Irina and the End of the War

I marveled at the breathtaking sight of the sun setting from my balcony, casting its warm rays across the city. The glow of light crystal lamps began to illuminate the surroundings, creating a captivating scene.

The commencement of the campaign marked the final push in this war, with the Empire hanging on by a thread. Most of their forces had already been defeated, leaving behind only slaves and inexperienced warriors. Lyza and her forces successfully repelled the attempt to reclaim the archipelago from Reem.

As the conflict neared its end, the looming question was how the conquered territory would be divided among us. I was aware that neither the Demons nor the Necromancers had any interest in claiming land. Interestingly, I had recently discovered the existence of another continent, where the demons resided without being under any major power's control.

One concerning development was the diminishing harvest of elemental crystals and the depletion of resources in the ground around Falcon's Reach. The once-thriving source of these valuable materials seemed to be gradually dwindling.

In spite of these challenges, Lumen retained its status as a bustling trade hub, especially with the Lotus Empire, leveraging their unparalleled ability to navigate waterways seamlessly. Lyza's kingdom remained our primary trading ally. Regrettably, avenues for commerce with the Dwarves, Wood Elves, or Wizards were non-existent. Portals lacked the range to reach their cities, and the Wood Elves harbored animosity toward our presence in their forest.

Unexpectedly, we ventured into establishing a port city on an island near the archipelago. Through a trade arrangement with Lyza and Reem, we secured one of these islands for the development of a port city.

This port city will allow us to trade with the Archipelago far more efficiently as 

Overseeing the creation of this city was Comtess Elrina, the widow of the late Baron Elrio. In recognition of her skills and the sacrifice her husband made in Rosemary village, I elevated her to the position of countess. Her territory fell under the jurisdiction of Thaum, who served as a countess under him.

As I studied the world map, a disconcerting realization dawned on me – we were effectively trapped. Without negotiating an opening to the larger world in the post-war discussions, my kingdom would remain confined within these imposing mountains. This prospect seemed catastrophic, prompting me to recognize the urgent need for strategic negotiations.

During the post-war negotiations, I faced the challenge of ensuring my kingdom's access to the broader world. Failure to secure this could have far-reaching consequences. The Wizards and Wood Elves were assertive in their territorial demands. Jenova, in particular, audaciously claimed all forests as hers, a statement that provoked a swift and assertive response from Malarion, who promptly put her in her place.

The precarious relationship between the two elven races loomed over our considerations. To mitigate potential conflicts, we strategically positioned their armies opposite each other. The volatile nature of their interactions underscored the importance of diplomacy and caution.

Approaching the three-year mark since my arrival in this world stirred a profound sense of dread. More crucially, I foresaw a troubling future post our triumphs against the Empire – a future marred by internal conflicts.

An unsettling premonition about the fate of the world gripped me. It seemed that perpetual peace would remain elusive. In response to this grim vision, I took proactive measures to assist Reem and the stronghold, aiming to secure their alliance with us. This foresight was driven by a necessity; though we currently stood among the strongest factions, the looming threats of Belketh and his Necromancers, as well as the Demons, persisted. The prospect of these formidable forces aligning against us was a scenario we couldn't afford.

Similarly, the significance of maintaining amicable relations with Lyza couldn't be overstated. Her control over maritime trade was indispensable for us. If she chose to sever ties, our access to the seas – be it from Lumen or the burgeoning port – would be severely hampered. A harmonious relationship with these key players became not just prudent but imperative for our continued survival and prosperity.

With Michael in our midst, we possessed a formidable commander capable of challenging the likes of Azkaal and Belketh—a veritable demi-God, a true powerhouse with the prowess to vanquish demons of the caliber of Archimonde and Kil'Jaeden from the Burning Legion.

As we strategized for the future expansion of our territory, the prospect of claiming the opposite bank of the affluent river emerged as an ideal opportunity for fertile farmland.

News from the ongoing military campaign echoed promising notes. Our forces, under the leadership of Michael, made remarkable strides, capturing three cities and numerous villages as they advanced. The Empire seemed powerless against Michael's prowess, offering little to no resistance. In less than two months, our legions would be at the doorstep of the Imperial capital, and I harbored a genuine hope for a peaceful surrender.

Yet, a lingering suspicion gnawed at me. The ease with which we secured victories raised questions. It seemed almost too simple, having defeated their armies on four occasions, and now encountering minimal opposition. Was this a prelude to an unforeseen challenge, or had the Empire truly exhausted its defenses? I couldn't tell for now.

