Phantasia: The Princess Knight 192 Securing The Capital Part Two

After Alicia made sure all the Alastine soldiers were safe, she began to plan her next move. "We will go south first. That is where most of the knights, soldiers, and mages are. We will need the mages to begin working on barriers right away." 

"Plus having Dalton there to lead will help things as well." Blake knew how respected Dalton was among the knights and soldiers. 

"I will also need to make a trip back to Parith. So I can evacuate Dalton's family and the people there. "

"The Fourth Prince and Second Princess should be okay for a while. The wall we built was thick enough to hold off the Fernilia Kingdom with ease. Luckily they have no close ties with any other countries around them so we do not need to worry about them gaining reinforcements. So making a trip to Parith won't matter. If only these mirrors weren't strictly two way..." Blake pulled out the bronze mirror King Augustus gave him a few years back and sighed. He knew that Alicia's brother and sister had one as well for means of contact between them and King Augustus. 

"It's fine, they are both smart and they have Starla and Annelia with them. If anything those two will pull them back if needed. Let's go, we can not waste any more time. The dwarves seem to be regrouping." Alicia poked the air in front of her creating a rift. 

Blake quickly jumped through it followed by Alicia. Just as the rift disappeared a beam of light smashed into the ground where they were standing. One of the dwarves had noticed them and fired his weapon at them. The crater it left was a few meters deep and around ten meters in diameter. Which showed just how powerful dwarven technology was.

Alicia and Blake reappeared inside the command tent causing Dalton to fall out of his chair when he saw a crack in s.p.a.ce open up. But when he saw Alicia and Blake appear he quickly jumped off the ground and straightened himself up. 

"Sir Dalton, order all your soldiers, knights and mages to return here now. Also, send word to Burgec to bring his men here as well. Where is Princess Sola?" Alicia did not waste time giving orders and Dalton being as experienced as he was, did not hesitate to begin relaying her orders for them to return to base camp. He knew Alicia would explain soon.

"She is…" Dalton went to answer when a cat eared girl quickly walked into the tent.

"I am here Princess Alicia..." Princess Sola gave a small bow.

"From this moment on you will be in charge of Burgec and his men. I will have you all come with me as well." 

"Princess Alicia there are around ten thousand more Beastmen who we will need you to form a contract with." Princess Sola quickly stated.

Alicia's eyes opened wide and a smile formed on her face. The extra help was very much welcomed! "It seems you and Burgec were able to turn more of the Beastmen."

"Yes, many of the beastmen found this war to be unnatural. There was no instigation for this war. Not to mention the demonic plagues. Just using those things went against the pride of us beastmen. Those who did not wish to join in stopping the war turned back while those who wanted to help stayed here under Burgec's command." Princess Sola explained.

"Very well, have them all gather and I will make a contract with them as well. We are all falling back to the capital!" Alicia finally stated the reason for her recalling everyone.

"Alicia, you don't mean?" Dalton suddenly had a bad premonition.

"I will explain the details later, for now, gather everyone you have one hour. " Alicia did not want to get into a long explanation she still had places to go.

Quickly an hour pa.s.sed and Alicia made a contract with the newly gathered beastmen. In total there were around five hundred and twenty thousand knights and soldiers plus a little over one hundred mages. "I will be sending you all back to the capital. Unit leaders will take their units and secure the outer perimeter of the capital, Mages are to begin creating barriers around the capital." Alicia saw the mages' faces go pale and sighed: "I know it's a lot of work, but it has to be done. The barriers you place will help the survival of the Alastine kingdom."

"Dalton, you will be going to Parith with me to gather your family. Only bring a few sets of clothes. We won't have time for anything else. Once they are gathered I will send you to the capital at my estate. Your family can settle in there. But I need you to quickly go back and take command." Alicia decided it was best to just settle Dalton's family at her estate. It was not in use at this time anyway.

"No need for me to go to Parith, just take this seal and explain to my wife Ela, she will do as you order. Also, take this letter to Lord Dukan. He will do everything he can to help you." Dalton pulled out a letter from his pocket. It seemed that he had prepared ahead of time.

"Why do you.."

"I always prepare such things in times of war. This time I knew I was being put under your command so I made sure things were well prepared. My wife already has clothes and some personal items packed for this same reason. When there is war there is no telling what will happen. For this reason, it is always best to be prepared."

Alicia smiled. She had really underestimated Dalton's readiness. "Then we should not waste any more time. Everyone, form two lines! I will be sending you back to the capital. Dalton, settle the Beastmen in. They are not to be treated unjustly. If I find out there has been any discrimination of any kind I will deal with that person myself. And bring Princess Sola to my residents for the time being. I will settle her in later in the castle. Actually… Have my First Sister settle her in. She seemed like she wanted to help in some way when I sent her back to the capital."

Dalton knelt to the ground and lowered his head. He stabbed his sword into the ground next to him and said: "By your word, your Highness!" He then quickly got up and turned around. "Gather up! Form two lines we are heading back to the capital!"

***

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