned sideways to look at me.

"Why? So that I can live peacefully in the future."

Huh? You don't need to be strong to live peacefully? I can't understand him. Is it because we're different?

[What does it have to do by getting stronger?]

He smiled at me and walked closer to me. He then sat beside me.

"The strong always return home and the weak always perish. I need to be strong so that I won't perish...that was life has taught me."

[What life has taught you?]

He stayed silent after that.... I feel like this person is way above his age. He's really strange.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Several days ago.

Today is the day he will finish his training, during these past four years I learned a lot about him and both Nahla and I became attached to him, He always gives compliments to both of us whenever he had the chance, but strangely he won't say anything whenever Chief Mau is around. The Chief removed his guards a year ago probably because he saw Flint isn't really a bad guy. Lately, the Chief doesn't train me that much, he's been busy about something and always go to the Castle Forest reporting something, Is it about Flint? No, It's probably about my progress and I also ordered him not to tell anybody about Flint being a prince, I don't think he will go against my order.

Flint can only control half of his mana, I taught him everything that I know, but it wasn't enough for him to have a complete control of his, mana. His mana is originally wasn't his, to begin with, I can never imagine a human controlling a dragon's mana. He is still young so I hope someday he can have a complete control over it.

After his final training, I wanted to have a chat with him and talk different thing with him, we've been doing this a lot in these past years and I never got bored talking to flint, He's the only person aside from Selyn and Nahla who treated me without thinking about the difference of our status. A lot of people act very carefully whenever I'm around and when they talk to me they always use very respectful words to avoid offending me.

I feel like being surrounded by people wearing a mask hiding their real personality from me, but Flint didn't do that. He's been using his real personality whenever he's with me and I never felt that he tried to fake his feelings or personality even once towards me and for that, I am grateful to him.

But too bad he said he have something to do and want to go back immediately to the village..... It seems like i won't be able to chat with him today.

we went back to the village together and parted after we reached the place that i was staying... I wasn't able to have a fun talk with him today, but i'm pretty sure we will do it tomorrow. Oh... I wonder what would Nahla wants to eat tonight.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Later that night he went to our place, i was surprised to see him, he said before that he doesn't want to come here because people might start strange rumors about us, i don't really get it but i think he's worrying about me so i didn't pry on it further. We walk in the breezy night towards the  forest, I ignore the coldness touching our skin as the pale moonlight shines our way like guiding us.

My curiosity piqued me up and i asked him.

[So what's the thing that you want to talk about?]

"Before that there is something I want to ask."

[What is it?]

He stepped closer to me drawing my awareness in those gentle eyes of his. 

"4 years ago you told me that being a princess is sad and hard for you. Can you tell me why?"

✦✦✦✦✦✦

*Slap!*

I... I can't believe I just slapped him... but I did it on impulse because he suddenly said hurtful words, those words of him pierced my heart like arrows, but what hurts the most was he failed to understand me, those efforts that were not for my sake but for the sake of all those people who believe in me....... I thought he would understand my feelings... I can't believe he said those words. Maybe Selyn was expecting too much from this person.... Maybe I am expecting too much from him.

[How could you! Do you know how my father worked hard for his people? In the first place we suffered because humans invaded our lands and took our people!]

"I don't have a single idea about that, but he lost because just like you, he didn't rely on anyone, he took the burden all by himself."

He moved closer again to me, but i stood my ground to show him that my determination won't stumble.

"Did he even ask anyone what's the best thing to do in those hard times? Probably not. Did he ask anyone for a better plan to save his people? Probably not and you know why i can say this? because you were raised the way he did. You think people should just rely on you and you can't rely on anyone."

I realized.... I realized the things that he's trying to say. My father told me that we should be the rock that our people can rely on, a rock where our people can stand proudly, but did we ever consider their feelings about it? Did we ask if it's okay to take responsibility for everything? Probably deep inside they feel useless..... Useless because they were not able to help my father to make a better decision, all this time my father decides on everything, he won't even listen to his closest subjects because he doesn't want them to take the blame when he fails.

[But...]

