"So you want the explosion of the bridge before the enemies to take their step?" The king says.

"Yes, but if you prefer a more afrite way, we can destroy the bridge while they're at the middle."

"If so, do you have the statistics to demolish such a massive structure? A bridge that's protected from any type of magic, and secured by the kingdom of Maginum. Even--" Before the king could continue his words, Akatosh brought a small cylindrical no more than two inches long. With lit, he then places it on the pot of fruits. And for a second of the explosion, it sends the fruits at every corner.

The explosion was heard and at that moment the king's guards and advisor burst through the room. They go to apprehend Akatosh but the king quickly orders them to leave the room.

"That's just a small piece, and imagine what would it do if it's a barrel size? And it's not even magical."

The king was then silent drumming his index finger on the table. "To blow up the bridge surely you must be educated regarding the bridge."

"I have, I've been enlightened on the treaty of the bridge. The Maginum's connection and the consequences."

"And how do you tackle the consequence?"

"What if an outsider will have to apprehend the sequence. Although it's up to you to settle the political affairs, for the safety of the kingdom towards Maginum."

"We can settle the affairs in many ways, good or bad. But are you confident being hunted by the Maginum? We all know nobody wants to enter their jail."

"Well, I do have a friend, still if you want to hear my deeper thoughts. It would be wise to have our conversation in a different place. We don't know if there are ears behind the walls."

The king agrees without hesitation and they move to a different room. There Akatosh spoke his plan but, didn't utter any words regarding the black powder when the king brought it out. Through hours, the king grants him his work but in return, he was collared. Similar to the one they do to the slaves and prisoners at Endregar but a bit different for he was given a ring.

Easily accepting the slavering, Akatosh wasn't very much worried. For he wasn't looking to run away, and he had a partner that can break such magic.

Once the first step was finished a congruent with the king. He then takes a stroll around the town. And while walking he could see some of the citizens were hasting to move out from the kingdom. He can see other nobles packing their carriage for they knew the kingdom they lived in was doomed.

Using the crest given to him by the king, he went searching for the blacksmiths.

"Metal shards, I can take your offer but thirty barrels. That's a lot of work and metals to be used, not to mention the equipment of these damn inept soldiers."

"Well, why don't you tell the other blacksmiths to divide those thirty barrels, after all, it's the order of the king." Akatosh implores revealing the crest. "And by the way, keep this a secret, spies are littered at every corner." He continues giving the blacksmith ten gold coins, and a parchment ordered and signed by the king.

The next day, Akatosh and Ariendal together with the ambassador the spy of Endreger went and teleported at Thuram. There Akatosh travels to ask his boon. Asking to speak in private, Ariendal and the ambassador waited for their convention to finish. And to their surprise, King Durvod Duhlgerlun announce his aid towards Keshoval. Stating to send half of its soldiers, and a sealed parchment to justify their allegiance.

Stunned and dumbfounded, the ambassador quickly sends a message to Endregar regarding their joined alliance.

Successfully tackling the second pace, Akatosh went to their hideout. It's where he furnished more black powder for the upcoming show. Thanks to one ingredient from the slime, he was able to achieve a higher explosion similar to dynamite. Once satisfied he returns to Keshoval for information.

Heading towards Ariendal's mansion, there he waited for Ariendal to return from the king's war table. Yet somehow, he felt someone watching him, stalking him. And only when he enters the room filled with Seredian walls made the presence of someone disappear.

"So what did you discuss at the war table."

"It's regarding the joined alliance with Ahgraim."

"What about it."

"Aghraim and Keshoval were once allied kingdom. Well, that was now a memory, the first war started way before the dawn of heroes. During that time there was land that holds an incredible amount of energy. From there the two kingdoms share the energy, harnessing and converting it to sustain the harsh winter. Turning the frosty storm into a warm spring. That until Aghraim was consumed by greed after their previous king was dead. The alliance broke and, there it starts the first war between the two. Even today, the people of Keshoval remember the atrocities the armies of Aghraim did. It was only an unknown hero who decided to put a stop by devouring the pool of energy. He however didn't have the power to sustain such energy, so he sealed it away. No one knows but one thing's for sure, it was sealed on this land."

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

"So... did the council make its decision?"

"Hardly, countless dukes want to join the alliance. But few didn't when they were informed about the aid of Thuram. Even the king's royal advisor was against it."

"What happens if the king disagrees with Aghraim's offer."

"The armies of Keshoval would be lessened since some of its soldiers belong to the dukes. They turn neutral or worst join the other side between the two."

"Well, that's a hard punch, anyway when will the armies of Endregar arrive."

"While you've been gone our spies confirm that they will arrive here within a week."

"On which road did they use."

"The edge of Dolvadish, and from our intel, it looks like your premonition came true. With the combined forces of Starhim and Endregar, I believe we're facing more than 80 000 thousand troops."

