Boom!
The doors to the main hall were slammed open, startling Asher, who was looking at the new mural.
In the mural was the image of Ariel sitting on a throne with her son, Atticus Ashbourne, standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders.
Beside him was Sapphira. They had spent time touring the castle together, discovering new things that he, the castle lord, had not seen before.
One example was the mural.
“What about the father of her son?” Sapphira just asked that question when the door was slammed open and Kelvin approached them with hurried steps.
“My Lord, Baron Flameheart’s son has been killed and his domain taken.”
“What?!” Asher and Sapphira exclaimed with their eyes narrowed.
“I just heard of it, Your Lordship.”
Asher frowned deeply. “Is it Count William?”
Kelvin nodded. “It is. He has taken over Hebron City and is spreading his influence to Hebron Town but has met a fierce defense from our troops garrisoned there.”
Sapphira’s eyebrows met as some lines appeared on her forehead.
“What about Baron Flameheart and his wife?”
“They know.”
“I need to meet with him.” Asher said swiftly.
“Apologies, Your Lordship but Baron Flameheart and his wife left for Hebron City because he has been threatened with the death of his remaining son if he doesn’t appear.”
Asher’s eyes widened.
“He was threatened and he left without informing me to aid him in with troops?! That’s not the Claude that I know.”
“You suspect he was abducted?” Sapphira tilted her head.
Asher turned his head toward her. “He was and either by someone strong enough to bypass Goshen’s security or by a mage with the ability to teleport.”
Sapphira pressed her lips together. “We need to build an interference tower that would hinder mages from teleporting into and out of a city without permission.”
“An interference tower?” Kevin raised an eyebrow. He had no idea of such technology.
“How did you know about that?” Asher turned completely toward her.
“It’s in a tome that my parents left for me. I thought it was their knowledge until the difference between them and me became obvious.”
“I see.”
“If Count William has decided to attack my ally, knowing fully well that I also am a count, then he wants war.”
Asher’s solmen tone made Kelvin exhale loudly. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
“My Lord, this is tough to say but the news has spread that Count William is marching 100,000 strong to conquer the Dukedom of Mormonts.”
“What?!” Asher was taken aback.
“Since when did he gather such a great number?”
“It was from a recent expedition into the Wildlands. He has made all the clans and tribes there to be his.”
“Flameheart is an ally.”
Asher’s response made Kelvin know that Asher had made up his mind to fight and reclaim the Flameheart domain.
“But My Lord…”
“Summon all the military commanders and my counselors.”
Asher interjected.
Kelvin took a step back, bowed, and left.
Sapphira sighed. “The actual target is you.”
“I know.” Asher’s eyes flickered. “I’ve been preparing for it for a year now.”
…….
Later that day, Asher sat on his throne in the sacred hall with his commanders and counselors before him.
He was the last to enter the hall and because of that, all of them fell on one knee, all including Sapphira and Katarina, who were the counselors.
“We greet His Lordship!!”
Their voices echoed.
“Arise.” Asher replied with a soft tone yet the authorative undertone was still palpable.
They all got to their feet. Asher looked at Sapphira’s bare white feet on the polished floor for a brief moment before turning away. Read the next part on freewebnovel
He was beginning to wonder why her feet weren’t filled with dust but gleamed like she just had a bath.
“Our ally’s city has been taken, his heir killed, his younger son in custody and our ally’s condition is unknown but I reckon he would be in the hands of Count William’s men by now.”
“What do you wish?” Adam, the only general amongst them asked. So far, he had never fought a war except for the battle against the Bashan clans.
Because of this, his might wasn’t known to many. In fact, Asher knew some of his commanders wouldn’t listen to Adam because they also doubted his capability.
Only he knew that no one had control more than Adam. Adam’s talent’s side effect made him unable to speak loudly or the power of the roar would tear that person apart!
The level of willpower and control he had was unprecedented.
“To reclaim what belongs to our ally.”
“Let me go; I’ll reclaim the city for you.” All of a sudden, Aquila proposed.
Asher looked at her. “Your rank is too low.”
“Then let me assist whoever you shall send.” She lowered her head.
Seeing this, Asher knew she had finally humbled herself. He proceeded to check her loyalty stats and saw that it had reached 90.
This was a safe number.
From seventy-up was safe. At least they wouldn’t betray him easily.
[Ding! Mage Commander Aquila has fulfilled the final criteria for an upgrade: completely accepting her new lord. Would you like to upgrade her? Yes or No?]
[Ding! She has fulfilled another criteria: experience. Would you like to upgrade her? Yes or No?]
Asher knew the experience was gained from the teleportation channel she had been building for him so far.
She must have studied intensely to be able to build the grand teleportation channels. This technology was sensitive. A wrong setting and the whole thing would collapse.
‘Yes to both.’
Swoosh!
When the light died down, a beauty whose long silver hair fell to her waist could be seen on her knees. Her skin as delicate as ever and her mage gown gracefully wrapped around her elegant figure.
Her eyes were closed and her black eyelashes trembled intermittently.
Her fingersnails had the color of the bright blue sea, as as her fingers folded inward, ice spread outward.
But the spreading ice suddenly melted and the water rose up to become floating droplets.
The moment she opened her eyes, there was a sparkle.
[Ding! Mage Commander Aquila’s love and loyalty have reached 100!]
[Congratulations! You can now start a Mage Troop!]