"No buts! It's true that people rely on their leader, but the leader must also rely on his people. He must use the intelligence of the people around him. They must all take the burden together to overcome the  challenges that they face."

That's why my father lost.... and a lot of our people has killed and enslaved by the humans, but no one blamed him because they know he is the one suffering the most.

He raised me to be like him.... but if i don't listen to Flint's words then i'm just going to repeat my father's mistakes..... my young brother is still too young to lead the elven kin, i don't want him to feel the sadness alone, i want him to rely on everyone.....

I must learn from my father's mistakes.... Flint said those harsh words to me but at the same time he was able to open my heart. I wonder if it's okay to rely on him from now on.

He suddenly holds both of my shoulders and looking closely at me...

"Tell me, will you follow the same mistakes of your ancestors or will you choose a different and more effective way to lead them"

[I....I'm....]

"I know you'll choose the right choice... You're more intelligent that what you think. You are a very kind person, who always think what's best for her own people."

My tears won't stop flowing..... why... even though i don't want anyone to see my weak side.... why am i letting him see it... the beatings of my heart became faster, i can feel my nervousness spilling up inside me.

"Princess, I want you to know that you can rely on me, I'll always be there to support you in your darkest times and when you are falling down, I will be always there to catch you... Always. "

Eh? What did he just said?..... So it's okay to rely on him?.... He said he'll always be there to support me even in the hardest time of my life...... Little by little i began to realize the meaning of his words...

Did he just say that he wants to be with me forever? How can i....

While i'm in deep thought he slowly hugged my body, I unconsciously entrust my body to him, his body feels real nice, he's holding me tightly and the heat from our body wrapped both of us and cold wind that was crawling in our skin is no longer there.

"From now on... In all the days of my life, I would always be here when you need someone to rely on."

Yeah, I think if it's him...It would be alright... If it's Flint it's then i would love to stay with him.

[That's just like a proposal..] 

i'm feeling a lot of different emotions right now, but i still managed to tease him, to show that i'm alright.

"Princess Kaya... I'll ask again would you rely on me?"

My heart is slowly getting charmed by his eyes, of course, i didn't let him notice it, I don't want him to think i'm beginning t have feelings for him.

[Yes! From now on and forever please take care of me.]

He gently caresses my hair and slowly put his hand on my cheek, His face draws closer to mine, we can feel both of our breath under the sacred moonlight.

"Princess, then this will be our vow."

✦✦✦✦✦✦

He then kisses me... I feel like my mind is going to explode, I'm currently having a lot of different feelings and i'm confused what to do... I tried to struggle, but it's useless... after a few seconds, he separated his lips from me.

[....] I have no idea what to say right now, we just kissed and my body feels so light, but my feet are losing its strength and just when i thought it was over he brought his lips again unto mine.

But this time, it's different.... I can feel his mana flowing inside of me.... he hugged me tightly while kissing. My body instinctively tried to struggle be he hugged me tighter than usual. His mana is like invading my body, i let my body rest on his and we kissed for another several minutes.

After several minutes, he finally separates his lips from mine.

"I'm sorry you have to endure that." I scratched my cheeks while looking away from him. He avoids his gaze from me while saying with a wry smile.

"I..... i....Wh....."

What's this? For some reason, i was able to utter some words...... Flint's holds my cheeks once again and tried to help me.

"Yes.. That's right taking it slowly is much better, don't suddenly force it."

Could it be the reason he kissed me was because he wants to give me a voice using his power? He went so far to this thing for me... I can see that his quite exhausted, he must've used a lot of mana during the process. Having my own voice will dramatically change my life in a better way.... This way i can become a better leader for everyone until my little brother grows up... I think he would get along with Flint, he will surely learn a lot from him.

"Flint!"

I shouted his name with excitement and jumped to his embrace.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

I went back to the village without Flint, I want to go back together with him, but he said he had something to talk about Rhaegal, I insist on waiting for him, but it seems like Rhaegal won't talks to him unless they're alone thus i went back to village alone, i'm excited to show Nahla that i can finally speak thanks to Flint.

