On the very night Kaelan Drago reveled triumphantly with the three women, in the imperial capital of Azenia, a tall, slender man quietly pushed open the study door.

  Towering bookshelves lined all four walls. In the center of the modestly sized room stood a large desk, illuminated by two soft lamps flanking it. Thick, plush carpeting covered the floor, feeling like stepping onto the edge of a cloud beneathfoot.The air carried the faint, intoxicating scent of ambergris, a forbidden luxury reserved solely for royalty. Every detail spoke to the noble status of the room's occupant.

  "Corbin, what is it?" The handsome man seated behind the desk lifted his head, his eyes sparkling with alertness.

  "Your Highness, confirmed intelligence from Secret Wind: Lion King Leo has mobilized his forces." Corbin replied respectfully.

  "Oh? Has the Lion King of Asu finally lost his patience?" murmured the man addressed as Your Highness.

  Corbin gazed at him with admiration. This man possessed a terrifying intellect—a far from welcome trait for his enemies. Corbin had witnessed too many fall into utter ruin because of the man before him. He always achieved his goals through meticulously calculated, flawlessly executed plans.

  "Your Highness, as you say, the Phoenix Legion will face its greatest challenge since its founding.As the most formidable force on the continent, the beastmen of Asu will surely make that woman suffer terribly, and..." Corbin paused, gazing at his lord's handsome face. "According to spy reports, Lion King Leo has actually enlisted Master Spectre of the Archotech Clan to forge weapons for him. However, those weapons are an absolute secret; we have no way of obtaining detailed intelligence."

  His Highness picked up a jade figurine from the table. Standing a foot tall, this flawless, milky-white beauty possessed a smooth, delicate texture, truly a rare treasure. Its face was unparalleled in beauty, appearing almost lifelike.Only Corbin knew this jade figurine was crafted entirely in the likeness and form of Lady Lyra Phenix. His Highness had paid a staggering price for it, commissioning the master artisan "Divine Craftsmanship" to meticulously carve it over three months.

  Ever since its completion, the jade figurine had remained in this secret study, facing His Highness daily. Whenever he found leisure, he would gently caress it. It was through this that Corbin came to deeply understand: the man who captivated countless beauties in the imperial capital was also a man consumed by profound emotion.Alas, fortune smiled not upon him. Though he could stir the hearts of all women, he could not win even a shred of Lady Lyra Phenix's affection.

  But now, at last, an opportunity had presented itself. He would strive relentlessly to seize it—never letting chance slip through his fingers. This unwavering determination was the man's greatest strength.

  "Lady Lyra Phenix's envoy must already be on the way. Should we order Haike's Legion to deploy?"

  The handsome man smiled silently, his hand gently caressing the porcelain beauty's cheek.

  "That captivating smile would surely enchant the noble ladies of the imperial capital, Azenia," Corbin found himself daydreaming.

  "Not necessary, dear Corbin. I've already dispatched Haike's Legion." The handsome man's words snapped Corbin out of his reverie. He gazed confidently toward the Sky-Rift Plains and declared, "Beautiful Goddess of War, your unbroken legacy should end here. I long to witness your defeat—perhaps only then will you realize the need for a steadfast ally! How I yearn to hold you in my arms!"The last words were barely audible, as if spoken to the porcelain beauty before him.

  Corbin knew his role here was now fulfilled. He bowed respectfully, then slipped away from the supremely comfortable yet inexplicably oppressive secret study as silently as he had entered. He understood the Prince would scarcely notice his departure.

  The prince spoke to the jade beauty in his hand with profound emotion: "How should I begin my first words to you? With reproach? With tenderness? Or..." He suddenly laughed, shook his head, and returned the jade beauty to its place.

  Yet news arriving four days later plunged them into the depths of despair. Lady Lyra Phenix's forces had utterly crushed the orcs of Asura. Within a mere two days, they had routed the fierce Orc army, annihilating nearly two hundred thousand Orcs while suffering only ten thousand casualties among the Fastian forces—a veritable miracle.The Karthos army, having lost its most formidable commander and elite divisions, saw its national strength severely diminished. It had already dispatched envoys to Fastia seeking peace, who were now en route to the imperial capital, Azenia.

  Corbin had never witnessed his master's countenance so horrifying as when he received this news. The handsome face contorted into a pallid mask, shattering three jade cups in succession. Servants later recounted that His Highness tormented his two favored women for most of the night before finally collapsing into a drunken stupor.

  It was precisely at this moment that Kaelan Drago's name reached their ears. Corbin began a meticulous investigation into this man who had suddenly appeared before them. Before confronting anyone, they must first understand their background thoroughly. This was the foundation of their unshakable dominance.

  For Kaelan Drago, however, the days that followed were pure bliss.He spent nearly every waking hour surrounded by beautiful women, a life infinitely more comfortable than his days in Riverbend. These women were each exquisitely charming and gentle as water, making him completely forget he was on the front lines of an army. Yet he did not forget his promise, recommending Eliza Bly to Lady Lyra Phenix. Upon learning of her pitiful circumstances, Lady Lyra Phenix immediately agreed to take Eliza Bly under her wing.

