Summoned Once More
The next day, an Imperial summons arrived.
"His Majesty commands the presence of Grand Duke Leon Blackwood at the Throne Hall immediately."
Elara and Darius exchanged glances.
"He's making his move," Elara murmured.
Darius scowled. "And we don't know what kind."
Leon, however, only smirked.
"Then let's go see what our dear Emperor has planned."
---
The Throne Hall—A Court of Vultures
The Throne Hall was packed.
Every Duke, Count, and high-ranking noble in the Empire had gathered.
The air was thick with tension.
At the far end, Emperor Regnar IV sat on his golden throne, his expression unreadable.
Leon stepped forward, his black coat flowing behind him like a shadow.
The nobles whispered.
"He's too arrogant."
"Didn't he almost die last night?"
"Why is he still standing so confidently?"
Leon ignored them.
He knelt before the Emperor but, like last time, he did not lower his head.
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor leaned forward.
"Leon Blackwood. Last night, assassins entered your chambers. What do you have to say about this?"
Leon smiled faintly. "That they were fools to challenge me."
The nobles murmured again.
The Emperor's expression remained neutral.
"And yet, four noble houses suffered… unfortunate losses soon after."
A Duke stepped forward, his voice sharp.
"Are you saying this was merely coincidence?"
Leon's eyes flickered toward the Duke—one of his rivals.
"Coincidence? No." His smirk widened. "Merely a lesson."
The room fell silent.
The Emperor watched him carefully. This was the real test.
Would Leon deny it? Would he try to beg for mercy?
But Leon did neither.
Instead, he turned the accusation into a display of power.
"Let me be clear," Leon said, his voice carrying through the hall. "If anyone dares send assassins after me again, I will not stop at just four houses."
His words were like a dagger to the court.
The Emperor tapped his fingers against his throne.
Then he laughed.
"Good. I'd hate to have weak men serving my Empire."
The court erupted in shock.
Instead of punishing Leon, the Emperor acknowledged his strength.
And in that moment, Leon knew—he had passed the test.
But Regnar IV wasn't finished.
---
The Emperor's Gambit
The Emperor stood.
"Leon Blackwood, your conquests in the East have impressed me. And now, I have a new task for you."
A map was unrolled, showing the southern border of the Empire.
"The Kingdom of Varantis has been growing bolder. They threaten our lands, defy our authority. I need someone to handle them."
The Emperor's eyes gleamed.
"You will lead an Imperial Army and bring them to their knees."
The court gasped.
This wasn't a gift.
It was a trap.
The South was a battlefield of endless war—one that could easily swallow even the greatest generals.
If Leon failed, his reputation would be ruined.
If he succeeded, he'd still be far from the capital—unable to challenge the Emperor directly.
The Emperor was testing him again.
But Leon only smiled.
"I accept, Your Majesty."
And with that, the next phase of his conquest began.
---
March to War
The Emperor's Game Begins
Leon stepped out of the Throne Hall, his mind already working through the implications of the Emperor's command.
An Imperial Army under my control?
Regnar IV was cunning. This was a double-edged blade—a chance to increase his power, but also an opportunity for the Emperor to eliminate him through war.
Elara and Darius followed close behind.
"We need to be careful," Elara whispered. "The Southern War Campaign is a death sentence for most."
"Then we'll rewrite history," Leon said, his gaze steely.
Darius grinned. "About time we crushed someone new."
Leon turned to them. "Gather our forces. We leave in three days."
The conquest had begun.
---
Preparing for War
Leon rode through the Blackwood Estate, where his personal army awaited him.
10,000 elite soldiers—far better trained than the Emperor's usual troops.
But to face the Kingdom of Varantis, he needed more.
Leon summoned his vassal lords and allies.
"Each of you will raise an additional 5,000 men," he ordered. "We march with a force no less than 50,000 strong."
Some lords hesitated.
"Fifty thousand? That's madness! The Emperor only granted you 20,000!"
Leon's gaze turned sharp.
"And do you think I'll fight on the Emperor's leash?"
Silence.
They understood.
Leon wasn't just obeying orders.
He was building his own power.
Within days, his forces swelled—mercenaries, knights, and hardened veterans joined his ranks.
And as they prepared to march, a single rider arrived at the gates.
---
A Mysterious Offer
The man was cloaked in a dark mantle, his face hidden beneath a hood.
"Grand Duke Leon Blackwood?" the stranger spoke.
Elara's hand hovered over her sword.
"Who's asking?"
The man pulled back his hood, revealing piercing silver eyes.
"My name is Kael Varion," he said. "Warlord of the Southern Free Armies."
Leon's gaze darkened.
The Southern Free Armies were a coalition of exiled nobles, rogue mercenaries, and powerful warriors who controlled key strongholds in the South.
And Kael Varion was their strongest leader.
"I hear you march against Varantis," Kael said. "Perhaps we should talk… before we become enemies."
Leon smirked.
"I'm listening."
---
The Warlord's Proposal
A Meeting of Power
Inside Leon's war tent, Kael Varion sat across from him, his silver eyes sharp and unreadable.
Elara stood at Leon's side, arms crossed, while Darius kept his hand near his sword, watching the warlord like a hawk.
Kael took a sip of wine before speaking.
"You are about to march into a war that will not be as simple as crushing lesser lords. The Kingdom of Varantis is not weak."
Leon smirked. "I would hope not. Conquering weaklings does not interest me."
Kael chuckled.
"Then you will be pleased to know Varantis commands over 120,000 soldiers. They are well-trained and battle-hardened from fighting the Empire's border skirmishes for years."
Leon's expression remained unreadable, but internally, he was already calculating.
"And yet, you are here," Leon noted. "Which means you either want to help me… or you want something from me."
Kael leaned forward.
"Both."
Elara's eyes narrowed.
"You expect us to trust you? A warlord who preys on both the Empire and Varantis?"
Kael shrugged.
"I serve neither, only power. And I believe you have the potential to wield more than the Emperor himself."
Leon tapped his fingers on the table.
"What do you want?"
Kael's smile widened.
"A deal."
The warlord unrolled a map, pointing to three key fortresses near the Varantis border.
"These strongholds belong to minor lords who despise both the Empire and Varantis. If you let me take them for myself, I will pledge 30,000 of my finest warriors to your cause."
Darius whistled.
"That would put us at nearly 80,000 men. Enough to stand against Varantis."
Elara, however, was wary.
"And once the war is won? What stops you from turning on us?"
Kael grinned.
"Who's to say I won't?"
The tent fell silent.
Then, Leon laughed.
A cold, sharp laugh.
"If you betray me, Kael, I will make sure you regret it."
Kael chuckled.
"I would expect nothing less."
Leon extended his hand.
"Then we have a deal."
Kael shook it.
And with that, the tides of war shifted.
---
End of Chapter 13.