I quickly went back to our place and saw Nahla currently lying on the ground face down.

"Uhm... Nahla What happened"

Without raising her face, she started to speak.

"The Princess left me all alone.... and she's still not back and i'm dying here because we don't have any food left."

"But you can just go out and get some food in the forest."

"Naaa~~ I was supposed to do that but i fell down because i no longer have any energy left. Eeeeeeeh!?" She slowly brought her face up while talking and was surprised to see me.

"Princess! Are you the one who was talking!?" I'm the only person in front her so naturally she would ask that kind of question.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

I smiled at her and gives my answer.

"Yes!" Her eyes widened in shock, then she began to fly around me cheerfully... i thought she doesn't have any energy left?

"But how!? We tried everything before and nothing ever worked, tell me! Tell meee~" 

She holds my hands and she shook it with excitement, Nahla is really happy that i can now speak.

"Flint helped me... He's amazing right?"

She then tilted her head and she realized the reason he came here tonight.

"Flint? Oh! I see... so that's why! I know he's really amazing, so tell me how did he do it.."

"Ehh?" My face began to feel hotter and my i avoid my gaze from Nahla.

"Hmmm...... That's a suspicious reaction... Hey! Tell me what did he do to youuuuu~" She clings to me and presses me for my answer i don't really know what to tell her.... It's very embarrassing to say what i just did with Flint.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

After several minutes of trying to dodge Nahla's question, She finally decided to settle down and we both went out to take some food. I didn't tell the entire village that i can now finally speak, i want to wait for Chief Mau before telling it to everyone.

"Hey Princess, Would you like these apples? Or you want some Watermelons, i also found some Star fruits" Nahla is flying beside me while holding a big basket.

"Anything is fine, Oh is it heavy? Do you want me to hold some of those?" 

"No, it's okay. More importantly, Flint is taking a lot of time."

"Yeah... I wonder what if he is still talking to Rhaegal."

While thinking of that, we both heard a faint noise coming from the forest. That faint noise gradually became stronger and we see a very big black mass bigger than some of the small trees devouring everything in its path. Everything is getting devoured by it, tree houses completely disappeared and we began to hear the screams of agony and cry of fear around us, due to my shock i wasn't able to move quickly while the dark magic is getting closer and closer.

"Princess!"

Just before it hits us Nahla pushed me with all her might, she also moved quickly away from the path of that dark magic but she was a second too late. Her wings were grazed by that dark magic and devoured everything on her back. Nahla fell down and began to vomit some blood and went to heal her while the dark magic continued to move to its own path like it's nothing, but before it goes away, suddenly it explodes and i was thrown away while holding Nahla in my arms and lost my consciousness for several minutes.

When I woke up, I was devasted from what I saw... People carrying their dead family. People sobbing and people looking at towards the sky with empty eyes.

"Ughh..." I heard some moan beside me and when i look at it i saw Nahla moaning in agony. 

"Nahla!" 

I immediately began to cast my magic to her but strangely it works very slowly... is it because of the dark magic? Does it have the property to slow down healing magic? 

I keep pouring her my own mana, but the progress is very slow.... There is lingering dark mana on her wounds that is preventing me from completely healing her.

"Nahla! Hang on..." Tears began to flow from my eyes... at this rate she would definitely....

"Kaya! Nahla!"

"Flint..."

But then he appeared, He had wounds all over her body and he looks very exhausted, i wonder what happened?. He immediately cast some magic on Nahla and her wounds began to fade and her wings began to grow back, all the wounds on her body disappeared like nothing happened. She is still unconscious but i believe she's already out of danger. 

I looked at Flint and before i went closer to him, someone suddenly threw a stone at him. 

"This all you fault!" 

The survivors began to surround us.

"It was you! Who released that dark power and devoured everything...You came here to kill us all.."

Flint looks very confused he held his head like thinking so hard about something.... 

"Princess! we must kill him now!"

"He killed my son! We must bring punishment to him."

"No...I...." Flint looks very confuse and can't even say something.

