Chapter 67 : Ambition

After speaking with Sylena, Jonady gave orders to the guards to escort the young elf and her companions to a room where they could rest.

The sea voyage had likely left them exhausted.

Once he left the royal chamber Jonady, exchanged his sovereign's attire for a simple yet elegant military uniform.

I then took his seat in his office.

Surrounding myself with my advisors.

To my left stood Raelia, my fiancee strategist with chestnut hair tied back, dressed in a brown uniform.

To my right was Nilyna a servant with long red hair, her demeanor attentive.

Across the table sat Kaylen robed in white, his expression contemplative.

Next to him was Gilbert a knight clad in gray armor, with a sword hanging at his side.

"You are free to voice your opinions" i declared calmly, my hands clasped together on the table.

Gilbert was the first to respond, breaking the silence.

"Under normal circumstances, Your Majesty, I would advise against intervening in any conflict on the continent.

However, the current situation leaves us with no choice."

Kaylen his white hair framing a stern face, crossed his arms before adding:

"We have no alliance pact with the Grand Confederation of Azulferia however our trade relations with them are vital. If we remain passive and the Beasts kingdom of Etrakios manages to annex this nation we might be their next target."

Kaylen's words echoed in Jonady's mind.

I recalled a lesson from my previous world, the one from before: during the Second World War,big nations had mistakenly believed they could avoid conflict by ignoring Germany's annexation of Czechoslovaki history had proven them wrong.

Jonady clenched his fists beneath the table.

He was determined not to make the same mistake for Ednia.

The strategic debate was interrupted by the arrival of a towering figure dressed in black, armed with a saber on his back, and wearing a raven mask.

It was Katran the leader of Ednia elite spies, the Shadow Ravens.

He knelt before me.

 "You summoned me, Your Majesty?"

Jonady nodded, his gaze steady.

 "Katran, I want you to take a unit of Shadow Ravens and infiltrate the Grand Confederation of Azulferia.

Gather intelligence on the enemy's activities and monitor their movements."

Katran rose gracefully, his movements fluid.

 "As you command."

And just as swiftly as he arrived, he disappeared into the shadows as he close the door.

Jonady then turned to Gilbert.

 "Contact Robert and Marcus. Have them prepare our troops. We set sail tomorrow afternoon to arrive at dawn."

Gilbert nodded, a determined expression on his face.

In the Grand Confederation of Azulferia...

The fortress of Elunezor had fallen.

The werewolves had transformed this once majestic bastion into their headquarters.

In a massive wooden structure built by dwarves, now desecrated with black banners and claw-marked walls symbol of Etrakios.

At the heart of this room,was sat a werewolf in his human form the beast king Pryzor the conqueror his expression confident and predatory.

Standing before him was Niolz the prince of the Katakiel Empire, a demon with dark skin and piercing yellow eyes.

"So far everything is going as you planned" Pryzor said, a predatory smile curling on his lips.

Niolz arms crossed, responded in a arrogant measured tone:

 "Of course my plan was flawless but don't forget our agreement, Pryzor."

Pryzor's grin widened as he raised a goblet of red wine.

"Naturally thanks to your black mage kmowledge and the animal carcasses left in the Nymenor Forest, we lured and captured powerful beasts. They allowed us to destroy the fortress and achieve our objectives."

He paused, savoring his victory.

"But don't worry, Niolz my dear friend as a warrior once Azulferia is conquered i will face this so-called hero Jonady, the one who crushed your ambitions in the past."

Niolz's face darkened, his grimace revealing a still-fresh wound.

The defeat of the coalition on Ednia was a humiliation he had not yet overcome.

Even his own sister, Ilphyna, had seemed pleased with his failure.

 But this time he was determined to have his revenge.

 "This hero Jonady" Niolz spat with venom "this time, I will deal with him personally.

I will kill him myself with my own hands only then it's only with that this affront will be erased."

Pryzor chuckled, clearly entertained by his ally's fervor.

 "The elven barrier won't last more than a week.

The southern and eastern flanks are already under the control of Woltuck and Zoltov.

No nation will dare come to the aid of these vermin."

The two sovereigns raised their goblets and toasted.

"Glory to our victory!" they declared in unison, before erupting into laughter.

The partnership between Pryzor and Niolz both of those two have ambition as vast as it was mercyless.

While Niolz schemed to conquered the island kingdom of Ednia to rule Katakiel and Pryzor in other hand him envisioned to establish an empire where he would reign as the supreme ruler.