"A strange energy has entered from the cut, slowly merging with the atmosphere. Although there have been no further changes, but we need to be wary of it in case it starts causing harm. Lastly…"

Velia breathed out,

"…A revolt has started in the Mirista Kingdom, between the civilians and mages."

Amadeus frowned; the timing was too coincidental as a heavy feeling descended. Leaving a sigh, he quickly entered his carriage as thoughts of the future plagued his mind. Inside, he found that Erika was already there with her usual smile alongside Ariadne and Emily. Knowing she was back, Amadeus let out a smile before Irene's body shook. No one had seen it, but Irene immediately called out,

"Your highness…"

Shock was evident in her voice as she turned to Amadeus,

"…something bad has happened."

Amadeus turned back as another frown appeared, it shouldn't be something small to garner such a reaction from Irene. When she continued, it was indeed terrible.

- West of Drakonis Empire-

The sound of weapon clas.h.i.+ng could be heard alongside roars of soldiers, boosting their courage.

"Alex, why are you doing this?!"

One middle aged soldier looked at his former comrade. Alex replied with a complex look before determination surfaced in his eyes as he drove his blade through the man's torso. The man kept his disbelieving look on his face, still confused as to why his former comrade had betrayed him. Alex, though, had moved onto another soldier. 

Similar scenarios were being played out around the city as the defending soldiers were whittled down one by one. Not one surrendered, making the attacking force suffer heavy casualties despite their triumph. This was one of the minor cities that resided in the Empire. What was once a small place of peace and prosperity was now filled with the death throes of dying soldiers and the wailings of children. Blood covered the streets as the incredulous expressions on the dead soldiers didn't fade.

They had indeed never expected it, the comrades that had drank and ate with them had turned against them, no, the Empire. Footsteps were heard in the desolate streets as a group of men appeared examining their surroundings. Stepping over the recently cleaned streets, a smile hung on their faces. The man in front of was a slim human that had aging, grey that was slicked back and a pair of brown eyes. He wore simple but luxurious clothing as a group of officers walked behind him.

Unlike the others, there was no smile on their faces as his calculating eyes looked at all the damage done.

"Then Sir Arnold…"

A rather plump man rubbed his hands, as he looked at their leader,

"…where to next?"

The man's l.u.s.tful eyes were hard to not be noticed as they kept looking around. Predicting the man's motives, Arnold's cold eyes had a hint of disgust but kept it concealed. The plump man never saw this, but his breath seemed to get heated. Arnold spoke up,

"The Emperor should've got the news by now; we need to be fast and capture more land otherwise…"

Arnold didn't finish but everyone could tell what he meant. The plump man retracted his desires, but displeasure was evident on his face. A military man behind them let out a laugh,

"Hahaha let those lizards come, they can only kneel at the glory of us humans, the true children of G.o.d. Besides, what can that brat do…"

Arnold's eyes narrowed at this fanatic's eyes of reverie as he shook his head,

'The dragons are a frightening enemy yet the most low key, no one knows their true strength…is this a bad idea?'

This time Arnold vehemently shook his head, they had already come so far, there was no use of regretting now. As the citizens cowered in their houses, Arnold and his group arrived at the mayor's house. As soon as he stepped in, the painful shrieks of a man entered his ears and his attention was brought to what garnered it. A cat demi-human lay there as he tried to reign in his cries. Blood poured out his head where his ears used to be as cuts appeared on his wrists which were bound behind him.

His whole body and his tattered suit were dyed in red as cuts littered his body while there were parts of meat missing. The man lay on his front while a group of soldiers surrounded him. One of them planted his foot on his back and yanked the former's tail. Holding it with both his hands, he started pulling garnering more cries from the man. It wasn't until the whole tail was wrenched out with the man's spine did the screams cease.

A dark energy seemed to leave the man and enter the ground. Apart from Arnold who kept his cold look and the military man with a smile, the rest of his group trembled with pale faces. Seeing the brutality, Arnold ignored it as he continued walking forward and saw a man sitting at the mayor's chair. Kneeling down, the rest of the group did the same.

The figure on the chair was silent and seemed to be in deep thought. No one there seemed to breath while a voice rung out,

"What do you think Arnold?"

Arnold had been following the figure for a long time, so he was honest with his thoughts.

"We lost too many men, to go further would be rather difficult…"

"Hmm"

The figure nodded as he looked at the military officer,

"Commander Deuce."

"Yes, Lord."

