Read Crowned By Fate :: An Artificial Authority

"Listen up, we have no time so I'll get straight to the point. Our escape route has been compromised."

As soon as Ryo finished announcing that their escape route had been compromised the face of each strategists face had changed, they who had an expression of impatience and anticipation about Ryo's decision now had the expression which conveyed a feeling of confusion and fear.

At an instant every strategist began to shout and ask what Ryo meant by that. Creating Chaos and disorder within the room.

"What?"

"That's not possible!"

"How?"

"Lord Lux this is not the time for jokes!"

'Joke? Was Lord Third this... bad? That's besides the point however, is this another thing they wanted? Chaos? But that can also just be easily stopped? Maybe I'm thinking too much.'

Sighing Ryo spoke.

"Quiet down, it's not a joke and knowing how it happened isn't going to change anything so now let us focus on what we should do next, it may not look like it right now but we have a slight advantage right now."

Not listening to a single word Ryo spoke, all the strategists yelled in unison, "What do you mean advantage, it's over! All because of you!"

"Will you shut up right now?"

[Absolute Authority Triggered!]

'Son of a bitch. So they wouldn't have listened to me if I didn't have that? This is why that test existed? Did they do this knowingly?'

At an instant every single person in the room had gone silent and begun to pay attention.

"Yes." They all said.

"Good, we have the advantage of the element of surprise right now, they have no idea that we know how they'll approach us."

"Then what do suggest we do?"

'Good, they're now listening. A plan. Hmm. Let's see, now they know about our escape route right now so they must think that we were trying to escape. Hmm.... can I use that to my advantage? Probably... but it's not enough. What if I divide things? Hmm. That does seem to be a good option.'

Ryo questioned, "Can you tell me how the environment looks around the area where they're travelling?"

"Yes! It seems to be a clear sky with an normal wind flow."

'Shit. It's not possible. Wait, no I think this will work. I forgot we have artifacts, I should use them all.'

"Right, first of all do we have any artifacts which work as vision obstruction?"

"We do."

"Good prepare those, then begin to destroy the escape path."

Everyone had a puzzled look on their faces waiting for Ryo to further explain the plan.

"I'll tell more details later."

"So get to it, Now!"

---

Ryo stood outside the camp with Ashen. Staring at the night sky, and enjoying the flow of the winds.

"Are you sure this plan will work?"

Ashen asked Ryo a question which he did not want to hear right now.

'Maybe it will. I don't know, however there is no need to tell him such a thing.'

"Yeah."

"Alright then."

'Hmm, I guess proving my identity did allow me to gain his trust, that's a good thing. Moving on, I need to confirm something else. I know he knows the answer to my question.'

Ryo spoke silently staring at Ashen, "Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"How much time till they arrive?"

With a slight smile and a hint of urgency Ashen spoke, "A day at best."

'I need to move my plans right away then.'

---

"General Kaits! We can rest at this spot!"

In front of the soldier's eyes stood a man with an average height. With a thin physique, wearing a military uniform. He had an unkempt appearance. His long white hair, scattered all over the place, his black eyes lifted slightly and stared at the soldier.

Kaits spoke, in a warm voice, "Yes, this seems good enough can you call Commander Caesar and General Weyr here?"