Three weeks. It had been three weeks since Alaster had spoken to King Heradon. Since then, Alaster had recalled his Undead, all except for the Horde in the Empire’s borders.

  This was not due to some elaborate strategy.

  Fenrir was simply enjoying himself too much. The Empire had attacked first, so after Alaster recalled the other Hordes, he had given Fenrir permission to begin his invasion of the Empire.

  Of course, the Undead Horde under Fenrir could not survive the focused onslaught of the Empire. There was a reason they were the largest Nation on the Continent.

  Instead of taking on the Empire directly, Fenrir used the Undead as bait, drawing the Monster Hordes towards military targets such as forts or castles. He was careful not to draw the Monsters towards purely civilian targets such as villages.

  This was not due to some moral objection, but instead a planned strategy. A strategy that was beginning to bear fruit.

  As the pattern of the targeted attacks became known, people started to oppose the presence of their own military. As more and more forts were razed to the ground from the uncountable Monsters, the people began to riot against the military, fearful that the Monsters would come to them next.

  But of course, the Demigods were not about to let a few thousand Undead topple an Empire.

  For no explainable reason, terrible storms began to beat down on the traveling Monster Wave, flooding terrain, causing flash floods, and landslides. The most spectacularly impossible ‘natural’ occurrence was the three day long lightning barrage that hammered down on the Wave, a dozen strikes a minute.

  “I think we might have pissed them off.” Fenrir chuckled from the cave entrance, obscuring him from the view of the sky.

  “What have you accomplished before this occurred?” Alaster asked, still in his suite of rooms in the Lissurian Castle.

  “Eight forts were destroyed, six of which to the point of mere rubble. Three castles were also razed, and two of the Noble Families were too slow to escape and were torn apart by the Monsters. My Shadows report that there are open riots protesting the presence of the Military in four cities.

  The Nobility will likely spin the Demigods’ intervention as their own power since they can’t claim it is the power of the Gods since the Priests have publicly claimed to have not received any messages from any of the Gods.”

  “Most likely. Will the unrest continue even after the Monsters spread back out and return to normal?”

  “Most likely, at least for a while. In such a short time frame, so many Forts were destroyed, and even a couple nobles were killed. The people’s confidence in the Military is shaken. If they couldn’t protect the Nobility, how can they protect the people?”

  “Good. Civil unrest in the Empire will have rippling effects in the neighboring Nations.”

  “Hey, by the way, before you go. What are the Zalarians doing?” Fenrir asked, curious.

  “What they promised. Following the warning from Ebris, they are preparing for a Demon Invasion. They are rapidly constructing a massive reserve of Golems, building underground bunkers and storages, and are beginning construction on over twenty forts, each with a network of tunnels and trenches.

  Basically, they are turning their entire Kingdom into one massive fortress. Something the Demons will have to spill an ocean of blood for each inch of ground they take.

  I have Catherine over there, serving as an observer and my messenger. Her reports are very excited.” Alaster explained, looking over the book King Heradon had given him, documenting and cataloging just some of the items the Zalarians had uncovered from the wreckage of the ancient Seed Ship as Belgroth called it.

  “I’m not surprised,” Fenrir chuckled, “She has always been fascinated by Enchantments and Technology. She is a Zalarian at heart, even if she has never been there.”

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  “You didn’t have to listen to her excitedly explaining their Mana Cannons in such detail that I am now pretty sure I could at least repair one.”

  “You shared the blueprint of the Firearm with them, correct?”

  “Yeah. Claire was not happy with sharing her design, but she quickly changed her tune when the Zalarians practically opened their coffers and said that she had free reign to do create whatever she wanted.”

  “How did Claire get to Zalar from Galmore anyway?”

  The technology of Zalar also extends to their sea faring vessels. Somehow, they created a ship that could go at least twice as fast as a horse. When I told them of the Firearm, the Zalarians sent the ship immediately. In just four days, Claire was in the capital of Zalar, Ivrnad.”

  “Incredible.”

  “Yeah, and apparently the sailors were only too happy to drop her off. She wouldn’t stop barraging them with questions about how the ship worked.”

  “So they are outfitting their soldiers with the firearms?”

