Several generals wearing armor all stood across the table with Landon seated on his throne looking down. They were all arguing as each moved around figurines of knights over the huge map that was id out on the table. The news of Adeline’s successful invasion had rocked the entire empire; the unthinkable had happened. Landon had already issued delegations to the surrounding kingdoms for urgent help; he sought to turn this into a diplomatic opportunity. Segar still had their eyes fixated on expansion, and the initial pn was to strip the forest of its resources and bolster his army and economic influence.

  Things were going well, and he even got Credoa to join forces with him, but all of a sudden, things fell apart. Melora returned out of thin air and became the grand duchess, a new demon rose and was seemingly wiping out his troops, and now cimed the iron wall. Landon felt as if a great curse had befallen him.

  “Has the delegation reached Credoa? We will need their full cooperation on this; it is absolutely critical.”

  “They should reach the grand duchy soon, my lord. We have also formed a perimeter around the city to make sure they do not invade further. According to the scouts, they seemingly held a very rge festival.”

  “How could such simpletons take over the wall? We have lost so much!” Landon felt his blood pressure rise at the mere thought of the loss he had sustained. Suddenly, the doors opened, and Risin appeared, sweating heavily while still wearing his bloody clothes. The generals turned towards him; they handed him some water as he caught his breath.

  “They have established a new kingdom called Arbegon. If you intrude, it will be treated as an act of war. Adeline, the demon, is the Queen.”

  The news was truly grim as everyone fell silent. Landon was beyond angry. How could mere monsters say such a thing? Had they forgotten who the rulers of the world were?

  “How did you lose so pathetically?”

  “We greatly underestimated their capabilities; they are far stronger than we imagined.”

  “How strong?”

  “Their queen could arguably be one of the strongest beings in this world. Sending normal soldiers and even knights would just amount to the same results. Their main army is also very strong, and with her leadership, they are able to move more decisively.”

  “What would you recommend?”

  “At this moment, just send delegations and use it as a way to buy time as you build a stronger attack. They are also tied to the forest, and as long as you don’t invade, they will not attack.”

  “What do you mean by ‘you’?” Landon had picked up on the specific word choice he used. Risin remained silent for a moment as the nearby guards reached for their weapons. Risin turned toward the guards, who froze in position.

  “I have to return; I am simply a messenger.”

  “Do you understand what you’re saying?” Landon aggressively hit the handle of his chair as he got up and walked towards Risin, who was no longer bowing.

  “I have no choice in this matter; if I don’t return, I will die.”

  “You are better off dying. Will you really betray the empire?”

  “I do not wish to betray the empire, but I also still want to live.”

  “Live for what? So you could collude with that bastard. You are all truly the same. My only regret is that I stopped with him. I should have wiped out your entire bloodline, you are the same, from your wench of a sister to a traitor like you.”

  Risin’s eyes widened as he was being berated by the emperor. He could not fathom what he had just heard. “Did you py a part in killing my sister?”

  Landon stared at him, his eyes full of anger. He gnced at the guards and generals, who slowly stood at attention. Risin’s rage slowly rose as he clenched his fist. His entire world and everything he believed in was slowly falling.

  “DID YOU PLAY A PART IN KILLING MY SISTER AND NIECE? ANSWER ME NOW!”

  Risin yelled as his mana slowly rose, but Landon turned his back and returned to the throne as the guards circled him, weapons drawn. It was then a small purple cloud suddenly spread throughout the room. The generals rushed to protect the emperor as their vision was clouded, but as it slowly dissipated, Risin had seemingly disappeared.

  “EVERYONE GO FIND HIM THIS INSTANCE!”

  Everyone hurried out of the throne room, leaving him alone. Shortly, his trusted advisor entered the room with the crown prince. They both bowed before him.

  “Father, I have a solution for your problems?”

  “What is this solution? If it is something stupid, you should just leave.”

  “The research division has found a way to reanimate the dead. With that, we could have an ever-ending army.”

  “Even if that was possible, isn’t that considered bck magic? Do you believe the empire will stoop so low?”

  “That is if they find out. I pn to visit Credoa and propose to the grand duchess and try to woo her. If she does not py ball, we will test out our experiment, and that should be enough to bring her running back. The key has always been her people, even that prideful woman would bend the knee after enough people die.”

  Landon stared at his son. Things were already bad, so even if this scheme failed, it wouldn’t make it worse, but he still had a worry.

  “Whatever you do, make sure it doesn’t come back to the empire. If your scheme is exposed, then that would be grounds for Credoa to split from the empire and decre war.”

  “I will not disappoint, Father.”

  “James, this will be your first trial to see if you are capable of being the next emperor. Failure is not an option.” James bowed, then left the room, leaving the emperor and his advisor. Silence fell as the emperor let out a heavy sigh.

  “Your highness are you truly going to let him execute this pn?”

  “If he is successful then that would be good, people and buildings could always be repced.”

  “What if he fails?”

  “My son is clever enough not to leave a trace back to the empire but just a s precaution send assassins. Make sure they deal with all loose ends in the event things go array.”

  “As you will your highness.”

  “Apart from my son’s pet project, have there been more developments?”

  “I disapprove of his methods, but it’s yielding a lot of positive results. He has created stronger healing potions through troll and orc blood, but his greater achievement was creating magical balls which give the user instant power.”

  “That sounds very interesting and all, but you know what I am asking.” The advisor turned and looked around the empty room as he moved closer.

  “He is making stable progress towards the chimera project.”

  “Winston, we are now at war. Give him whatever he wants. I will make more time by sending in a delegation and py coy with the monsters. Make sure this project is successful; we will crush everyone in one simple blow.”

  “As you will, your Highness.” Winston bowed and exited the room. Landon had lost a lot of manpower and sword masters, but the biggest loss was the demon they held captive. They had spent decades trying to break it down and reveal the position of the dragon, these mystical creatures who were always out of his grasp. They could have greatly advanced their projects and even started new ones, but he had to work with what he had. Landon quietly contempted in the empty room as time passed by.