The people want me to do something but......I don't think Flint wished for this to happen, but if i don't do anything the villagers would kill him and i can't let that happen, I don't want Flint to suffer, but this would be better than him dying.

I manifested my harp and cast magic chains to bind his movement. The chains pinned him down and he looked at me with a surprised expression, It really hurts for me to do this to him, but by doing this i can also protect him from the villagers.

"I'm sorry Flint... I believe in you... But i must do this or else they'll kill you.."

And he lost his consciousness after I said those words.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

In the base of the Royal Navy located in the Southern-west part of the Empire, a man in his 90's but still look like a person around his 30's thanks to the massive advance of Human magic, a man named Admiral Vern is currently talking to someone who came from the Empire.

"What did you just say?" The Admiral ask again to assure he heard it correctly.

"I said mobilized your entire fleet." A young man around his twenties answered.

"No, after that.."

"We are going to invade Castle Forest of the Elves and by the help of Elven slaves we can enter their barrier and we won't get lost in their territory"

"But... The Castle Forest is the main territory of the Elves... and you're telling us to launch an attack into the heart of their territory?"

"Is there a problem with that Admiral?" The young man asks him with a serious expression.

"There is! The Beastkin of the Stilk Forest and the Orcs of the Wasteland won't stay silent! We might also attract the attention of the Demon race." 

The young man took something out from his breast pocket and bring out a certain letter, the Emperor's seal can be seen on it, meaning it's a letter directly came from the emperor. The Admiral nervously opens the letter to read it.

"This...." 

The letter contains an order to mobilize his entire fleet under the command of the young man.

After a few moments, the Admiral Vern sigh in resignation.

"Prince Kyle, If it's the order from the Emperor then we will follow it without falter." The admiral reassures the prince with a voice of determination.

"Good..."

The young prince Kyle was one of the many that was ordered by the Emperor to find his little brother, He knows the truth behind everything, that Flint stole something from the Emperor and the Emperor promised him a higher position among his siblings that will give him a better advantage to win the throne if he managed to take his little brother back. It doesn't matter if he's alive or dead just bring his body back. That was the order of the Emperor, actually, the Emperor wants him either dead or alive, but he didn't directly said that to Kyle.

Kyle also knows about the Fake information that the Emperor announce to its people, about the death of the youngest prince because he was messing up with the magical items, it was all a lie. If the entire continent will know about the real events then other race will also know it and will try to find Flint as well and they might use his power against the Empire. The Empire doesn't want anyone to have the power to go against them, after all, they made great efforts to fabricate history and feed lies to their own people to make sure that they won't go against them. 

There are a lot of mass massacres happened in the history that was initiated by the Empire, they killed everyone they suspect that would go against them, but they all managed to cover up those events by fabricating stories and a lot of propaganda campaign. 

Sadly, only very few humans know about the real history of their beloved Empire.

"Then do you have any plan, if other races suddenly interfere?" Admiral Vern asks him in a worry.

"Admiral, it's true that you are now under my command, but you have more experience than me in the sea so I would like you to handle that matter. I will give command to your brave soldiers once they reached the Elven territory."

"Yes, My Prince.. if you don't mind can I ask you one more question?"

"What is it?" 

Prince Kyle was about to go out, but he looked back to the Admiral.

"Why does the Emperor wants to invade the Elven territory? If it's about of slaves, we have plenty of Elven slave around the continent and we can also to enslave fresh Elves living in a different forest, that's i don't understand why do we have to attack their main territory."

After hearing his question, Prince Kyle immediately answered the admiral.

"It's not in your position to question the Emperor or the people close to him. Just do your what they ordered to you and your family and the empire will be proud of you."

"I understand." The Admiral bowed his head as an apology and then the Prince went out of admiral office.

(They want me to go to war without knowing the reason? The hell!) 

The Admiral secretly though to himself.

"But I don't think my fleet alone is enough to invade the Elven forest...." The admiral mumbled those words.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

After Prince Kyle went out from the admirals office he immediately heads to the room of the Empire mages that came with him in this place.

*Knock* *Knock*

The door was slightly opened and a man glanced from the door and when he saw that it was the prince he opened it widely.

