In those monts of reprieve, when the clear sky held no hint of clouds, it's worth pondering the origins of this peaceful atmosphere. Groans and the clanging of tal, accompanied by trembling earth, marked the residents of the city of Sedyon.
"My Lord, an unidentified army is approaching us!" A loud cry echoed in the mayor's office, leaving all city officials stunned.
Adam pushed his chair back and stood up, approaching the window that revealed a distant cloud of dust and the accompanying clamor. Narrowing his eyes, he adjusted his vision and managed to see them up close.
"Emblem... Crossed swords and a dove?" Adam frowned, turning to Amarantha, who seed to have grasped sothing. "From your expression, it seems you've concluded."
"Yes." Amarantha nodded briefly and furrowed her brow. "It's the emblem of Avalonia, and it appears to be one of their main knightly orders. We need to secure our defenses imdiately."
Amarantha's gaze shifted to Elara, who nodded briefly and closed her eyes, retrieving a light blue token with red patterns from her breast pocket. Her elven ears twitched, and her body lit up as powerful magical energy flowed into the token.
"Activation," she murmured, opening her eyes, which now shone brightly due to the significant infusion of magic.
Adam turned his gaze back to the window and saw a do taking shape with each passing second. The do consisted of three layers, each subsequent layer thicker than the last.
A Defense Do. A top-level formation was created based on an item purchased by Adam.
This formation was ten tis superior and could withstand an attack from a practitioner at the Ascendant: demigod (SS-) level.
"What are their intentions?" Adam muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. Then, as if speaking to himself, he said, "Send scouts to gather information and determine their goals. Try to ascertain their intentions without incurring losses. Return and report as soon as possible."
"Understood!"
Shadows in the room suddenly diminished, and dozens of shadows leaped out of the open window. They were Amarantha's subordinates. Turning to Elara, Elyra, and Amarantha, as well as the person who brought the report, Adam appeared serious and sowhat tense.
"We don't know their intentions, and even if they co in peace, we mustn't allow any chance of harm to our city and its residents. Declare a state of ergency, prohibit leaving hos, and strengthen the guards. Those on leisure must also participate. room.
Refusal will indicate collaboration with the enemy." Delivering his orders in one breath, Adam breathed heavily and sighed deeply, feeling the warm touch of his wives. "...Is the command clear?"
"Yes, sir!" Bowing, the guard (who brought the news) exited the room.
The tension was palpable, and Adam felt a sense of unease. A clash with Avalonia was possible, but it could lead to grave consequences for the city and considerable expenditures.
"Amarantha, how many of them are there?" Adam turned to Amarantha, hoping it wouldn't be a significantly large army.
"More than fifty thousand. Average level - Higher path (7 wishes)." She frowned and bit her lower lip, sensually crossing her arms over her chest. After deep contemplation, she weighed her words carefully. "Adam, I can only fight those who have reached the Supre path (3 laws), otherwise, there will be issues with other Ascendants: demigods."
"Damn it!" Adam swore and briskly approached the window, feeling frustrated.
Amarantha was bound by an agreent among the strongest practitioners, forbidding attacks on beings who hadn't reached the Supre path. Violating this agreent would have significant consequences.
Turning around, he looked at Elyra and Elara, calming down and exhaling. "Be prepared to fight... Elara, protect her in case of anything. Don't allow her to expend too much magic."
Already pregnant, Elyra was already expending a quarter of her magical energy to sustain the spiritual trace (of the unborn child). If she didn't have sufficient magical energy, it could be detrintal to the child.
"However, Elyra, if it becos too dangerous, use your magic imdiately. Don't worry about the child." Adam approached and embraced Elyra, nuzzling his nose into her hair and gently stroking her beautiful blue locks. "You an much more to ."
"Mm..." Elyra nodded briefly and smiled.
And so, accompanying Elyra and Elara, Adam turned to the serious Amarantha and saw a flash outside the window.
"My Lord, My Lady... I have news about the uninvited guests," a figure in black clothing and a mask lowered their head and began reporting, "After negotiations with a representative of the army, we've confird their identity and learned that they co with good intentions."
"Good intentions?" Adam smirked, glancing at the halted army five hundred ters from the city walls. "With an army like that, it doesn't seem like an act of kindness. It looks more like a threat."
"Elizabeth enjoys making such moves, and if there's an opportunity to instill fear in the enemy, things will go much more smoothly," Amarantha sneered contemptuously, recalling that unsettling queen. "From childhood, she was a manipulative woman and could make others believe things they disliked. However, she's also a good queen, and thanks to her actions, vassal kingdoms dare not even think of treason."
