The Tale of the Lotus Heart novel Chapter 23

The battle with demons in the North was brutal. The demons were emboldened and ruthless, but thankfully, we were better. Lucky for us, it wasn't a very organized plan on the demons' part. I sighed and sat in the First Prince's tent to await debriefing after another long day of fighting. We'd been fighting for a month's time already, but the demons kept coming. I was one of the best warriors out there, but still, slaying demons all day was tiresome. The other generals sat as well as we waited for First Prince. It wasn't very long before he walked in and set his sword on the table.

"Good job today, but we need to quickly think of a strategy to end this for good. Our supplies are dwindling and we can't stay here fighting the whole time," First Prince said in frustration. I stood and looked at battle map.

"Here; right where the land stretches before the mountains. We can use internal energy bombs to create a long, deep trench. One that will simultaneously combust the oncoming demons. Demons can't use much energy outside of their realm. They won't be able to fly or jump. If we make the trench deep enough, they'll be stuck down there long enough for us to create an energy barrier at the edge of the trench, keeping the stuck on the other side. The downside would be that we would have to be willing to give up that small stretch of land," I offered. The First Prince thought for a moment before nodding.

"That could work, but I don't have the authority to give up the land. I'll send a letter to my Royal Father to ask permission," First Prince Atlas agreed.

"Everyone is dismissed. Princess General, I need you to stay back," he said. Everyone left leaving First Prince Atlas and I alone.

"Do you need something from me, First Prince?" I asked. He sighed before coming to stand in front of me.

"I noticed you getting more tired recently. You're easily fatigued. Even though you're still one of the best out there, your condition makes me uneasy. You should let me do a scan to make sure you didn't get hit with any demons' poison unknowingly," he offered. I nodded before sitting. First Prince gathered his internal energy before pointing his index and middle fingers at me. I closed my eyes patiently as his energy searched through me. He stopped and I opened my eyes to be met with his shocked face.

"There is something inside of you, but it is not at all what I was expecting. Did you elope with someone?" He asked. My eyes widened slightly before I did an internal search of my own body. After finding what he found, my eyes opened as my hand flew to my stomach. I knew this was part of the plan, but how could Yong's plan take effect right now; in the middle of the climax of the battle.

"I-I..." I stuttered.