The battle at Draegmor still raged on as the sun leaned westward.Though only half a day had passed, the tide of victory was already clear. The Balevad forces, led by Prince Billok, continued to press forward, pushing back the imperial army under Prince Todius. Their assault was brutal, almost merciless. Todius was clearly overwhelmed by the pressure.
But amid the blaze and clash of steel, an urgent message arrived from Neroxius—ordering an immediate halt to the war. Across the field, the Balevad army received a similar command from Bolisi, delivered specifically to Billok through Minora.
A messenger rushed to the tower where Minora stood, watching the battle unfold with sharp eyes, studying every movement of the enemy."A message from Lord Bolisi," the man panted. "He requests that the army withdraw immediately. You are to inform Prince Billok."
After a lengthy explanation about the ceasefire's reasoning, Minora fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
The victory at Draegmor was undeniable—a result of her strategy and brilliant choice of terrain. But swift triumphs could lead to sudden downfalls if one wasn't careful in choosing the direction and flow of war.
Minora, once dismissed as mere entertainment for nobles in Draegmor—adored by Larfex and Whitesand aristocrats for her beauty—now held immense sway behind the Balevad war strategies led by Billok.
She turned to her guard. "Summon Prince Billok. Tell him it's urgent."
Not long after, Billok arrived—his armor still drenched in blood, his breathing heavy, the spiked flail that had wreaked havoc on the battlefield now slung across his back. His face was taut with fury."You call me in the middle of a victory?" he growled. "You're ruining our momentum, Minora. We're dominating!"
"And you're getting ahead of yourself," Minora replied coolly. "This war isn't over. Our victory is far from absolute."
Billok's glare sharpened. "What's so urgent that you'd ask me to stop now?"
"A request from Bolisi," Minora said. "He wants us to pull back—temporarily. He believes a greater reward awaits... but only if we stand down now."
Billok gave a short, bitter laugh. "Bolisi? You trust that slippery snake?"
"I don't trust Bolisi," Minora replied sharply. "I trust my instincts. And they tell me this is our golden chance. A negotiation is happening tonight. If we attend, we could gain more than just this city."
Billok snorted. "What's more important than victory on the battlefield?"
"Latest intel says the Doliex forces are in Blacksand. Bindor and Bondor are assigned to deal with them. Here, we can win easily. But if we push too far now... we could lose everything."
There was a tense silence. Then Billok smirked, suppressing his rage."If this negotiation turns out to be a trap... I'll kill you myself."
"If that happens," Minora answered coldly, "I won't run."
Soon after, the sound of retreat trumpets echoed across the battlefield. The Balevad army began to withdraw in disciplined formation. On the opposite side, the imperial forces of Whiteheaven mirrored the move.
"See? They're pulling back too. This isn't a coincidence. A treaty is being prepared," said Minora.
Though frustrated by the call to retreat just as momentum was on his side, Billok wasn't reckless. He summoned his trusted commanders—Jinol, Tibes, Maguso, and Siko—known for their strength and battlefield expertise.
"Jinol, Maguso. Ready the troops and escort me to the negotiation site. Stay alert. If this is a trap, we fight our way out.""Yes, my lord!" they responded in unison.
"Tibes, Siko. Guard the camp. No one leaves without permission. This night could change everything," he ordered.
At last, the grandest coalition was formed. The Balevad forces led by Bolisi and Prince Billok merged with the Larfex troops commanded by the three royal brothers: Neroxius, Todius, and Dorges. Their goal was clear—overthrow Emperor Rogg and claim the Whiteheaven throne, with the city of Blacksand promised as a reward for Balevad.
Xaverius, the prince leading the Larfex faction opposing this alliance, was swiftly arrested and thrown into prison under Neroxius's command. There was no room for dissent in this conspiracy—not even from one's own brother.
In a secretly signed pact, the Balevad army was granted full rights over Blacksand. They were authorized to seize its wealth, enslave its people, and turn the city into a colony deep within the Guava Valley.
Yet not everyone welcomed this plan with open arms.
