The Imperial Capital.
Dragonspire Palace.
While Kael investigated the eastern frontier...
Life inside the capital continued.
The Empire did not revolve around a single prince.
It never had.
Inside the Hall of War...
The First Prince stood before an enormous map of the Empire.
His golden armor reflected the morning sunlight pouring through the stained-glass windows.
Around him stood twelve generals.
Three marshals.
The Minister of War.
No one questioned why he was leading the meeting.
To them...
It was natural.
Prince Cassian Aurelius Asterion.
First Prince.
First son of the Empress.
The man most believed would become the next emperor.
Cassian wasn't loud.
He wasn't arrogant.
He listened more than he spoke.
When others argued...
He simply observed.
One general pointed toward the western mountains.
"Your Highness."
"The Ironfang Bandits have attacked six caravans this month."
Another spoke immediately.
"They've retreated into the mountain passes."
"A direct assault will cost hundreds of soldiers."
Silence.
Every eye turned toward Cassian.
He studied the map.
Then quietly asked,
"How many civilians remain trapped inside the mining settlements?"
The minister checked a report.
"Approximately four thousand."
Cassian nodded.
"Then speed matters more than pride."
He picked up a wooden marker and placed it along a narrow mountain path.
"We divide into three companies."
"The First Company attacks openly."
"The Second blocks their escape."
"The Third rescues civilians first."
One marshal frowned.
"We're giving up the advantage."
Cassian calmly shook his head.
"No."
"We're choosing lives over glory."
The room became quiet.
Then...
Marshal Octavian smiled.
"An excellent plan."
The Emperor Watches
Behind a hidden screen overlooking the chamber...
The Emperor quietly observed.
Beside him stood Chancellor Magnus.
Neither had announced their presence.
Magnus smiled faintly.
"The First Prince has matured."
The emperor remained expressionless.
"He has."
"He thinks like a commander."
"But?"
Magnus knew there would always be a "but."
The Emperor looked toward the map.
"He still sees problems..."
"...as battles waiting to be won."
Magnus remained silent.
He understood.
That wasn't necessarily a weakness.
But an emperor needed to see more than war.
The Emperor closed the viewing panel.
"Prepare my next assignment."
Across the Capital
Meanwhile...
Princess Helena stood inside the Imperial Treasury.
Merchants from three neighboring kingdoms argued loudly over trade tariffs.
One accused the other of smuggling.
Another demanded compensation.
The negotiations had nearly collapsed.
Helena raised one hand.
"Gentlemen."
The room immediately quieted.
Instead of taking sides...
She requested every shipping ledger from the past six months.
Within an hour...
She uncovered the truth.
Neither merchant had lied.
A corrupt customs official had altered the records.
The merchants looked at one another in disbelief.
Helena smiled politely.
"It appears..."
"...your enemy wasn't each other."
Outside the chamber...
The Chancellor quietly made another note.
Emperor's Journal
Princess Elena
Excellent judgment.
Patient.
Investigates before reaching conclusions.
Weakness:
Sometimes too cautious.
He closed the notebook.
Eastern Frontier
Far from the capital...
Kael and the Black Dragons finally approached Ironridge Fortress.
Morning fog covered the ancient walls.
The abandoned fortress looked even larger in daylight.
Its black stone towers stretched toward the sky.
Nature had reclaimed much of it.
Yet...
It still radiated authority.
Walter adjusted his shield.
"It somehow looks even creepier."
Leon nodded.
"I preferred seeing it at night."
Walter stared at him.
"That's the opposite of what normal people say."
A few soldiers chuckled.
The tension eased.
Kael looked toward Darius.
"Report."
"Perimeter secured."
"No movement during the night."
"No tracks entering."
"No tracks leaving."
Kael frowned.
"So..."
"Whatever we saw yesterday..."
"It wasn't human."
Grom stepped forward.
"Or..."
"It no longer leaves footprints."
The joking stopped immediately.
Kael drew his sword.
"Formation Three."
The Black Dragons instantly responded.
Ten shield bearers moved to the front.
Archers spread across both flanks.
Leon and Iris disappeared into the shadows.
Walter remained beside Kael.
Darius commanded the rear guard.
Months of training had transformed them into a disciplined military unit.
The massive iron gate stood half open.
Darkness stretched beyond it.
The air inside felt colder than the surrounding forest.
Kael took the first step through the gate.
His boots echoed across ancient stone.
The others followed.
The courtyard was enormous.
Broken statues lined the pathways.
Barracks stood abandoned.
Training grounds were covered in weeds.
An old well rested at the center.
Walter whistled softly.
"This place could house an entire legion."
Then...
Kael noticed something.
The dust covering the courtyard had been disturbed.
Fresh footprints.
Only one set.
The system appeared.
Investigation Updated
Fresh Human Tracks Detected.
Estimated Age:
Less than 12 hours.
Direction:
Inner Keep.
Kael slowly looked toward the towering fortress at the center of the compound.
Someone else...
Was already inside.
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