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Jul Empire – Western Border
The endless green plains stretched toward the horizon, their rolling fields swaying beneath the howling winds.
Knee-tall grass rippled like waves in an unseen ocean, yet despite the land’s natural serenity, the air thrummed with tension.
This place stood untouched by civilization, far from the bustling cities, far from the warmth of human settlements. It should have been a domain ruled only by the wind and sky, a realm of quiet solitude.
But today, it bore witness to the gathering of titans.
A vast army had assembled, drawn from different states.
Each force occupied its own section of the plains, stationed at a careful distance from the others. Banners bearing different sigils fluttered in the wind, their vivid colors stark against the endless green.
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Though they stood under separate crests, their gazes remained locked on the same destination, the large, glowing dome of magic at the center of it all.
Within that shimmering barrier lay the Greater Ruin, a calamity bound in chains of sorcery. Should it completely emerge, it could reduce entire empires to ashes.
The magical dome pulsed, its translucent surface distorting like ripples on a still lake. This was no ordinary seal; it was the combined effort of the greatest array masters from three empires, reinforced by the Emperor Academy itself.
Even so, those knowledge knew, the barrier would not stop the ruin from emerging.
Then, from the distance, a deep horn bellowed.
More had arrived.
From the south, warriors of the Yan Empire emerged. They moved like the tide, clad in pristine blue robes that glowed under the fading sunlight. Ethereal auras of righteousness surrounded them, as if heaven itself had blessed their existence.
From the east, the dark silhouette of the Durn Empire’s imperial army appeared like a shadow descending upon the land.
As the Durn troops advanced, the soldiers of the Jul Empire stiffened. Their eyes narrowed, faces contorted in disgust.
The air seemed to grow heavier and thicker, with the unspoken tension between the two powers. Fists clenched around weapons, teeth gritted in quiet fury. Whispers and murmurs spread among the Jul ranks, voices barely more than a hiss.
"Durn... here," one soldier muttered, his voice seething with resentment. Another spat on the ground, eyes burning with hatred.
The recent coalition attack on the Jul Empire had set the stage for this uneasy alliance. Among the five coalition armies, The Durns were one of the forces involved.
Yet despite the loathing that pulsed through their veins, the Jul army held their ground. Their formation remained unbroken, and disciplined, as they were trained to be.
No one dared to break ranks, to raise a hand in defiance, no matter how deep the animosity ran. Their leaders had ordered this uneasy alliance, and in times of such dire consequence, the survival of their empire came above all else.
The Durn Empire, despite its smaller size compared to the behemoths of Yan and Jul, was no weakling. Their forces were well-trained, ruthless, and commanded by leaders who cared little for the history of their enemies.
But today, all that would be put aside, at least for the moment, as the leaders of the three armies prepared to meet.
Then, from the Jul Empire’s formation, a carriage surged forward, flanked by a squadron of elite ascendants. Their steeds galloped in perfect sync, their silver-plated armor gleaming.
The crest of the Jul Empire, a Red Lotus, was etched onto the banners they carried, fluttering as they raced toward the center of the battlefield.
At nearly the same moment, two other formations advanced.
From the Yan Empire, another grand carriage approached, its elegant structure adorned with intricate azure patterns.
The accompanying warriors moved with unwavering discipline, their long robes billowing as they kept pace. At the heart of their escort, Princess Ling Yan sat in the carriage.
From the Durn Empire, a different sight unfolded. Unlike the other two, their carriage was dark and unadorned, exuding an ominous presence.
Their escort consisted of silent, hooded figures, each carrying a sharp aura.
As the three powerful parades drew closer, the momentum slowed, and the entourages came to a halt in a tense, silent standoff.
They surrounded a neutral stretch of land, their forces locked in a careful perimeter, watching, waiting.
Then, the doors opened.
Princess Elize was the first to step forward, every movement exuding power and command. She wore intricately designed battle robes, and her face, hidden behind a veil, only added to the air of mystery around her. Her eyes, sharp and piercing, scanned the surroundings with a calculating gaze.
She carried herself with the undeniable authority of someone born to lead, her presence so commanding that it seemed to alter the very atmosphere around her.
Moments later, Princess Ling Yan appeared, descending from her carriage with the quiet elegance of a shadow gliding over the water.
