POV Prince Varne Vanmeister

Sitting in a luxurious room sat two men of distinct class, anyone could tell that the two men were related by the way they had similar features.

They have already extended pleasantries and were ready for the real discussion.

"Tell me Admond, any news of our other brothers actions and situation?" Varne asked, taking a sip of his drink.

Admond reclined in his seat to relax a little more. "My spies tell me that he should be in conflict with our other sibling by now, I have no doubt that with the black gold on his side, that he would win easily. My question now is, how are we going to deal with him? Black gold ranks aren't easy to come by Varne."

Way before the king even suggested the idea of this manhunt for their sibling, Varne had offered not only Admond but also Angela an idea of an alliance. It was more of an agreement that if they forfeit the right to the throne and help him become the next king. In return he would offer them excellent political and financial positions or if they didn't want that, then any wish he could give them in his power. Admond was always more of a schemer then his other siblings, he wished to pull strings in the shadows instead of being in the limelight. As for Angela, she just wanted to be financially secure and not get assasinated behind her back.

"When I was just 5 years old, father would let me sit on his lap while he sat on the throne. He would pass down orders, form laws, and have emissaries from other kingdoms bring him gifts. On those days something grew in me, an ambition to rule, an ambition for power. I knew that the road to that throne would not be easy, So I bought slaves or kidnapped orphan children from the slums. Raised them to be fiercely loyal and strong, my very own ten thousand strong private army." Varne said, his voice growing louder and firmer.

Admond visibly recoiled a little from his brother. "Ten thousand? That's it? I'm sorry to say this, but that won't be enough. Even with all our combined armies, it won't be enough to fight a black gold rank." He said, getting a little worried that his older brothers plan is going to fall through.

Varne smiled at Admond, then started chuckling a little before focusing his look. "Out of one million children, those ten thousand are the only ones who made it. They have been given the best resources and trained to their very limits. About five hundred are gold rank and the rest are silver rank. That's not all either." Varne said, he started emitting an oppressing aura.

Admond knew this suffocating feeling all too well. He's only felt it when in the presence of his father and his aides. He felt the feeling go away as soon as his brother relaxed.

"Gold rank, and not only that. You say that you have five hundred gold ranks working for you? How did you even afford it all?" Admond looked at his brother questionably, what did this brother of his do to pay to raise an army that strong.

"Unfortunately, I cant reveal all my cards little brother. Just know that once I ascend the throne, our kingdom will have the strength to rival the Kalimbor empire." Varne said, serving himself a drink while smiling.

In truth, Varne left out the part where he had discovered a secret entrance to some ancient ruins in the castle basement. Altough it was just a room, what laid inside gave him the power to fuel his future ambitions. It came in the form of metallic bracers, at first he just thought they looked cool. Once touched and to his horror, the bracers moved on their own like some kind of creature with sharp teeth inside. They attached themselves to his arms, altough painful, they didn't kill him. When they bonded with him, he received information in his head on how to use them. When using them, they would turn to sharp gauntlets that would absorb someone's life force and turn it into power for the user. It also allowed him to transfer the life force into others.

With this ancient artifact, Varne used the lives of all those one million children and sometimes adults to give himself power and to his loyal handpicked private army. This was his strongest trump card over the years, and it would be the thing that would make him raise to higher ranks.

"Don't worry Admond, everything is falling into place. Now we just wait for that traitor of a brother to bring the bastard in tow." Varne said, a face full of disgust. He's known that the real traitor in the family was Romain, he couldn't let that leech just sell his kingdom to the Kalimbor empire.

Admond was about to say something but someone burst through the door in a quick pace. They both turned around to see their only sister approach them, her face had a worried expression.

"Angela, it's about time that you've arrived for the meeting. Sit down and we will fill you in on what we have discussed." Varne said, almost ordering her.

Usually Angela would fight back on his brothers rude behavior, but this wasn't the time.

"Romain is dead!" Angela proclaimed, making the two men give her a double take.

