Chapter 361: _Divide And Conquer

Elian’s POV

*****

[Sigh. If only going to literal war was as easy as Prince Charming made it seem during that meeting…]

‘Can you not right now?’ Elian and Lucian stepped out of the Lunarian palace two days after that tense meeting with Kyren.

The Lord of the Dark Lands had left before Lucian could admit to everyone else in his war council that Lunaria was indeed officially joining the war against Arcadia.

But it didn’t matter.

Because now Kyren was back in front of the Lunarian palace alongside Lucian and Elian, waiting to welcome the most special delegates from the Dark Lands.

“They should be here any minute,” Kyren muttered, placing a palm over his eyes as he stared at the bright day sky. “They got my message.”

“We can wait,” Lucian said, although his expression didn’t sell those words at all.

“Can we though?” Elian looked between both his mates, not knowing if he should use kind words or smack their hesitant asses. “Amara and Arcadia as a whole haven’t made a move for almost a week.”

“I… honestly fail to see how—”

“You fail to see how arguably the second, if not THE most powerful nation on Evaros suddenly being quiet after a major attack on our empire is a problem?” Elian gave Lucian a nasty look that made his cheeks flush slightly.

“Now you’re making me seem incompetent.”

“Fortunately, it’s just you and me right now out here, my Alpha King.” Elian rolled his eyes. “Oh, and our darling Rogue King too.”

“Looks like you don’t have to pretend to be patient anymore, little flame.” Kyren whistled to draw his attention to the skies. “They’re here.”

Seconds later, sleek black sky crafts pierced through the clouds above Moon Haven, descending onto the royal courtyard.

Elian inhaled through his mouth, adjusting his posture as he and the others faced the crafts. A small group of Lunarian guards in golden armour stood in formation around them.

The ramps unfurled at the sides of the crafts, allowing all seven Dukes of the Dark lands to walk onto the tarred floors.

Among them was a female Alpha Wolf who seemed to be in her forties. Elian recognised that face from his visit to the Dark lands.

“My Dukes.” Kyren wore a smile as he welcomed them with literal open arms. “Glad you heeded my invitation.”

The female wolf smirked as they stopped before their King. “Of course, my lord.” She exchanged an unreadable look with her fellow Dukes. “Although, I do hope we can hurry with this… meeting. We can’t afford to leave our regions unattended. Not after what happened at the capital.”

The instant she let those words out, Elian felt the air shift around them. Without looking at Kyren, he could tell how agitated he was by that last sentence.

Fortunately, the Rogue King didn’t react.

Rather, his smile broadened as he moved to the Duke’s side. “Onika.” He lifted a hand with absolutely zero rush, clamping it gently on her shoulder. “After the decisions made in this war council meeting, I guarantee what happened in Noctreth… Will be the last in a lifetime.”

The female Alpha bowed her head, the faintest hint of embarrassment crossing her features. “Understood, my lord.”

Kyren withdrew his hand, gesturing toward the palace behind them. “Come. We’ve already gathered everyone else.”

The Dukes followed without another word. Their boots echoed through the marble hallways as servants hurried out of the way, lowering their heads respectfully whenever Lucian or Kyren passed.

Elian walked between both kings, absentmindedly glancing at the grim expressions around him.

By the time they arrived before the war room, the massive obsidian doors were already pushed open. Waiting inside was almost every influential figure left in Lunaria.

Gamma Drax sat closest to the head of the enormous oval table, his long grey beard resting against his dark robes while his weathered eyes observed the arriving Dukes. Beside him sat Delta Reina, fingers rhythmically tapping the polished table.

Dowager Queen Elowen occupied the seat beside Aurora, with Seraphyne and Sylas seated nearby. Across from them were the highest-ranking generals and military commanders of Lunaria, maps, scrolls and holographic projection screens already spread before them.

Lucian made his way toward the head of the table.

“Now that everyone’s here,” His silver eyes swept over every face. “Let’s begin.”

