Chapter 51 — Declaration

Capital of the Thornspire Empire, Thornheart Citadel

Thornheart was a great city, albeit completely different and alien. It was bustling and full of life, Beastmen of all races mixing together. Unlike the human cities that Konrad had been to, they were full of energy and hope for the future.

The most vital, and largest construction was the Great Castle. It houses, at least on paper, all the different clans that made up the Thornspire Empire.

In the throne room, deep within the castle, a wyvern knight knelt in front of the Queen.

[Your Majesty, that is all I know of. Right now, they have arrived at our castle]

[Very well, let them wait a while]

[Yes, your Majesty!]

He bowed and left the throne room. Guards shut it closed behind him and the throne room fell back into silence.

The Empire was currently being led by the Wolfsong Clan, and ever since the passing of the last King, the throne was held by his daughter, Sophia Wolfsong. She now ruled this powerful Empire.

However, while the throne might look omnipotent from afar, in reality, it was a house of cards. The Wolfsong Clan had declined, and if it wasn't for the careful manipulation of Sophia and the other Clans keeping each other in check, not wanting to be the first to step out, perhaps this generation would be its last.

At this moment in the throne room, a silent Wolfsong Warrior spoke out from the shadows behind the throne.

[Sister, it is the same Third Reich as we know of? But how is it possible? Even if our news is a little behind, could so much have changed in so little time?]

The Queen sighed, no longer showing her majesty.

[I'm afraid so. I just didn't expect it to be this fast. The Elsass Empire only lasted a month?]

[But sister, they might be lying!]

[I'm not sure… Nevertheless, it's not impossible]

[Regardless of the truth, sister, this is a great opportunity! This can be our chance to finally rise!]

[As I've said, don't address me like that in public! It's "Your Majesty"]

The Beastman put on an expression like he didn't hear anything and gestured to the guards to let them in. Throughout the whole exchange, the guards were still like statues, pretending like they weren't even there.

A guard stepped out to open the doors as if nothing had ever happened.

From the open doors came forth the delegation of a dozen men. The ambassador stood in front, followed by several marines. They had left their rifles behind and only carried their sidearms.

The ambassador scanned the room and focused on the young Queen in front of him, completely discarding everyone else. His brain having been enhanced with Gene-Seeds, he had pieced together many observations he had made about this castle.

The castle seemed to be manned by several different factions. They wore different armour, stuck to their own group, and even looked at each other with disguised hostility. As for the Queen in front of him, despite being the ruler of the Thornspire Empire, her throne room only held guards solely of her clan.

Despite this, he didn't care. Or rather, it didn't matter. He came here with only one purpose. He pulled out an official-looking document and held it up.

[I, the ambassador of the Third Reich, am here to deliver you an ultimatum! Surrender unconditionally, or the Third Reich will declare war!]

There was a moment of silence in the room. The Beastmen couldn't believe what they had heard. In fact, neither could the marines. They did not expect the ambassador to be nearly so direct, like he was deliberately trying to get them killed.

[PRESUMPTOUS!]

The Wolfsong Warrior standing behind the throne roared and stepped forward, drawing his sword. He released his killing intent, flooding the room with pressure. So did the guards, forming a crushing momentum. The Marines broke out in a sweat and started uncontrollably shivering. As qualified soldiers, their instinct was not to cower but to draw their pistols; and it took all their might to not do so. Yet, the Ambassador seemed to be completely unaffected.

[Our armies are marching to your borders at this moment! This is your last warning!]

[HOW DARE-]

The Beastman shot forward in the blink of an eye and drew and swung his sword with tremendous force. It was so fast that the Marines didn't even have time to react, they could only watch helplessly as the blade got closer…

[Stop! That's enough, Draven]

Upon hearing Sophia, Draven immediately stopped his sword, instantly neutralising the tremendous kinetic energy carried within. The sudden halt sent shockwaves blowing the clothes of the delegation around.

Draven's furious face shifted several times, trying to decide whether to kill them or not.

[Is there any negotiation?]

[No, your Majesty]

[In that case, leave and tell your ruler to prepare to be defeated, the Thornspire Empire will never surrender!]

The delegation swiftly left the room, the Marines not wanting to be there one second longer. Draven stood there, dumbfounded that the Queen would let them go like that.

[Sister, how can you let them leave like that? They need to be held responsible for their disrespect!]

[Draven, you don't understand… They obviously won't change their minds, and they obviously have been prepared to be sacrificed by their higher-ups, killing them here won't serve us any purpose]

Despite hearing the Queen exacerbatedly say this, Draven was still unconvinced.

[But our honour can't be trampled! What about our pride! What about the other clans?]

Sophia shook her head, gesturing an end to the conversation. Knowing there was no negotiation, Draven likewise calmed down and returned.

[Sister, you've changed. What's happened the past few months? It's like you're a different person…]