The Final Battle Ends

Victor gripped Alex's hand tightly. "What happened? Why did the army suddenly collapse? And Count Colt... no, where is my uncle now?"

Grief surged through Alex, but his tears seemed caught in his throat, unable to flow.

He took a deep breath and struggled to steady himself. Only after a long while did he answer, "A small elite force from the duchy launched a surprise attack on my father and the Northern Alliance Army's command post. We don't know whether he's alive or dead.

"And now, Viscount Hawke and Viscount Edmund are the only legion commanders left in the Northern Alliance Army." Alex's voice sank.

After a pause, he continued, "Viscount Hawke has just taken some of the cavalry to look for my father.

"I stayed behind with our men to rally the army and try to turn things around!"

Victor had questions. What sort of force had the duchy sent to attack Count Colt's command post?

From what he knew of his uncle, Count Colt should have had formidable guards at his side.

But this was no time to dig into it.

As though a crucial thought had suddenly struck him, Alex's expression changed. "What happened to Viscount Edmund's legion?"

The Northern Alliance Army's main force had fallen apart. Viscount Edmund's legion had been holding the left flank against the duchy's Third Legion, and Alex had no idea how it had fared.

"It isn't that bad," Victor said. "When I charged onto the battlefield, Viscount Edmund's Red Maple Banner was still flying high!"

"That's right. Most of Viscount Edmund's soldiers come from his own lands. They're loyal to his family.

"Even if they heard that my father's fate was unknown, they wouldn't fall into complete disarray." Some of the tension left Alex's face.

Alex turned to Victor. "Victor, we