A knock sounded at my door. "Come in," I responded, and as the door opened, a little girl hurried towards me.

"Uncle Lucas!" the young girl cried out, a bright smile on her face as she jumped into my arms.

"Little Irina," I playfully tousled her hair, returning the hug. She had grown into a lively and energetic young girl since the days when she was just a newborn. However, she seemed to believe she was successfully fooling me.

"Irina, you can't just leap at his Majesty like that!" Irina's mother exclaimed, rushing worriedly toward her daughter.

"It's okay, Veronica. Let's not scold her for something I don't mind," I replied to the mother with a chuckle.

"But, your Majesty—"

"That's fine," I interjected. "I accepted her as my direct disciple, and if I disapproved of such behavior, I would have left her in Lumen."

Veronica nodded, taking a seat on the couch in my bedroom while Alkath, her husband, conversed with the Praetorian commander at my door.

"So, your Majesty, why did you take Irina as your disciple? She's only two winters old," Veronica inquired.

I conjured tea in front of the woman and her daughter. Irina eagerly gulped it down, eliciting a small chuckle from her mother.

"She is one of the most talented children I've ever seen. Her proficiency in water magic surpasses even mine," I replied, observing the mother's continued gaze on her daughter.

With a pained tone, Veronica asked, "How often will we get to see her each year?"

Perplexed, I responded, "What do you mean by that, Lady Veronica? I'm not taking Irina away from you. Both of you will be accommodated within this castle."

"But we're just commoners," she remarked, eyeing me cautiously.

"I care not for your lineage. A human is a human, and titles are merely overemphasized constructs," I stated, dismissing the importance of social status.

"Your daughter is my disciple. How could I uphold my title as king if I prevented her family from seeing her?" I asserted. Irina eyed me cautiously; her guise of a normal child momentarily halted as she nibbled on a biscuit.

My revelation seemed to weigh heavily on her mother, who teared up at the invitation. Despite Alkath's trust, I sensed Veronica's skepticism lingering.

I clapped my hands, startling Veronica. "I would like to talk with my disciple a bit, Lady Veronica."

"Yes, your Majesty," she replied, tears still streaming down her face. She left with Alkath and the Praetorians, and I cast a silencing spell around my bedroom for privacy.

Looking at the little girl before me, who now behaved like any other child, I addressed her. "You can drop the act, Irina Griffin. Relax; I won't harm you."

She still appeared a bit anxious, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "Since when did you know?" her small voice inquired.

"Since the day you were born," I responded honestly.

"Was taking me as your disciple planned from the beginning?" she questioned, scrutinizing me.

"Yes, even if you hadn't crossed paths with me in Lumen or 'accidentally' used your magic, I would have chosen you as my disciple," I chuckled, watching her face redden.

"Your acting was quite convincing, though," I added with a smile.

She took a deep breath, looking at me with determination. "I don't know who you are or how you obtained Elrath's blessing, but promise me that in this life, I will never be forced into marriage." As she spoke, a contract materialized before me, and Irina appeared on the verge of unconsciousness.

"You're making a demand of me? What do you have to offer?" I inquired, allowing a hint of my magic to ripple through the room, causing a slight tremor. "You're but a child, not a Shogun like in the past."

"I offer you my service as a seasoned ruler. I've ruled under the Eternal Empress for a significant part of my life, and I know every—" Irina began.

"I know. That's why you're not being punished for making such a request. But tell me, what else do you have to offer? I don't need your style of ruling; I have my own," I interrupted, asserting my independence.

She bit her lip, glancing around. "I've given you and your family everything. You live in my castle, a privilege no other noble has. You are under my tutelage, provided with food and clothing freely."

She gazed at me, poised to speak, but I preemptively interrupted her. "I accept your request," I declared, and she looked at me with widened eyes. "I merely wanted to test your resolve, and I am quite pleased with what I observed."

Standing up, I addressed her directly. "Our lessons will commence tomorrow, Irina. Brace yourself because teaching magic is not going to be a walk in the park."

"Thank you, teacher" she said as she offered a bow, a custom from the Lotus Empire, it seems that habitude is still strong within her.

"Thank you, teacher," she expressed with a bow, a custom from the Lotus Empire. It appeared that certain habits held strong within her.

I signed the contract she presented, willingly binding myself to her. As she left the bedroom to reunite with her parents, I couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful fate I glimpsed through my Fate magic.

