Leon's declaration of war was quickly delivered to Eldenia, and the border guard forces were shocked by the accusation of the attack, firmly denying any involvement in the border skirmish.
An emergency meeting was immediately called at the court of Eldenia. King Edmond of Eldenia, now in his late sixties, was enraged but reluctant to be easily provoked. He ordered the reinforcement of border defenses and sent emissaries to Strongson in an attempt to explain the situation and resolve the conflict. However, Strongson's diplomatic department, under Leon's instructions, had already refused to meet any emissaries from Eldenia, labeling them as "disguised aggressors."
At this time, the high-ranking officials in Eldenia began to prepare for the next steps. One faction argued for decisive military readiness, fearing further incursions by Strongson, while another sought to form alliances with neighboring nations, hoping to isolate Strongson's military actions through diplomacy.
King Edmond Whiteford, the elderly ruler of Eldenia, sat in the solemn grand council hall at the heart of the royal city. His face was heavy with concern as he listened to the messenger report on Leon's declaration of war. The message was clear: Leon of Strongson had openly declared war and accused Eldenia's border forces of attacking Strongson's outposts. Though the accusations were clearly fabricated, Leon's intentions were transparent—he was looking for a grand excuse to justify his aggression.
This crisis brought back memories of the kingdom's difficult founding. Eldenia's independence was a result of its ancestors' success in the internal power struggles within the Strongson Kingdom. After the split, although Eldenia had established its own sovereignty, it had never fully escaped Strongson's shadow. Over decades of defense and friction, Eldenia had gradually become the core of the Eastern Alliance, with its northern ally, Airtulan, providing crucial strategic support.
Eldenia's core ethnic group, the "Eldarians," were known for their deep brown eyes and hair, renowned for their endurance and resilience. Additionally, due to frequent interactions with neighboring nations (including Strongson and Airtulan), there were mixed bloodlines, such as those of the Green Shadow Tribe's archers who had intermarried with Eldenia's border folk, forming unique tribal communities. The Eldarians, influenced by the worship of nature from Airtulan, valued honor and family legacy, a cultural fusion of survival spirit, deep historical traditions, and a complex social structure.
Edmond gazed up at his family's coat of arms on the wall of the council hall, lost in thought. As the protector of his nation, he knew that if the Eldenia Alliance fell, the kingdom's independence would cease to exist. Strongson's expansionist ambitions were not limited to Eldenia alone; their sights were set on the entire eastern continent, and Airtulan, the Horus Empire, and the Maturl Principality would be next in line.
"Order all generals to assemble for an immediate military meeting," Edmond's voice was firm, full of resolve. "Strongson's expansionist ambitions will not stop easily, but as long as we stand united, we will not let them succeed."
At the same time, he waved for his trusted strategist to come over and whispered, "Send messengers, as quickly as possible, to Airtulan's Council of Elders, the Matul Principality, and the Horus royal palace. Request that they send reinforcements immediately. Emphasize that Strongson's ambitions are not limited to us; they are targeting the entire alliance."
Edmond understood that although Airtulan's forces were limited, the northern tribal warriors' combat prowess and their knowledge of the northern terrain would make it very difficult for Strongson's army to advance. The current situation was critical, and his only hope was to use the power of the alliance to resist Leon's invasion.
At this moment, Kane stood by the window, gazing at the distant horizon where the sea gradually disappeared into the sky. Sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, casting a soft glow on his stern face, making him appear even more profound. His eyes seemed to pierce through the vast ocean, contemplating a complex game of chess, each move seemingly meticulously planned, and he, the player orchestrating the storm.
He heard the footsteps behind him and knew it was Altu. After entering the room, Altu respectfully bowed and quietly said, "My lord, Wolf's operation has been successful. Leon has declared war on Eldenia."
A slight, cold smile curved at the corner of Kane's lips, as if he had already expected this. He turned around to face Altu, his tone calm, "Wolf did well. He fulfilled our expectations perfectly. Leon finally took the bait."
Altu nodded and continued, "Although Leon made his decision quickly, he hasn't revealed any other intentions. On the surface, it's about revenge against Eldenia, but in reality, he's using this opportunity to solidify his own power."
Kane's deep gaze returned to the distant sea, as if it reflected the thoughts within him. He knew that although Leon's actions were intense, they were exactly what he had wanted. His goal had never been to directly challenge Leon, but to manipulate the shifting tides of war, gradually drawing Leon into the trap he had set, thereby accelerating his infiltration within Strongson.
"This war is both an external challenge and an internal opportunity," Kane murmured, his eyes sharp as a blade. "We must stay calm and continue advancing our plan. Wolf has opened the door for us, and now we need even more precise maneuvers."