The White Palace
Garden in the Inner Courtyard
Mikey, the White Lord, and Dawn, the Red Lord, were taking a walk around the garden together.
Mikey was holding a pouch in his left hand, while he used his right hand to take out cookies out of the pouch.
"It's like you always have something in you mouth whenever we meet. You are always eating." Dawn complained.
"I don't . And you know why I eat so much." Mikey responded.
"I know, it's because of your sin."
"Then why are you complaining!"
"The constant munching sounds are annoying!"
Mikey sighed. "Haaaa."
They walked for a while before Mikey noticed how quiet Dawn had been. Then he saw the worried look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Mikey asked.
"I was just thinking..."
"About?"
"Jordan's plan."
"What about it?"
"Remember he said he'll have to die."
"I do."
"I am worried. This method he claimed to have found to evolve through the Hybrid realm before entering the Demon realm, it's still just a theory. What if something happens. What if it doesn't work?"
"Dawn."
"Hmm?"
"Think back to twelve years ago. Back when we were still just kids in the underground tower. Who turned a team of unruly second princes and princesses into a team of the third most powerful force in the tower?"
"Jordan did."
"Who led us through hundreds of trials deep in the dungeon and brought is back out every time?"
"Jordan."
"Does Jordan, the slothful prince, no I should call him the slothful king now. Does Jordan seem like someone to sacrifice himself for others in a way that will lead to his own death?"
"No."
"Jordan, the half lazy, half crazy prince we know would rather let the world burn if it meant he could finally have that peaceful world he always dreamt of."
"That's actually true. Haaa. I guess I was thinking too much."
"And also, if by chance something happens, Lady Millis will probably step in. She does seem to care about him."
"She does. I can tell." Dawn said with a big smile.
"Then we have nothing to worry about. You keep thinking too much for so short."
"Stop calling me short!"
"I'll stop calling you shorty the day you grow even half an inch taller." Mikey teased and immediately ran.
"Aaaaaahhh. Come back here you." She shouted as she chased after him.
*
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*
Two Days Later
Northern Empire
Millis City
The White Palace, The Rulers Hall
The Eight Dukes, The Eight Lords, The Three Commanders, Aisha, Arianne and Lia, the Guardian of the Northern Empire, Millis, and I were all in attendance at the first Imperial War Council.
Everyone in the room looked at me as if for a sign. Since I was the one who called the meeting. So I started.
"For as far back as our history books go, we have only fought one war. A war for our survival. A war for peace. But now I am going to be the first leader of our race to ever ask anyone to war for selfish reasons. To live a slothful life.... Every life we lose, will be on my conscience till the day I die. But, I will not apologize. I will not belittle anyone's sacrifice. I will only make sure to fulfil my promise. A world of united monsters. A world of happy monsters. That is my priority. I will make sure to make it a reality. Now matter what! Let us begin. First, any reports?"
"The five hundred elite soldiers you asked for. They are ready" Rouge announced.
"We have set up a supply route to deliver whatever is needed in the fort. Food, weapons, armour, horses too, if needed." Lisa said.
"We have set up a perfect communication route so we can monitor everything happening from here. The information has a six minutes lag period though. We will be six minutes behind on all happenings due to the distance." Lucy reported.
"That's okay." I said. "We were able to do this because of the technology we got from trading with the Merchants. After this war. We will be able to upgrade everything. Let's do this first."
"Now for my plan. I asked Grey to investigate the Margrave army. So we could know their numbers and work on it. It seems they are coming with Five million soldiers. But they split their troops into two. Their plan is to probably take the Black fort with an army of One million first. Then. They will press on when the rest of their troops catch up. But they won't be able to take the fort. We have at least Two million in the Black City already. Soon they will move to the fort. But once they come at us. We will meet them in the field. Outside the fort. They will try and test us with half their numbers first. So we will attack them with Three hundred thousand soldiers. And we will push them back. And if they attack with more. We will do the same. We can't let it turn to a siege. We need to make this war a short one. It mustn't last more than a month."
"A month?" Anne asked. "Why a month?"
