the other hand, everyone was now aware of the war.
In the far south, fortresses were rising at an insane pace, as if the earth itself was responding to this looming threat. Within just two days, the troops would be ready to move, toward a battle that would determine fate.
Claude's soldiers had already moved. They headed south, toward the designated point where the fleet was gathering, preparing to face the destiny awaiting them.
In that place, the warriors involved in this war were arriving one after another, filled with determination.
As for the royal army, they were the most arrogant.
In their shining golden suits and overwhelming presence, their looks and actions reflected an absolute sense of superiority. They weren't just soldiers—they were the elite of the elite, like a golden hive, organized, mature, and knowing only victory.
But time didn't allow them to enjoy bullying the guards who would fight alongside them. There was no time for mockery or displays of arrogance, as everyone was aware of their goal.
And above all, there was Valeras.
The great man, with an undeniable aura of authority. His mere presence there was enough to curb any unnecessary nonsense.
He was one of the greats to be emulated, and when he stood among them, everyone knew things were about to get more serious.
Now!
Around a massive table, surrounded by a wide circle of royal soldiers standing at a carefully calculated distance, the nine leaders finally gathered... along with Valeras. It was a rare moment for all of them to be in one place, an event of such gravity.
The Nine Leaders:
1. [Ash]: The enigmatic leader, master of "Shadow Maga." His entrance into the battlefield goes unnoticed, his exit unperceived, and everything in between is pure disaster for anyone in his way.
2. [Garoma]: It's said he possesses a "Zone" wide enough to cover an entire district, making him a strategic force not to be underestimated.
3. [Obala]: Known as "The Crushing Killer." A mere flick of his finger can shatter his opponent's ribs due to the violent aura he emits.
4. [Levar]: "The Maga Nullifier," wielder of the "Maga Piercing Arrow," one of the most dangerous abilities in the kingdom, as he can nullify any magical force he faces.
5. [Aelius]: Lazy to the point of provocation, but he wields a historic sword known as "Ignavir," a weapon no one dares to underestimate.
6. [Azarak]: Known as "The Replicator," he can control and expand the range of his strikes, making fighting him in a one-on-one battle a foregone conclusion in his favor.
7. [Darmin]: The youngest of them all, with a mysterious and unknown record, but his presence here means he has something that sets him apart.
8. [Novarik]: A man who bathes in volcanoes. No one knows, but his mere presence instills fear in everyone's hearts.
9. [Claude]: The Titanium Beast, son of the royal army commander overseeing the "Sky Conflict." Not just an ordinary warrior, but from a family with royal influence!
The discussion had begun...
The fine wine glasses rose into the air. The leaders stood with dignity, raising their cups in a silent toast, officially marking the beginning of the war.
The glasses clinked with a faint chime, like a warning bell echoing on the horizon, heralding an irreversible fate.
After a moment of heavy silence, each of them returned to their seat. Valeras finally sat down, and his deep voice thundered like a lightning strike:
"In the name of the kingdom of gold that never rusts,
In the name of the eternal kingdom that never falls,
In the name of Zirafin, the land of glory and the eternal crown,
In the name of its great king, the lord of thrones, Golder Ziraf,
In the name of the royal army's commander, the golden, Oriver Morgan,
I, the supreme overseer of this war, Virtuto Valeras, stand here in the presence of glory to officially declare the outbreak of the storm, the outbreak of the War of Malice, Zirafin's great war against the wretched amphibious entity!
On this day, we mark the beginning of the end for the amphibious entity! These parasitic scum, the filth of the earth who dared to challenge Zirafin's sovereignty! We will strike them back with a retaliation that will scatter their ashes across the ages.
There is no place for the wretched in a world ruled by history and power, no salvation for a kingdom that thought it could challenge us! We will erase their existence, and their story will be told as a lesson—no glory for them, no future for any of them, no trace they ever existed!
Only Zirafin remains, the land of eternal glory!
Let the heavens roar with our names, and let the earth tremble under the weight of our might! Victory is ours, as we will conquer the Sky Islands on the day of reckoning!"
Silence fell for a moment, as if the words themselves needed time to sink into the minds of those present. Then, as if an invisible spark ignited the room, the table erupted with cheers. The leaders pounded their hands on the solid wood, and voices rose in unison, chanting the name of Zirafin as if it were an eternal prophecy being rewritten.
In that moment, it wasn't just a declaration of war… it was a declaration of an impending massacre, an era to be written in blood!
The glasses rose again, but this time, it wasn't just a toast—it was a sacred vow, an oath that the blood of their enemies would be spilled like the pure wine. The cups clinked in majestic harmony, and the first golden drops flowed onto their lips, seeping into their throats and awakening the flames of the coming war.
Everyone sat down, except for Commander Levar, who remained standing. His posture carried deep respect and unshakable resolve. He lowered his head slightly, then spoke in a strong voice:
"With your permission, Lord Valeras… I would like to offer my words, though I know they will not be enough, in honor of three of the greatest leaders, for whom my respect has only grown recently."
His gaze turned toward Ash, Garoma, and Claude, and he continued with reverence:
"These men have been a true shield for the south, a solid barrier that halted the enemy's previous incursions. While some of us were preoccupied with other matters, they alone carried this burden on their shoulders and protected the capital. They did not hesitate, they did not retreat, they did not bow. Today, in the name of the kingdom and the people of Zirafin, I raise a heartfelt salute to them, a salute of appreciation and reverence for what they have accomplished."
All eyes turned toward the three leaders. Ash, Garoma, and Claude stood in silence, bowing their heads lightly in acceptance of this honor, their stern expressions filled with respect and seriousness.
As soon as they sat down, applause erupted—not just empty noise, but an acknowledgment of their achievement, one that would not be buried in the pages of oblivion but immortalized in the annals of history forever. Victory was written by their hands, and today their names were written in golden letters.
When the applause faded, everyone returned to their seats, knowing that the moment of honor had ended, and now it was time for something greater… discussing the plan that would decide the fate of the war.
The plan was discussed in an unconventional manner. This wasn't a war against a human army, but against a wretched, savage amphibious entity—unpredictable and immune to classic strategies. Therefore, the focus wasn't on rigid plans but on something more important… the cohesion between the leaders and their soldiers.
Valeras didn't want complex tactics or detailed theoretical plans; he wanted strict discipline and unbreakable unity among them. Any gap could be fatal, and any crack in their ranks could be costly. So, they had to face the truth clearly: How compatible were they? Where did their strengths lie? What were their weaknesses? Nothing was off-limits in this discussion; everything was laid bare on the table, without flattery or evasion.
The goal wasn't just to draw up a plan but to form a cohesive fighting unit that wouldn't falter. As Valeras said:
"Wars are won before they begin. If you are connected like the nerves of a body, then victory is ours, without a doubt."