"What? That group of lowlifes actually declared war?"
Prince Michael Pelopoulos furiously grabbed the messenger by the collar, gritting his teeth with hatred.
"Those damned fools! They're asking for death! Someone, bring the map!"
The nearby guards hurriedly ran out and soon returned to the Military Department's war room with a yellowed map.
The prince took the map, swept all the miscellaneous items off the desk onto the floor, and spread the map open.
He grabbed the messenger and stuffed a charcoal pencil into his hand.
"Mark on the map every watchtower, pass, and supply station that you've just reported as fallen!
If you mark even one wrong, I'll cut off your head!"
The messenger, trembling, began to draw crosses on the map. In no time, half the map was almost covered with crosses.
The prince kicked the messenger away in his anger, pressing his hands on the table with an uncertain expression.
