However, a sudden realization crossed his mind, and a mocking smile curled his lips.
"Ah, I nearly overlooked them..."
The man closed his eyes immediately and whispered, "Shouldn't you have noticed this already?"
"If this continues, we'll suffer defeat, you know?" His eyes opened, revealing a black-cloaked man with a mask obscuring his face before him.
"Are you truly this desperate?" The masked man's eyes held a mocking glint as he regarded the man.
Upon hearing this, annoyance flashed across the man's glare towards the masked figure.
"This isn't what I foresaw, and I certainly didn't expect David's power to be that potent." Gritting his teeth, the man expressed his frustration.
How had he anticipated that David could dismantle his army so effortlessly?
Moreover, this occurrence echoed a time when David obliterated a hundred thousand soldiers from his ranks.
However, during that period, David's strength wasn't as formidable, and his generals were able to stand on a more equal footing with him.
The man's attempt at justification was met with a dismissive head shake from the masked figure, indicating his indifference.
"I have no interest in your excuses. I, too, experienced losses as my subordinates fell victim to the same situation." The masked man's voice turned icy as he locked eyes with the man.
Despite his irritation, the man seated on the throne could only clench his teeth, finding no room for argument.
Indeed, the three cloaked units that accompanied Don in the assault were not under his command but rather were deployed by the masked man facing him.
Thus, facing this accusation, he had no means to refute it.
He drew in a deep breath, fixing his gaze on the masked man.
"Very well, I accept full responsibility for this blunder," the man seated atop the throne confessed without evasion.
"However, this is an urgent situation. The millions of troops advancing towards the North might encounter similar setbacks because Wilhem must possess strength comparable to David's!" Voicing his concerns, the man shared his anxieties, hoping the masked figure would lend an ear.
Regrettably, the masked man merely chuckled, arms folded across his chest.
"Rest assured, I have taken meticulous measures to address the situation," he said nonchalantly, projecting an air of confidence.
The man on the throne frowned at these words, a hint of frustration evident in his expression.
Observing the masked man's unwavering assurance, he released a small, resigned sigh.
"Very well, I entrust everything to your capable hands," the man stated, relaxing against the backrest of the throne and choosing to place his faith in the masked man.
A slight nod from the masked individual was all it took before he vanished, leaving the man on the throne to his solitude.
Observing the masked man's departure, the man's concern shifted as he promptly summoned the guards stationed outside.
"Is there anything I can assist you with, Emperor?" The guard bowed respectfully, addressing the man.
The man nodded and retrieved a letter from his robe.
He perused the contents of the letter, ensuring that his intended message was appropriately conveyed.
"Very well, please deliver this to Dan on my sister's side." The man handed over the letter, and the guard accepted it with deference before stepping back.
"Understood, Emperor. Your command will be carried out," the guard acknowledged with a bow before retreating to his post.
"You can go." The man's tone held a hint of dismissal as the guard bowed once more and exited the throne room.
With the guard's departure, the man closed his eyes, uttering a soft murmur.
"I can only hope for the best."
...
News of the war brewing on the southern border swiftly swept across the Balka Empire like a gust of wind, touching every corner of the land.
Citizens who caught wind of this development gathered eagerly, engaging in animated discussions.
"Have you caught wind of the reports about the Savaran Empire's attack on our southern border?" One of them broached the topic with solemnity.
"Yes, indeed. It's a confirmed outbreak of war—an occurrence that has remained dormant for decades," concurred another voice, emphasizing the rarity of the situation.
"The collapse of the hard-won peace is certainly startling."
"Absolutely! And what's the talk about Emperor Balka's impending marriage to a woman from the Savaran Empire?"
The ripple of conversation and speculation propagated rapidly throughout the city of Arkham.
Taverns, eateries, and bustling streets alike played host to the buzz of excitement and discourse.
It goes without saying that the channels of information distribution were quick to disseminate the news far and wide.
Meanwhile, in a cozy tavern, a man and a woman sat together, silently absorbing the conversations swirling around them.
Their gazes met in a shared moment of understanding amidst the fervor of the discussions.
