CH 4

In the aftermath of revolution, John worked swiftly to consolidate his grip on Eldaria. From the royal palace, now his seat of power, he issued decrees establishing a new order. Loyal followers were installed as governors across the provinces while dissenters were imprisoned or banished.

John knew real control came not just from fear, but adoration of the people. So he staged grand spectacles, unleashing magical fireworks and summoning mythical beasts to prowl the skies above the capital. Citizens gaped in awe at these displays of the "divine gifts" granted their new ruler. Bards composed ballads recounting John's rise from peasant to champion of the downtrodden.

With each passing day, John's popularity and authority grew. The rebels who first flocked to his banners were now the elite of a new kingdom. Only John possessed the power to wield Eldaria's elemental magic at a whim. Those who questioned his "divine right" to rule soon disappeared, never to be seen again.

Yet ruling one realm was not enough to satisfy John's ambitions. Reports from scouts told of more lands across the sea ripe for conquest, their people not yet exposed to his "benevolent rule." So John began assembling a formidable invasion fleet at the coast, bolstering his forces with the latest magical weapons and trained legions of loyal soldiers.

In the royal palace one evening, John's top advisors gathered for a war council. "Once our armada is complete, we set sail to bring freedom and prosperity to our neighbors!" John proclaimed passionately. His men cheered, eager to share in the plunder and glory of expansion. A new age of sorcerous empire was dawning - and none would be able to stand against the rising tide of John's conquest.

Within months, John's invasion fleet was ready - a vast armada the likes of which Eldaria had never seen. On the morning of departure, he addressed his legions assembled on the coast.

"My children, the time has come to share the blessings of our rule with the unenlightened lands across the sea!" John proclaimed. His men cheered thunderously, eager for pillage and battle in the name of their divine leader.

"The island kingdom of Territh shall be the first to join our ever-growing empire," John continued. "Their people live as serfs to corrupt nobles who do not share my vision of equality and prosperity under magic's guiding hand. We will free Territh from such tyranny!"

With those words, John's forces gave a great battle cry and swarmed aboard the invasion fleet. Powerful winds filled the sails as John's sorcery launched the armada from port. Within days, the shores of Territh came into view under Eldaria's banners.

As John's fleet descended on the island's capital, its panicked king scrambled to mount a defense. But too late - John's magic rained fire and destruction upon the royal navy. Within hours, the port city had fallen.

With his legions marching through the smoking streets, John approached the cowering king. "Yield your kingdom to me, and your people will know true freedom," John offered smoothly. Yet defiance still flickered in the monarch's eyes.

A cold smile crossed John's face. With a gesture, he reduced the king and his entire court to screaming statues of stone. The message was clear - no one could defy his rule and live. Territh, and soon all lands, now belonged to the growing Sorcerous Empire. The conquests had only just begun...