A deep sound, deeper than the ocean, a heavy sound like a meteor crashing into the earth.
The arena shook.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
"Shit!, my God..." Ash.
From afar, confident footsteps made their way through the rubble-filled arena.
"Oh my... I felt the massive surge of maga from thousands of feet away!"
The three leaders immediately lowered their heads...
A man with a majestic appearance, as if his strength spoke before he did.
His greenish hair was slicked back, with a light beard matching his hair color, and a vertical tattoo running from his forehead to his eye.
His dark green robe, embroidered with gold, and the golden earrings dangling from his ears.
It was [Valeras]... the vice-commander of the Royal Fleet, and the overseer of the War of hatred.
The man who was said... to have defeated an [Alpha] alone... alone, he defeated the Alpha [Drakon The Majestic]
The kingdom spans a vast area, with guard castles divided into equally spaced regions, spread along the borders and strategic passages, guarded by elite, carefully trained leaders.
Each castle deploys guards periodically to monitor threats from neighboring worlds and protect the kingdom from any unexpected infiltration.
Deep within this vast expanse, where the land blends with heritage and history, districts and villages are scattered, inhabited by people trying to maintain their way of life amidst increasing turmoil.
There are also historical buildings of political importance, and others of a practical nature, concentrated in the north, where their influence extends toward the barren lands and distant islands.
As for the capital, it lies in the south, the seat of governance and power, where the lineages of noble families who have ruled through the ages are entrenched.
In this place, where nobles and military leaders meet, fateful decisions are made, and political intrigues are woven in secret. The capital has been known as the most stable, remaining distant from the horrors of wars and major conflicts... until the real threat began to approach.
Political and military leaders ignored it, preoccupied with the Sky Wars, where great factions battle over floating islands stretching across the north, beyond the known borders of the world.
But while eyes were turned upward, amphibious armies were moving from below, from the south, where everyone thought peace was eternal.
The kingdom underestimated the amphibious aggressor, thinking it was just a passing disturbance, sporadic raids not worth attention. They didn't take it seriously, believing the southern guard forces were enough to repel it. But they were wrong...
The amphibious horde advanced rapidly, sweeping through the south, spreading chaos and terror. These weren't just small raids, but an organized invasion, moving with intelligence and strategy. The leaders in the capital began to realize the gravity of their mistake, but time might be too late.
Valeras stepped forward with steady steps, before speaking in a smooth yet authoritative voice:
"Oooh, don't worry! Claude, rise... I've missed your face. It seems you've been busy with hard work on the borders."
Claude quickly raised his head, then bowed respectfully, saying with clear deference:
"My lord! It is a great honor to have you here."
Valeras cast a scrutinizing glance around...
"Well... this is your fortress, isn't it? I see some unusual chaos has occurred here."
Garoma furrowed his brows slightly before answering seriously:
"It is my castle, my lord."
Valeras nodded slowly, then muttered in a contemplative tone:
"Hmm... sorry about that, but the repairs will be difficult. Anyway, now is not the time to worry about that."
Claude raised his head expectantly and asked seriously:
"Yes, my lord! Is there an urgent matter?"
Valeras gave them a stern look...
"Claude, Garoma...and! and you, what's your name?"
Ash stepped forward, seeming nervous under Valeras' intense gaze:
"Ash, my lord."
"Oh yeah yeaaah, Ash."
Then he spoke words that shook the hall:
"I officially declare war on the amphibious aggressor! This war will be under my personal supervision, and I will take command of nine guard castles, along with some royal soldiers."
A tense moment of silence fell before Claude, Garoma, and Ash shouted in unison, excited by the grave announcement:
"Understood, my lord!!"
Valeras nodded with satisfaction before adding in a stern tone:
"Your soldiers will prove to us that they deserve their positions here and are capable of rising to the level of royal soldiers!"
"It is our pleasure, my lord!"
Then Valeras turned back to the arena, asking in an interrogative tone:
"Now, what were you doing here in the arena, Claude?"
Claude took a deep breath, then answered cautiously:
"My lord... as you can see, I stopped the duel. It was dangerously destructive."
Valeras raised an eyebrow, then looked at the duel participants.
"Oh, the two fighters... that person... Tsk, don't scare me with those looks."
Then he looked and stopped at Zora. He stared at him for a moment, then ignored it as if he hadn't seen anything.
He turned to everyone, gesturing with his hand as if putting the final touches on his plan:
"As you know, our forces will march south, and I will also be stationed here. We will be ready to crush those damned fish... and wipe them off the face of the earth!"
Everyone shouted in unison, with enthusiasm and strength:
"Long live your voice, my lord!!"
The scene was buzzing with the energy of war, and the decision had been made... war was coming.