I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 319 He is not innocent

"W-wait!" he uttered desperately. "I can explain! This... this isn't what it looks like!"

Julian stepped closer, his aura pressing down on the commander.

"You really thought you could play both sides and no one would find out?" he said, his cold, mocking tone sending shivers down the commander's spine.

"You have been caught red-handed, and now you think there is room for excuses?"

The commander turned his eyes towards Alden and started pleading.

"Your Grace! I swear I was only acting under pressure! I was forced—"@@@@

"Enough!" Alden shouted, silencing the room. Both disappointment and fury glowed in his eyes as he glared at the commander. "How dare you betray the very people who trusted you? You have put us all in danger for your own greed."

Julian's aura flared once more, pressing down even more heavily on the commander.

"Your punishment will be dealt with swiftly. There is no place for traitors in Easvil." His lips curled into a wicked smile.

"You have a wife, don't you?"

The commander's entire body stiffened, and goosebumps formed all over his skin. His eyes widened with terror as the realization of Julian's words sank in.

"P-please," he begged, "Leave her out of this... She has nothing to do with any of it."

Julian tilted his head, acting innocent as his smile widened further.

"Oh, but why should I? You dragged us all into this mess. Why should your family escape unharmed?"

"Julian," Alden's voice broke the chatter. "This is a serious matter. We don't need to involve innocents."

"Innocents?" Julian mocked, never taking his piercing gaze off the commander.

"This traitor risked the lives of thousands of our soldiers and the safety of our family. Why should his wife sleep peacefully while others suffer for his greed?"

The commander dropped to his knees within the barrier, his hands joined together as tears began to fall down his face.

"My decision is final, Father. If this piece of shit can't even show loyalty after ten years of serving you, then there is no reason for you or me to show mercy. His family is just as guilty for benefiting from his betrayal as he is for committing it."

Alden remained silent, his head lowered.

Julian turned back to the soldier. "Go now. I want this dealt with before the battle ends. When I return, I expect answers—and not any excuses."

The soldiers snapped to attention and left to carry out his orders immediately.

After giving the order, Julian's thoughts shifted back to the battlefield. His eyes glowed with determination. I have to do something.

He approached the table where a detailed map of Easvil was laid out. He gestured for everyone in the room to gather around, and they quickly moved closer.

He leaned over the table, scanning the map.

After a moment, he said, "Father, since it's not Apollo but the army of Ethwer, their numbers can't be more than 2,000."

The high-ranking officials nodded in agreement.

The strategist stepped forward and added, "Yes, Your Grace. And judging by how the surrounding nobles haven't responded to our calls, it seems they have been bought off but not fully subdued. If we offer them much more gold, we can easily bring them back to our side."

Julian nodded thoughtfully. "True," he said, his fingers tracing the map.

He paused over a rocky mountain near the border of their lands. "This mountain here," he said, pointing to it, "is the key."

Alden thought about it for some time, but he could not find any compelling reasons. "But how?" he asked.

Julian straightened his posture. "Since they are still buying off the nobles to isolate us, they will need a high ground to keep an eye on our duchy for any unexpected reinforcements."

He traced his hand downward across the map to a dense forest. "They will use this forest," Julian continued. "It's the best route to stay concealed while moving their forces undetected."

"Even if they do not use this route, we have to make sure that they do anyhow."

Julian's hand stopped at a wide-open field just beyond the forest. He tapped the spot. "And this... this is where we will ambush them."

***

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