The news of Midlake falling back to the Adders again reached even to the far corners of the continent within days. It also limelighted that the Temple which had dominated the Midland for a century without contest had finally met its challenge with the arrival of the new champion.

The story of Ethan and Revenant had been around for months but most thought it was just a breeze that would pass soon. It wasn't a breeze but a raging storm; a very big storm that spanned across the whole Midland.

"Are you going down the mountain," Leila asked old knight Arthur as she saw him packing alone. The rest of the king's guards remained in their stations at the mountain even after the recapture of Midlake city.

"The city is recaptured by the king, right? Ethan must be there. With the king's army. May I go with you?" Leila asked for permission. She had been waiting at the camp for the day she could go down the mountain and reunite with Ethan. She was exhilarated to be reuniting with Ethan again soon. Also, her family, especially her father, was in Midlake so she had all the more reasons.

Arthur took a glance and shook his head, "You may not, young miss. The city may have been recaptured but there are still many things to be done. And I hope no one knows about those plans so I can't let you go yet."

Arthur denied her leave and it made her mad.

"Why? You promised you would let me go after the city is retaken. Ethan is there. My family is there. I serve no purpose here anyway. You must let me go. You promised me that."

"It seems you misunderstand, young miss. I said when everything is over. The city is recaptured, yes. But war is far from over. We met you from the convoy from Rode. You might as well be a secret lover of the Duke if I have to speak my mind. I can't let you go and risk my plan being leaked to the crown's mortal enemy."

"No, you are mistaken. I am Ethan's lover. I am on your side. Did you forget I was trying to escape from the Duke's captivity when you saw me? Why would I go back to the one I was trying to run away from? It is ridiculous."

"I don't know, young miss. If there is something I experienced while getting old, it is that the human mind works mysteriously. Many lives and the livability of the kingdom are at stake. I can't risk them all to let you satisfy your wish. Forgive me. You are to remain here until everything is over."

Arthur firmly denied her request and left the camp. He also specifically ordered his men to watch her closely. "Put her in a cage if needs to be." He told cold-heartedly right in front of Leila.

The fight was over and the throne of Midlake was reclaimed by its rightful owners but the air was thick and tense in the streets of Midlake. The citizens of Midlake noticed the war looming in their city.

The Duke had called all the banners from five regions for retribution for destroying the Grand Temple of Midlake. As servants of Mordu', the lords of five regions answered the call. Together with the army of Temple, the coalition army promised to march on Midlake from all directions. Such an army so powerful, it could flatten the entire crown city to the ground.

Arthur saw the fearful state of the city as soon as he entered the gate. The banners of Adders were raised in all parts of the city with purple-cloaked soldiers visiting each home to recruit soldiers for the biggest battle to come.

"Please don't take my son. He is only sixteen." A woman pleaded with the recruiter to let go of her young child but the recruiter pushed the mother away while another soldier dragged the son out of the house. Although there were a lot of people who decided to join the defence line voluntarily, there were also people who were reluctant to join.

"Shut down the gates. Don't let anyone out." A cloaked commander ordered his soldiers as he openly criticised the people who were trying to escape from the recruitment. "F*cking cowards. Do you expect the poor people to defend your home and your city while your rich asses are drinking wine and dancing around in your vacation houses in the countryside? You rich folks are staying here too."

In another neighbourhood where the residents were mostly workers and hard labourers, the situation was the complete opposite. Preachers of the Revenant were promising defeat of Mordu' as the people lined up to take part in the holy campaign against Mordu'. "Yesterday, he chopped up the head of the most corrupted Templer, Sir Raul the rapist. Today, he cut down another corrupted servant of Mordu' and destroyed the Grand Temple where they stole our savings. Tomorrow, he will slice down Mordu' and end our suffering! Praise to our champion! Praise Ethan! Praise his name!!"

When Arthur reached the palace, he met Ethan, the man he had been wishing to meet, at the staircase. He meant to ask about Leila then he figured the time was not right.

"If the girl is telling the truth, it will change his heart when he knows about the girl. I will stay quiet for now." Arthur decided to keep the news about Leila to himself.

"Our Champion, I meet you finally. Have you had a good rest last night, Sir Ethan?"

"I did. Sir...?"

"I am Lord Arthur. The grand advisor of the Crown. This is the first time we have met personally even though I have heard your name for quite some time. I saw your work out there while coming here. What you did to the grand Temple, is pure art. Such a strong message."

"Ah. That was not mine. The credit should go to Dovos and the plan was Cleo's. I merely helped."