Her gaze met those around her, steady and unwavering, cold yet respectful. Behind her stood her masked guard, silent and ever watchful.
Then, an armored man, Prince Vearos of the Durn Empire emerged, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the ground.
His armor, black as night, seemed to absorb the light around him, while his crimson eyes gleamed with an unsettlingly. He said nothing, allowing his silence to speak for him.
For a long, heavy moment, none of them spoke.
Princess Elize and Princess Ling Yan’s eyes met from across the field. Neither moved, neither blinked, but the silent clash of wills was undeniable.
Elize, her expression as unreadable as ever, gave a subtle tilt of her head, a barely perceptible gesture of acknowledgment. Ling Yan, with equal calm, returned the slight gesture with a curt nod.
Beside them, their companions mirrored their gestures. The masked guard of Princess Ling Yan lowered his head ever so slightly, a quiet show of deference, while the commanders at Elize’s side did the same, their stance remaining calm and composed.
Prince Vearos, standing a few paces away, remained silent. His crimson eyes glinted with cold calm, unblinking, watching. He nodded once, a small, almost imperceptible movement, acknowledging the others without words.
It was Princess Elize who broke the stillness first. "We all know why we are here. The Greater Ruin will not remain docile forever."
She continued. "If we do not act swiftly, the ruin will emerge fully, and it will be harder for us to subjugate it. For that, we all need to work together."
Prince Vearos chuckled softly, the sound devoid of warmth, like a dark echo against the tension in the air. "Work together?"
"How many years has it been since a ruin of such rank emerged?" His voice carried a hint of amusement, a mockery of the situation. "The things inside must be priceless." Find more to read at Freewebnovel
At his words, the ears of both princesses perked up, their attention caught. Elize’s gaze narrowed slightly, and Ling Yan’s lips pressed together in a tight line, but neither spoke.
The prince continued, his voice almost purring with thought. "I wonder how we’ll distribute them? Will it be contribution-based, or finders-keepers? I’m not fond of sharing things I found."
Princess Elize’s expression darkened. "It’s not the time to discuss such things."
Princess Ling Yan, ever practical, nodded in agreement, but a faint smirk curled at the edges of her mouth. "Like always, we will follow the rule: the one who gets it first, gets to keep it."
The words lingered in the air, and for a brief moment, it seemed the decision had been made.
However, before anyone could speak further, a rough, commanding voice irrupted tension. "Prince, Now that that’s decided, I say we take the lead."
The voice belonged to a burly commander, rough looking, clearly experienced, and clad in the black armor of his allegiance.
"That’s not possible," came the cold retort from a commander standing by Princess Elize’s side. "It’ll be us."
"No," a second voice cut in. Another commander from Princess Ling Yan’s side. "Neither of you are capable. It should be us leading the army."
The ruin before them was a mystery, with untold wealth hidden within. And they all knew that whoever led the army would be the first to lay claim to whatever treasures lay within. The temptation was too great to resist, and none of them were willing to back down.
"You’re making a mistake if you think you can take the lead," the burly commander from Prince Vearos’ side growled. "We’ll take the lead. We’ve got the strength to crush any enemies inside that place."
The commander by Princess Elize’s side sneered. "Strength is nothing without strategy. We have seen more battles than you have seen days. We won’t follow blindly into danger with some brutes."
Ling Yan’s commander, a tall figure with an air of quiet authority, spoke next. "Your arrogance blinds you. You don’t understand the danger of acting recklessly."
Each side knew that leading the army would place them at the forefront of danger. The first wave of attacks would likely fall on the leaders. But the rewards, those priceless artifacts, the knowledge, the power to reshape their fates, were too tempting to ignore.
The commanders stood like statues, their eyes locked onto each other, none willing to yield. The stakes were too high.
A deadlock formed between the three sides, each claiming the right to lead the charge into the Greater Ruin.
Just then, a gust of heatwave swept across the plains, a sudden, scorching wind that stirred the grass and sent a shiver through the air.
The momentary standoff was cut short by the sound of horns blaring across the horizon.
Above them, the sky seemed to open, and a massive ship floated into view, its sails billowing in the wind, a banner fluttering in the distance.
The distinct insignia of the Emperor Academy marked the ship as it descended slowly, casting a shadow over the assembled group.
The people from the Emperor Academy had arrived.