"Find as many able men and conscript them…"

"But-"

The commander felt perplexed as this sudden command,

"Don't worry about their loyalty, threaten them with all the other citizens. If abled men are not enough then don't hesitate to use women and children from the beasts, we just need cannon fodder."

"Yes, Lord!"

Arnold's eyes widened as his mouth opened, trying to oppose this notion. However, before he could, the figure's voice rung out,

"Don't be too soft, this is war. The Royal Family takes deep care of their citizens, that is known by everyone. Although that is good in normal times, it is their weakness, especially now that a little kid has taken the throne playing the Emperor. In the end, history is written by the victors"

Arnold hesitantly nodded as deep anguish covered his eyes. The figure narrowed his eyes as he looked at Arnold and shook his head.

"Anyway, it seems that our 'allies', those beasts at the south have also started moving."

- South of Drakonis Empire -

A completely different scene was being played out. A bear demi-human talked to a spider one next to him,

"That was rather easy."

"Indeed, unlike Marquis Evans and his idiotic soldiers, everything was clearly planned. With most of our clansmen taking majority of the population here, it was rather easy to coerce a few of them, especially the hot bloodedness."

The spider demi-human had a humanoid upper body donned with a suit while a spider's lower body. Eight red eyes littered his face as his pitch-black skin seemed to s.h.i.+ne a little under the glaring sun. The man next to him was easily over 2 metres tall, and incredible broad. His hair was covered by a hat while his brown sideburns reached his cheeks. He was wearing a military outfit as he stood a couple steps behind the spider demi-human.

"Commander Glend"

"Yes!"

"Who are we?"

"We are the children of the Mother Orbis."

The Spider demi-human, Marquis Karzox, nodded in response.

"Begin the conscription of our fellow kinsmen. Throw a little hot-blooded word here and there, and we would have an army in no time. Our population only lacks a bit compared to humans; it is only natural that with our superior abilities they should bow to us"

Hesitance was in Glend's eyes as his and Arnold's conversation with their respective lords seem to overlap. Arnold looked at Marquis Evan and spoke out,

"What about the dragons?"

Karzox, smiled in response,

"Are you talking about the show they created back in the capital?"

Glend nodded. A hint of fear flashed through his eyes as he there in the capital when it happened.

Karzox and Evan's smiles widened as they both spoke out,

"It was merely just a show."

- Emerald City -

Amadeus stepped off his carriage and placed his steps on a familiar floor. Seeing the familiar walls, his attention was then caught by the officials there waiting for him. All of them, had pensive looks on their faces as they had also received the report. However, without Amadeus there they wouldn't be able to function properly as many conflicting thoughts would arise. This was indeed pathetic, but it was the result of many different mindsets. While military officers would prefer facing the enemy head on, the ministers would need to worry about resources and many other things.

There was a need for a balance and final decision that was where Amadeus came into play. His orders were final. Amadeus arrived as soon as he could, even having to teleport to the palace. Such a teleport would only used in emergencies, but it was indeed an emergency.

All of them kneeled as Amadeus didn't stay and wait for them. After he left the carriage, he immediately started giving out orders,

"We will now be imposing martial law."

All the officials behind him didn't find this strange and an order after order was given out.

"General Tora, strengthen defences everywhere."

"Yes, your highness."

Tora left the group to fulfil his orders.

"General Stamilus."

The largest being, a centaur called out,

"Yes, your highness."

"How has the training progressed."

"Rather well, with the help of those three adventurers, they are shown clear signs of progress."

"Have them ready. It will help them get accustomed to war."

"Yes, your highness."

Stamilus trotted off as Lionel appeared. It was clear that he rushed here as he brought Amadeus a report. Amadeus didn't tarry and immediately read the report. The more he read the colder the atmosphere surrounding him got. The Blades surrounded him to protect everyone surrounding Amadeus, Amadeus was still thirteen and wasn't the strongest. However, it was the nature of his power that threatened the others. Even his father was wary of them.

Out of nowhere, Amadeus clenched his left fist and punched the wall next to him. It was a report of what had happened and apparently a bloodied box containing ears and tails was left at the front of the palace. The Sun's power left his fist as the atmosphere went from cold to hot in a split second. Even the blades felt uncomfortable with this change, but Amadeus contained his power. A cold voice left his mouth,

"Summon the royal court."

As if to express the Emperor's anger, dark clouds congregated with lightning streaking through them along side the sound of thunder reverberating above the capital