While Cordelia and the others head off to meet with the rest of their forces, the southern borders are seeing a large influx of people as the military gathers around the Archidux, Drusus Lausiel. Having just officially declared his intention to usurp the throne, declaring that his niece is unfit, the news spread like wildfire. While the military base where the announcement was made are making the final preparations, the nearby cities and towns, being the first to receive this information are uneasy, despite many not having favourable opinions of the Archidux, they still had been forced to give supplies and soldiers as the first and only place to refuse had been razed, leaving nothing but ashes.
Within a private meeting room on the base, Archidux Drusus shows in a couple of guests with the utmost care and respect, something usually unseen from him. Taking a seat opposite of the Archidux are two of the youngest Legendary Masters of the Lausiel Empire, Flavius Novation and Nonus Apelles. Although they are the youngest of the Legendary Masters in Lausiel, this is only compared to the others, each of them being at least one hundred and fifty years old as reaching Legendary status vastly increased their lifespans, but their age has not squandered their ambition just yet.
Flavius Novation dubbed the Sword of Flames, a magic swordsman whose blade is entirely comprised of dense mana. Within the Empire, he is the mage most proficient in fire and whose swordsmanship is second only to the Sacred Blade of the Empire.
Nonus Apelles is also known a the Underworld's Bane. A brawler whose origin is from the depths of society. Starting as a petty thief, he worked his way up to being the head of a gang. The traffic of people, selling illegal substances, and keeping true to his roots he stole much from the nobility. If there was a crime committed, then there was a good chance it originated from Nonus. As he gained more strength he eventually reached Legendary Status, turning his back on the organisations he brought up, Nonus became an enforcer for the Empire. Being given the surname Apelles, he sought out and destroyed the organisations of the criminal underworld in Lausiel.
Faced with these two giants of the Empire, Archidux Drusus is understandably nervous, but he contains it as the conversation begins.
"I give you my utmost thanks for answering my call today," the Archidux says.
"Save the formalities, your Excellency, we both know why you called for us. We've already heard of your rebellion, so what's in it for us if we help you instead of bringing you to the Imperatrix?" Flavius asks.
"On the account of the assistance you provided my grandson, I won't demand as much as the hot-headed old fox next to me, but I won't provide you any help for free," says Nonus.
"That's a given, I intend to reward you generously. As I understand the two of you have been an assistant to a couple of the other Legendary Masters serving as Prorex. I will arrange for you to be given an overseas territory to administer as you please with the title of Prorex along with it. Additionally, for any newly conquered territory under my reign, I will give it over to the two of you to split and manage. This won't be a part of your duties as Prorex, instead, it will be hereditary as I will also grant you landed titles. You will also receive 10% of the Empire annual revenue for five years."
"That's very tempting, but raise it to 25%," Flavius says.
"This..."
"Flavius, don't push it too hard, if we take too much then the Empire can't function properly. I believe at most you can ask for 15% without causing too much trouble. Also, I'll agree to your terms with the 10% to repay the favour regarding my grandson," Nonus says.
"Give me 20%, that's as low as I'll go. Take it or leave it."
Thinking it over, the Archidux come to the conclusion that it still totals up to 30% between the two of them, so he can just think of it as Flavius taking the extra 5% that should have gone to Nonus.
"Very well, you shall receive 20%."
"Then we have a deal, but I must say, isn't it a little overkill to have both myself and Nonus assist you?"
"I'm just being cautious. My niece has recently made some friends from that backwater continent, Talonia, but regardless of how barbaric they are, I hear that her allies are quite strong and she also got the Legates I previously removed on her side. But more importantly, I hear that she herself was hiding her strength this whole time and is rather strong herself. I haven't personally seen it, but I don't want to take any risks in this all or nothing battle."
"Tell us about the plan of attack, how will we be proceeding from here?" Nonus asks.
"We will be marching up north and wrapping around the west side of the Mountain of Storms. From there..."
While Archidux Drusus was negotiating and making plans with his newfound allies, Cordelia and the rest have been making fortifications around the western side of the Mountain of Storms. Aurelia is preparing to make this area the battle that shall decide the fate of the Empire.
"Cordelia, wake up! You can't eat that!" Aurelia yells.
"My Lady, does this stupid Dragon do anything other than laze around and sleep? she hasn't helped at all with the fortifications, yet she is probably the best suited for making them." Vorenia comments.
"Lia! Do something!"
"Hmm... maybe later once she wakes up. I don't want to disturb her cute sleeping face!"
"She's eating the wood we need! In her fucking sleep! Help me stop her!"
Just another peaceful day for Cordelia in the Imperatrix's camp.