Kellas was once an elite spy working directly for King Pheall Has'til of Ibrevell. He was one of the greatest spies in the Kingdom and had spent decades honing his skills while flawlessly executing every single mission. Despite that, he was caught as soon as he crossed the Arcadian border. The first border patrol just asked him, up front, if he was a spy and, immediately, saw through his lie. He was cuffed while the guards wholeheartedly ignored his pleading, bribing, and begging attempts. Kellas was imprisoned despite his protests and thrown into a jail where he found many of the spies who were considered killed while infiltrating Arcadia. He was informed his sentence was fifteen years of imprisonment; it would have been ten if he hadn't tried to bribe the guards. The only choice he was given was to choose between cutting wood or mining. The first three months he spent cutting wood because he foolishly believed he could escape more easily from a forest than a mine. Oh, how foolish he was but he didn’t panic, yet.

  Kellas’ past included many times he allowed himself to be caught because, sometimes, it was the easiest way into some of the most guarded places. But in all those instances, every time, he was able to break free. Every time, there were guards who neglected their work. But not this time. These silent guards, these observant statues who watched the prisoners were dutiful and terrifying. They harshly punished any attempt at running away without ever resorting to violence. After just a single month, he had lost all hope of creating an escape; but, he remained vigilant in case the opportunity presented itself. It was only because of that, he managed to notice a change among the previously indifferent guards and watch them look for someone specific. Unfortunately, he quickly realised they were looking for him. Well, not specifically for him but the highest-ranking spy among the captured. To his horror, they needed less than a day to decide that he was the best candidate for whatever they needed.

  Before he could do anything, suddenly, he lost consciousness.

  Waking up, he found himself on his knees in a place that could only be a throneroom of Arcadia. He had heard the stories but they didn't do justice to describe what he beheld. Ibrevell's throneroom could probably fit inside four times, and the smallest decorations were worth more than all the riches he had managed to gather his whole life. The enormous crimson banners that, undoubtedly, belonged to the armies of Arcadia were embroidered with gold and depicted creatures, items or, one, just a so-called Roman number. Along the walls were trophies from many battles and Kellas swallowed upon seeing the symbols of power of Cridia and Berna. They were resting among the banners of their former royal guard regiments. It wasn't a good sight because King Pheall, along with the entire Ibrevell court, believed that Metaka was responsible for the downfall of Cridia and Berna.

  With a heavy heart, he steeled himself to take a look toward the platform before him. Kellas' eyes went wide in shock upon seeing the sight in front of him. The Emperor of Arcadia, Theon Avalon, as menacing and regal as the stories depicted him, was sitting on his throne as expected but, despite that man's obviously foul mood, Kellas ignored him. The reason for his shock was sitting on the left hand of the Emperor. Without a single doubt and, despite a breathtaking change, that was Princess Irene Umelar. She was wearing a lavishly decorated dress and had a crown worth an entire country on her head but it was her. Kellas swallowed nervously, seeing her cold and hateful gaze, but he managed to stand up. He quickly took a deep breath and shouted.

  "Tulivell eń tianá, na'a? shaa elmàr!"

  The mana swirled in the air, enhancing his voice and, upon seeing her growing anger, he realised that he had just doomed himself. The woman was silent but the golden sparks around her were like a furious storm, barely contained or controlled. In terrified awe, Kellas estimated the amount of mana carried by each spark equaled the amount of mana that people usually have. The amount of mana under her control was unbelievable. Whatever happened to her, she was invaluable for the Grand Plan...

  "That won't work on me anymore." She said with disgust. "I'm immune to mind control or suggestions. I'm Irene va'Theon the Saintess of Eriar and the Second Empress of Arcadia, you low servant."

  He was pushed violently and crashed on the ground. Only then, did he notice a lone guard behind him. Normally, that would not be enough to stop him but, this time, just one look was enough to realise a single mistake meant his death.

  "Listen to me very closely, spy, because I'm not in the mood for games." The voice of the Emperor was so calm that it was terrifying. Kellas looked at the man in shock and trembled in fear. "Do you know civilised speech or am I just wasting my time?"

  "I know civility, Lord Theon Avalon." The words had escaped his lips on their own causing Kellas to tremble. That man was incredibly dangerous.

  "Good. I will be very, very brief." The Emperor stood up and they were suddenly standing on a balcony that overlooked the harbour.

  Kellas didn't have time to process what happened before he was brought to the railings. He slowly dropped to his knees, feeling nauseous, but managed to take a deep calming breath. The Elf gasped in shock seeing two huge ships made of steel and accompanied by smaller vessels. With growing horror, he noticed people walking on their decks and realised how enormously big they were. Before his very eyes, one of the largest ships slowly rose into the air, making it painfully obvious it was an airship. All of them were airships. He was lifted into the air by the guard in black and gold armour.

  "Irene Umelar is lost forever to Ibrevell-"

  "That's unacceptable." Kellas interrupted and immediately regretted it as the guard's hand clamped on his shoulder with a force threatening to break his bones.

  "I don't care what you deem acceptable or not." The Emperor had not raised his voice or allowed any change in his expression. "Before you are my Dreadnoughts, the airships that will destroy your kingdom if your King continues on this path."

