Free Web NovelChapter 196: Chapter Hundred And Ninety Five
The canvas walls of the main command tent blocked out the cool evening wind, but the air inside was thick and hot. A large wooden table stood in the center of the space. On top of the table was a massive map of the Kingdom of Daril. Small wooden blocks of different colors were placed along the borders, representing the positions of the army.
Damon stood at the head of the table. Four of his top generals stood around the table. They wore their armor, and their faces were tense. They had been waiting for the General to return from his meeting at the royal palace.
Damon placed his hands flat on the edge of the table. He looked at each of his men.
"I have just returned from the palace," Damon began. His deep voice was calm, but it carried a heavy weight. "The King summoned us because there is a severe threat to our kingdom."
The generals shifted their weight, their armor making soft metallic sounds. One of them, an older man with a gray beard, leaned forward.
"Is it a rebellion, General?" the older man asked. "Or is the enemy across the sea planning to attack?"
"It is worse," Damon replied. He reached out and touched a wooden block on the northern border. "A royal patrol caught a spy near the northern ridge. He was carrying a strange, new weapon. It is made of polished wood and iron. It has a long, hollow pipe."
Damon looked at the map, his mind remembering the strange object the King had unrolled on the table.
"The King showed us the weapon," Damon continued. "It does not use arrows or steel blades. It uses a strange black powder and a small metal ball. When you pull a small lever, the powder explodes. It creates a bright flash of fire and a loud sound like a lightning strike. The force of the explosion shoots the metal ball out of the pipe at a terrifying speed."
The generals gasped in surprise. They looked at each other with wide, confused eyes.
"An explosion?" one of the younger generals asked. "How can a metal ball compete with our steel swords?"
"It does not just compete," Damon said. His voice was cold and flat. "It destroys. The metal ball punched a clean, perfect hole right through Captain Darius’s steel breastplate from a distance. The physicians could do nothing to save him. The force of the ball shattered his bones into a dozen tiny pieces. It dragged his dirty uniform deep into his chest, and his blood turned black with poison from the powder."
The generals became completely silent. The seriousness of the situation settled over them like a cold blanket. They were seasoned soldiers. They knew that if an enemy army had hundreds of these weapons, their steel armor, their trained horses, and their strong shields would be completely useless. The entire way they fought wars would change.
"This is indeed a grave threat," the gray-bearded general said. He looked deeply worried. "What are the King’s orders?" freēwebnovel.com
"The King has ordered a complete lockdown of the Kingdom," Damon explained. He pointed his finger at the borders on the map. "We must secure every single gate and path immediately."
Damon began to assign their specific duties. He looked at the younger general on his left.
"General Cole," Damon commanded. "You will take your division to the northern ridge. I want the guards on the watchtowers increased by tenfold. Place extra archers on the platforms. No one is to enter or exit through the north without a stamped royal pass."
"Yes, General," Cole replied, bowing his head quickly.
Damon turned his gaze to another officer.
"General Ian, you will handle the northern pass. I want your men checking every single merchant wagon and peasant cart. Search the hay, search the wooden barrels, and search the boxes. If anyone is carrying strange black powder or metal pipes, arrest them immediately." freewebnovёl.ƈom
"It will be done, My Lord," Ian said.
Damon spent the next hour detailing the patrol schedules, the royal passes, and the security measures. He made sure every general understood their instructions perfectly. He did not want a single mistake. The safety of the kingdom depended on their strict discipline.
"And remember," Damon warned them, his eyes narrowing. "Do not let this information slip out to the soldiers or the public. The King wants to avoid panic. If the common people find out their steel armor is useless against a metal pipe, there will be absolute chaos in the streets. Keep this a strict royal secret."
"Yes, General," they replied in unison.
Damon nodded. "The meeting is adjourned. Go and prepare your men."
The generals bowed deeply, turned around, and walked quickly out of the command tent, their heavy boots thudding against the dirt.
Damon walked out of the meeting tent. The evening air was cool and crisp. The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of orange and dark purple.
He walked with long, steady strides through the busy camp, heading toward his private sleeping tent. Soldiers saluted as he passed, but he did not look at them. His mind was full of thoughts about the strange weapon and the dead spy.
He pushed the canvas flap of his tent aside and stepped inside. The space was dark and quiet. A single oil lamp sat on his wooden desk, unlit.
Damon walked over to the desk. He reached down and unbuckled his sword belt, placing the weapon carefully on the wood. He slowly pulled off his leather riding gloves, crease by crease, and dropped them next to the sword. Then, he unbuttoned his military coat, removed it, and draped it over a wooden stand.
Knock, knock.
A soft knocking sound came from the tent entrance.
"Enter," Damon said, not turning around.
Kade pushed the canvas aside and stepped into the tent. He closed the flap behind him. The young aide looked tired, and his boots were covered in road dust.
"My Lord," Kade said, bowing his head respectfully.
Damon turned to face him. He looked at his loyal aide’s face, searching for any good news.
"Report," Damon said simply.
Kade let out a small, tired sigh. He looked down at his own hands.
"We searched the entire capital, My Lord," Kade explained. "We checked the passenger lists of every carriage that entered the gates. We bribed the informants in the lower city taverns, and we even searched the tax records for any man named Winston. But... we couldn’t find any lead on the Winston that is close to the lady."
Kade looked very stressed. He knew how angry the General could get when an order was not fulfilled.
"It is as if the man does not exist," Kade added quietly. "We found many peasants and merchants named Winston, but none of them have ever had any contact with Lady Camilla or the Benson estate."
Damon raised his right hand. He pinched the bridge of his nose tightly between his thumb and forefinger. He closed his eyes and exhaled a very long breath of deep frustration.
"Winston," Damon thought to himself. His jaw tightened with a fresh wave of burning jealousy. "How can a man simply disappear? She whispered his name so sweetly in her sleep. She cried for him. She said she was completely lost without him. He must be a real person. He must be hiding somewhere in the capital, waiting for her to run away to him."
Damon dropped his hand from his face. He forced his expression to remain cold and hard. He did not want Kade to see how much this mysterious name was tormenting him.
"Stop the search for now," Damon ordered flatly. "If he is hiding, he will eventually make a mistake. We will find him later."
