"Are you sure this is going to work, husband?" Meala asked, her gaze filled with concern as she looked at Owen.
Owen nodded in response, his expression resolute. "Yes, I'm sure of it. Don't worry," he reassured her.
After learning that their daughters had escaped to fulfill the promises they had made to the foreigner, he had devised a plan to ensure their safety and that of their clan.
However, his wife remained troubled by the decision he had made, fearing it was a precarious choice that could determine the fate of both their clan and their children.
If there were any other viable options, he would gladly have chosen them. But, as it stood, there were no alternatives.
If it weren't for that foolish Garnet, he wouldn't have been forced into this agonizing decision between his children and his clan.
Now, he had no option but to align with the individual who had dared to attempt the assassination of the Queen and her royal family.
Meala gazed at her husband's thoughtful expression before exhaling deeply. "Okay, if you're certain this plan will work, then I'll do my best to support it with everything I have," she said, taking another deep breath before exhaling.
While her husband had always managed the clan's affairs, often proving to be more capable than she was, to the point that she rarely interfered with his plans and sought his opinions on various matters, she resolved to contribute her utmost to ensure the plan's success.
She also silently prayed to Naka, hoping that everything would unfold as planned.
Hearing his wife's response and seeing her calm down, Owen also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you," he muttered. "For now, help me take care of the inner clan's affairs while I focus on preparing for the war."
Quartzwraith Clan manor
"So you're telling me that the queen refused to see you," Olivia said as she attended to the paperwork on her desk.
"Yes, Clan Mistress. It appears that they have already discovered that the other five major clans are aware of the queen's predicament. They've chosen to keep her current condition a secret, concealing whether the Crystalforge Clan is capable of removing the artefact or not," a figure, bowing and kneeling beside her, explained.
Olivia continued to focus on the paperwork in front of her, not bothering to look at the figure.
Olivia nodded thoughtfully, "I think so too," she replied. "But I also believe they are trying to manipulate the decisions of the smaller clans and the smaller factions. They want to prevent them from siding with the Gemheart Clan during the war. With the foreigner already allied with the Crystalforge Clan and the queen's current uncertain condition, it's possible that she has already recovered, and they now have two formidable individuals on their side."
"This would make the upcoming war a less daunting task. So, it's understandable why they made an early announcement of war and sent those letters."
"That... But wouldn't that also solidify the Crystalforge Clan's position and give them even more control over the kingdom?" the figure asked, though he quickly regained his composure. His years as an elite warrior had trained him to adapt swiftly.
Olivia nodded. "Yes, it will. But given our current capabilities and position, that's not an issue. Sometimes, it takes a stroke of luck to seize the Crystalforge Clan's power for ourselves."
"For now, our best course of action is to capitalize on any opportunities that come our way, ensuring our survival until such an opportunity presents itself," Olivia replied.
"I believe I have gained a better understanding of the current situation," the figure said, bowing even lower from his kneeling position. "Thank you, clan mistress."
"No problem. It's good that you've learned a few things," Olivia replied. "You can go and alert the other members of the Elite Division to prepare for the upcoming war. Emphasize that their primary task is to protect the clan and ensure that no one enters or exits without their knowledge. Is that clear?"
"Yes, clan mistress, I understand."
"Very well. After handling this paperwork, I'd like to rest, so you may take your leave."
"Of course, clan mistress, I will make sure to alert you if anything important comes up," the figure said, then immediately vanished without a trace of his presence.
As the figure disappeared from the room, Olivia's shoulders slumped in exhaustion.
She couldn't help but reflect on the past decisions and indecisions. If only she had been decisive enough to openly announce her cooperation with Orion, she might now be in a position similar to the Crystalforge Clan, with a powerful ally like the foreigner, capable of shaping the future of the Prismerian kingdom.
She sighed and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes.
Although restlessness crept through her body, Olivia made a conscious effort to relax, fully aware that overthinking the kingdom's current situation would only lead to a bothersome headache.
Meanwhile, across the Prismerian Kingdom, myriad preparations were underway for the impending war. In the midst of it all, a collective awareness lingered, for this conflict, like those that had come before it, would shape the future of the Prismerian Kingdom.
...Readied themselves.
Outside the mountains
Orion slowly stirred from his slumber, a throbbing sensation at the back of his head gradually gaining intensity.
As he blinked away the haze of sleep, he was about to voice his confusion but furrowed his brow in bewilderment as he took in his surroundings.
"Please don't tell me I was knocked out so hard that I'm stuck in some bizarre dream," Orion muttered to himself, his palm rising to his face in an attempt to clear away the fog in his mind.
With a few gentle presses against his cheeks, he tried to shake off the surreal feeling.
However, after several minutes of repeating the process with identical results, a sudden realization struck him.
"How?" Orion muttered, his eyes widening in an instant, a profound shock and disbelief etched across his face as he gazed upon the exterior of a wide wooden hut.