From the direction of the cliff, Gideon and his team returned to the enemy camp, which had been completely taken over by Giroud's cavalry.

Hannah rode toward the cliff to check on Gideon's condition, relieved to see that they were safe.

"Thank goodness you're alright," Hannah said.

She turned her head forward, spotting Luthe's archers scrambling and trying to run away. Hannah didn't want them to escape and alerted Luthe's main army to the west.

"Squad Two and Squad Three, go and arrest them! Don't let them return to Luthe!" Hannah ordered.

The squad captains nodded, then spurred their horses forward, racing across the cliff's edge above the canyon.

Gideon had no objections. With the horses' speed, some of the archers could definitely be caught.

Hannah and Gideon's team walked into the enemy base, now burning in flames. Some soldiers entered the camp, seizing important items like letters, armor, and untouched food supplies.

A total of 560 enemy soldiers had been killed in the mountain battle, leaving 240 alive who surrendered, half of them wounded.

Luthe's soldiers had been stripped of their armor, their swords confiscated, and were forced to kneel with hands raised in surrender.

Giroud turned and saw Gideon approaching. He quickly dismounted and walked toward him. He explained everything about the battle, how Luthe's soldiers had split their focus because of two things happening at once:

The fire that burned through the tents, and the sudden attack from Moko's troops. Both events gave Moko's forces the upper hand.

"This is the first victory for the Moko Kingdom on the western front!" Giroud declared.

His soldiers cheered loudly. Gideon admitted the truth in it. A new front of war had opened, and Luthe's kingdom would be forced to split its attention.

They couldn't focus only on the north while ignoring this new western front against Moko.

"I'll leave them to you. Treat them according to Moko's rules," Gideon said.

Giroud nodded, grateful that Gideon had given him the authority to handle the prisoners of war. Since there were so many of them, Giroud figured he might have to send the captives to the capital in several groups.

"Jurgan Village is completely safe now. You know what to do after we've secured this cliff area, don't you?" Gideon asked.

"Of course, Captain. I'll send word to Commander Ashfield about this battle's results, and also tell him what Hudor has done."

"Hudor and his captain have been proven traitors. The kingdom cannot trust them anymore," Gideon replied.

"Suggest to Norton that a new captain be chosen to guard this mountain stronghold. That canyon is the only passage in and out for both Moko and Luthe on this front," Gideon added.

Giroud understood right away. One of his cavalry soldiers rode back to the village to request infantry reinforcements. They would be assigned to guard the mountain base until new orders were given.

"I didn't expect this battle to go so smoothly and easily," Hannah said.

Gideon turned and nodded. It would have been difficult for him and his team to capture the base on their own, but with Captain Giroud's cavalry, everything became easier thanks to the element of surprise and guerrilla tactics.

"So, what's your next goal, Captain Gideon?" Giroud asked.

"The cliff is secured, the canyon is safe from threats. I think my team and I will move west into Luthe's territory," Gideon replied.

"Do you need us to come with you?"

"Haha!"

"This is a mission of infiltration and espionage. I'm afraid it would turn into an invasion if you and your entire cavalry joined us."

Gideon patted Giroud's shoulder lightly, smiling as he gripped the man's arm firmly.

"You've already helped me with this mission. I'm the one who should be grateful."

"You don't need to come with me. Just focus on following Norton's next orders," Gideon explained.

"Understood, Captain Gideon. Take care of yourself."

***

Three days later.

The Royal Palace of Moko.

Norton rode his horse quickly, accompanied by two loyal aides, leaving Earl Ashfield's residence. He held tightly to the letter written by Princess Hannah, which told him the outcome of the battle on the western front.

Arriving at the palace courtyard, Norton strode inside. The palace servants noticed his serious face and assumed something had happened that could affect the war between Moko and the two other kingdoms.

After all, Norton Ashfield held the title of Commander of Moko's Infantry.

Along the hallway leading to the throne room, he crossed paths with Queen Anastasya. Norton stopped briefly to bow in respect.

"What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Princess Hannah sent a message from the western front. His Majesty the King and Crown Prince Lubert must read it," Norton answered.

"Hannah? How is she? Is she safe?" Anastasya asked. Norton nodded.

"She is safe. From other information I've received, Hannah and Gideon's team are carrying out an crucial infiltration mission inside Luthe," Norton replied.

"That girl… she hasn't even won a battle yet, and now she dares to march right into the enemy's defenses," Queen Anastasya said with a faint laugh.

"I'll take my leave, Your Grace."

"Let me come with you."

They walked together into the throne room, where King Alexius of Moko was entertaining an important guest, a Marquis from the western territories. The Marquis had come to report the struggles his soldiers faced after a long war with Sisyla.

Seeing Norton arrive suddenly with Queen Anastasya surprised King Alexius and Crown Prince Lubert.

Both assumed Norton's arrival must mean important news about the war. That was more pressing than listening to the Marquis's complaints.

"Commander Ashfield? Has something happened?" King Alexius asked.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty. A raven came from the west. Princess Hannah sent it to me."

"I believe His Majesty and Crown Prince Lubert should read her letter," Norton explained.

King Alexius nodded. One of his ministers took the letter from Norton's hand and gave it to the king.

The old man was silent for several minutes as he read, then suddenly stood tall, eyes wide with pride.

Crown Prince Lubert was shocked by his father's reaction and quickly read the letter himself, realizing what his sister had written.

"This is our chance to turn the tide of war!" King Alexius declared.

"They captured the mountain stronghold? How did they manage that?" Lubert asked in disbelief.

Norton shook his head, pretending not to know. He wanted to protect Captain Gideon and his team by not involving them in the recognition. As Hannah had written, Gideon and his men refused any reward.

"Princess Hannah didn't explain. I suspect they attacked while the enemy was off guard," Norton said.

"Excellent! Well done, Hannah!" King Alexius shouted.

"Send the prisoners of war to the capital. We will celebrate this victory and the new hope it brings us to win this war!" King Alexius commanded.

Norton smiled, bowed, and excused himself since he had nothing more to report. He and Queen Anastasya left the throne room together.

Despite the victory, Anastasya remained worried. She feared for Hannah's safety, knowing she was already inside Luthe's territory.

"Is there nothing we can do to help keep Hannah safe?" Anastasya asked.

The man beside her shook his head. There was nothing he could do since Gideon's team was already deep inside enemy territory.

He didn't even know what kind of disguises they were using, but Norton trusted Gideon completely.

"There's nothing we can do. They're already in Luthe."

"The only thing we can do now is hope… and pray."

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