Belketh cautioned me about the uncertainties of Fate magic, emphasizing its lack of accuracy. However, what I witnessed three times now appeared to align with the initial vision I had upon first encountering her – a magnificent destiny wherein she ruled over MY empire.

The details were elusive, whether it involved an act of treason or if I willingly bestowed the title upon her. "Fate is malleable," Belketh remarked when I shared fragments of my vision with him.

If Fate is indeed malleable, then what were the visions I witnessed? I considered the fact that in Azeroth, time is overseen by the bronze dragonflight and their intricate manipulations. It struck me that, despite the blessings I possessed, I remained unable to glimpse my own Fate – a peculiarity Belketh deemed normal as the blessings were protecting me from the altercation of destiny.

Looking back, Irina appeared to be the most suitable candidate to succeed me at the moment. She possessed a strong will, composure, and, most importantly, a dangerous edge against her adversaries. While she exhibited mercy, when the need arose, she struck without hesitation.

Throughout her apprenticeship, I planned to test her abilities as a mage, a warrior, and a ruler. The idea of grooming a successor so soon felt surreal, but Irina would only assume that role if I failed to produce an heir before my death or deemed my offspring unfit to rule.

Waving my hands, I transported myself from my bedroom to my new workshop. With the war progressing favorably and the kingdom developing well, I found a moment to pursue a longstanding desire – the creation of a dynasty weapon. These weapons, reminiscent of those in the extension Legion from World of Warcraft, surpassed all other artifacts by a significant margin. I envisioned a staff for myself and future rulers, attempting to craft it with high-quality resources. Despite utilizing potent components like the Elrath Gemstone and the new Dwarven metal, I struggled to create anything beyond a [Legendary] staff. While each one was impressive in its own right, they fell short of my vision.

I wasn't oblivious to the fact that these Legendary weapons couldn't be distributed to everyone under my command. Their immense power made them too potent for widespread use.

Crafting a small staff and sword for Irina, I recognized her proficiency as a seasoned warrior, even though she wasn't a mage. Tomorrow, I planned to assess the extent of her magical knowledge. With a smile, I returned to my crafting, surrounded by the gentle glow of the moons illuminating the city.

–

A small ball of light hovered over the training ground of the castle, guided by Irina's efforts to keep it afloat. Sweat glistened on her forehead as she focused intently.

"You can do it, Irina!" her mother cheered, while Lucas observed with genuine interest. Irina's control of light magic, though passable at best, was impressive for a two-year-old. It was evident she had undergone training during her infancy.

The ball eventually exploded into numerous shards that cascaded to the ground, leaving Irina slumped and panting. "You did a good job, Irina. It was a commendable attempt. For the next one, try not to disperse your mana as much; aim to compact it," advised Lucas, offering guidance to the young girl as she regained her footing.

"If you need a break, you can take one. It's already been two hours since the training started, and you're still very young," he suggested.

"I'm good, I can keep going!" she exclaimed, conjuring another ball of light, compressing it, and guiding it around the training ground once more.

Her control was poorer this time as the ball didn't even make a circle around the training ground before disappearing.

Irina gritted her teeth as she looked at the disappearing ball

"You should truly take a break Irina" Lucas said softly as he appeared right next to her "Your parents are going to worry for your health"

"I'm not taking a break for this long," she gritted her teeth, generating another ball of light.

Lucas chuckled, teleporting back to the bench where Irina's family anxiously watched her struggle. "Your Majesty, is she doing well?" Arkath asked, concern evident in his gaze.

"Much better than I anticipated," Lucas reassured him, observing the young girl as she grappled with her magical efforts.

Her control showed improvement; the ball was more compressed and traveled a bit farther before breaking. "She's progressing quite fast," Lucas thought with a smile, watching his apprentice.

–

Three months swiftly passed, ushering in significant changes within the human kingdom. The completion of Elrath's Harbor marked a pivotal development, luring sea-based merchants who shifted their operations to the new city. This shift disrupted Lumen's trade, traditionally reliant on roads and portals. However, the Stag Duchy aimed to retain control by tightly governing the harbor. Nevertheless, Countess Elrina, breaking ties with Thaum, initiated her own activities in the harbor, using sea merchants as proxies.

Elrina displayed a cunning intellect, resembling a sly fox. Since her husband's demise, she transformed into a thorny rose, leading her house to astonishing wealth, though not surpassing that of a Duke. Thaum, resentful and vengeful, approached me with complaints about her actions. Gone was the gentleman Thaum was once known for; he now sought to keep himself above George.