  “Yep. While they only saw limited use with the Undead, the Zalarians are quickly outfitting their soldiers with them. Apparently, the trenches they already build work very well with the firearms.”

  “So what are we going to do?” Fenrir asked, his tone turning much more serious.”

  “About what?”

  “Everything? I guess? You started this journey as young boy with nothing to his name, but a desire to save his sister. Now, you are one of the most powerful people in the world, with several thousand Undead under your command, the people of two entire cities willing to die for you, and an entire Nation of people willing to follow your command.

  We know where Evelyn is. We know she is safe. She might be believing a lie, but she is happy.

  She has steadfast friends and someone who loves her, even if you hate that.

  But she also has Demigods after her, wanting to kill her.

  And now, Demons are on their way to kill everyone on this continent.”

  “Your point?”

  “What I am trying to say, is that this has become infinitely more complex than when you started. What are you going to do?”

  Alaster took a deep breath as his mind wondered to the adventures he had had over the years.

  “I will do what I have always done. Protect what is mine.

  But I suppose that, with the Argalon on their way, I should make the first move.”

  “And what does that mean?”

  “Do be patient.”

  Fenrir felt the connection end. He grumbled to himself as he continued to watch the Monster Wave he had created slowly be whittled away by the lightning strikes and fade away back into the wilds.

  Back in Zolis, capital of Lissura, Alaster got up from the couch and contacted Vivian.

  “Where are you?”

  “With Evelyn in her study. She is fascinated with the stories of Monsters and the Independent Cities. What’s up?”

  “Stay with her. I will be leaving the city for a little bit.”

  “Will do!”

  With that out of the way, Alaster vanished from the suite of rooms, replaced by a confused Shadow.

  Far to the east, atop a small mountain top, Alaster appeared.

  ‘What is your plan here Alaster?’ Sedall asked.

  ‘With the Argalon on their way, I can no longer afford to wait for the Demigods to take action on their own.’

  ‘Alaster,’ Sedall warned, ‘You are not yet a Master. How do you plan to take on that which Masters fear?’

  ‘By taking advantage of the Golden Thousand.’

  ‘What? How?’

  ‘The Crown Prince wants my sister’s hand in marriage. If the Demigods want to kill her, then they would first have to go through the Golden Thousand. Then, instead of just one Master, they would have to go through a thousand.’

  ‘Well,’ Sedall stammered, ‘more than a thousand, but you would really give your sister to the Crown like that?’

  ‘You kidding me? No. But if the Prince thought she would be his, I doubt he would let something take her away.’

  ‘A lie?’

  ‘One has to lie when he is so clearly outmatched. Now tell me Sedall, who is the Demigod in charge of the rest?’

  ‘I would not say in charge. Each Demigod is more of a free agent, but the one who are seeking is Evros. He is the eldest of the Demigods and the one the rest are most likely to listen to.’

  Belgroth spoke up, ‘I must warn you, not even the Golden Thousand will be enough. Which is why you need to release Sedall.’

  ‘Sedall, when the Demigods find out about my sister, how long will it take for them to take action?’

  Sedall thought for a moment, ‘That depends. Keep in mind that it has been a great many years. But before, after classifying the person as too dangerous, they would take a few days to examine the situation before they would take appropriate action.’

  ‘And how far away is Sedall’s body?’

  ‘Just a few hours for you.’ Belgroth spoke.

  ‘How long will it take for you to release him?’

  ‘You’ll be doing the work, but it should only take a day at most.’

  “Good.” Alaster spoke aloud, “Evros! Get over here you old bastard!” Alaster shouted to the sky.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Sedall exclaimed.

  ‘Saving time.’

  Alaster could feel that Sedall wanted to argue that, but he did not have the time.

  A loud boom echoed in the air. A thunderclap that exploded through the air. Lightning struck the stone a dozen feet away from Alaster. He felt the electricity travel through the air and stone. He felt it course through his body.

  It would have done considerable damage to an Adept and likely would have killed a Novice. But to an Expert, especially one as durable as Alaster, it had minimal effect. And what little it did, was repaired in a moment.

  Alaster looked at the area the lightning had stuck.

  An old man stood there with stark white hair tied back in a ponytail.

  “Regis, was it?” Alaster asked the man, “Or do you prefer Demigod Evros?”

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