A small silence lingered after the news was said. You could visibly see Varne go through different reactions. From surprise to confusion and a bit of doubt. Even the quiet and composed Admond had the same expressions as his brother.

"I was leaving the castle when his body was brought to the capital, father obviously put a gag order immediately. I was only lucky to hear the news from my people inside the palace." Angela said, taking a seat and serving some tea to calm her nerves.

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"How is this possible? He had a black gold rank, unless.." Admond stopped himself from speaking.

Noticing his brothers pause, Varne asked him. "What is it? Speak up for lord Gilmars sake!".

Admond gave his brother a worried and troubled look. "Our bastard brother has a black gold rank on his side. Either that, or he has an elite army like yours to overwhelm someone at that level." He said, breaking a small sweat on his forehead, which he quickly wiped away nervously.

"Pfft that's it? That changes nothing, now we have to go after the bastard. We have a combined force of over four hundred thousand. I'm sure that Romain didn't die easily, he must have taken down a considerable amount of enemy soldiers with him. This is the perfect time to act." Varne said, he got up and headed to the door before turning around to face his siblings. "Ready your armies, we march in a week."

Admond and Angela just turned to look at each other with a worried look.

____________________________________

Two weeks had passed since the battle with Romain, and Sam was still recovering the losses he took that day. He had to stop his conquest campaign to hasten the production of more mechs, especially getting enough to get another frost Mech. He took a quick glance at his exp balance.

[123,000,000 exp]

After producing more mechs and paying for more military vehicles, he still didn't have enough to buy the new base upgrade. If one frost Mech had enough power to change the battle, he felt like four more mechs would be enough to end this war.

"Nostromo contact Ymir, have him meet me at the BOOR." Sam ordered. Sam also noticed that once the mechs were summoned, one of them had a slimmer figure and noticed that it was a female mech. "Interesting, I was wondering when I would see a woman mech appear."

Once Ymir entered the BOOR he noticed his doppelgangers, but then lined up to receive the monarchs orders.

"Ymir, I am going to make you captain of the Frost mechs moving forward. These are your comrades, make sure to show them the ropes and they will help you with your assignments from now on." Sam said, shaking Ymir's hand. Altough Ymir was a little stiff at the handshake, he got the gesture right away.

"I won't fail you my monarch." Ymir said, cupping his hands together.

Sam just smiled and patted his shoulders and sent him on his way. Altough the mechs weren't real people, he always treated any of his friends and allies with respect and dignity.

Once they left, Sam went to a meeting with his ministers and how the development of his lands are going. It wasn't like he was oblivious of what was going on in his own territory. He routinely checked on the progress of the infrastructure building process and he had to say that he was impressed. It already looked like an early 20th century civilization.

"With the help of the builder bots we have managed to link the electric train railways to all the counties. With this newly built train industry it has rapidly helped towns and small villages to grow and develop more. As well as create more financial and economic opportunities. That is my report your majesty." Christopher said, taking a seat and everyone clapping for him.

"Excellent, with this new form of transportation our empire will flourish even more." Sam said, beaming with a grin on his face. "Jason wittman our new minister of domestic and foreign affairs, you said that you had something important to report earlier. Please go ahead and explain."

The newly assigned minister stood up a little nervous, this was his first time reporting to his majesty.

"As you may know your majesty, the Vanmeister kingdom is surrounded by multiple kingdoms as it is located in the central part of the continent Ideth. We have the wildlands to our west, the dwarven kingdom to the northwest of the mountains, to our north we border the two human kingdoms earlshire and loural. The mixed race kingdom of Isteria to our south and east." Jason said, he then flipped to the next parts of his report. "Getting that out of the way, we have received multiple reports of spies and foreign forces trying to cross our borders from all these kingdoms. Especially from the dwarven kingdom, but thanks to his majestys troops we managed to capture all of them. Now we have received invitations from all these kingdoms to visit their royal families. I believe we should start sending emissaries as soon as possible. That is my report your majesty."