  Porthos, the capital of Karthos, boasted a population nearing a million and ranked among the continent's seven great cities.

  South of the city lay the royal palace, off-limits to commoners, separated from the rest of the city by a river flowing through the southern district. Beyond the palace, only a handful of noble residences stood—estates reserved for Karthos' most powerful ministers.

  Jerrod Djun, who had fled in defeat from the Sky-Rift Plains, resided in one such mansion in the southern quarter. As the flames rose, Jerrod Djun received word that the old General Korth had been assassinated in his bedchamber, his head severed.He was torn between relief and dread. Relief that the army now fell under his control, eliminating his strongest opponent and allowing him to proceed with his original plans. Dread that enemies could infiltrate the heart of the camp and assassinate the commander-in-chief—a sign that the foe he faced was truly terrifying, demanding ever greater vigilance henceforth.

  Little did he know that before he could summon his generals to announce the change in command, chaos erupted across the camp. Countless enemies surged in from all directions. These terrifying foes were ferocious, tall and lanky, agile and swift, striking with lightning speed and brutal ferocity. Often, several Karthos soldiers could not withstand a single one.

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  Finally, from the patterns on their faces and the banners they carried, he recognized his adversaries as the Orcish Panther Soldiers of Asus. Already in disarray, the Karthos army now discovered their commander had been decapitated. Panic erupted, and fear of the Orcs overwhelmed them. Some ignored their officers' commands and fled the battlefield.

  The Orcs did not pursue the deserters. Instead, they set fire to the camp while attacking the remaining Karthos soldiers who stubbornly resisted. This strategy shattered the enemy's morale. A military spirit is like a thousand-mile-long dike; a single small breach leads to its complete collapse. The Karthos army now faced precisely this fate, its demoralized soldiers scattering in all directions.

  Jerrod Djun had intended to hold out longer, but he encountered a formidable foe—a female leopard warrior. He would later learn this woman was none other than Lady Shireen, renowned as one of the "Three Peerless Female Generals."

  Truth be told, Jerrod Djun's prowess was extraordinary. Even the most formidable leopard warriors fell before him in mere moments, which is precisely why he caught Lady Shireen's attention. She spurred her horse forward to engage him.

  After six or seven exchanges, neither gained the upper hand. But Lady Shireen refused to let the stalemate drag on. Seizing her moment, she abruptly turned her horse and feigned retreat.

  As Jerrod Djun charged forward to pursue, Lady Shireen suddenly spun around. With a flick of her bare hand, a flash of silver light streaked through the air. Jerrod Djun felt a searing pain in his right shoulder. Turning his head to look closely, he saw a short arrow embedded in his shoulder—a featherless shaft still quivering slightly.

  This single arrow shattered his resolve. With no will left to fight, he could only join the ranks of the retreating army.

  Returning to Porthos covered in dust and disgrace, Jerrod Djun faced no severe punishment. As he was not the commander of the main force, the blame for the defeat did not fall on him. Yet, feeling utterly disgraced, he retreated to his manor, claiming to recuperate from his wounds and declining all visitors.

  Yet before he could rest for more than a few days, he was summoned before Princess Septima.

  Receiving this summons filled Jerrod Djun with considerable trepidation. What punishment would this woman, who held the real power in Karthos, mete out to him?

  Throughout the court of Karthos, it was common knowledge that Princess Septima, deeply favored by His Majesty the King, now controlled the reins of government. Indeed, this woman, barely twenty-four years old, had demonstrated exceptional political acumen. Her shrewdness and ruthlessness compensated for the indecisiveness of the King, whose heart was filled only with benevolence.Yet discerning observers recognized her excessive thirst for power—a trait that might spell trouble for Karthos. Powerless to intervene, they could only watch, for in the art of political maneuvering, this woman could teach them all a lesson.

  To Jerrod Djun's surprise, Princess Septima received him in the inner chambers. She did not reproach him excessively for his failure but instead offered kind words of comfort.

  This astonished him and moved him deeply, filling him with a sudden, overwhelming desire to lay down his life in gratitude for her kindness.

  Suddenly shifting the conversation, Princess Septima inquired, "Have you heard about our peace negotiations with Fastia?"

  Jerrod Djun gazed at the princess's delicate, gentle features, momentarily at a loss for words. After a pause, he replied, "Your humble servant has not yet heard of it!"

  "Is that so?" Princess Septima nodded, her tone calm. "Our two nations are preparing to forge an alliance through marriage. One of our princesses is to wed Fastia's second prince!"

  "What?" Jerrod Djun froze, utterly bewildered. His mind couldn't process how events could shift so dramatically in mere days.

  Princess Septima ignored his reaction and continued, "It has been decided that Princess Xiu will be sent there. If your injuries permit, I wish for you to lead the escort."

