"We're almost within the range of Gaiyi Kingdom's archers. What should we do?"
"Leave them be. Her Highness has already given the order. Tonight, those wolves will not interfere with us."
"But if we bypass them and expose our backs to them, and they decide to attack us, we'll suffer heavy casualties."
"Are you questioning Her Highness' command?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Then don't worry about Gaiyi Kingdom's wolves. After so many battles with them, we've developed at least some understanding of each other."
…
Under the dark cover of night, sharp-eyed soldiers marched in perfect formation. Even as they charged swiftly, their ranks maintained an impressive order.
Clad in white armor gilded with gold, these soldiers wore crimson cloaks behind them that flared like blazing flames. Their overwhelming numbers created a sea of red surging from the horizon like an unstoppable tide.
Standing before this tide, the supposed bulwark of Gaiyi Kingdom's troops—fortified encampments and layered defenses—did nothing to halt its advance. Instead, the black-armored soldiers of Gaiyi Kingdom began to contract their formations, leaving open gaps in their lines. Their fortifications stood isolated, offering no resistance to the approaching wave.
The crimson tide thus flowed unimpeded past the Gaiyi Kingdom forces, surging toward the undefended walls of Creek Mountain Kingdom's fortress. Upon reaching the walls, the tide climbed, spilling over the battlements. Soon, the ramparts were awash with the red reflected from the cloaks of the Crimson King's soldiers.
A cacophony of screams and the sound of steel meeting flesh erupted, as the night air grew heavy with the metallic tang of blood.
It was a slaughter.
Caught unprepared, Creek Mountain's soldiers, already outmatched by the Crimson King's forces on the open battlefield, now found themselves completely overrun in a surprise attack. It wasn't a battle—it was a massacre.
"ROAR!"
The sudden roar of a beast shattered the night's rhythm of carnage. Emerging from the fortress was a colossal monstrosity: a creature with the body of a bull, a snake-like tail, and a single horn protruding from its massive head. Standing taller than the fortress walls, this was one of Creek Mountain Kingdom's awakened champions, manifesting their battle form.
As the behemoth cast its singular, furious gaze across the battlefield, it immediately spotted the rows of Gaiyi Kingdom's troops stationed nearby—their black armor glinting faintly under the dim light.
"Traitors! Gaiyi Kingdom scum, how dare you betray us!" the giant bellowed. Its voice echoed across the battlefield, filled with rage and indignation.
"'Scum,' huh? I knew it! These bastards never respected us," muttered a black-armored general standing atop a watchtower, a sneer tugging at his lips. "I'll admit, I felt a little guilty about this betrayal earlier, but not anymore."
"What, you're not even a little tempted to jump in and help?" asked a civilian-clad strategist beside him, grinning faintly.
The towering beast roared again but was interrupted when a winged angel descended from the heavens, gleaming in battle armor. The radiant figure of the angel, one of the Crimson King's elite warriors, exuded an overwhelming presence that immediately pressed the beast into a brutal one-sided battle.
"Ah, so the Crimson King's bird-warriors are making their move. Small in size, but their combat prowess is no joke," the general remarked, watching the clash unfold below. Though it wasn't the first time he'd seen these celestial warriors in action, their sheer might continued to leave him in awe.
Typically, size correlated with strength in battle—larger combatants held the advantage. But here, the angelic figure, no larger than an average human, effortlessly suppressed the towering monstrosity, proving that brute size wasn't everything.
"I did consider stepping in, but the King's orders were clear: we're just spectators in this battle," the general continued, resting his arms on the watchtower railing.
"Good. I'd hate to see you court disaster by disobeying orders," the strategist replied, smiling lightly.
The battle unfolded rapidly. The Crimson King's crimson tide surged into the fortress, overwhelming the unprepared soldiers. Creek Mountain's military officers, many of whom could transform into monstrous combat forms, desperately resisted. But their efforts amounted to little more than futile death throes.