"It seems that a war has genuinely erupted," the man, who was none other than Rian, shared with the woman seated before him.
"Yeah, this turn of events caught me off guard too. It's like Arthur's predictions were more accurate than we thought," agreed the woman, Carina, as she elegantly crossed her left leg over her right thigh.
Hearing her words, Rian found his faith in Arthur's uncanny foresight solidifying even further, transcending the realm of mere coincidence.
Initially, he held reservations, doubting that a war would truly materialize given the existing peace treaty between the two empires.
And now, all those doubts had been laid to rest in the most unexpected manner.
"Well, I don't have the specifics, but there seems to be unreported information circulating," Carina remarked, producing a letter from the folds of her cloak and displaying it to Rian.
Curious, Rian scrutinized the letter's plain surface.
"What's the content?" he inquired.
Carina spun the letter delicately between her fingers, shaking her head slightly.
"I'm not entirely sure, but it seems like it was sent by someone acting on behalf of Arthur or maybe the maid girl who's usually with him," Carina offered a concise explanation, admitting her uncertainty about the letter's origin.
"In that case, go ahead and open the letter," Rian responded straightforwardly, taking a sip of his wine as he did so.
Carina nodded in agreement, promptly breaking the seal and perusing the letter's contents.
As she absorbed the message, her eyes widened in astonishment.
"Unbelievable..." She uttered softly, her words audible to Rian, who found himself equally taken aback by her reaction.
"What does it say?" Rian inquired, his brow furrowing as he took the letter from Carina's hand and delved into its contents with a serious gaze.
A minute later, he released the letter, his countenance mirroring the same shock Carina had displayed.
The two exchanged a stunned glance, their throats working to swallow the sudden surge of emotions that the letter had stirred within them.
"Duke David's strength is truly staggering," Rian mused, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief as he reclined, his gaze distant.
Carina mirrored his overwhelmed state, her eyelids lowering as if she were still grappling with the weight of the news.
David, her formidable adversary, had managed to surpass her expectations in the most astonishing way.
The letter revealed that with the aid of three mid-level elemental saints, David had obliterated five hundred thousand elite troops from the barbarian forces, along with Don's principal general.
The turmoil within Carina's heart intensified, and she clung to a fragile hope that perhaps all of this was a mere illusion.
"How can I possibly overcome him?" Carina's words were a murmur, laden with desperation, as she grappled with the enormity of the situation.
Witnessing her anguish, Rian sought to console her, recognizing the depths of her distress, although his own emotions were not as deeply stirred since he lacked any personal vendetta against Duke David.
"Take heart; don't let despair consume you," Rian urged Carina, his tone gentle as he encouraged her to avoid falling into panic.
"I understand the overwhelming nature of your feelings, but remember that young master Arthur has crafted a plan for you to exact your revenge. Trust in his guidance," Rian offered, acknowledging the history of conflict between Carina and David.
Upon hearing his words, Carina drew in a steadying breath, granting him a small nod in acknowledgment.
"You're absolutely right; I can't let myself be defeated by something like this," Carina concurred, finding strength in Rian's reassurances as she regained her equilibrium.
As the two exchanged glances, the weight of their concerns began to recede, replaced by a resolute determination.
Their shared objective remained clear: dismantling the web of assassin organizations entrenched around the Balka Empire and taking control of the entire network.
In short order, Rian extracted a map from his belt and spread it out before them.
"Very well, our primary focus will be on the formidable underground syndicate located in the northern reaches of the Balka Empire." Rian indicated a marked point on the map, awaiting Carina's confirmation.
Carina nodded affirmatively, echoing Arthur's strategic plan by saying, "We'll follow Arthur's guidance."
"It seems he's already obtained intricate knowledge of their whereabouts," she added, her gaze directed at the marked location on the map, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The revelation of Arthur's foresight and the extent of his insights left Carina marveling at his capabilities, which facilitated their infiltration into the shadowy organization.
With shared resolve, Rian offered a slight nod in response.
Following their discussion, they donned their cloaks, leaving the bustling tavern behind as they embarked toward their chosen destination.
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