"Welcome back prince." One of the mages greeted him.

There is a magic circle embedded on the floor and a map made of reddish magic is floating on top of it, there are currently three mages that surround the magic circle. 

"So did you confirmed it?" Prince Kyle asked one of the mages.

"Yes, four years ago we detected a massive flow of dark mana in that place, It's probably the effect of teleportation when Rhaegal teleported the youngest Prince away from the empire and just several days ago we again detected a massive dark mana explosion in the same place, so that means, this time, we're very sure, it's the prince."

Four years ago when the mages detected the dark in the Elven island, they were reluctant to send somebody to confirm it because the Castle forest of the Elves is also located not far away from that place and teleporting from the empire to that place is almost impossible to even for Rhaegal so they assumed that the dragon is just trying to mislead them. It's also risky to send somebody there with uncertain information, but several days ago the mages that accompanying Kyle in his search detected the dark mana once again in that island so Kyle reported this matter to  the Emperor and the Emperor gave his order to prepare an attack on the island.

"I see, It would take several days for us to go there so use that time to prepare yourselves. "

"Yes, my prince" The three mages gave their respect to Prince Kyle and return to what they were doing.

✦✦✦✦✦✦ 

Kaya's Pov

After I brought Flint to the Castle Forest, we were immediately brought to my father to report all the things that happened, at first he was surprised to see that I can speak but he soon understands after explaining it to him though i said it was all thanks to Flint, i tried to defend him as possible as i can, but It's still impossible to hide the fact that he accidently killed some of the villagers and i heard about the fight between Flint and Chief Mau... According to the report of the people who interrogated Flint, the chief suddenly attacked him and that caused Flint to go on a rampage and killed him.

I also heard about the Chief past and his hate towards the Emperor... so the reason why he did that is already clear to me... Normally Flint won't blame for it, but he killed some villagers and he is also the son of the emperor. 

The Justice court will decide his fate. I begged my father to avoid giving him the punishment of death and my father said that he'll do the best that he can, somehow that doesn't reassure me. 

They prevented me from visiting Flint, saying that he's dangerous and might try to attack me,  Flint would never do that, I know him more than anyone else in this castle. I tried to sneak and visit him, but I was caught every single time, even Nahla isn't even allowed to visit him. There was also a fuss about giving him a death penalty, but I trust my father, I know that he won't disappoint me.

I'm currently in my room together with Nahla, we are both making a plan to use my influence as a princess to save him. 

"Do you think Flint would be alright" 

Nahla asked me in a worry, there are tears currently accumulating on her eyes, but she's doing her best not to cry, she just woke up yesterday and after i told her everything, she became so worried about Flint. Even though it was because of him that Nahla was injured, Nahla didn't blame Flint for it because she knows that he never intended to hurt her.

"He will, trust me. I brought him here so that i can use my title as a princess to save him. "

"Yeah.." Her voice is still sad, I can understand her feelings so I must cheer her up.

"Hey, Nahla. Flint would be sad if you keep making a sad face. So you should cheer up and we'll both find a way to save him.

"Y-yes! Let's find a way to save him!" Understanding my words, she slapped her cheeks and began to smile.

Then someone opened the door without knocking.

"Big sister!"

"Wendell!" 

My brother Wendell came inside and greeted me, he is around at the age of 15, he has a very cheerful personality and everyone in the castle always shows a gentle smile whenever Wendell come and talk to them, Unlike me, He easily open up his self to other people. He still didn't receive the harsh lessons for a prince so for now, it's okay for him to act like that.

"It's been too long, big sister! Nahla" He gave me a big smile and held my hands.

"Have you been doing well?"

"Of course! I would become a splendid prince for our race. Anyway did you know that General Harlan is my personal trainer? He is so strict, but I learned a lot of things from him."

"Oh? So were able to convince General Harlan to teach you?" 

Nahla intervened while tilting her head

"Yes, at first he didn't like it but i was able to convince him after asking him every day."

"Hehe, it seems like you annoyed him everyday that's why he agreed."

