" Do you wish to proceed my lord ?" Lennard asked. The question felt foolish, it was foolish. They didn't have a choice, ironically the emperor was much like the Ar'gaths whom were bound to his will.
" The longer we wait the more we risk being overwhelmed." Edward answered, turning and circling around to sit down on his throne. His eyes were sharp but he not could hide his frustration. His regal attire adorned in silver and blue fluttered windlessly.
" It has been about 1-2 months since I sent out the royal decree. All kingdoms should be prepared by now. There is no other path forward since news of the summoning rituals failing should have spread by now.
This is the opportune moment, for two reasons. One is that we are currently at our strongest after recouping our losses for 6 years. Two, is that if we don't attack now we risk the vassal kingdoms turning their blades on us and swearing fealty to Linnaeus. Question able as that maybe. The longer we delay there more the Ar'gaths will be whittled down." Edward stroked his blonde beard while glancing at Lennard.
" Of course, you already knew this." Edward's gaze was calm with acknowledgement, while Lennard couldn't compare with him and Ryan in might. He far outclassed them in intellect. House Hamilton much like House Dalton were king makers in that they were the blade that cut and reinforced the hold of their masters. Lennard Evan Hamilton the current head of house Hamilton after his father Helios, former advisor to King Rowan, Edward's father.
House Rynberg and Hamilton's ties began a long time ago, about half a millennia. In the current era, the oldest kingdom was 6-7 millennia old being the Belford kingdom. Which begged the question of why weren't they an empire? An overlord of the world?
Lennard bowed once more and turned to leave his steps measured as he contemplated the best way forward.
' 99% of the Argar'ths who had escaped have been terminated and the rest will killed soon enough. With the recent massacres of the Island of Wales and the Ostriana Kingdom, Linnaeus is rapidly growing stronger. If we delay any longer, then he might not need his army to wipe us out.That is if he doesn't already.' Sweat trickled slowly from his palms as he hurried forward. Walking in the palace corridors, Lennard marched in silence.
West of the Rynberg empire; Belford kingdom.
Two figures shuffled about in the thicket of trees rushing whilst leaving minimal traces as Charles led the way forward.
Surges of anti-mana fluctuated on Nathaniel's body rapidly restoring his stamina as he kept pace. While feelings of joy and anxiety threatened to overwhelm him he kept his guard up against any ambushes.
The two figures treaded northwest of the city of Liberia as they went deeper into the thicket of trees.
After half an hour walking, Charles came to a slight pause raising his hand a pattern of a rock glowed on his left backhand.
Subtle vibrations enveloped a 3 meter wide tree with dozens of meters in height, a section ('door') of the tree vanished opening the trunk of the tree.
Bellowing winds rushed out fluttering their robes as they went in slowly descending the stairs. Nathaniel followed silently ready for any entrapment. A quarter of an hour later they stood before 2 massive doors underground illuminated by fireflies, Charles waved his right hand, a tree insignia embedded on his palm as he pushed forward opening the doors.
"Where are we?" Nathaniel asked his tone slightly heavy. Although he trusted Charles, that trust only extended so far.
" We are at a hideout." Charles replied walking further into the dimly lit hall. Orbs floated letting weak light illuminating the vast cavern beneath the trees.
"A hideout? What do you mean? Are you saying there are others here?" Nathaniel readied himself for confrontation. "Relax, no is going to attack you. Heck, you are making me nervous." Charles stifled a laughter while continuing to walk towards a massive rectangular table with 64 seats around it. A vast majority of them empty, only 9 figures were seated on the seats, their attention fully on Nathaniel. With a glance multiple auras readily aimed to crush him.
Immediately Nathaniel readied himself his aura threatening to erupt. "Explain yourself!" One of the seated figures, a beast folk cat woman roared at Charles wisps of wires ready to dismember him.
"Charles!" Nathaniel roared ready to attack. A prey like sensation washed over him.