Prince Todius sat with a furrowed brow, his eyes fixed on the large map spread across the negotiation table. With a sharp tone, he whispered to Neroxius,"I don't agree to handing over the entire city of Blacksand to those barbarians. But… if they only plunder and take slaves from there, let them. All the gold, coal, and other riches—let them have it."
Neroxius grinned."Hahaha… You're worried they'll march on Whitesand next, aren't you? I've had the same thought about Larfex. But there's one thing we need to ensure first: they must clash with the Doliex forces. Let them bleed each other dry."
Dorges, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke."But… what if the Balevad army actually wins? Wouldn't that be a disaster?"
Neroxius replied swiftly,"We still have the people's strength. If the people see Balevad as a true threat, they'll side with us. They'll fight to defend their homes. But look at the people of Blacksand—they're weak. Born into slavery. They won't fight back. And if they remain silent, we'll know… they were our real enemies all along."
Todius and Dorges exchanged glances before nodding. Whether they realized it or not, they had just signed a pact with the very barbarians who would one day destroy them.
The first day of battle at Draegmor ended abruptly before even a full day had passed. All attacks were suddenly halted.On the second day, the forces gathered at Garmund's Rest—a small town now repurposed as the ground for a foul agreement. Strategies were forged, armies united, and schemes set into motion.By the third day, the great march began. Over 570,000 soldiers from various regions were unleashed onto the battlefield. From the sea, the coast, the winding hills, and main roads—they moved like a torrential flood toward one destination: Blacksand.
"Neroxius… you've made the greatest mistake of your life—and for all of Larfex," came a firm voice from behind prison bars. It was Xaverius, his voice heavy but resolute.
Neroxius stood outside the cell, his grand black cloak fluttering in the damp underground corridor. His smile was crooked, full of smug satisfaction."Brother… this is the smartest move we've made to reclaim Whiteheaven. Do you really believe a foreigner like him deserves the throne built on the blood of our people?"
"A foreigner, you say?" Xaverius gripped the iron bars, his eyes piercing."Rogg is the son of Brovos—our own uncle. He is our blood. The blood of the Imperial family!"
"Brovos is dead! Vanished without a trace!" Neroxius snapped."And suddenly, someone appears out of nowhere, claims to be his son, and is crowned emperor just like that? You support this? You support this insult to everything we've built?"
"Rogg came asking for nothing," Xaverius shot back."He even pardoned our mother and uncle, Eryndor and Aelthar. He appointed you as commander of the Larfex army—if that's not proof of his greatness, what is?"
Neroxius let out a harsh, bitter laugh."Greatness? Hah! That's exactly what proves his weakness! Who is he to forgive his enemies? A true emperor doesn't forgive—he dominates! Rogg is no emperor… and he never will be."
Xaverius fell silent for a moment. Then his voice softened, almost like a plea."Nero… since we were young, everyone adored you. You had everything—power, praise, a smooth path laid before you. But just this once, listen to me. Look at Whiteheaven as a homeland, not just a throne. Don't stain our nation's honor by siding with barbarians."
Neroxius's face tightened. He turned, eyes cold."Brother… I will do whatever it takes to wrest the empire from Rogg. The time has come. The Balevad army will crush them—and when they do, I will ascend the throne. You'll see me crowned emperor… and you'll regret choosing the wrong side."
He turned to leave, but cast a glance at the guard standing at the far end of the corridor."Don't feed him. Don't let anyone enter this dungeon. Let him reflect on his foolishness in the dark."
His footsteps echoed until they vanished into silence. Behind the bars, Xaverius lowered his head, gripping the grand vizier's pendant that hung around his neck."May the gods of fate not turn their face away from Whiteheaven…"
Above ground, amidst the massive army now under his control, Neroxius stood tall, staring westward. Behind him, the united Larfex troops stood—proud, yet deceived.Princes Todius and Dorges had already fallen under the venomous whispers of his schemes. They now stood as Neroxius's allies, believing Rogg had strayed from the roots of Larfex's glory.
And on the crimson-tinted horizon… thousands of soldiers had begun to gather in Blacksand.