  "Are you threatening the Ibrevell Kingdom with war?" Kellas asked, trying to remain calm despite his shock and fear.

  "No, spy." The Emperor smiled flatly and Kellas’ momentary relief died upon seeing the hard gaze of Theon Avalon. The Emperor's eyes shone with inhumane amounts of mana that nearly blinded him with their glow. "I promise you destruction and death."

  "You are insane! You can't wage war against us!"

  "You are not the first nor will be the last one to utter those words. Do you think it is the first war in my life? My Immortal Legions are currently engaged against Vestargo as we speak. He is the Master of the Ancient Forest - a mad Dungeon Core that wants to conquer the world." Theon Avalon chuckled but he was speaking the truth according to Kellas' Truth Seeker skill.

  "You are bluffing! No one can fight against the Dungeons!" He shouted and was instantly unceremoniously tossed to the ground which he hit painfully.

  "I’ve heard that before also." He chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

  A blood-curdling roar froze Kellas; awakening all his subconscious fears but the Emperor and Irene Umelar stood unfazed. Even as a Dragon landed behind them, their only reaction was Irene patting the huge head of the beast who seemed to lower it just for affection. The frail woman looked so small compared to the Dragon who eyed Kellas with murderous hate.

  "Only monsters can fight monsters. Only a Dungeon can fight another Dungeon!" The Emperor said in an over-dramatic voice. He looked down at Kellas with an unamused gaze and unleashed a monstrous power that landed like a hammer. "But, I am a man that the people of this world call a Hero. I am the Champion of Eriar. My single word is an absolute order for the Immortal Legions of Avalon. My will is law for Dungeon Denizens and Mortals alike."

  Kellas swallowed hard as he looked at the, clearly, insane man. However, Irene Ulemar wasn't even slightly bothered as she patted the Dragon. The rumbling, seemingly happy purr made by the beast was horrifying. She ignored his presence completely and Kellas was sure that the mind control trigger he previously attempted had failed. She should have been trying to run home by now, instead, she seemed occupied with petting the monster.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "I am Emperor Theon Avalon, The Champion of Eriar, The Chosen of the Archangel, The Bringer of Equilibrium, The Flamewielder of Hestia, The Unforgiving Storm of Zephyr, The Starchaser of Hera, The Brother of Zeus, The Prophet of Tisiphone, The Wrath of Vali, The Herald of Verka, The Protector of the Weak, The Bane of Void's Servants, The God Slayer, The Vengeful One, and The Conqueror." Unfathomable waves of power washed over Kellas with each title the Emperor embraced and the Elf started shaking and was close to fainting. "Tell me... Should it be I who needs to be worried about going to war?"

  "No..." Kellas whispered, forced by the strange skill that forced him to admit the truth. He mustered all his willpower and looked at the Dragon. "But you are insane if you believe you control the monsters! Your soldiers are powerful but they will all perish if they fight a Dragon once it rebels against you! You can't control it"

  "Praetorian..." The Emperor looked at the silent guardian behind Kellas. "Enlighten him."

  The guard slowly raised his hands towards his helmet and Kellas realised it was his chance to try to run. But, as he desperately tried to run, his body was trembling in uncontrollable fear. Betrayed by his own body, he could only powerlessly watch the guard slowly remove his helmet. But, once he lifted it, another wave of panic and shock washed over the senior spy. A few steps away from him was standing a Death Lord.

  "What is your duty, Praetorian?" The Dragon unexpectedly asked with a voice that sent shivers down Kellas' spine.

  "To serve the Emperor's will!" The Dragon started to slowly lift its chest as the Praetorian answered.

  "What is the Emperor's will?"

  "To fight and die for the Empresses!" The Death Lord answered without a shred of hesitation, filling the Elf with despair. It was the truth...

  "WHAT IS DEATH?!" The Dragon bellowed a question, standing proudly and staring past the rail.

  "It is our duty!" Thousands of voices replied in terrifying harmony and Kellas noticed hundreds, if not thousands, of Praetorians, standing on the parade grounds below the balcony.

  The Empress slowly walked towards Theon Avalon who looked down at Kellas. There was no mercy or leniency in his stern look, only the promise of death and war.

  "Never again, I do not want to see the Ibrevell's spies or agents within the boundaries of my realm and hear that you took action against my allies. I do not seek to destroy you but I won't hesitate, for even a moment, if you disregard my warning." The ruler of Arcadia said with his cold voice. "I request one thing - forget about Irene. I do not ask. I do not bargain. I state to you to forget she ever existed, otherwise, I will make the world forget your country ever existed."

  "My word means nothing..." Kellas whispered with a broken voice. He had seen too much for his sanity.

  "I expect nothing from you but to be my messenger, Kellas of Ibrevell." The Emperor extended his hand with an ornate scroll and he dropped it into the hands of Ibrevell's spy. "You will tell your master what you have seen here and bring him my promise of destruction if he, once more, extends his foul hands for my wife. I wiped out Cridia and conquered Berna. Beware of the illusion of your strength; I won’t hesitate to crush any delusion of grandness that your petty country has. I won't become your enemy as long as you respect my demands. I don't crave another war but I will ruthlessly destroy you and make sure that you will never rise again if you violate my demands."