"Everybody relax." No longer playful Charles raised his aura crushing the tension in the air. "Now that's better." He surveyed the hall and turned his gaze to the only seat at the head of the table. " I was out on recon in the city about 3 days ago when I caught sight of him and at first I couldn't believe it myself but here were are."
" Stop with the theatrics. WHO IS HE?" The female feline's eyes bordering insanity, she roared. Countless days of living in the shadows had taken a toll on her, all of them.
" His name is Maxwell Beaufort, a comrade of mine and yours. We fought on the plains of Lawrence together. He is formerly of squad 316 under Warren the lion man." Charles introduced him solemnly.
" Iron Warren?" The figure at the head seat questioned with a hint of melancholy. Despite the glowing orbs, Nathaniel couldn't clearly see those at the back of the table. His gut feeling however told him that those at the back radiated stronger auras.
" He belonged to Iron Warren's squad?Impossible! He is took weak." The catwoman was starting to get on Nathaniel's nerves. He wished for nothing but to wrung her pretty little neck. Bloodlust subconsciously mixed into his aura, his gaze became colder.
Of course everybody sensed the increasing tension, the desire to kill running rampant in the air.
" You need to calm down Kate."The leader said, "Maybe she needs a glass of milk." Nathaniel interrupted stifling a chuckle from Charles.
"What?You brat!" Kate snarled. "Somehow I don't doubt that." Nathaniel retorted, " I was talking." A menacing aura came from the leader staring at Nathaniel, " I know. I just don't give a fuck." Tension rose again as everyone exchanged glances, " I'm only here because he led me here." Nathaniel pointed at Charles, "I don't wanna be a part of your pity group. I got things to do. See ya." Nathaniel turned to walk.
" Hold it." The aura in the hall had turned murderous. " You think you can just walk in here, disrespect your betters and that's it? You walk out?" Kate stood up twirling her wires, vibrating so fast they looked invisible.
"Thwack!" A swing of her wire met a shield of ice, cutting half through as the steel wire froze over.
" I'm not looking for a fur garment right now." Nathaniel said, daggers of ice forming and twirling in his hands.
"This ingrosh! " Kate launched into the air, a net of wires cascading onto Nathaniel.
"ENOUGH!" The leader stepped forward, a massive snarl on his face. 'Another orc.' Nathaniel though. For a moment he remembered Ralph, the only squad mate he got along with.
" I don't care what you want, only what you must. You will join us, that's final. We are being hunted." The orc looked around the hall, " This is everyone left in this kingdom. The 11 of us including you. So we will survive and that's it. I don't care whether you slaughter, devour or protect the beings of this planet. We are leaving this shit hole that's the mission. So you all better be team players or I will kill you all here right now." Cold sweat ran through the hall as everyone listened solemnly.
Without waiting the hulking mass of 4 meters went deeper into the cavern. " I'm Kaizen." His voice whispered from the depths.
"Well I guess we are all friends." Charles chuckled, " Come let me show you around." He beckoned at Nathaniel. With reluctance Nathaniel walked over leaving the hall behind.
Kate watched them leave, turning her head she clicked her tongue and left as well. The other 7 left as well looking like this had nothing to with them.
Back in the city, squads of patrol guards made their way into Nathaniel's room searching for traces. While the use of a long distance scrolls might not rupture the barrier of a city and it's fluctuations can be hidden somewhat the resulting spatial disturbance cannot.
Since the advent of Linnaeus, all the kingdoms had invested heavily into spatial theory and transportation. While it seemed that everyone was resolute in fighting till annihilation the truth was, running was the best option. Defeat was certain and no amount of time or effort could change that but the advent of Linnaeus had also opened their eyes to the existence of other worlds, safe heavens from Mergard.
In the capital of Rynberg Kingdom:
"Well, that went about as expected." Ryan crossed out 2 kingdoms from the map stretched out before him. ' He is strong. But not invincible, I quickly need to master the ouroboros summoning spell, my fusion spells and spacial magic quickly. I can definitely break his sealing spell on the planet if I do that, now the question is whether I want to do it?' A smirk arose.