"Haha.. Well, you can say it that way by the way i heard about the human you brought is it true that he was the one who gave your voice and is it also true that he was able to defeat Chief Mau."

I hesitated at first, but I don't see any point in lying to my little brother so I answered honestly

"....Yes"

"So he must be a strong person huh..... I wanna meet him ahahaha!"

Nahla and i looked at each other, we both had the same idea on our mind. I hold my brother's shoulder tightly and looked at him seriously.

"Ouch! What wrong?" he was a little bit surprised but quickly asked us.

"We have a favor to ask you, Wendell!"

"Huh?"

✦✦✦✦✦✦ 

After Connor brought from that place i finally sigh in relief, i feel like those people were gonna kill at any moment, it was a good thing that Connor decided to leave.

"Do you feel any regret now?" He stopped walking and asked me.

"Even if you say that.... I regret that I accidentally killed those people, but it's hard for me to regret killing Chief Mau, He tried to kill me so I think what I did was the right thing."

"I see... That doesn't matter we only need to make the people angrier at you so that they would approve your death." He then resumed walking, Where are we going next i wonder? 

"Hm?" Connor stopped his steps once again, he seems to be staring at someone and when i looked at the person he's staring at, it was a young man running towards us and looking at me excitedly.

"Hey General Connor, how are you? Haaaaa... Haaaa..." 

He gave his greetings to the General while panting.  The General and his subordinate bowed their head towards that young man.

Is he an important person, I wonder? The General  also bowed his head to him so that means his position is higher than Connor?

"Thank you for your concern, we're doing fine young prince." Connor raised his head and gave his response to the prince.

Eh? Prince? So that means he's Kaya's younger brother.....I see. But what the hell is he doing here? The Prince turned his attention to me while smiling at me.

"You! hahaha! I need to talk to you! General Connor, I want you to stay a few meters away from us."

Then Connor tried to disagree with the prince.

"But Prince it's dangerous and you're not allo-"

"Only My sister and Nahla are the people who are not allowed to talk to him so that means i'm allowed right? And it's not like he can do anything in his current condition."

I see that explains why both of them didn't visit me because they were not allowed to.

"But-"

"No buuuuts. It would only take a minute." 

The General sighed in resignation  and followed the order of his prince.

"...Fine But make sure to hold onto these chains, His body would burn if you accidentally released your hands from it without binding it unto the ground."

What!? So I would burn if they release their hands from it. Probably it's a precaution if try to escape.... They really thought about this, this means i can't escape as long as i'm bound by these chains.

Connor and his men walked a few meters away from us and the prince began to open his mouth.

"Hey! So you're Flint huh... I heard from my sister that you are an amazing person and just by looking at these many chains bound on you, i can now understand."

".... I-i see... So what do you want."

"My Sister want me to pass a message, oops! before that let me introduce myself. My name is Wendell the Prince of the Elves"

"....My name is Flint.....Flint Entros." They already know that i'm the son of the Emperor so there is no need to hide it. I can't believe the prince of both enemies is facing each other.

"Haha! There is no need to be on guard, I'm not going to do anything."

"Yes.."

I just noticed, but this guy laughs a lot! He seems a very cheerful person, a person that look like he doesn't have any problem. Well, it's helpful for me to meet someone like him because people on this place are glaring at me with hostility especially Connors subordinate.

"Uhmm.. about your sister's message?" 

"Ahh yeah! She said that don't do anything rash because she will save you and you just have to wait!"

I see, I guess she's worried about me. If I suddenly start resisting these guys they won't have a second thought on killing me. For now, it's safe to do nothing and wait for Kaya's progress.

"I understand, Then I also want to pass a message to her."

"Sure"

"Tell her that I would be fine and if helping me is dragging her title as a princess to go down, then she must stop."

The Elves won't like it if the princess is sympathizing with a criminal and it will make them question her position as a princess. I don't want to cause her some problems. I believe i would be able to find a way to escape even without her help.

"I don't think she would agree to that." In my surprise, his brother disagreed to me.

"W-what"

"She looks very determine to help you. I've never seen her like that, her eyes were burning with determination, oh, by the way, she said that i would be your messenger from now on, can you imagine that a prince as a messenger hahaha!" 