Everyone gradually settled into their seats, leaving only the faint sounds of their heartbeats and breathing filling the silence.

Lucian folded both hands behind his back.

“I’m aware emotions are running high after the attacks on both our nations. Trust me when I say I understand the urge to march straight into Arcadia and drag Amara out by her throat.”

A few commanders nodded.

“Unfortunately, wars aren’t won through anger.” His expression hardened. “If we’re attacking Arcadia, we can’t simply charge toward Veilastra and hope for the best. That’s exactly why you’re all here. We need strategy.”

The room fell quiet. Then Kyren leaned forward, resting both forearms against the table.

“The Dark Lands have been fighting Arcadia longer than Lunaria has.” His crimson gaze settled on the map laid before them. “And there’s one lesson we’ve learned repeatedly.”

He pointed toward several cities surrounding the Arcadian capital.

“You don’t begin by striking the strongest fortress.” His finger slid toward another city marked with glowing blue ink. “You cripple everything that keeps it alive.”

The enchanted map shimmered as he tapped one location after another.

“These cities manufacture spellcraft weaponry.” Another tap. “These house magi-tech development facilities.” Another. “Portal gate nexuses. Mana distribution centres. Supply routes. Rune forges.”

His lips curled into a cold smile.

“Remove them… and Arcadia starts bleeding long before its capital ever sees battle.”

Several of the Dark Land Dukes nodded approvingly.

“Our combined armies,” Kyren continued, “are more than capable of dividing into multiple battalions. We strike their strategic cities simultaneously, deny them resources, isolate Veilastra… then we march on the capital once they’ve already been crippled.”

For several seconds no one argued with Kyren.

“It is,” Elian finally admitted, “a good strategy.”

Every gaze shifted toward him.

“But it’ll take too long.”

Kyren raised an eyebrow. “You disagree?”

“I disagree with saving Veilastra for last.”

The Rogue King’s eyes narrowed. “Marching straight toward the capital is precisely what my mother wants.”

“I’m not suggesting we attack the capital first.” Elian rose from his chair, walking toward the enchanted map.

His finger settled over Veilastra.

“When Lucian and I went to Arcadia during their invitation…” he said, glancing briefly toward the Alpha King, “we heard the Councillors mention something called the Central Runic Core.”

Recognition flickered across Lucian’s face.

“The Obsidian Tower,” he muttered.

Elian nodded. “According to what we overheard, it powers most of Veilastra’s infrastructure. The floating crystal districts. Defensive formations. Internal transportation. Probably even part of their communication network.”

The room grew noticeably quieter.

“So instead of waiting until every strategic city falls…” He looked around the table. “…why not do both at once?”

A military commander frowned. “You mean…?”

“We divide our forces.” Elian pointed toward the surrounding cities. “The main armies launch coordinated assaults against Arcadia’s most important cities while a much smaller elite team infiltrates Veilastra.”

His finger tapped the Obsidian Tower.

“Then we seize the Central Runic Core. If we confiscate it…” Elian continued, “or simply hold it hostage, we’ll throw the capital into chaos while the rest of Arcadia struggles to defend its own lifelines.”

No one spoke.

Even Drax had stopped stroking his beard.

Kyren suddenly barked out a laugh when the silence was beginning to feel overwhelming.

“Well…” A grin slowly spread across the Rogue King’s face. “That’s delightfully brutal.”

Elian shrugged.

“I’ve officially hopped off the moral high ground after Garrick attacked the palace.” His violet eyes remained fixed on the map. “I’m done being prey.”

One by one, heads around the table nodded.

“I support it,” Reina announced.

“So do I,” one of the generals added.

The Dukes voiced their agreement soon after, followed by Drax, Elowen, Aurora and finally Sylas.

Lucian waited until the last voice fell silent before allowing himself a small smile.

“It appears the vote is unanimous.” He straightened, resting both palms on the table. “In that case… let’s decide who will infiltrate the Obsidian Tower.”