  He opened and closed his mouth as he stared around and secretly pierced the images he was shown with his Keen Eyes. The skill that could pierce any illusion showed no falsehoods, nothing fake in his perception, making him shiver. The monstrous airships were as real as the monsters that demonstrated the undying loyalty to Irene Ul... No. Irene Umelar was dead and he had to do everything to convince everyone to accept it... This woman was Irene va'Theon. He closed his hands on the scroll which was met with an approving nod of the Emperor.

  "Good... You will take my message and you will inform those who rule your country about my demand."

  Kellas watched the scroll in his hands and, as he swallowed, he very slowly nodded. The Death Lord's hand once again clamped on his shoulder and they were standing on the drawbridge of Avalon. The Praetorian shoved a travel bag in his hands and looked at the Elf; once again, his helmet was on his head.

  "Take a straight route back to your country. You will be observed. In this bag, you have supplies and weapons to protect yourself once you leave Arcadia. If you ever return to this country without permission, you will die. Leave, spy."

  Just like that, he was once again unceremoniously pushed and he landed in the neatly cut grass near the road. Before he managed to stand up, a loud thump announced that the drawbridge was closed behind him. Without a single gaze back, he started running as long as his strength allowed him...

  ???

  "I still think that sending Dauntless and Valiant would have a better effect," I said as we watched the spy run away.

  "Perhaps..." Irene slowly shook her head. "But Ibrevell is insignificant in the grand picture. If we send our Navy and, in their stupidity, they try to call it a bluff, we will have to destroy the entire country. It's not worth our time right now, my Dear."

  I sighed and pulled her closer to my side. She was calm after I agreed to follow her plan.

  "I don't see a problem with sparing a few missiles..." I grumbled, making her chuckle.

  "I love you." She kissed me and leaned over my shoulder.

  "It's certainly a cheaper solution..." Luna appeared behind us, followed by the rest of the Empresses who had observed the entire thing from the war room. "Irene was right, Theon. We can't waste time on side quests while engaging a demanding adversary like Vestargo. Sending both dreadnoughts would, dangerously, shrink our combat capabilities. It would be even worse if we had to send an entire battle group."

  "All right, all right! I know that. I just don't want to give them any leeway..." I said with a sigh as we turned around and walked away from the balcony.

  The illusion screen that showed us the running spy turned off and dissolved into nothingness. We moved to a conference table and Amber, for the first time, sat across it instead of taking her rightful place on my right. I sighed, knowing what that meant and I looked at her with a heavy heart.

  "I know that look, Theon." She smiled but that smile was flat and forced. "I don't exactly want to do it but we have to use this opportunity."

  I sighed once again as the doors to the room opened, letting in Janet Sparrow, Edward Teach, Rhys Moonshadow, and Raviil Gvirael.

  "Vanushka..." I said and she nodded in confirmation as the officers took their seats.

  "Two battleships, a frigate, and the six destroyers are gathered in Avalon even though they might be desperately needed at the war theatre at any time." She said with a heavy voice. It was apparent that she acknowledged the need to take control of the Balantican assets but it was only out of necessity. "A moment like that might not repeat itself as long as the war against Vestargo rages on."

  "We lost forty-eight people before we even realised that something was there. The Guardsmen Corps couldn't defeat the golems protecting the ruins." I started with concern.

  "I doubt that anything would withstand the firepower of the Arcadian Royal Navy. Whatever is in that city won't be able to stop us." Amber sighed but I saw in her eyes that she would rather gladly agree with anything that would allow her to stay home. A few days ago she admitted to me that she felt that leaving the Balantican tech unattended could be troublesome. "Unfortunately... I will need Vishnu to prevent the city from reacting hostile to our approach."

  "You want to allow it to rebuild itself?" I asked, feeling uneasy.

  "I'm afraid so..." She sighed.

  "All right." I simply nodded and looked at Janet. "Have an eye on that ship, Admiral. If it tries anything funny, you have my blessing to destroy it."

  "Yes, my Lord." She briefly confirmed.

  "Blackbeard and Rhys, you are going as well. I have no idea what to expect down there but the Praetorians will probably need some guidance."

  "Of course, my Lord." They acknowledged without any discussion.

  "All right, if that's-"

  "Hestia, Aoi, Mia, Tia, and I are going as well. If anyone had a chance that would be us as a group, Theon." Irene said with unease in her voice. "We can't let Amber go there alone."

  I stared blankly at her and took a deep breath. I shouldn't be so surprised about the full group press, after all.

  "I know that you don't want to risk anyone's life but our presence will be beneficial to the expedition forces." Hestia smiled warmly at me but I nearly missed it.

  "In that case, no one goes anywhere until Ragnar forges new equipment for you, my Ladies," I said calmly and noticed their surprise. "Don't look at me like that. I know fully well that you are strong girls. But I'll be damned if I let you go without the best gear Arcadia can create..."

  Thank you all for reading.

  I wish you all a great day and as always I wait for your comments.

  A big thanks to who edited the chapter!

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