"Hmm. Such humbleness. Befitting of a Champion. No wonder the preachers of Revenant are rallying people en masse in the streets of Midlake in your name. Anyway, let's go to the second floor. Our princess has called for a meeting at her war council."

Arthur quickly found out the character and virtue of Ethan just after a small talk. He was pleased to have chosen Ethan as champion.

While Arthur and Cleo initiated the plan five years ago, they met a hard reality that it was impossible to take down Mordu' by themselves.

The strength of Mordu' was not his immense power of spells. It was the unwavering faith of people; that serving Mordu' was serving God. They were promised heaven and paradise for serving Mordu' so they became loyal to him.

On the other hand, going against Mordu' meant hell and eternal suffering, so Cleo and Arthur could not receive any support for their cause. A king was a mere mortal just as much as his subjects in front of a god.

So, Cleo made up a new character with Ethan; the 'god slayer', who will slay all the corrupted gods. He became the lance of her operation.

The destruction of the Grand Temple was also an eye-opening message among the citizens of Midlake that Mordu' was not an undefeatable god. Their faith in Ethan became almost absolute.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The meeting had already started when they reached the war council. Two large tables were placed in the middle of the well-decorated room with banners and war relics. On each table was a detailed map of Crown City and regions of Midland with wooden miniatures representing armies of respective factions.

Upon seeing their champion, the lords serving the crown bowed to their knees. "We shall dedicate our lives to your success in God-given quest."

"Report me the current status of Midland?" Cleo asked her general. Upon her command, General Edin, Knight of Crown, placed a big wooden doll at the western border.

"Claudians are coming in mass. Judging by the numbers, it won't end with just small skirmishes. We suspect they are prepared for a full-scale invasion this time. They must have thought our internal strife might be a chance for them. This report is two days ago. Our scouts sighted a few forces near the mountains as well as some regiments near the delta but their main forces are coming from the sea this time. They have a black ship from the western continent which is as big as a castle. We believe that it will act as a spear in the assault to our shoreline near Forkguard."

"Tch. Those western bastards. So, they decided to support Claudia in exchange for an upper hand in trade deals." A lord frustratedly mumbled.

Arthur noticed the faces of the lords showing worry and anxiety so he showed confidence, "Need no worries, my lords. Nothing our Viscount Davis couldn't handle. His faith may be in Mordu' but he has no less obligation to safeguard Midland. Our focus should be toward the east and the north. How we will defend our city against the scourge of Temple is our priority."

Arthur redirected the council by disregarding the threat as a matter of little concern. The invasion of Claudia was part of the grand plan anyway.

Arthur and Cleo acknowledged that the King's guard and city militia were not enough against the overwhelming forces of Temple. As servants of Mordu', the lords of five regions would rally against Midlake under the banner of Temple. A diversion was needed to spread the forces thin so Cleo sent Arthur to provoke Claudia meanwhile she allied herself with the Empire of Indra in the holy war against Mordu' (ref. Ch: Inglorious Allies).

"Grand Advisor is right. Viscount Davis has defended Midland against Claudia countless times without fail. With reinforcement from Norg and Sousa, he shall do the same again." Cleo led the council with the help of Arthur. "Now, let us focus on the east. We got good news from our ally. The forces of Indra have taken control of the isles of Easton. They shall reach the mainland and besiege Portland in three days. We must defend Midlake at all costs from our enemies until the imperial forces of Indra reach us. Then, we shall together march to Rode and end Mordu' and all of this."

Cleo revealed her grand plan leaving the lords of Midlake in baffle. They were amazed that a young powerless princess and a sick old man prepared all of it in secrecy, a master plan which would divert the forces of all five regions separately.

"A perfect plan, Your Highness. Lords of Midlake shall follow your lead." The lords swore their loyalty to Cleo.

When Louise saw his lords swearing allegiance to Cleo, it bothered him strangely. Although he and Cleo were on the same side, he believed the lords should bow to their King than a princess.

Cleo didn't notice the troubling thought brewing in her brother's mind. As the daughter of King James, she always thought the crown was hers and her cousin Louise was a mere puppet King forced crowned by Temple. She thought Louise also felt the same as her.

"Great. We shall together rid the evil of this land. Soon, this perilous land shall be free of monsters and peace will return." They clanked the cups.

After the council session was over, Arthur approached Cleo while they were celebrating their victory with a feast. He told his concerns about the situation in the streets. "The air is tense. I could barely breathe. People are scared. Rich is fleeing. Some are angry due to the forced conscription. The morale is not as high as we expect it to be. If the Duke stubbornly decided to march alone, we would be in trouble with the current situation."