  "Your humble servant will do his utmost!" Jerrod Djun bowed in response.

  After a pause, he hesitantly asked, "Your Highness, what..."

  Princess Septima smiled faintly. "You are indeed perceptive. That is one reason I chose you." Then she added softly, "I shall be traveling to Fastia as well."

  Jerrod Djun's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't fathom what the princess was up to, staring blankly at her.

  Princess Septima gazed at her foremost subordinate, inwardly pleased with her ingenious plan. She delighted in keeping her intentions hidden, never allowing her men to fully grasp her schemes—a method she employed to maintain control over her subordinates.

  She spoke slowly, "This time, we'll rely on your exceptional swordsmanship. Don't make the same mistake you did at Tianfeng."

  Jerrod Djun possessed immense confidence in his swordsmanship. After all, he hailed from the continent's most renowned training ground, The Celestial Blade Garden. Even within Karthos, few swordsmen could match his skill. He promptly agreed with a nod.

  Princess Septima expressed her plan with satisfaction: "Upon arriving in Fastia, you will remain there as Princess Shu's personal guard."

  Seeing he still didn't grasp her meaning, Princess Septima added softly, "The Second Prince of Fastia is a weak man, given to debauchery and drink..."

  Jerrod Djun suddenly understood. "Your Highness, you mean..."

  "Precisely!" Princess Septima affirmed. "Since external solutions prove elusive, we must seek an internal approach."

  "No wonder Your Highness is taking personal action!" Jerrod Djun couldn't help but applaud the plan.

  "Therefore, prepare now. Recruit skilled individuals—this will facilitate matters in Fastia!" Princess Septima instructed. "Ensure they are trustworthy."

  "Your humble servant will not fail Your Highness's trust!" Jerrod Djun answered enthusiastically.

  Lady Lyra Phenix began directing soldiers to construct a fortress atop the mountain where the Arcane cannons were mounted. Possessing keen military insight, she understood that controlling these formidable weapons here would secure this strategic stronghold.

  The Great Lake Region sat at a vital crossroads. Whether advancing from Asus or Karthos, any force heading for Fastia must first pass through here. With this location as its base, Fastia could strike both nations on the offensive or hold its ground defensively.

  After settling this matter, she spent her time either instructing Eliza Bly in military strategy and martial arts or with Kaelan Drago, reveling in the boundless joy her beloved brought her.Nourished by Kaelan Drago, Lady Lyra Phenix grew ever more ethereally beautiful. Her peerless, breathtaking beauty was so radiant even a blind man could sense it. Some within the Phenix Legion had begun to suspect their war god was deeply in love, and they seethed with envy toward the fortunate one.

  Eliza Bly, now immortal, made rapid progress under Lady Lyra Phenix's guidance. Her grasp of military strategy astonished even Lady Lyra herself.Lady Lyra Phenix believed that given time, Eliza Bly's command abilities might surpass her own. For Eliza Bly possessed an innate sensitivity to battle formations, effortlessly discerning weaknesses and flaws in enemy arrangements. Fueled by her fierce determination to avenge her sister, she threw herself into her studies with relentless drive.

  Within days, Eliza Bly's transformation was striking—a complete metamorphosis from her former self. Save for moments of Little Woman-like tenderness before Kaelan Drago, she now appeared to others as a resolute, icy beauty. The piercing coldness in her eyes sent suitors fleeing in terror.Even her instructor, Lady Lyra Phenix, sometimes felt a chill at the fierce intensity radiating from her—a burning fighting spirit forged on the battlefield, ready to destroy all in its path.

  Half a month later, envoys returning from the imperial capital, Azenia, brought Emperor Andreas III of Fastia's decree: Kaelan Drago, who had distinguished himself in this campaign, was summoned to the capital to receive his commendation. Everyone understood that Kaelan Drago would soon be promoted to Myriarch, and perhaps even receive further honors. Regardless of their personal motives, the entire military rushed to offer their congratulations.

  Truth be told, Kaelan Drago truly dreaded parting from Lady Lyra Phenix. Such peerless beauty was unmatched in the world; he could hold her day and night without tiring. Over these past fortnight, he had grown accustomed to drifting off to sleep cradled in her voluptuous, soft embrace. The thought of leaving the warmth of Lady Lyra Phenix's arms felt unbearably uncomfortable!But Lady Lyra Phenix was the commander of the Phenix Legion. She couldn't abandon her army to accompany him to the capital. Yet, she showed no sadness at their separation. After another night of passionate, soul-stirring intimacy, she gave him a meaningful answer: "We'll meet again soon!"This left him utterly perplexed, yet imperial orders could not be defied. Thus, Kaelan Drago set off for the imperial capital, his heart heavy with doubt.

  Little did Kaelan Drago know at that moment that the decisive victory at the Battle of Sky-Rift had already irrevocably altered his destiny. Before him lay a path beyond imagination, and his journey to the imperial capital of Azenia would unlock that door to the unknown.

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