Chapter 39 - Request

"I need your help," King Lucian implored, his voice filled with urgency. "If we unite and strike them with a surprise attack, we will have the advantage and victory will be ours." His plea hung in the air, heavy with the weight of the situation. King Ragnar was the first to respond, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "If what you're saying is true, then I'm with you," he declared firmly. His swift agreement drew a questioning look from King Caspian, who turned toward Ragnar with suspicion. "You accepted easily," Caspian remarked, his tone sharp with doubt. He shifted his gaze to Lucian, scrutinizing him. "What exactly do you want us to do? Do you have other demands, hidden motives perhaps?"

King Lucian sighed, sensing the skepticism but standing his ground. "I understand you may not fully believe me," he said, his voice steady but resolute. "However, I assure you, I speak the truth. I have no hidden agenda, nor ulterior motives. My only request is that we act together. I will distribute parchments with the full report from my people, containing all the information you need. A copy has also been handed to the Ordinance for further review." His eyes swept across the room, meeting each king's gaze, seeking their trust. His words were met with silence, but the urgency of the situation loomed over them all.

King Alaric broke the silence, nodding in agreement. "We will assist you as well," he said. "Prevention is always better than cure. An ambush will likely succeed if we act now, rather than sitting idly, waiting for the wolves to strike again." With Alaric's support, the kings turned their attention to the final, undecided ruler—King Alexander. He remained quiet, his head bowed, deep in thought. All eyes fell on him, yet he said nothing.

Regent Ryan's brow furrowed as he scrutinized the document on his lap, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of King Lucian's demands. Beside him, a fellow regent whispered, "What do you make of this, Regent Ryan?" "I'm at a loss," Ryan replied, his voice laced with uncertainty. "I need to read the report myself to fully grasp the implications." A somber silence fell over the room until Regent Vincent, a respected elder statesman of the Ordinance who was seated on the front, broke the tension. "I had a bad premonition about this," he declared, his tone filled with foreboding.

Regent Vincent was a legendary figure within the Ordinance, renowned for his wisdom and experience. As the head of Division 1, the oldest and most prestigious division, he commanded immense respect. Despite his advanced age, his mind remained sharp, and his insights were invaluable. He had once been offered the coveted position of High Regent but had declined, preferring to maintain his independence.

Some eyes turned to Regent Vincent; their attention riveted by his words. His warning hung heavy in the air, casting a pall of uncertainty. Regent Vincent's voice carried a note of grave concern as he continued, "The Skotos Empire's tracking teams are renowned as the deadliest in the realm. They are trained to kill with ruthless efficiency and possess a skillset that belies their small numbers. Despite their limited manpower, they can easily outmaneuver and overwhelm even the largest armies. The fact that the Skotos King is seeking our aid suggests that the threat posed by these black wolves is far greater than we anticipated."

Regent Ryan nodded solemnly, his grip tightening on the document he held. The weight of the situation was palpable, and a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. It was then that Cedric Vale rose and spoke with authority. "Before we proceed with the detailed planning for the ambush, let me first call the head regent of Division 2 to report the attack happened at Carthage."

Regent Ryan stood, his grip tightening on the reports he held. A warm smile spread across his face as he addressed the gathering. "Good day to all," he began, his voice carrying a note of authority. "To the High Regents, the Kings, and to Erudite Cedric, I am Regent Ryan Hosling, head of the 2nd Division. I come before you today to report on the recent attack that occurred in Carthage, a matter that fell under the jurisdiction of our division."

"The incident took place during the Helios Festival, a grand celebration held in the heart of Carthage, the Perstone City. The festival was attended by residents, visitors, palace officials, royalty, and even the royal family themselves. The day was filled with joy and merriment, and the festivities continued late into the night, like the usual."

"However, as midnight approached and the people prepared to depart, an extraordinary and disturbing event unfolded. A peculiar procession emerged from the shadows, its purpose and intentions shrouded in mystery. A chilling spectacle unfolded as a procession of figures wearing crimson robes emerged. Some carried torches, their flickering flames casting an eerie glow upon the scene. The group was accompanied by individuals dressed as wolves, their menacing costumes adding to the growing sense of unease to the people."

"As the procession advanced, a haunting melody filled the air. The song was unfamiliar, yet upon our further investigation, it became clear that it was referenced in ancient book of prophecies that spoke of the black wolves. These prophecies, however, had been suppressed and destroyed by the empire, their existence all but forgotten. The identities of those involved in the parade remained a mystery, as did their connection to the black wolves and their ultimate intentions. The city guards attempted to intervene, but the mysterious figures escaped, vanishing into the night."

"After a while, chilling howl pierced the night, echoing through the streets of Perstone. Exactly at three o'clock in the morning, a house on the outskirts of the city, near the edge of the forest, came under attack. The victims were two young children, siblings, who were tragically lost. However, their older brother remained not found. Witnesses reported seeing the boy in the company of a priest, believed to be affiliated with an independent organization known as the Venatores Sacri."

As Regent Ryan recounted these events, his gaze briefly met King Lucian's, who was staring at him intently. A flicker of anger flashed across the King's eyes, leaving Regent Ryan momentarily perplexed adding to his fueling suspicion for the Skotos King. The news sparked a flurry of questions among the crowd. Some wanted to know more about the red parade, while others were curious about the mysterious organization mentioned in the report.

"I've heard rumors about this red parade," a regent exclaimed, their voice echoing through the crowd. "It's said to be a sign of doom, a sign that the empire is on the brink of collapse, just as it was before the great war." Their words sent a shiver down the spines of many, eliciting gasps and murmurs of fear.Another regent, however, offered a more skeptical perspective. "While the stories of the red parade are widespread, it's important to remember that they are just that—stories. Many of these tales have been passed down through generations, embellished and exaggerated over time. People have always been drawn to dramatic narratives, and the idea of impending doom is certainly a captivating one."

"As Regent Ryan pointed out, how could anyone be aware of these ancient prophecies?" one regent questioned. "Those texts were supposedly destroyed centuries ago, burned to ashes." Another regent joined the conversation, their tone laced with disbelief. "And what of the people who participated in this parade? Did they manage to escape unscathed? Is this some kind of cruel joke?"

A third regent, their voice filled with sarcasm, turned to King Alexander. "So this is how you rule your empire, King Alexander the Ruthless, the Unyielding? You allow such a dangerous event to occur under your watch?" 

King Alexander remained impassive, his face a mask of cold indifference. Despite the barrage of accusations and sarcastic remarks, he offered no response. The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the cacophony of voices that filled the room. The kings seated beside him, sensing the growing tension, joined in the chorus of disapproval. "This is a disgrace to our royal lineage," King Ragnar declared. Another chimed in, "Such a blatant disregard for our people's safety is unacceptable. You're just like the magistrate of Clove Town."