"Thank you for that report, but we won't be sending any emissaries to any kingdom." Sam said, making everyone in the room go silent.

"Your majesty, not to be rude but if we don't send emissaries we will just destroy any diplomatic relations with these kingdoms. It might even start another war, please reconsider your decision." Jason said, trying to control himself from yelling at his majesty.

Everyone in the room agreed with Jason's words, altough they have had immense development with his majestys help. All of that could be taken away if they make enemies of everyone around them.

"Tell me Jason, if you were at home and someone broke into your home looking to steal from you. Then later that person asks you to become their friend, would that make perfect sense to you?" Sam asked, focusing his gaze at Jason.

Jason recoiled a little but managed to pull himself together. "Uh no your majesty, it would not make perfect sense." He said.

"Here's what we will do, send each kingdom a cart that contains their dead spies. As well as a sign that says that if they want to talk, then they will have to do it properly. That is my final word." Sam said, his words getting colder at the end.

Before he could continue, a messenger entered the room. They approached Sam and let him know that someone has come to meet him and that it was from the Vanmeister kingdom. Hearing this, Sam was wondering who it could be. After the meeting was over, he went to another room where the guest was waiting. Obviously he didn't go without two frost mechs keeping him company.

As soon as he entered the room he immediately recognized the person. How could he forget this man that caused him so much trouble back then.

"Ah prince Samuel, it is good to see you again." Said the old man. Sam immediately recognized him as the mage who saved general Palmar and viscount Olmar.

After that battle Sam had some time to remember that this mage was actually a court mage that has served both his father and grandfather for many decades. He was both extremely talented and loyal to the kingdom, so what was he doing here.

"Vince, it really is a surprise to see you here. You better have a good reason to be here, otherwise you won't be making it out of here alive." Sam said. Wondering what this old man was here.

"Hoho prince Samuel you're too rough on this old man. I guess I can't beat around the bush too much. I've come here to join your side." Vince said, then he went on his knees and started bowing down before Sam. "Please your majesty, I wish to know more, I wish to know more and I wish to know the secrets of the ruins you have uncovered."

Sam just raised an eyebrow and thought about what this old man just said. 'Ruins? What is this old man talking about?" But seeing an opportunity, Sam thought of an idea.

"Raise yourself court mage of course with you on my side I could definitely benefit, and in return you will help me take over this kingdom." Sam said, a benevolent smile on his face showing up.

"Thank you your majesty, I would do anything to reach new heights in my power and knowledge." Vince said, as he got up and sat on the opposite couch of Sam.

"Why waste time Vince, please follow me. I will show you the knowledge that you seek." Sam said, he got up and gestured for Vince to follow him.

They soon arrived to a buzzer heli pad, Vince made some surprised gasps and praised Sam for his advanced transportation. They flew for a couple of minutes until they arrived to the first base. Getting off was an even more surprise for Vince. They soon made their way to the lab an research facility, Sam answered as many questions that Vince asked.

Sam soon saw Otto in the Lab and called for him. "Otto, please can you come over here." He said, Otto noticed Sam and made his way to him.

"Aaaah! My lord, how may I be of service." Otto said, flashing that same creepy grin.

"This is Vince, he is the court mage that works for my father and he wishes to grow in strength and knowledge. Can you please help him in that regard" Sam said, but he sent a mental command in secret to Otto of what he really wants to do to Vince.

"Certainly my lord, I would be glad to help this man in his PURSUIT of knowledge. Please follow me sir Vince." Otto said.

Sam just gestured for Vince to follow Otto into the lab. "This one will show you all you need to know and will help you to grow in strength Vince."

Vince visibly got excited. "Your majesty, I can't even express to you on how much this means to me. Over the decades I have been trying to reach new heights, but your father and grandfather were always wary of me and stopped my progress. I'm so happy to know that you're a man of great intellect, thank you for this opportunity. I will repay you for this kindness."

"Don't worry, you can repay me back later" Sam said, He then walked away from the lab with a wide grin. "You'll repay me with your life."