Observing this change in his demeanor saddened me. When I granted him the title of Duke, I had hoped he would avoid the trappings of typical nobility. However, it seemed that the title had gotten to his head. To teach him a lesson, I allowed Elrina to go unpunished despite Thaum's protests.

Despite knowing that Thaum would disapprove, I made the decision anyway. Anticipating that other vassals might be tempted to follow Elrina's example, I swiftly enacted a law forbidding such actions. Henceforth, if a vassal wished to terminate their vassalage, they would be required to go through me.

Elrath's Harbor emerged as the central hub for sea trade in the southern seas. It became a destination where the affluent sought to enhance their wealth.

Over the course of three months, Irina made remarkable strides in magic. Her proficiency in Light and Earth magic stood out, but she truly excelled in Water Magic—an area I couldn't personally evaluate despite my Shalassa's blessing. It was a fact she took delight in rubbing in my face.

Her family secured positions within the castle; Alkath became a smith in the exterior court, overseeing the construction of his own forge, while her mother took on the role of one of the castle's cooks.

The one undergoing the most profound changes, however, was me. I grew significantly stronger, with all my equipment reaching Legendary quality, and each of my spells became devastating. Inspired by an enigmatic form of magic unheard of in Ashan, I ventured into Astral magic, or perhaps Celestial magic for a more fitting name. This mysterious practice involved harnessing the powers of the stars to elevate both myself and my spells to an unprecedented degree.

I remembered some characters that I liked from my previous life that used this type of magic, Jellal and Kirschtaria Wodime, well the second one I had a lot of time before pulling something like his magecraft.

My initial attempts at Astral magic were disastrous, but I quickly gained control. Creating a telescope, I meticulously mapped all the stars and constellations to incorporate them into my magical endeavors.

Shifting to another topic, the war remained of paramount interest. A meeting with the Emperor of the Empire loomed, less than a month away, to negotiate their terms of surrender. We had decisively crushed their last defense, right outside their capital, where the final battle unfolded.

The skirmish proved arduous, beginning with an ambush by the lizardmen and their slaves that devastated the main army, claiming the lives of many Necromancers and Wizards. Despite this setback, the fight was far from over. The remaining armies swiftly pursued the retreating lizardmen forces, engaging them in a brutal conflict. Human losses were significant, with Thaum and George sustaining injuries. However, Michael pressed on, single-handedly cleaving through entire companies in a relentless display of prowess.

Michael later revealed to me that the lizardmen were not weak, and an unusual energy emanated from their capital—a surge of life energy reminiscent of Sylanna herself, according to Michael.

Adding to the complexity, the final twist in the battle involved the Necromancers resurrecting the dead lizardmen to fight against their living counterparts.

The looming end of the war brought stress and apprehension. Its conclusion signaled the termination of our alliance, ushering in potential dangers for our kingdom. Michael's unsettling revelation about the peculiar energy from the lizardmen's capital added an extra layer of concern.

The ease of the war was apparent to everyone, raising suspicions about the Empire's true strength. For a continent-spanning empire, their apparent weakness stood out. Questions arose about how they managed to defeat a formidable race like Nia'Tala's with such seemingly limited strength.

Their thin population, despite controlling the continent for over two hundred years, only fueled the skepticism. Adding to the intrigue was their failure to utilize the disruptors that Lyza had warned us about at the beginning of the war. The overall situation was undeniably strange.

It felt as if someone intentionally lured us toward their capital. I shared my suspicions with others, including Belketh, Azkaal, and surprisingly, the Eternal Empress. Learning of her existence and her connection with Lyza left me astounded.

With increased strength, I decided to bring only a handful of Radiant Glory and Michael to confront their Emperor. The intention was to avoid unnecessary casualties, suspecting that the Emperor might employ some form of mysterious magic or trap.

Fate magic seemed unreliable for the upcoming event, raising concerns from Belketh. The worry stemmed from the possibility that someone with the ability to obscure his vision might take action, posing a potential disaster for us.

Sighing, I sank into the couch in my bedroom, pondering the significance of the approaching moment. My solace lay in the knowledge that the kingdom was flourishing. The negotiation with the Emperor would be crucial for our realm; acquiring more territory was imperative to secure our future, especially with our underground resources depleting.

