The atmosphere was already tense, like a taut bowstring, and the sudden news brought it to its peak.

When Elena heard that Sergei had been killed by his own people, she froze on the spot, as if she had been frozen in place. Her voice trembled with disbelief.

"What? It was done by our own people? What exactly happened?" Elena's voice was urgent, her eyes flashing with shock and confusion, as if she were searching for a reasonable explanation.

Faced with Elena's questioning, the cavalryman seemed somewhat troubled and said in a deep voice, "Last night, General Sergei led us to the granary of the Kurokawa Northeast Army, but we couldn't attack it. With Han Meng's five thousand cavalry following behind, we couldn't find an opportunity at all. General Sergei ordered a rest, preparing to launch a surprise attack on the granary at midnight. When we went to find General Sergei at midnight, we found that he was already dead. He was killed by... one of our own men."

Before the cavalryman finished speaking, Elena's face had already turned pale, and her eyes were flashing with anger and grief.

Elena gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with fury, like an enraged lion.

Who killed Sergei?

Her voice rose eight octaves, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

"It was General Sergei's bodyguard captain; he's already escaped." The cavalryman's voice trembled slightly, his eyes flashing with fear and unease.

Upon hearing this, Elena turned around abruptly, her gaze fixed on Ai Zijun like a sharp sword.

"Ai Zijun, when did you bribe my men to assassinate my cavalry general!"

Her voice carried a hint of anger and accusation, as if she were proclaiming an unforgivable crime.

Ai Zijun's eyes widened, his face filled with injustice and shock. "Elena, what are you saying? I have never bribed any Slavs, much less ordered the assassination of any cavalry general!"

Ai Zijun's expression turned serious, and his voice carried a hint of coldness: "Elena, you should know that I, Ai Zijun, am not the kind of person who would stab someone in the back. My goal is victory on the battlefield, not such despicable means."

Elena's brows were furrowed, and her eyes held a complex mix of emotions and struggle.

"Then tell me, what's going on?"

"How would I know what happened? I had Han Meng follow your cavalry, just to harass them, not to let him fight to the death. If you don't believe me, just ask your men and you'll know what the situation is."

The tense atmosphere seemed to freeze time. After Ai Zijun's explanation, Elena gradually calmed down.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil, then turned around, her gaze sharp, and questioned her cavalry.

"Has Han Meng launched any large-scale attacks in the past few days?" Elena's voice carried a hint of inquiry, and her eyes gleamed with a desire for the truth.

The cavalryman thought for a moment, his expression serious and solemn, and slowly replied, "Han Meng has been harassing and following us these past few days, but has never launched a proper attack. However, he has been following us very closely. We don't know what they are planning to do."

His voice carried a hint of confusion, as if he were telling an unsolved mystery.

Elena nodded slightly, her eyes filled with contemplation, as if she were pondering the cavalryman's words repeatedly in her mind.

Although Han Meng was ruled out as a suspect, the complexity of this war far exceeded her expectations.

"Although Han Meng did not launch a large-scale attack, Ai Zijun, I cannot guarantee that Sergei's death has nothing to do with you."

Elena's voice carried a hint of warning, and her eyes flashed with suspicion towards Ai Zijun.

Upon hearing this, Ai Zijun's expression changed slightly, revealing a hint of helplessness and anger. "Elena, what are you saying? I, Ai Zijun, have always acted uprightly and honestly, and have never resorted to underhanded tactics."

His voice carried a hint of determination, as if he were declaring his innocence.

Elena's gaze was fixed on Ai Zijun, her eyes scrutinizing him as if trying to see into his heart. "Ai Zijun, anything can happen in war. I must be responsible for my soldiers and find the truth behind Sergei's death."

Ai Zijun took a deep breath, his eyes filled with calmness and determination.

"Elena, I understand your concerns, but I also hope you can understand my position. I have never used underhanded methods, let alone assassination." Ai Zijun's voice carried a hint of sincerity as she stated an undeniable fact.

Although Elena was wary of Ai Zijun, she had to admit that, based on their years of experience fighting, Ai Zijun was indeed an upright and honorable opponent who had never engaged in any treacherous or cunning behavior.

Elena sighed, a complex emotion in her eyes.

“Ai Zijun, you’re right. Judging from our years of fighting, you have never done anything underhanded or cunning.”

Her voice carried a hint of helplessness, as if she were admitting an unwilling fact.

She turned around and gave an order to her deputy, her voice firm: "We must find Sergei's bodyguard captain and get the truth out of him."

Upon hearing this, the lieutenant nodded hastily, his eyes filled with determination. He then turned and left, his steps firm and swift, like a warrior heading to the battlefield.

Ai Zijun took a deep breath, pushed aside the Slavic soldiers blocking his way, and walked to Elena's side.

His eyes held a hint of determination, yet also a hint of pleading: "You must let me give the order, otherwise with so many soldiers under our command, a riot could easily break out. The war is over, and no one else can die."

His voice carried a hint of anxiety, as if he were expressing an urgent need.

After listening to Ai Zijun's words, Elena thought for a long time. Her brows furrowed and her eyes showed a hint of worry, fearing that Ai Zijun might do something unnecessary.

But if Novgorod has really been captured, and war breaks out again, Chen Zhennan will probably have to kill Ivanov.

Elena was filled with conflict and struggle, knowing that every decision she made concerned the lives of countless soldiers.

Finally, Elena made her decision, her voice resolute: "Fine, I'll let you write to your people, but you absolutely cannot leave. You are my last chance."

Her words carried a hint of warning, as if telling Ai Zijun that his actions would directly affect the course of the entire battle.

Ai Zijun nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude and relief: "I understand. I will not leave. However, you will definitely lose. My position as the queen is reserved only for you."

After saying that, Ai Zijun turned around and went back into the tent, picked up paper and pen and started writing.