Before long, the entire fortress fell. Its defenders lay in pools of blood, their bodies scattered among the ruins.
This scene repeated across Creek Mountain's entire defensive line. Smoke and flames rose in the distance as one stronghold after another succumbed to the Crimson King's forces.
And yet, back in the Creek Mountain capital, the ruling elite remained oblivious. Their lavish feasts and dances continued unabated, the music drowning out the reality of their crumbling kingdom.
When the truth finally arrived, it came not from their own scouts, but from a pointed letter of condemnation sent by Gaiyi Kingdom.
"Can someone explain to me what's happening at the front lines? Why has the King of Gaiyi sent a letter of reproach?"
Still reeking of perfume from his harem, the Creek Mountain King slumped on his gem-studded golden throne, glaring at the assembled nobles and officials before him.
"Sire, what exactly does Gaiyi's King accuse us of?" asked an elderly minister, his pale face lined with fatigue and dark circles under his eyes.
"He demands to know where his troops are," the king replied, his voice trembling slightly. "He claims he's lost all contact with the forces he sent to aid us."
"But... aren't Gaiyi's soldiers stationed at the front lines? We haven't done anything to them. How could they just disappear?" one noble questioned, his confusion mirrored by the others in the chamber.
"Exactly! That's the real problem," the king snapped, pounding the armrest of his throne. "To verify the claim, I had our own forces contacted—but they've all gone silent. Every last one of them."
"What?!"
The room erupted into chaos. Many of the officials turned pale as they realized the only explanation for such an outcome: the complete annihilation of their forces.
"This can't be happening. How could the Crimson King's army possibly grow so strong? Wiping out both our troops and Gaiyi's in a single night? It's impossible!" a high-ranking noble muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Yes, impossible. This must be some kind of mistake!"
The chamber descended into frantic discussion, but the truth was undeniable. Creek Mountain's defensive line had been obliterated. Their days were numbered.
Three Months Later
The golden splendor of Creek Mountain's capital now stood in stark contrast to the chaos engulfing it. The city had become a living hell—not due to the Crimson King's soldiers, but because of the anarchy that followed the collapse of the kingdom's rule.
Once it became clear that Creek Mountain was doomed, its social order disintegrated. With no new authority to fill the vacuum, chaos reigned. People gave in to their basest instincts, and the capital became a pit of violence and despair—a hellscape.
"I can feel the chaos in the air. If this were the world of Erathia, demons would be flocking here in droves," Muria's voice echoed in Mikaela's mind as he shared her vision of Creek Mountain's capital.
"We need to restore order as quickly as possible," Mikaela replied.
"Muria, when did your heart grow so dark? You orchestrated this entire downfall alongside me, yet here you are playing the 'good guy' while raking in all the benefits. And now you're lamenting the consequences? Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
"This level of chaos... I'll admit it's partly my fault, but it wasn't my intention. Yes, I destroyed Creek Mountain's old order, but my goal is to build a stronger, better system in its place—one that benefits everyone who survives, and their descendants too."
"Do you ever regret it? All the lives lost because of your ambitions?"
"No." Muria's tone was calm, unwavering. "I'm a king. My duty is to my people, to my kingdom. These sacrifices? They're necessary. And they'll happen again."
"Sometimes, I wonder if you're truly a descendant of the golden dragons," Mikaela murmured, half-joking.
"Don't doubt it. Come see my kingdom for yourself, and you'll understand. I treat my people well."
"I've already seen enough. 'Virtuous within, strong without,' right? You once explained that concept to me."
"I only care that my people see me as virtuous. What others think is irrelevant. In fact, if other nations praise my virtues, that's cause for concern—it means I'm failing my people."
"My hero, their villain?" Mikaela asked, chuckling softly.
"Exactly. Praise without interest is rare in politics. And when it comes, you should always question the motives behind it."
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/INNIT
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.