Conditional alliance

Borders of Lung Cheng City — Zhonguo Republic

The temporary ceasefire had granted Erebus a rare reprieve, allowing him a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. The war had made rest a dangerous luxury—an enemy's blade could find him even within the flimsy shelter of his own tent. Yet, for once, his dreams were not haunted by Luciana's loss.

Instead of a nightmare, Erebus found himself in a vision of warmth and serenity. Luciana sat in a sunlit courtyard, cradling an infant in her arms with the utmost care. Her gentle smile, the one that always caught his breath and left him wanting to hold her close, was as radiant as ever.

But the dream was fleeting—a mere fragment of peace—shattered as the sounds of commotion outside his tent abruptly pulled him back to reality.

His eyes blinked open, adjusting to the dim glow of a dying kerosene lamp. The tent was cold, the ground beneath him colder still. Even in the height of summer, Lung Cheng, nestled within the mountain range, remained blanketed in frost. He poured water into a basin, the icy splash against his face jolting him fully awake. Pulling on his overcoat and securing his headdress, he stepped outside.

The night had left a fresh layer of snow over the battlements. A sharp wind cut through the air as soldiers gathered around, their attention fixed on an escalating argument at the heart of the encampment. Lu Yin, his second-in-command, stood squared off against a group of men clad in olive-green cloaks—outsiders, neither friend nor foe.

Noticing Erebus's approach, his soldiers parted to allow him through. Their murmurs ceased as they saluted in unison.

"What is the cause of this disturbance?" he asked, his voice cool and commanding.

One of his men stepped forward. "They were spotted during the night patrol, lingering near our perimeter."

Before Erebus could respond, one of the strangers barked, "We demand an audience with your general!"

Lu Yin's stance stiffened. "You will speak when spoken to," he snapped, his tone edged with threat.

Erebus's gaze swept over the newcomers. They were wary—edging back ever so slightly, sensing the weight of his scrutiny. Their presence here was no accident; they sought something, but their guarded demeanor suggested they would not reveal it easily.

"Lu Yin," Erebus said, his tone sharp, "explain."

Lu Yin's expression remained tense as he gave his report. "They refuse to disclose their identities or purpose. All they say is that they will speak only with the one who commands this army."

Erebus studied them for a long moment. The air around him grew heavy with unspoken tension. "Take them to the inquiry tent," he ordered. "I will hear them there."

With that, he turned away, his mind already shifting to the preparations for the next battle. Eight relentless months of conquest had led him to the doorstep of total victory over the Zhonguo Republic. Yet, beyond the battlefield, another war loomed—one that few understood.

Far to the south, where the volcanic peaks of Kemet loomed like the fangs of the earth, the demon army stood on the precipice of unleashing Dabbah, the last of the monstrous entities capable of consuming entire realms in its wake. At the heart of it all, Iblis's grand design remained obscured, known only to his closest retainer, Vlad.

A messenger arrived at Erebus's command tent. "Sir," he said, bowing. "Lu Yin has brought the prisoners."

Erebus nodded, setting aside his war plans. He strode toward the inquiry tent, its entrance flanked by two guards who snapped to attention at his arrival. Inside, Lu Yin stood at rigid attention, while the captives sat in silence, their expressions tense with anticipation.

"They still refuse to speak," Lu Yin informed him.

Erebus took his seat, his presence alone demanding answers. "What is your purpose here?" he asked.

The men exchanged glances but remained silent.

Lu Yin leaned in. "General, I believe there is a language barrier."

Erebus's brow furrowed. "They don't understand Roghur?"

Lu Yin shook his head. "Not entirely. These regions speak Sino-Han. However, I overheard one attempting to use archaic Moghur."

"Moghur…" Erebus exhaled, rubbing his temples. It had been years since he'd last spoken the language. Yet, necessity dictated adaptability.

He shifted his tone, speaking in Moghur. "Can you understand me now?"

One of the men stiffened, his mask of indifference slipping for a fraction of a second. Erebus caught it immediately.

"He reacted," he murmured, sharp as ever. "Proceed with the inquiry."

Lu Yin resumed questioning in Moghur, and this time, the men responded. Their tale was grim—an account of their cities falling under the demons' merciless onslaught.

"We seek an alliance," one of them said.

Lu Yin translated their plea. Erebus's expression remained unreadable.

"And why would I accept?" he asked.

The spokesman did not hesitate. "We are not merely an alliance guild," he declared. "We are the only guild in the human realm with an extensive intelligence network. We know the movements of the demon army. We know where they plan to strike next."

Lu Yin relayed the information word for word. Erebus remained silent, considering.

The next words made him pause.

"They are advancing toward the volcanic south of Kemet."

A heavy stillness settled in the tent. Lu Yin's gaze flickered toward Erebus, awaiting his reaction.

Erebus met his aide's eyes before looking back at the guild members. Their faces were shadowed with desperation.

His army was formidable, but his intelligence network was lacking. His spies, while skilled, were not equipped for far-reaching operations. These men—if they were telling the truth—could provide something invaluable.

He leaned forward, his tone final. "I will accept your request under four conditions."

The men tensed. "What conditions?"

Erebus's gaze was cold, unyielding. "First, you will work only for me—no third parties. Second, you will report directly to me and no one else. Third, you will become my shadows, guarding my secrets as if they were your own. Fourth…" His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Betray me, and you will not live to regret it."

Lu Yin translated. The reaction was immediate—two men recoiled, protesting the last condition.

Erebus remained unmoved. "The choice is yours."

Silence stretched between them. Then, a burly man rose to his feet, his expression resolute. "We accept all terms."

Erebus met his stare, gauging his resolve. "Do you swear loyalty as my shadows?"

The man did not hesitate. "Yes."

Erebus extended his hand. "Your name?"

"Jin."

As Jin clasped his hand, something shifted in the air—an unspoken contract forged in that moment. The others followed, sealing their fates.

Erebus rose, his voice carrying weight. "From this moment forward, the Central Alliance Guild belongs to my army."

Outside, the first light of dawn pierced through the icy clouds. A new force had entered the battlefield.