This guy actually has a point, After all, that happened I don't think Kaya would just listen to me, but it's a good thing to have a messenger because i would be able to monitor her progress that way.

"Then tell her that I'm fine and take care of herself." I'll just pass a simple message for now.

"I will." He then tapped my shoulders and looked at me.

"Okay, Now tell me how you defeated Chief Mau."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You defeated him right? Based from what I heard, it was the Chief's fault but that guy is a really strong veteran and you were able to defeat him. So what's the secret?"

"Secret?"

"You must have used some secret power right? I heard that you have a unique kind of mana... Did you defeat him by those power?" 

His eyes are sparkling while looking at me, Is this guy really Kaya's brother? Ughhh. They have a very different attitude.

"It was very vague when I defeated him because i was very exhausted during the fight."

"Oh! So you defeated him while exhausted? That's amazing! Hey did you use some kind of fighting style to defeat him?"

Annoying! Where's Connor? Come here already and take me away from this guy!

"*Sigh* yes use a different kind of fighting style to defeat him and I think it's now time for you to go back because Connor looks like he can't wait any longer."

He looked back at the general who's intently looking at us.

"Yeah.. See you later, because i would talk to you more about the fight against the Chief."

Later? That means i'm gonna see this guy later again? 

"Please just come when Kaya has a message for me."

 "Don't worry I would see you every day so you won't feel sad!"

He said those words while running back to where he came from. Seriously, what is wrong with that guy.

"What did you talk about?" 

Connor came to press some answers from me.

"Are you going to torture me if i won't say it?"

He narrowed his eyes at me and opened his mouth.

"We're different from humans."

"I see, then I won't say anything."

He looks pissed, but well, he said they're different so they're not gonna torture me. 

✦✦✦✦✦✦ 

A day after.

Admiral Vern and Prince Kyle is currently looking at their forces gathered in front of them. There are around 80,000 Empire soldiers that are serving in the navy and those people are standing proudly in front of them, every single one has a strong body and their armor shines brilliantly that will make anyone think that the empire is really taking a good care of their soldiers, everyone has an enchanted spear that can pierce even into the hardest rock, enchanted swords that can slash through the water and enchanted bows that are guided by the wind. All of them has the perfect weapons to defeat their enemy.

The admiral decided to talk first.

"You understand now, right? This isn't enough." 

"Yes. We can't take our chances when invading the main territory of the elves. So what do you suggest?"

"Hmm... How about asking the royal slave hunters, with our combine forces, it's not impossible to attack different sides at the same time, it would confuse the Elves and will be forced to separate their unit into two."

"But, that means also splitting our forces into a half. "

The admiral took out his thick cigar and he lights it up.

"The other force would only divert their attention and buy us time, our main force would invade them unto the Castle Forest, Are you sure the Elves that are we gonna use won't betray us?"

"I see, that's a good idea and about the slave Elves, there nothing to worry about them, we held their families as a hostage so they won't surely betray us."

".....Yeah, that's good, Do you plan to take the Elven king's head?"

"Huh?" The prince tilted his head in confusion?

"If you take back the head of the Elven King then that would lower the moral of the other race especially the Beastkin and the Orcs and they won't resist that much knowing that one their strongest leader is no longer there to protect them and i'm pretty sure you would win the position to throne when that happens."

I see, I was so focused on finding Flint and didn't think about that, so if i brought back the body of Flint and the Head of the Elven King, Then surely The Emperor will recognize me as his heir and my other siblings would have to serve under me.

Prince Kyle is showing a poker face, but deep inside he is actually grinning.

"Oh? I heard the Elven princess is beautiful, maybe I should also take her as my price."

The Admiral is still sipping his cigar while listening to Prince Kyle.

"You can do whatever you want after we defeated them but for now we should talk to the commander of the Royal slave hunters."

Then prince Kyle cheerfully began to walk.

"Then let's go, We should invade as quickly as possible, the Emperor is already eager for the result."

★★★★★

Sorry for the delay guys