"Any more than that. And both sides would have lost too much to want to stop without more bloodshed. We need to keep this war from escalating. For that, we need to end it fast. And that will happen once we have all evolved. Meaning. It's almost time for me to die."
"You need to stop phrasing it like that." Ash interjected.
"He's right. We all know what you mean, but it's still hard to hear."
"Alright. Aisha, Arianne and Lia will command the soldiers from the fort and make sure to drive back the army. I will make sure to intervene whenever an unexpected situation occurs. So just focus on the battlefield. I'll handle everything else."
"You really aren't letting any of us come with you?" Ash asked me.
"No!" I looked Ash in the eye. I could tell he was worried even though he was good at hiding it. "You guys stay here. It's not time for you to act yet. This first battle will be a deciding one. I need you after that. Also. Aisha. I need you to do something for me."
After that we wrapped up the meeting and all went down to see off the soldiers. They are the ones who are going to lead the war.
They are the ones who would lead us to victory.
*
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*
Margrave Empire
Tamron State
Western Demon Lord's Territory
In a large and remote area, a big and dark castle, surrounded by forests of tall trees on all sides, stands. This castle is the home to the Western Demon Lord Leo.
The most powerful human in the Demon Realm of Power.
In an office room on the east side of the castle, Leo stands holding a half filled wine glass staring out a large glass paned window. Then a figure was suddenly in the room with him, sitting in his couch.
"Beta." Leo said softly.
Beta smiled. "Lord Leo. How do you do?"
"What beings you here?" Leo asked.
"I bring news from the north."
"Hmm." Leo grunted. "News from the north. Must be expensive."
"Wellllllll... It is Heaven ranked so..."
"Aah." Leo sighed. "Alright. I'll pay. What news do you being?"
"Before that. Do you remember the last time The Enclave held a meeting?"
"The Enclave? It's been about twenty years. Why do you ask about that?"
"I was just wondering. Hmm. Twenty years ago, The Enclave came together after someone who was thought to be a future Northern Demon Lord was killed. He died before he could evolve and the incident ended without resolution. Remember that?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"I am trying to say, that it seems there is someone else who might end up dying before he reaches his full potential. I am trying to say, that there is someone who if he doesn't die in an unresolved conflict, might end up becoming something else. Something like you. But stronger."
Leo crushed the wine glass in his hand after hearing Beta's last comment. His face suddenly turned dark. "Hmmm. Someone else. Someone stronger? You say?"
"I am sure you have felt it already. The tingling sensation. The feeling of having an itch you can't scratch... A new Demon is about to be born. A demon of the North."
"Is that all?"
"Hmph. What a boring response. I was hoping to drag out more of a scared or surprised reaction from you. But no. That's not all. Alpha told me to give you a good news too. He said to tell you that this time. You have a way of interfering without breaking the rules of the Enclave. All you have to do is wait. And you will get what you want."
"Wait? Hoo? Hahahaha! Finally some news worth the price. Alright. I'll wait. Tell Alpha it's always a pleasure doing business with him."
"The pleasure is all ours. Demon Lord Leonardo Tamron. Until we meet again."
And just like that. Beta was gone.
Leo waked over to his desk. Picked up another wine glass and poured wine in. "I guess I better get ready to receive visitors then."
*
*
Many miles away from the Demon Lord's Castle. Beta was on a boulder, then he took out a rectangular mana stone. A CMD.
CMD: Crystal Messaging Device
A device made from mana crystal that allows for long distance communication between people using the device.
"Connect me to Alpha." Beta said to the stone.
"Beta." A voice called out from the stone. "How did it go?" The voice asked.
"As expected. It seems he had been waiting for us for a while. He had already finished a whole crate of wine before I got there."
"So? What do you think about this situation?"
"Well. One thing is sure. Margrave can't win this war. But maybe Leo will be able to take out the Northern King. And if he fails. We still have a backup. Don't worry. However it goes. We will profit."
"If you say so. Charlie and Delta will keep tabs on the war. Keep watching over Leo. Remember. We are nothing but Shadows."
"We are nothing but Shadows."