Lukas stood at the edge of the training yard, surveying the soldiers below. His elite forces moved with precision, their drills refined by weeks of rigorous training under the guidance of Marcus and Zane. The air crackled with the faint energy of Ether, an invisible hum that Lukas had grown used to over the last few months. His men had grown stronger, their cultivation levels now formidable enough to take on any threat. But the enemy they would soon face, the Drevyn forces at the eastern border, would be no ordinary opponent.
Lukas turned to Marcus, who stood beside him, arms crossed as he watched the drills. "How ready are they?" Lukas asked, his voice low.
Marcus, his once-crippled body now fully restored and radiating the power of a Level 9 cultivator, gave a slow nod. "They're prepared. But the Drevyn forces won't be easy to handle. They've been holding that border for years, and from what we've gathered, they've been strengthening their ranks with Ether-enhanced soldiers."
"That's exactly why we need to act quickly," Lukas replied, his eyes narrowing. "The longer we wait, the stronger they'll get. We'll strike before they expect it."
Zane approached from the far end of the yard, his usual calm expression giving way to something more serious. "We've received word from our informants near the border," he said. "The Drevyns have been reinforcing their outposts with additional troops, and their Ether manipulation is far more advanced than we anticipated."
Lukas clenched his jaw. He had expected the Drevyn forces to be a challenge, but this new information confirmed that they were gearing up for something more. "Do we know how many?" he asked.
"Several battalions, possibly more," Zane said. "They've also been testing the border with smaller skirmishes, likely trying to gauge our response."
Lukas's mind raced as he processed the information. The prime minister's recent attack in the court had been aimed at weakening his standing, but the Drevyn forces were a far more immediate threat. If they weren't dealt with swiftly, they could push through the eastern border and destabilize the kingdom.
"We'll lead a strike force," Lukas said, his voice firm. "Just enough to hit them hard and fast. If we cripple their reinforcements, it will buy us time to fortify the eastern border."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "A direct attack on their main force? You're betting a lot on our men."
"I trust them," Lukas replied. "And I trust you and Zane to lead them. I'll be right there with you."
---
Back in his chambers, Lukas sat at his desk, the soft glow of the system interface illuminating the room. He had already begun preparations for the campaign, but something was nagging at the back of his mind—the court conspiracy that still lingered like a shadow. While he and his elite forces were preparing for battle, the prime minister and his allies were no doubt plotting their next move. The court's political landscape had shifted, but it hadn't settled.
The system pulsed, alerting Lukas to a new notification.
[New Quest Unlocked: Drevyn Infiltration]
Objective: Uncover the full extent of the Drevyn forces' plans and neutralize their advance.
Reward: Ether Conduit Upgrade, Strategic Insight Boost.
Lukas's eyes scanned the text. It wasn't just about the battle anymore—this was bigger than a simple military campaign. The Drevyn forces had something more planned, something that involved the court and the political machinations swirling around the kingdom.
He stood, pulling on his cloak as he prepared to leave the estate. He needed to speak to Selena. Her network had eyes everywhere, and if anyone could confirm what the Drevyn forces were truly planning, it would be her.
---
Selena greeted Lukas in the shadowed back room of a quiet inn. Her eyes, sharp as ever, flickered with a knowing look as she offered him a seat. "You're not here for small talk, I assume?" she said, folding her arms.
"Tell me everything you know about the Drevyn forces," Lukas replied. "The border activity, their reinforcements—there's more going on, isn't there?"
Selena nodded. "There is. My sources tell me that the Drevyns have been making quiet deals with some of the lesser noble houses. They're building a network of allies within the kingdom, ones who oppose the king's rule. And it gets worse."
Lukas leaned in. "How worse?"
"The advisor in the court," Selena continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She's been linked to the Drevyn forces. She's playing both sides, using her position to manipulate the king while feeding information to the enemy. That's why the Drevyns have been so bold lately—they're getting inside help."
Lukas's mind raced. The advisor had always been a thorn in his side, but this was worse than he could have imagined. She wasn't just manipulating the court; she was actively working to undermine the kingdom. If this was true, then the threat wasn't just external—it was right inside the palace walls.
"We need proof," Lukas said. "Something we can take to the court. If we expose her, we can cut off the Drevyn forces' support and cripple their plans."
Selena smiled faintly. "Already working on it. My agents are close, but we need time. I'll let you know as soon as we have something concrete."
Lukas nodded. "Make it fast. We don't have much time before the Drevyns make their move."
---
Eastern Frontier
Lukas stood at the edge of the eastern frontier, his elite troops gathered behind him. The wind blew cold across the barren land, a stark contrast to the heat of battle that was about to come. The Drevyn forces were stationed just beyond the hills, their numbers hidden but no doubt substantial.
"Remember the plan," Lukas said, his voice carrying over the men. "We strike hard and fast. Our goal is to break their advance, cripple their supply lines, and force them into retreat."
Marcus stepped forward, his battle-hardened gaze fixed on the horizon. "We're ready, Lukas. Let's show them what we're made of."
Zane, ever calm and composed, gave a curt nod. "Our men are prepared for anything. We'll take the fight to them."
Lukas took a deep breath, his hand resting on the hilt of his saber. The system hummed in the back of his mind, its calculations and battle strategies unfolding in real time. He was ready for this.
The order was given, and the Veridan forces surged forward, their Ether-enhanced strength propelling them across the battlefield. The clash of steel, the roar of Ether-based attacks, and the sheer force of their momentum shattered the Drevyn lines in the opening moments of battle.