CHAPTER - 16

Amidst the darkness of the dense forest, whispers echoed through the trees and undergrowth. In a hidden place, concealed from prying eyes, a group of hooded figures gathered, their faces shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.

At the heart of the group stood their leader—a woman with piercing eyes and a cold, calculating expression. Her jet-black hair was tied neatly, and her gaze radiated both intelligence and ruthless determination.

“We must strike the Celestia Kingdom immediately,” she declared, her voice calm yet commanding. “They’re too preoccupied with the monsters we unleashed. Now is the perfect time to seize power.”

A burly, thick-bearded man nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’m with you on that. Especially now that the foolish prince has fallen for Gray Serpent’s plan...”

However, not everyone shared the same resolve. A younger man, his face pale and his eyes filled with unease, hesitated. “Do we really have to do this? Is this truly the right course of action?” he asked, his voice laced with doubt. “W-what if we f-fail?”

The woman stepped closer to him, her gaze cutting through his soul. “Doubt has no place here. Our plan has been carefully crafted, every detail accounted for. Success is our only option.”

The bearded warrior spoke again, his deep voice steady. “We have the strength and strategy to take down Celestia’s forces. There’s no need to worry—we will prevail.”

Satisfied with their determination, the woman nodded. “Good. We will reconvene in one week to execute our plan.”

“Enough talk! Let’s unleash the monsters now and tear down Celestia’s defences!” one of the cloaked figures shouted.

With a single command from their leader, the hooded figures sprang into action. Chanting incantations, they summoned forth the monstrous creatures they had bound under their control, releasing them to wreak havoc upon the kingdom.

From the shadows, monstrous beings emerged, racing with terrifying speed towards Celestia’s defences. They rampaged through the land, destroying everything in their path—villages, forests, and farmlands fell into ruin beneath their wrath.

Panic gripped the kingdom as terrified citizens fled for their lives. Screams and cries filled the air while people desperately sought shelter from the chaos. Though the royal army moved swiftly to fight back, they were outnumbered and overwhelmed.

The leader of the hooded figures stood still, feeling the powerful gusts of wind stirred by the rampaging beasts. The force of it blew back her hood, allowing her long, dark hair to flow freely.

For a brief moment, the sharp, commanding glint in her eyes softened, revealing a deep sorrow hidden beneath her steely exterior.

Her loose hair danced wildly in the wind, a stark contrast to the strength and cruelty she typically exuded. In that fleeting instant, her beauty and elegance shone through, exposing a side of her rarely seen—a side that was fragile, human.

She gazed at the stormy sky above, her raven hair caught in the relentless wind. In her eyes, a flicker of pain could be seen, as though she carried a burden too heavy to bear alone.

The howling wind seemed to whisper secrets only she could hear, as if nature itself acknowledged her internal struggle. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, gathering her strength.

When she finally turned back to her followers, the cold, resolute expression returned to her face, her piercing gaze once more filled with determination. Yet, beneath that mask, a faint trace of doubt lingered—one that might, one day, alter the course of their plans.

“All is proceeding as planned,” a sinister voice murmured from within the group, a wicked smile creeping across their lips. “Celestia will fall, and power will be ours!”

“GLORY TO MEPHISTO-SAMA!!” they all roared in unison.

❈ MEANWHILE, IN THE CELESTIA KINGDOM ❈

The atmosphere in Celestia was thick with tension. Soldiers under General Red’s command stood ready, prepared for any assault that might come their way.

Within the royal palace, King Aldric and his ministers had convened in the war chamber, discussing the dire situation at hand. They knew immediate action was crucial.

“We must unite our forces and form a solid strategy against these monsters,” King Aldric declared firmly.

Sir Cedric, the Minister of Defence, nodded in agreement. “Our troops are prepared, and our battle plans are in place, Your Majesty. However, we need accurate intelligence on our enemy’s movements.”

Lady Elara, another high-ranking minister, added, “We should also seek aid from our allied kingdoms. Strength in unity will be our greatest weapon against this threat.”

King Aldric gave a solemn nod. “You’re right. We must send envoys at once. Our kingdom is in peril, and we cannot stand alone in this fight.”

At his command, royal messengers were dispatched to neighbouring kingdoms, carrying urgent pleas for assistance. Meanwhile, the king and his ministers returned to their war table, meticulously refining their defensive strategies.

At the same time, elsewhere in the kingdom, Edward and Mary were scheming.

They saw Celestia’s instability as a golden opportunity to seize the throne.

Edward, his eyes gleaming with ambition, had made up his mind—he would claim the crown for himself. He knew the current chaos could serve as the perfect distraction for their coup.

With an army assembled under the command of Gray Serpent—a renowned strategist known for his brilliance in warfare—Edward and Mary waited for the perfect moment to strike.

Gray Serpent, a man with jet-black hair and eyes as sharp as a viper’s, stood before the gathered forces, a map of Celestia Kingdom spread out before him. He meticulously outlined the attack plan to Edward and Mary.

“We will strike from the eastern front, where their defences are weakest,” he explained, pointing at key locations on the map. “Our elite units will breach their fortifications while our main army encircles the capital.”

Edward nodded, approving of the strategy. “This operation must be flawless. I want that throne in my grasp before the sun sets.”

Beside him, Mary clasped his hand, her gaze filled with unwavering conviction. “We will succeed, Edward. We’ve waited for this moment for years, and now, it’s finally within reach.”

As night fell, Edward and Mary’s forces began their march towards Celestia’s borders. Cloaked in the cover of darkness, they concealed themselves within the forest’s shadows, lying in wait for the perfect moment to strike.