"Either way, we must take action rather than wait like a fish on a chopping board." Adam frowned, tapping his finger on the table. "Twenty-First, I need a detailed response from them and their intentions. If they co in peace and want to negotiate sothing, set a mandatory condition - a five-hundred-ter distance. I won't allow them into the city in any case."
"As you command," Twenty-First responded and vanished.
Allowing the enemy into the city would be akin to saying, "Kill , I'm an idiot." While Sedyon didn't possess military technology or bases, it did have secret organizations, so of which were considered criminal in Avalonia.
A clash between two hostile sides would be a catastrophe for Sedyon and given that Avalonia was an enemy, allowing them into the city would be foolish.
"They've crossed the borders of Elffheim and are moving through foreign territories recklessly..." Adam frowned, looking into Amarantha's eyes. "Elffheim is losing ground."
Shrugging, Amarantha simply smiled. "We're not affected by that, neither good nor bad. I believe if you strike a deal with Avalonia, you'll receive bonuses and far better conditions. Nothing is waiting for you in Elffheim."
Elffheim had been friendly to Adam and had offered considerable help, but he saw no reason to remain under their authority. Given that Elffheim couldn't even secure its territories, joining Avalonia didn't sound so bad.
Adam grimaced, settling into a chair and looking tired. "Either way, let's hope for a favorable outco."
***
Two hours later...
Accompanied by Amarantha and her subordinates, Adam headed towards the camp of the Avalonian army. They noticed his approach and ca forward to et him. One of the knights stepped forward, appearing quite handso with his fair hair, blue eyes, and charming face.
"Greetings! I assu you are Mayor, Sir Adam?" the fair-haired knight politely inquired, offering a soft smile as he elegantly bowed.
"Good day. Indeed, that's my na. How should I address you, sir?" Adam smiled, looking into the eyes of the handso man.
"Where are my manners? Please forgive . I am Richard Junior von Bennerin, heir to the noble House Bennerin, son of Count Richard Senior." The knight nad Richard introduced himself with a smile, then turned to Adam's entourage, bowed again, and gestured toward a large tent. "Please, Sir Adam. The envoy is inside that tent, and we hope to negotiate an agreent with the city of Sedyon. Your companions are welco to enter as well."
Richard was amicable and engaged in friendly conversation on the way to the tent, inquiring about Adam's favorite food, color, and similar topics without touching upon the main purpose of their arrival. He also avoided personal questions and behaved tactfully, earning Adam's respect.
Upon reaching the tent entrance, Richard bowed with a regretful expression. "Sir Adam, I must remain outside as I'm not authorized to enter. After the negotiations, if they prove successful, I hope to speak again with such an intelligent and noble gentleman as yourself."
Richard offered a peculiar smile, then joined the guards securing the tent. Though Adam nodded and smiled in response, he secretly heightened his vigilance in response to the hint and veiled threat.
"Shall we?" Adam smiled at Amarantha and entered the tent. "Hmm..."
Inside the tent, it was quite ordinary with a round table large enough to accommodate twenty people. A person was already seated at the table—a beautiful woman with chestnut hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in knightly armor that covered every part of her body.
"Oh? Hello." The woman stood upon noticing them and greeted them with a smile.
"Greetings to you." Adam smiled, helping Amarantha settle in a chair before taking his seat. The woman waited until they were comfortably situated, then smiled and introduced herself. "My na is Julia. You can address informally if you'd like, dispense with the formalities. I would only be pleased."
Adam smiled and nodded, maintaining his vigilance. Julia glanced at Amarantha out of the corner of her eye, noting her silence, but then returned her gaze to Adam and began the conversation with a tender smile.
"First, let apologize for this visit, especially with such an army. We had a mission to clear the land of monsters, which is why we're so nurous." She explained with a smile, but Adam didn't believe a single word.
"Yes, monsters do indeed pose a considerable problem. It's great that Avalonia cares for its territories and is so generous as to recycle them." Adam chuckled, narrowing his eyes.
"Indeed. Her Majesty is a woman and a ruler with a big and compassionate heart." Julia nodded with a smile. "And so, we've deviated from the topic. Sir Adam, do you recall the letter you received a few days ago?"
With narrowed eyes, Adam looked at Julia, who was nonchalantly smiling.
"So, it is indeed soone from the royal family." Adam pondered about the letter's author.
Julia interlaced her fingers on the table, smiling, and announced, "Her Majesty would like to see Sedyon beco a part of Avalonia."
To be continued...
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