The Plan Unfolds

Shen was able to get in touch with local militants thanks to the Warlord's quick transportation. He told them to make two huge bombs. These bombs were sent to different important places.

Shen had decided that night was the best time for them to attack. One bomb would hit the walls at midnight, while the other would be dropped by the Warlord from the skies into the railway lines.

Also, the people would mount a surprise insurrection in the south, splitting the Imperial army into three parts.

Shen and Kelly waited for their chance to attack the unprotected castle.

The blasts and insurrection happened at midnight, just as Shen had said they would. The huge Imperial army quickly split up into three groups, leaving the castle open. Shen and Kelly jumped into action right away when they saw this.

They knew that soldiers were still guarding the castle, but they were sure they could sneak around and trick the enemy.

Kelly looked at Shen. "The explosions at night seem to be working." The soldiers ran away fast.

Shen looked at his sword and nodded without saying a word. "We're not done with our work yet." There are still troops in the castle. "We need to be quiet and careful as we move."
Shen and Kelly made their way through the dark halls to the big hall. When they got there, they saw something that was hard to believe.

There were high-ranking leaders from several countries sitting around a big table. Their garments were ripped and their badges were broken. They all sat there, their faces twisted in a horrible mix of terror and sorrow. The once-great people donned armor with a lot of decorations and symbols of their countries. But their dead eyes and still bodies conveyed a sad narrative.

Words like "Pride," "Greed," "Lust," "Envy," "Gluttony," "Wrath," and "Sloth" were written in blood on the clothes of each body. The accusations were very different from how rich their clothes were. Shen felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at the horrible scene.

"What is this?" Shen said in a low voice, horrified.

Kelly moved closer to the table to look at the bodies. Each leader wore the sin they had been accused of, as well as the flags of their countries. The leader of Maveron had "Pride," the leader of Emporia had "Greed," the leader of Regalia had "Wrath," the leader of Unitas had "Envy," and the leader of Exilia had "Sloth." It seemed as if someone had decided what these countries were all about.

Kelly remarked, her voice shaking, "This... this is a message." The person who did this wanted people to know about their crimes.

At that point, a person sitting at the end of the table moved. He was alive, unlike the others, and he gave off a strange calm.

The Duke of Night slowly lifted his head, and a creepy smile grew across his face. He added in a condescending tone, "You finally made it." "I didn't think anyone would be brave enough to try something like that."

There was something about the figure that made Shen shiver, even though he seemed noble.

"Who are you?" Shen yelled, his voice taut and angry.

The figure gently got up from his seat, and the moonlight made his cape look like it was flowing. He turned to Shen, and his powerful voice echoed through the room.

“Though I was once known as the rightful ruler of these lands, I now go by ‘The Duke of Night.’ Because I can't shine in the light like those at the top. Instead, I stay in the dark and listen to the cries of the oppressed.

Shen was shocked and scared at the same time. This man was the fabled alpha of the Night Hunters, a scary figure from stories. Kelly, shaking, got closer to Shen.

The Duke started to clap slowly, and his smile never left his face. "I must praise your bravery," he remarked, his voice full with dark appreciation. "You've shown great bravery for the leaders of two kingdoms."

"What do you really want, Duke of Night?" Shen asked.

The Duke stepped closer, his voice steady. "I've been waiting for the right time to get back what is mine," I said.

Kelly yelled, "Do you really think the kingdom will give you these lands after what you've done to the leaders?"

The Duke smiled. "Everyone has a price." All you have to do is play the appropriate card.
Shen frowned. "Do you really think that?"

The Duke looked Shen in the eye, and there was a deadly look in his eyes. "And what is it that you believe in, Shen? Hypocrisy? Your soldiers fight and die without knowing why, no different from the armies that served these corpses. You celebrate your victories with feasts and hollow tales of heroism, all to drown out the silent screams of the people you claim to protect. You stand here acting righteous before these dead men, but you are waging the same selfish war they did, for your own cause. Tell me, are we really so different?"

He gestured to the bodies around the table. "These leaders treated nations like a game board. They moved their 'toy soldiers' to satisfy their own greed and pride. But this is not a child's playground, and none of them wanted to share their toys. So instead of mourning a few dead tyrants, perhaps you should learn to distinguish right from wrong, no matter whose banner it flies under."

Shen took a deep breath and held his blade hard. He said in a firm voice, "If you want these lands, you'll have to go through us first!"

The Duke licked his fangs and tilted his head. "I was hoping you'd say that," he remarked with a grim grin as he got ready for war.

The Duke drew his sword. Instantly, Kelly leveled her bow, her aim steady. Kelly kept her eyes on the Duke as he got closer, waiting for the proper moment.

The Duke laughed. He showed his teeth and replied, "You can't beat me." "But this will be fun."

The Duke moved toward Shen with lightning speed. Shen was able to block the hit, but it knocked him off balance and sent him flying back. The Duke turned to face Kelly, who shot an arrow barely in time. It hit the Duke's armor but only scratched it.

"Is that it?" The Duke laughed. "I thought there would be more."

Kelly shot another arrow, this time at his face. The Duke reacted so quickly that he caught the arrow in midair. Kelly's eyes got big in shock.

The Duke remarked, "I admire your bravery." "But it won't be enough."

Taking advantage of the chance, Shen ran at the Duke's side. His sword swung for the Duke's side, but the Duke saw it coming and blocked it. The swords clashed as the two fought fiercely. Shen moved quickly and accurately, but there was no doubt about the Duke's strength and expertise.

Kelly, on the other hand, moved to a new position to assault again, this time from behind the Duke. The Duke whirled on her with scary speed just as she was about to let go of her arrow. Kelly jumped back just in time to avoid his blow.

The Duke smiled and remarked, "You're like toys to me."

The glass ceiling of the building broke with a loud thud at that moment. A huge hawk flew down from above, and the Warlord was on its back. He landed before the Duke, an imposing and powerful figure. The Duke's face went from mocking to serious.

"Warlord," the Duke answered with a sneer. "So, you've chosen to make a big entrance."

The Duke sneered. "Then show me what you've got, glory seeker," he said, raising his blade and coming at the Warlord.