Chapter 1122: If Destiny Wants A Fight, I’ll Give It One Hell Of A War! [Part 3] "Hahaha! Did you see that, Zia?!" Camazotz laughed out loud after their army had successfully escaped. "I’m so amazing, right?!" "Yes, you are," Zia replied. Camazotz smiled from ear to ear. Hearing Thirteen praise him felt great. He was also proud of how perfectly he had played his role, allowing their team to attack and retreat at the right moment. Many of the members of the 69th Battalion and the Valkyries had suffered moderate to serious injuries during the battle. But none of those injuries were life-threatening. Of course, that didn’t mean they should let it be. Thirteen planned to send them to the Naval Base so they could recuperate after Shana took a look at them. Right now, they were headed West, where the Naval Ships of the Central Government were waiting for them to transport the injured Wanderers. "Well, you did what you had to do, so it’s not all bad," Zapar commented. "It’s just a shame that you weren’t able to hold them long enough for us to completely annihilate the Dragonkin Army." The battle didn’t last for a long time, but they were still able to annihilate a fifth of the Dragonkin Army in that single clash. If only they had a few more minutes, Zapar was confident that they could have killed a third of the Dragonkins, which would’ve driven Prince Aurelion and Commander Dravon mad with fury. "They will also be more prepared next time," Zapar stated before glancing at Zia. "The same trick might not work a second time." "It’s fine," Zia replied. "Camazotz also held back and didn’t use his trump card." Camazotz grinned because Thirteen was spot on. His armor had the power to reflect the damage he received onto his opponents. However, he didn’t use it during his battle against Prince Aurelion, Commander Dravon, and Princess Fiora. His job was to lure them away by letting himself get injured on purpose. This would make the three Majins believe that if they tried hard enough, they would be able to kill the Death Bat without fail. Unfortunately, Camazotz was just acting, and he acted flawlessly. If the Death Bat were to really fight someone stronger than him in battle, there is a fifty percent chance that he would activate his armor’s reflection ability. Truth be told, Camazotz didn’t want to rely on his legendary armor’s ability. The old him would have activated it at the first signs of danger. But now, he thought differently. By fighting stronger opponents, he would be able to hone his fighting abilities. Overly relying on his armor would give him false confidence, which wouldn’t be good in the long term. With Cranky as his idol, Camazotz wished to shed his former cowardice and face the world with a fearless smile, just like the Honey Badger who had inspired him. "Also, Prince Aurelion’s invincible persona now has cracks." Zia smirked. "Even with two helpers, they were unable to deal a decisive blow to Camazotz, and the entire Jinn Alliance saw that. "With five factions leaving the Jinn Alliance, they would start to think if staying on Prince Aurelion’s side was a good thing." Thirteen only thought that only four factions would decisively switch teams—House Pavareth, the Skavari, the Azrakith Court, and the Velmoria Kingdom. The Garuda Empire joining them was an unexpected surprise, which bolstered their new army even further. Thirteen and Prince Zepharion had faced each other on the battlefield once, and the teenage boy had made the overconfident prince retreat. In fact, the current Prince Aurelion was like Prince Zepharion in the past. He thought that with his superior army, he would be able to rule over the Jinn Alliance. That would’ve been the case if not for a Majin Prince’s arrival in Pangea. The proud prince of the Garuda Empire became an unwilling lackey of the Dragonkin Prince, who lorded over the other Jinns as if they were already his subjects. Suddenly, a screech reached their ears as Princess Aracelle, who was in Phoenix form, started to complain. The only ones she allowed to mount her back were Zion and her sisters. She naturally had complaints when she felt Camazotz and Zapar land on her back. Thirteen smiled faintly and patted the Phoenix’s back, as if telling her to endure for a little bit longer. "Well, it seems we overstayed our welcome." Camazotz chuckled before standing up. "I will scout and make sure that we have no pursuers." "I’ll talk with Prince Zepharion," Zapar commented. "I’m sure he’s feeling a bit anxious right now, so I will assure him that he made the right decision." After bidding their goodbye, the two Majin Princes finally left, leaving Zia behind. Half a minute later, Sherry landed on the Phoenix’s back after being dropped off by her Adamantium Falcon. Since Zia was talking to the two Majin Princes’, the young lady thought that it wouldn’t be appropriate to remain as they discussed