Hearing the numbers Akatosh felt putrid.

The day after, prince Harith of Aghraim came prostrating himself in front of king Reigal. He was asking the joined alliance of their kingdom and, without hesitation the prince's request was denied. The king's answer shocked the nobles and dukes even the prince was dismayed for he was hoping for a good answer.

"Was that your final decision lord Reigal?"

"Yes, that's my final decision."

"I see... then best of luck to you and your people." The prince said with a relaxed face, and just as he turns back his face turns into disappointment.

While Akatosh was behind the crowds of the aristocrats, silently observing the scene. And when the prince was gone, few who wants to join the alliance confronts the king. Arguments and disagreement filled the chamber, having lost interest, Akatosh quickly exits the place.

As he walks through the outside castle, he can tell few people were roaming the place. After passing through the empty alley, a woman suddenly blocks his path equipped and ready for a fight.

"Well, hello there, have we met before?" Akatosh was the first to engage a word.

"Are you always this full of a joke." Freia angrily replies.

"Sometimes yes, sometimes no why."

"Do you not remember me."

"Ahh... so you're that woman from that time, sorry I had bad memories."

"Well, now you do because I'm going to reveal your true intentions," Freia says just as she lashes out trusting her sword towards Akatosh.

Having his instincts and abilities he was able to dodge the incoming attacks. Because of his light armor, Akatosh was at the advantage easily avoiding the incoming attacks. Yet his guts can tell he was far to confront Freia's magic abilities.

"You do know I work for the king."

"Shut up! I'd heard you talking with my father. Blowing up the bridge, murdering the duke in broad daylight, and causing a war?! Just what are you scheming."

"You do know how childish you are... for an adult."

"Come again?" Freia retorts with murder in her eyes, and without hesitation, she slowly unleashes her magical abilities.

"I mean, you may be on the age, but I can tell you're still a child who doesn't know how society runs," Akatosh replies with a smirk, and before he knew it, a shockwave of magic knockbacks him on the wall.

Digging the grave of her memories, she remembers her childhood memories. How others look down on her as a child even until she grew up. She could still remember her mistake of how she mistakenly accused a man of crime. She tries her best yet for some reason the people were more concentrated on her mistake. How she always acts without knowing leads to her discrimination. Even today the mental damage still clouds her.

"Struck a nerve, did I?" Akatosh implores struggling to get back on his feet. "Gahh... I had enough of dealing with such annoying childish situations. Rag! My darling, get us fuck out of here."

He waited for his partner's teleportation but had no reaction nor a flinch of a spell. Freia dashes and leaps for a decapitation blow, quickly reacting to her attack. Akatosh drew his sword, the kriegsmesser type, and let it clash with her.

Freia's fast attack and heavy blow deliver her sword in half. Yet Akatosh's sword is still in good condition.

"Elven-steel bitch!"

Having heard what his swords made, Freia smiles and creates a sword made of energy.

"Prepare yourself," Freia responds just as her blade brightens.

Quickly taking out another sword, the katana type, Akatosh took a buff potion for the worst. And for a moment Freia with a swing of her sword launches curve energy. Cutting the pavements and craters, Akatosh who didn't know that attack decides to dodge the incoming projectiles. Barely dodging two more, Akatosh saw Freia dashes for melee combat.

Dodging and clashing the weapons, Akatosh manages to break her shield however, her energy sword corresponds to his blade. Creating another energy sword for a two-weapon style, Freia launches another long-range attack.

By far, Akatosh notices that she's beginning to get sluggish. And how her longer-range attack only creates one. And to test his theory, Akatosh was now the one to engage. Overtime for only a minute, Akatosh senses her fatigue, so without hesitation while his buff's still in effect. He goes for hand-to-hand combat, griping her wrist Akatosh easily takes her down.

Sitting atop of her, he saw her skin color slightly change. And the energy sword grew thinner and shorter.

"Just give up already." Akatosh implores when suddenly her nose starts to bleed.

Relinquishing his grip, the energy sword diminishes for her to recover. And while she was in recovery unable to walk or stand Akatosh then said.

"Look, I don't know if you have a terrible childhood that pollutes your mentality. But listen here madam, I'm trying to save your kingdom. So don't follow me, I'm busy fulfilling my responsibility. Whelp, it all thanks to your rash actions and mentally angry emotion that I won. And a word of advice bitch… observe and analyze in silence before engaging, that way you might be a better person... princess."

He walks away leaving the princess to recover for herself.

"Oof... that was one heck of a play you got there. If she overexerts that arcane spell, she might be dead by now."

"Fuck you, where were you when I need you."

"Watching, any way you could have plow that robust princess. I'm very disappointed in you, that wishy-washy look on her face. She might even like you after that, you know that fantasy thing?"

"Like that's ever going to happen, I had my fills with women in this world. Moving on... right, time to do the preparations."