The kingdom reveled in a golden age, but how sustainable was this era of prosperity? My calculations foretold that, in a few years, we would encounter hurdles with limited food production within our mountainous region. The burgeoning population required more resources, and while magic could provide aid, it wasn't all-powerful. Using magic to transform a mountainous area into a plain raised significant ecological concerns. The elementals, residing in those mountains, wouldn't take kindly to their homes being destroyed. Provoking the wrath of angry elementals could result in terrifying retribution, with earthquakes and tidal waves serving as the potential consequences for disrupting the mountains.

The only solution lay in acquiring the farmlands I had discussed with my Dukes earlier. However, the other lords were well aware of this, and some were likely to resist relinquishing those lands to the kingdom. Every lord prioritized their own domain, and if one desired something coveted by another, coercion became the only recourse. Resorting to such tactics was regrettable, but the kingdom's survival hinged on securing these essential resources.

'I will not relinquish the future of my kingdom to others,' I thought grimly, with Michael by my side for support. This conviction motivated my assistance to the neighboring lords in my domains; in return, I sought their votes for the impending negotiations.

But I harbored genuine fear of Lyza; she was the one I least wanted to provoke. Her control over the seas granted her a formidable advantage in the negotiations, holding all the cards.

"Michael, if we fail to secure these farmlands, what are our options?" I inquired, glancing at the map.

"First, attempt negotiations with the owners. If that fails, we'll resort to war," he responded, meeting my gaze with a resolute stare. "We are stronger than many nations. If the current farmland owners prove easily vanquished, we declare war and crush them."

"And if they prove formidable opponents?" I countered.

"Then we bide our time, preparing for war, and when the moment is right, strike with swift and deadly precision," he explained.

"But launching a surprise attack on a council member could lead to severe repercussions," I pointed out.

"We do not care. It's better to be disliked by everyone than to let our kingdom be crushed due to a lack of food production," he asserted.

I looked at him while frowning. I think that I could take these farmlands, then perhaps, we do not need to resort to the violent option first.

"Let's prepare for the negotiations with the Emperor first, then we'll decide what course of action we'll take for the farmlands" I said to the angel as we continued to discuss the future of the kingdom inside the war room.

–

On Azeroth, the war against the Old Gods had finally concluded, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity for the wounded world. The Pantheon reconvened in their grand halls, listening to Sargeras recount his war against the demons.

"We need to destroy these demons, find their planes and slaughter them all there!" cried out the Champion of the Pantheon.

"We can't risk that, Sargeras. The Lords of Chaos are as strong as us, fighting them in their domains is akin to suicide," replied Eonar with a frown.

"Then I don't know, find a way to make them come out o—"

"Stop this instant, Brother. This is a foolish endeavor; destroying one of the primal forces of the Universe will annihilate it!" cried out the Leader of the Pantheon, Aman'thul.

"You are just too fearful to do what's right!" The Champion protested, leaving the venue through an enormous portal.

Aman'thul looked at where Sargeras was with a frown.

"Brother," the voice of Golganneth echoed through the room, "Sargeras is kind of right. We are the keepers of balance, but we can't act to ensure balance without destroying disorder. More importantly, did we find the disturbance that we sensed a while back?"

"No," came the cavernous voice of Khaz-Goroth. "It seems that something stronger than us is shielding the disturbance."

"Foolish brother, there is nothing stronger than us," Eonar replied with a chuckle, radiating life.

Aman'thul seemed to gaze into the distance. "Could this be the return of the First Ones?" his voice drew the stares of every other titan as they frowned.

 --

Inside the Twisting Nether's most chaotic regions, where the strongest demons known as the Lords of Chaos resided, an inferno raged as thousands of demons of the Twisting Nether were pulverized.

"Ur-Vomoch," came the voice of a colossal juggernaut. "We must find the exit of this cursed realm."

"Shut up, Ur-Khrag, I know," the enormous cerberus replied to the other demon overlord with a snarl, as torrents of magma flowed from his mouths. "We will have vengeance on this bitch Asha and all her children."

"In due time, brother."

"In due time indeed, may Chaos reign eternal"

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A little timeskip as the Empire will soon be ending and a new era will be ushering for the continent.

Lucas is now the strongest Lord by a quite large margin as all the others don't have access to his equipment making skills.

Azeroth's War is finished, this means dragons and Trolls.

And quick question, do you want our Lords to contact Azeroth during the War of the Ancients or during the second War agaisnt the Horde ?

See you soon :)