important matters. "Good work, Sherry," Zia said, while looking at the bandages that covered her lover’s arms. "You should let Shana have a look at your injuries." "I’m fine," Sherry replied, feeling happy that her lover was worried about her injuries. "These are just minor injuries. They will heal with some rest. I already drank some potions earlier." The Phoenix screeched, telling her sister that she would use her power to heal her later after they arrived at a safe location. Suddenly, four people landed behind the Phoenix’s back, making Sherry frown. However, after recognizing who they were, her face eased up a bit. Princess Aracelle didn’t say anything this time, but she was a little annoyed because there were three people whom she wanted to throw off her back. "Zion, is that really you?" Prince Valen, who had been told about this secret, asked in disbelief. "It is me," Zia replied. "But please, keep this a secret from everyone else." Aside from Prince Valen, there was one more person who knew Zia’s secret and that was Prince Zorren, his direct subordinate. "I still find it hard to believe that you... could look this gorgeous." Prince Valen smiled wryly. Zia didn’t know why, but she felt the strong urge to flip her hair, which she did before looking at Prince Valen with a smirk. "If Prince Aurelion only knew this..." Prince Valen shook his head helplessly. "He would probably die from shame." "Who knows? This might also serve as Zion’s protective talisman," Lady Ristella commented. "Even if Zia went back to being Zion, as long as there’s a possibility that Zia will come back, Prince Aurelion can simply keep him prisoner and wait until it happens." ""That won’t be happening."" The Phoenix also screeched as Sherry and Princess Xynalia spoke at the same time. Clearly, none of the girls would allow Zion to be captured by their enemy, no matter what. "Can you tell us what you plan to do next?" Prince Valen inquired. Frankly, he was also feeling a little uncomfortable stepping on his sister’s back in her Phoenix form. Only Princess Aracelle could transform into a Moon Feather Phoenix since her bloodline was the purest in House Pavareth. The rest, just like Prince Valen, could only transform into peacocks, which proved that the princess was special. She was a sacred existence in their kingdom, and stepping on her back was a sign of disrespect. The fact that she allowed Zion and Sherry to sit on her back was proof that she treated them in a special way. "For now, we plan to send the seriously injured Wanderers to the sea, where they can get medical treatment," Zia replied. "After that, we will head southeast to the Planar Mountain Range." "The Planar Mountain Range?" Prince Valen frowned. "The place where you fought against Prince Zepharion?" "Yes." Zia nodded. "Our reinforcements are there. It’s also a place that can be defended easily. With our current forces, we will be able to deal considerable damage to the Jinn Alliance if they were to attack in that location." Lady Ristella, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke her mind. "Will they attack that location?" Lady Ristella inquired. "There’s a fifty percent chance that they will," Thirteen replied. "But defending will not be easy. Prince Aurelion cannot turn back since he couldn’t afford to be an embarrassment once again, so he will certainly be more careful this time." "You’re right." Lady Ristella agreed. "If he loses this war, the Jinns he forced under his command would know that he doesn’t have the capability to lead them. Sir Camazotz’s performance has already damaged the Dragonkin Army’s reputation. "Prince Aurelion will not allow another setback to happen if he can help it. He can’t afford it at this point in time." Zia nodded in agreement. "Also, there’s one thing that you should know as well, we and the Artemians have entered a temporary alliance. They will also attack the Jinns alongside us." The Artemians weren’t able to join the battle just now since they didn’t have enough time to prepare their forces. They no longer have their technological weapons and equipment, so long distance communication was a big problem for them and the Wanderers, who were used to advanced technologies. While Thirteen and his allies were headed west, Prince Aurelion had to deal with the aftermath of the battle. Losing a fifth of his army was a big thing, and he could only feel thankful that they managed to sense that something was wrong, prompting them to return as fast as they could. If they had lost more than half of their army in that clash, then their influence among the Jinns would fall to an all time low, and their own Dragonkin Army would feel dissatisfied with their leaders, who had left them to die under the hands of their enemies. ————— A/N: Only one Chapter today. I will take this opportunity to rest, and return to regular Chapters tomorrow.