"Such is usual, uncle. Frightened people, frustrated public. Don't worry. I got it under control. I have already ordered the commanders to shut down the city so no one can get out. The Inquisition has started to root out all opposition. We will fully control the city in two days. We have also reinforced the walls and gates. We will be fully prepared if the Duke and Temple come. I dare to say let them come."

"You did great, your Highness. But be known this. Never underestimate your enemy and frustration from the public."

"Then, I will addr..."

"I shall hold a public address. As King, it is my duty to protect my subjects, end their worries and lead them to victory. I will see to it tomorrow. Commander, make the announcement." Louise interrupted Cleo and took the role first.

For the first time, a crack occurred within the siblings at the most dire time.

"Sorry to disturb you. You must be tired of all the bureaucratic parties. But I have an urgent matter to discuss with you, champion. May I come in? Of course, I bring you some cheese and wine to keep it interesting." Arthur showed up in front of Ethan's room suddenly with a platter of cheese and a jug of wine.

It was nearly midnight. Apart from nocturnal animals, some pesky humans who loved to take advantage of darkness, and dutiful guards, most people were already deep in sleep. Ethan was still awake because he was meditating to improve his focus and enrich his spells.

Ethan felt it was strange for Arthur to search for him in the middle of the night when they just met earlier in the evening for the first time. It was also strange for a grand advisor to carry a plate and a jar by himself without a servant.

He didn't want to be rude so he called him inside.

"I know it is late, champion. But it is a critical matter that can't wait, so."

"How may I help, sir Arthur?"

"Well, I am glad that you are enthusiastic to help. But you may want to consider carefully. Anyway, it is better to listen with some cheese and wine so how about we do it first? This is Abeline cheese. She makes it from camel milk with some spices. Here, have a piece.

Arthur cut a piece and handed it over. Ethan tasted it carefully. He was a small-time captain in a unit of Temple in the past. The cheese was a rare luxury for a rugged fighter like him. It tasted weird, unlike anything he had tasted before which was mostly rat or rabbit stew, pork chop or dried fish. It was divinely appetising so he cared for another piece.

"This is made by Abel? The Abel I know?"

"Yes."

"I have never seen her do one in the desert."

"Well, you were in the desert. Drinking milk would make more sense than eating cheese."

"True. Anyway, what is it that you want to discuss?"

Ethan asked Arthur after his energy was replenished by a luxurious delicacy.

"You may have noticed the tension between her highness and his majesty at the party. Yes, it is as you suspect. There will soon be a power struggle, an ugly bloody fight, between the two siblings. I hope it never happens as both are like son and daughter to me."

Arthur shared his pain as he poured a load of wine into his goblet and Ethan's.

"I don't think Cleo will fight Louise for the throne. Or did I fail to notice that she is a greedy person who would kill her cousin for power?"

"Quite the contrary. Cleo is just doing what the others are expected of her. It is Louise who has no claim to the throne. After King James' rebellion, Mordu' executed all the Adders; the king, the queen, the crown prince and the relative lords. A seven-year-old Cleo and five-year-old Louise were the only two who survived the massacre. Mordu' claims it is benevolence but in reality, he was afraid he would anger the public if he were to kill children. Anyway, the throne was empty, and the crown lost its owner. That void attracted powerful rivalries within lords so Mordu' needed someone to fill the void. Someone not too influential to threaten him again in later days but has a name big enough to rule. Louise Adder Sinclair, the youngest son of a distant brother of King James, becomes King at five years old. For people, he is a powerful Adder. For lords, he is someone with a weak name, especially without Temple. The lords will support Cleo to become the Queen after the war. If Louise wants to hold onto his title even after it, there will be bloodshed."

Arthur explained the tangled mess of wool of the world of bureaucracy.

The whole revelation was too much for Ethan to process so he had to sit down and take a sip of sweet wine to replenish the energy in his brain. What kind of curse power was that to make loving siblings kill each other?

After a long silence, Ethan asked Arthur why he was telling him all of that.

"So, I can stop that? Is that why you are here?"

"Yes. Only you can stop that."

"How? Do you want me to kill Louise like I did to Ayeegyee? No, I won't do that."

Ethan firmly refused to help Arthur. He shook his head and waved his hands to show his disapproval.

Arthur chuckled after watching Ethan freaked out by himself.

"No. Luckily, you don't have to. I never meant it."

"Oh, thank God. Then tell me what I have to do."

Arthur didn't say it immediately. He offered Ethan another piece of cheese and a sip of wine to calm down.

"You must marry the princess."

"You mean..."

"Marry Cleo."