Overwhelming Firepower

Shocking news spread throughout the continent as Norvaegard, the kingdom of warriors and the first line of defense against the monster wave, had declared war on the king of Inevir.

Many who were not clear on the current situation were surprised by such an action. Why would Norvaegard, which had always simply defended its walls, suddenly declare war?

As for those in the know, they too were equally surprised. They never imagined that Norvaegard would make such a drastic move. Surely they knew what was to come after declaring war without giving a proper reason.

They could make it look like Norvaegard was the aggressor, which would help Inevir gain even more support not just from the Rocton Empire but from other kingdoms as well.

They wanted a piece of Norvaegard, which holds the most mana crystals on the continent, which they gain from defeating monsters.

Every monster wave that crashed against Norvaegard’s walls left thousands of dead creatures behind. Mana crystals could be recovered from many of those monsters, with stronger creatures possessing larger and purer crystals.

Other kingdoms obtained mana crystals through hunting or from mining naturally occurring mana crystals in places with concentrated mana.

However, neither method provided a supply comparable to Norvaegard’s.

Mining was slow and dangerous. Places where mana naturally gathered also attracted powerful monsters, while many deposits were buried deep beneath mountains or hidden within unstable regions.

Hunting presented its own difficulties. A hunting party might spend weeks searching for suitable monsters and return with only a handful of usable crystals.

Norvaegard faced no such shortage. Every few years, countless monsters gathered beyond its walls and charged toward the kingdom.

Once the fighting ended, specialized groups followed the soldiers onto the battlefield and extracted mana crystals from the corpses.

Many of those crystals were stored beneath Norvaegard’s fortresses. Others were used in many items, like the mana lamps, a few of the airships, and some weapons, but they were mostly used for the barrier on the walls of Norvaegard.

The barriers consumed an enormous number of crystals, especially during a monster wave. Without the stockpiles beneath the fortresses, the barriers would eventually collapse, leaving the walls exposed to the full force of the monsters.

To Norvaegard, those crystals were not simply wealth. They were the reason its people had survived for generations.

The people wanting these resources did not even think of the consequences if the guard dogs blocking the monsters’ wave disappeared; someone would need to replace them.

Of course, a few kingdoms had already thought of this and did not care, seeing as their kingdoms were far from the epicenter of monster waves. So the replacement would be someone who was close by and who was the one at war with Norvaegard.

So the new guard dogs would naturally be those of the kingdom of Inevir.

If Inevir conquered Norvaegard, it would inherit the walls, the fortresses, and the responsibility of defending the continent. Even if the Inevirians lacked the necessary experience, they would need to do it or get overrun.

***

In the Kingdom of Inevir, King Aeurion and several nobles and generals were gathered in the war room.

The atmosphere within the chamber was tense. Norvaegard’s declaration had come far sooner than anyone expected.

Inevir had sent numerous groups across the border disguised as bandits. Their purpose was not merely reconnaissance. They were supposed to attack villages, destroy railway lines, burn ammunition depots, and spread chaos throughout Norvaegard.

The attacks would appear unrelated at first.

Norvaegard would be forced to investigate each incident while questioning whether Inevir was truly responsible. Even if King Ragnor suspected the truth, Inevir would deny everything and use the surrounding kingdoms to pressure him into acting cautiously.

While Norvaegard hesitated, the infiltrators would continue weakening it from within.

Only after its railways had been damaged and its military supplies disrupted would Inevir begin its invasion.

Instead, Norvaegard had declared war before most of the attacks even began. They had reacted faster than expected and even more aggressively than expected.

King Aeurion stared at the map covering the center of the table. Many of the markers representing Inevir’s infiltrating forces had already been removed.

”How many groups remain operational?”

A thin man dressed in dark clothing stepped forward. ”Less than a third, Your Majesty.” The answer caused several nobles to shift uncomfortably.

”It would seem that we have underestimated Norvaegard’s current strength... No matter, this just means we need to advance the plan faster. The other kingdoms will come wanting to join the purge of Norvaegard.”

One of the generals frowned. ”Your Majesty, will we truly allow other kingdoms to intervene as we defeat our enemies? This is our moment of triumph against those hateful people of Norvaegard.”

King Aeurion looked toward the general. ”This is not a duel between warriors. We are not like those barbarians from Norvaegard. There is no honor in refusing a weapon simply because another hand offers it to us.”

The general lowered his head slightly. ”I only fear that they will claim a portion of our victory.”

”They will certainly try.” Aeurion’s gaze moved across the nobles and commanders surrounding the table.

”The armies of the other kingdoms will spend their soldiers and resources weakening Norvaegard. Once the war ends, they will return home with whatever rewards we choose to give them.”

Aeurion placed one hand upon the map. ”Only Inevir shares a border with Norvaegard. We will control the roads leading into its territory, and our soldiers will occupy its fortresses. No distant kingdom can claim those lands without passing through ours.”

One of the ministers hesitated. ”The Rocton Empire may not accept such an arrangement. Emperor Valcarius will expect a considerable portion of Norvaegard’s wealth.”

”Hmph, we might be bending the knee to them now, but our noble bloodline will triumph against those upstarts. Those fools will never know we are just using them. Let them believe that we are loyal, while we take what is ours.”

Aeurion’s hand moved across the map until it rested upon Norvaegard.

”Once its mana crystals, forges, and weapons belong to us, the balance of power will change. Inevir will no longer need the Rocton Empire’s protection. We will once again prove to these people that the bloodline of mages, the bloodline of Inevir, reigns supreme.”

Several nobles nodded in agreement, their earlier unease replaced by pride.

One of them smiled. ”Once Norvaegard falls, we can finally prove once and for all the superiority of our mages.”

”Don’t limit yourself to that narrow view. Once we take Norvaegard, we will build our Empire a stronger one than our ancestors’.”

The nobles surrounding the table voiced their agreement.

***

In the Rocton Empire, the Iron-Blooded Emperor Valcarius Rocten was holding his own war council.

Unlike the crowded gathering in Inevir, there were only four people present in this war council. Seeing as the Emperor himself makes almost all the decisions, these people were here to simply listen and/or, at times, be a kind of sounding board for the Emperor.

A large map of the continent had been spread across the table. Several reports rested beside it.

”To think Norvaegard would make such a move. This means one of two things: they had no other choices and are trying to make something of a worsening situation, or they are confident in winning this war even with our Empire backing Inevir.”

One of the generals considered the Emperor’s words before speaking. ”Which do you believe it to be, My Emperor?”

”The latter.” Valcarius did not hesitate. ”If Norvaegard were desperate enough, even with their pride, they would have tried to find an ally of their own. Seeing as how confidently they declared war without looking for any allies means they are certain they have a chance of winning this war, even knowing about the intervention of other kingdoms and our backing.”

The general smiled. ”Then this war may finally be worthy of the Empire’s attention. If Norvaegard believes it can withstand our legions, I would like to see what has given them such confidence.”

”All will eventually fall to the Empire’s might.”

Valcarius moved his hand across the map until it rested upon the border between Norvaegard and Inevir.

”Mobilize four legions. Two will begin advancing toward Inevir immediately, while the remaining two prepare to follow.”

One of the ministers stepped forward. ”Should we issue a declaration explaining the movement of our armies, My Emperor?”

Valcarius’s answer was immediate. ”The Rocton Empire does not explain its actions. Let the lesser kingdoms waste their time arguing over who began this war. Besides, we are simply aiding our vassal in battle.”

Valcarius turned toward the general.

”Keep the legions under Imperial command. Inevir’s soldiers will lead the attack, while our forces observe how Norvaegard responds.”

The general nodded. ”We will ensure nothing escapes our notice, My Emperor.”

”I want reports on every weapon they deploy. If possible, take a few of those weapons. Better yet, allow Lucen Thornehart and Robert Duskwell the great opportunity of serving the Empire.”

The intelligence minister bowed. ”Our agents will be informed.”

”Good. They are worth more alive, but do not mistake my words for an invitation. If they refuse, bring them in chains.”

”It will be done, My Emperor.” The intelligence minister answered.

”This is but the first step to once again show the might of our Empire.”

Valcarius took one final drink before crushing the silver goblet into a ball with his telekinesis.

’The dream of every emperor before me will be fulfilled under my reign. The Rocton Empire will rule this continent.’