The air was thick with the stench of sweat, blood, and despair. Deep beneath the Britannia Palace, in a hidden dungeon illuminated only by flickering torchlight, prisoners groaned in agony. The dim light cast long, ominous shadows on the damp stone walls, where chains hung like silent sentinels of suffering.
Maria stood in the centre of the chamber, her regal presence contrasting sharply with the grim surroundings. Her crimson gown, embroidered with golden threads, seemed out of place in this hellish environment. Her expression was unreadable, a mask of cold determination.
A man clad in dark leather armour approached her, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, they refuse to speak. But I assure you, I will make them talk soon enough." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of menace.
Maria glanced at the prisoners—men and women bound and broken, their faces twisted in pain. She shook her head slowly, her gaze lingering for a moment before she turned away. "Enough," she said, her voice firm but devoid of emotion. "There is no need to waste more time here."
Without another word, she began to walk toward the exit, her guards falling into step behind her. The dungeon faded into darkness as the heavy iron door creaked shut, leaving the prisoners to their fate.
Maria ascended the winding staircase, emerging into the opulent halls of Britannia Palace. The contrast between the dungeon and the palace was stark—here, the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the kingdom's glorious history, and sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting colourful patterns on the marble floor.
Her Prime Minister awaited her at the top of the stairs. "Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply, "the council is assembled in the war room. They await your presence."
Maria nodded and followed him through the grand corridors.
The war room was a vast chamber, its walls lined with maps and charts detailing the kingdom's territories and the movements of enemy forces. A large oak table dominated the centre of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs. The council members—nobles, generals, and advisors—rose to their feet as Maria entered.
She motioned for them to sit and took her place at the head of the table. The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on her.
"Report," she said, her voice calm but commanding. "What is the status of the Latvian fleet that was advancing toward Port Java and Maria?"
Marquis Mangton stood to address her. "Your Majesty, we have repelled the Latvian fleet with the assistance of the Bernard Empire's air force. However, the victory came at a great cost. We lost 347 ships and suffered approximately twenty thousand casualties. The Latvian fleet has been destroyed, but their forces remain formidable."
Maria's expression remained stoic, though a flicker of concern passed through her eyes. She turned to Joseph, the Imperial Diplomat from the Bernard Empire, who sat at the far end of the table.
"Imperial Diplomat Joseph," she said, her tone gracious, "I extend my deepest gratitude to your Emperor for his assistance in our time of need. Your support has been invaluable."
Joseph inclined his head respectfully. "It is our honour to stand with Britannia, Your Majesty. By order of our Emperor, the 5th Infantry Brigade and the 9th Armored Division have been dispatched to reinforce your forces. They are currently en route to Duke Farl's territory. You need not worry—our troops are well-equipped and highly trained."
A murmur of approval rippled through the room, though one nobleman, Lord Harroway, leaned forward with a sceptical expression. "Diplomat Joseph," he said, "how many soldiers have you sent to aid us?"
Joseph hesitated for a moment before replying, "I do not have the exact numbers, but I estimate around twelve thousand troops."
Lord Harroway's eyes widened in disbelief. "Twelve thousand? The Latvian forces in the north number over a hundred thousand! They are not only fierce warriors but also wield dark magic, monstrous creatures, and even the undead. How can such a small force hope to turn the tide of this war?"
Joseph's lips curled into a faint smile. "My lord, you witnessed the capabilities of our military during the exhibition months ago. Our soldiers are equipped with the most advanced weaponry in the world. I assure you, they are more than capable of facing the Latvian army."
Another nobleman, Marquis Worthington, slammed his hand on the table. "Diplomat Joseph, your confidence borders on arrogance! We cannot afford to underestimate the enemy."
Maria raised her hand, silencing the room. "Enough," she said firmly. "We must not quarrel amongst ourselves. The Bernard Empire has come to our aid when others have turned their backs. That alone is worthy of our gratitude. Moreover, those of you who were present during the Crushed Night have seen the destructive power of their weapons. I have full faith in their capabilities."
The council members exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in reluctant agreement.
Maria turned her attention to the Prime Minister. "What of General Voss? Has he crossed the Blackfire Mountains?"
The Prime Minister nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. General Voss has successfully crossed the mountains and is now in contact with the local lords. He is working to rally their forces to our cause. Also, we have gathered more information."
The Prime Minister's expression darkened. " When Strom learned of the broken engagement between princes and him, he hosted a grand banquet, inviting all the nobles of the region. Once they were within his grasp, he imprisoned them—including his own father—and began issuing threats to ensure their loyalty."
Marquis Worthington said. "I cannot believe Strom would stoop to such treachery! I once thought him a man of honour."
Maria sighed, rubbing her temples. "I, too, underestimated his ambition. He is more dangerous than I anticipated."
The Prime Minister continued, "Your Majesty, we are struggling to gather sufficient troops. While some nobles have pledged their support, others remain hesitant. Our northern front is suffering heavy casualties, and we cannot afford to divert more forces to the Elysian Archipelago."
Maria leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. "Send the new recruits to reinforce General Voss," she ordered.
Marquis Mangton interjected, "Your Majesty, the recruits are inexperienced. They have only just begun their training and are ill-prepared for battle. Moreover, the North requires every available soldier. We cannot spare more troops."
The Prime Minister added, "Your Majesty, you must have heard of Krig. Duke Barco's personal army. They are all fierce warriors with many years of fighting experience and their number must be at least five thousand. Storm has also added many mercenaries and bandits to his army, and if we add the Elysian Archipelago nobles' army, Strom's army will be at least more than 50 thousand. All of them are Trained. Also, the North is suffering more casualties than we thought. We can't send more troops in this situation. "
Joseph, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Your Majesty, the Bernard Empire can assist you in this matter as well. Our Emperor has ordered the capture of Strom and the occupation of his territory. We will deploy our forces to neutralize this threat."
The room erupted in murmurs of relief and gratitude. Maria looked at Joseph, her gratitude evident but tempered by caution. "Your assistance is invaluable, Diplomat Joseph. But I must ask—what does the Bernard Empire seek in return for your aid?"