Ni surveyed the battlefield, his mind sharp and focused. He had been expecting to face the Yellow Army soon, but what he saw was unexpected—a pink flag. Queen Sf's voice echoed across the field, sharp and authoritative, "Green! Your lands border Black. Let me pass, and I promise no harm will come to you."
Ni paused for a moment before issuing his command. "Hold position," he instructed his army, his voice steady and commanding. Then, with calculated precision, he gave the order, "Attack!"
Sf's response was swift, dismissing Ni's tactic as a futile gesture. "A foolish move, Green King," she muttered, confident that the Pink Army, with its superior numbers, would overwhelm his forces.
However, Ni had anticipated this arrogance. He had hidden a detachment of archers in the woods, waiting for the right moment. As the Pink Army advanced, the archers released a barrage of arrows, catching Sf's forces off guard. The attack was precise, methodical, and devastating—disrupting the formation of the Pink Army, causing chaos and confusion. One by one, Sf's soldiers fell, unable to mount an effective counterattack. Ni's forces tightened their encirclement, and soon, Queen Sf stood alone, the last remaining survivor of her army.
Ni approached her with measured steps, his expression unreadable. "You have two choices, Queen Sf," he said, his voice cool but firm. "Join me, or face your death."
Sf, though cornered, did not flinch. "What do you mean, 'death'?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.
"We will burn you," Ni replied, his tone unyielding. "And your demise will be attributed to the 'choking waters' of your own arrogance."
Faced with no other option, Sf reluctantly agreed. Her once-mighty army reduced to a mere hundred survivors, she had no choice but to submit.
With the battle won, Ni turned to Yeli, his advisor, who stood in awe. "Incredible, my lord. You've defeated Pink, even though their numbers were ten times ours."
But as the victory was being savored, a sudden shadow fell over the camp. The Yellow King, tall and imposing, emerged from the trees, his sword gleaming ominously in the light. His army, hidden until now, emerged in perfect unison, surrounding Ni's forces.
Without a word, the Yellow King stepped forward, his blade resting against Ni's neck. "You may have defeated Sf, but do you really think you can outwit me?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Ni remained calm, though he could feel the tension in the air. "You've made your move, Yellow King," he replied evenly. "But do you truly believe victory comes so easily?"
Yellow's smirk widened, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "You have no choice, Ni. Surrender now, and I'll spare your life and those of your soldiers. Fight me, and you will witness the fall of Green."
Ni considered his options. His forces were outnumbered, and the Yellow King was formidable, but he was not about to back down. "If you strike me down, Yellow, know that my western forces will retaliate. You will have gained nothing but a temporary victory. But… if you are willing to put everything on the line, I propose a challenge."
Yellow raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A challenge? You think you can defeat me in a duel?"
"I do," Ni said, his voice resolute. "A duel between the two of us. If you win, I swear fealty to you, and Green will be yours. But if I win, your army will retreat, and you will recognize Green as a sovereign kingdom."
The Yellow King's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, he seemed to ponder the offer. His army was large, but Ni's proposal intrigued him. Finally, with a gesture to his soldiers, he stepped forward. "Very well, Ni. A duel it is."
The tension in the air was palpable as the two kings took their positions. Ni's mind raced, analyzing the Yellow King's every movement. When the duel began, Yellow attacked with blinding speed, his sword flashing through the air with deadly intent. But Ni had learned to anticipate moves like these, his reflexes honed over countless battles.
With a deft sidestep, Ni avoided Yellow's strike and countered with a blow of his own. The clash between them was intense, each strike pushing the other to the edge. Yellow's power was formidable, but Ni's strategy was greater. He baited Yellow into overextending, then capitalized on the mistake. With a single, precise blow, Ni disarmed the Yellow King and forced him to the ground.
With the Yellow King now at his mercy, Ni held his blade to his throat. "Yield," Ni commanded.
Yellow, panting and defeated, looked up at Ni with a mixture of resentment and reluctant respect. "Very well, Ni. You've won."
Ni nodded, his voice calm but final. "Then, as per our agreement, you will pull your troops from my lands, and Green shall remain free."
With the Yellow Army retreating, Ni turned to Yeli, who was watching with a look of pride. "Your tactics, my lord, were flawless. Not only have you secured our kingdom's future, but you've also forged a powerful alliance."
Ni's eyes hardened as he gazed out at the battlefield. "This war is far from over, Yeli. But today, Green stands strong."