Logistics had always been the backbone of war.
With the Battle of Sumr Sea now concluded and the supply lines secured, the Union's armies on the frontlines were no longer at risk of running dry. Weapons, food, and arcane resources could now steadily flow from the south without interruption.
What had once been uncertain had now beco stable. The victory did more than break an invasion. It ensured continuity. The Sovereign Union could hold its positions, sustain its forces, and plan its next moves without the constant threat of being cut off.
In the wider scope of the war, the defeat of the Empire's forces at Amberfall beca a turning point. It gave the Union ti. And in war, ti was often the difference between survival and collapse.
As the sun slowly rose beyond the horizon, the first light fell upon the dozens of ships that sailed across the Sumr Sea. Their designs were unlike those of Europa. They were sleeker, sharper, and unmistakably foreign.
That was only natural. After all, they had co from the East.
Sails bearing the insignia of the Baihua Sect, the Tsuitsui Clan, and the Qingyun Bang caught the morning light, standing out against the open sea.
A new day had dawned.
***
Marlow slowly opened his eyes.
At first, confusion flickered in them when he saw the opulent chandelier and the ceiling. He frowned as he wondered where he was.
The last thing he rembered was engaging in a desperate and brutal fight with the new group of orcs that had arrived at the node chamber.
He had been heavily outnumbered. He had been brutally injured and was certain he wouldn't make it out alive.
But here he was.
"Where... am I?" He murmured in a daze.
He sensed motion beside him. The shuffling of footsteps, followed by elated voices.
"Father!"
"Marlow!"
The Prince lowered his gaze and saw his son and wife by the bed. Tears stread down Marcus's face as he threw himself into an emotional embrace. "Father!" he said in between sobs.
"Ugh!" Marlow grimaced. The wounds on his torso sent jolts of pain through his body.
"Easy, Marcus." Hazel wiped her tears away and displayed a smile full of relief. "Ah!" the teenager yelped in surprise, then imdiately straightened himself. The Prince gazed at his son and wife in a daze. He couldn't help but murmur, "What happened? Where am I?"
"In your private chambers," said Hazel as she dotingly stroked Marlow's hair. "I'm going to bring the others!" Marcus bead and darted out of the room. With his wife's help, Marlow slowly sat up straight. His mory was all hazy. He had suffered a deep wound to his forehead, and he believed that's why his mind was all jumbled up.
He touched the fresh bandages wrapped around his forehead. Slowly, mories of what transpired the previous night beca clear to him. And when they did, his eyes widened, and he blurted:
"The war! What happened in the battle in the north? The orcs... the node chamber! What happened?"
"Calm down," Hazel said gently. "It's all over. The battle is won."
"I-How?" Marlow gulped subconsciously. "Reinforcents from the Union arrived?"
"Yes." Hazel smiled. "And more."
"More?" Marlow couldn't help but frown. "Who?"
Hazel inhaled, unable to quite believe herself. Then she said in a steady voice: "From the East, they said. From the mystical lands of Yen-Lu!"
In the heart of the palace, inside vast and luxurious hall, several Mana Core Magi had gathered.
Representing the Baihua Sect was its Sect Leader, Bai Tainji, the Blossom Blade. The Venom Dragon, Goro Tsuitsui, stood for the Tsuitsui Clan. The Beggar of Clouds, Hong, represented the Qingyun Bang.
And finally, there was the leader of the Shadow Sect, whose na remained unknown to all.
Across from them sat King Maximillian and Princess Anna of House Fireborne. The Storm King, representing the Dark King's army, stood with his arms crossed, his figure leaning against the marble pillar. Blackfire Balthazar was absent as he was still recovering. And lastly, there was Virion.
"First of all." King Maximilian rose from his seat. He pressed a hand against his chest and offered a light bow.
"I thank you all for your aid in our ti of need. We will not forget this." The Magi from the East nodded in acknowledgnt. Though they had been given mory Strands to learn the local language, it was still too early for them to speak it fluently. They could understand it well enough, however. The leader of the Shadow Sect, who had been given the mory Strand years ago from Adam, before entering the Death Valley before, spoke on their behalf. "King Fireborne," he began. "As Magi born from the sa earth, it is our duty to help one another. If anything, I must apologise that I could only bring this many Magi with ."
He paused, lowering his head. "The politics of Yen-Lu are... complicated, to say the least. We do not look kindly on foreigners, given our history. Still, these brave n beside understood what was at stake, and they chose to co forward and work together with you."
He then went on to introduce the three representatives of the organizations from the Nine Great Sects and Clans. Throughout the entire ti, Goro's gaze was glued to Anna, his eyes shining like the stars.
Anna cast a brief glance at him and frowned. Then she ignored him.
"...The rest of our Magi have already arrived at the port," the mysterious Shadow Sect's leader continued. "Rest assured, each of us is committed to fighting the Cult of Bones and putting an end to their evil sches."
"My friend, that is good to hear," King Maximilian said with a relieved smile. "Truly."
"So all of you are friends with Adam?" Edward, who had been quiet all this while, suddenly spoke up.
Hearing the na 'Adam', the Magi from the East turned to him, their gaze
deepening.
"He's talking about Ao, isn't he?" Goro thumped the table with his fist. "Damn that bastard! How could he lie to , his brother, about his na!" Edward and the other Magi - from the West - turned to the Shadow Sect's leader for translation.
"Young man." He turned to Edward and nodded. "Indeed, we are all acquainted with Adam. But we know him by a different na. But before I continue, can
you satisfy this old man's curiosity?"
"Of course." Edward nodded.
The Shadow Sect's leader then spoke what was on everyone's mind.
"Where is Adam Constantine?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers