CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: WAR PREPARATIONS & MIDNIGHT STRATEGY SESSIONS WITH CAPTAIN VERA

The celebration of Jemil’s victory over Altheris was short-lived. That night, Queen Victoria summoned him and his beasts to the royal war room.

A massive table stretched across the center, covered in a magical map that shimmered with moving enemy markers. Captain Vera was already there, her uniform half-loosened, hair tied up tightly, face drawn in tension.

[System Prompt: Main Quest Advanced]

[Mission: Protect the border town of Felgarde. Enemy: Crimson Fang Horde.]

[Timer: 4 Days Until Invasion]

Operation: Felgarde Defense

Captain Vera gestured to the map. "The Crimson Fang Horde. Thirty beast-class threats. Half-intelligent, all violent. They’re using berserker drug mist. If Felgarde falls, they’ll march straight here."

She looked at Jemil. "We’re outnumbered. But not outclassed. Your beasts are key."

Jemil nodded. "We’ll do it. But I want full access to the Beast Armory—and an open contract to train a new field squad."

Queen Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious."

Lyra stepped forward, fire flaring slightly. "We are not weak. Let us burn the enemy."

Sylfa followed, vines blooming. "Or we’ll entangle them until they choke on their own rage."

[Alliance Approval Increased]

[Resource Unlocked: Royal Beast Armory]

[Field Squad Mission: Authorized]

Tactical Training Begins

Jemil and his harem launched into an intense training montage with the new squad:

Ursa led the recruits in raw physical drills—pushups with bears, boulder-throwing, full-speed charges.

Mira taught aerial coordination, diving under fire and wind-sight synchronization.

Grahla focused on shielding and last-line defense tactics.

Nyx used illusion and hypnotic rhythm drills—coordinated distraction and misdirection.

Lyra demonstrated fire control under pressure. She kissed a torch and whispered, "Light behaves when loved."

Sylfa introduced healing under duress—thorns for sutures, blossoms for painkillers.

Aelira handled rogue strategy, ambush prep, and rogue beast suppression.

Jemil oversaw all of it. Whenever he gave orders, the system tracked him:

[Charisma +1]

[Beast Bond Reinforcement: +2]

[Passive Skill Gained: "Commander’s Bond" – Beasts gain increased coordination when working toward shared goal]

Midnight With Vera

Later that night, Jemil walked alone toward the moonlit veranda overlooking the war room’s courtyard. Captain Vera stood there, sipping tea in a robe.

"You can’t sleep either?" he asked.

"No. I dream about blood and strategy. Usually at the same time."

They laughed quietly.

Then she glanced at him, softer now. "You know, I didn’t believe in your system at first. But now? You’ve got something special."

He looked at her. "You believed in me. Even when I was a rogue."

She sighed. "I didn’t do it for diplomacy."

[Romantic Tension Level: 92%]

[System Prompt: Optional Bond Advancement: "Commanders in Conflict"]

She stepped closer. The heat between them wasn’t just from the looming battle. Their lips nearly brushed—until...

"Ahem." Nyx appeared in the shadows. "Forgive me, but the scouts returned. Urgent."

New Threat: The Crimson General

In the main chamber, a scout laid out news: the enemy had summoned a Crimson General—a feral beast that absorbed its victims and controlled them like puppets. Worse?

[Corruption Detected]

[System Flag: Beast Taint Identified – This enemy is immune to normal bonding]

[Warning: This beast corrupts through emotional weakness and lust.]

Vera turned to Jemil. "This is no longer a border conflict. This is containment before full infestation."

Last Words Before Departure

Before setting out, Jemil gathered his harem.

"We’re not just fighting monsters. We’re proving that connection—real connection—wins against rage and control."

Lyra burned with passion. Sylfa offered her vines in silent strength. Nyx rolled her eyes but clung to his shoulder. Mira gave a cool nod. Grahla beat her chest. Ursa roared approval. Aelira kissed his cheek and whispered, "You better come back."

[Harem Unity Level: 100]

[New Bond Skill: "Heartfire Bulwark" – When Jemil protects a beast, they each gain bonus resistance and doubled defense.]

✅ Call to Action:

The Crimson Fang Horde approaches. A corrupted general leads them. Jemil’s harem is stronger than ever—but war looms.

💬 Drop a comment, send a power stone, and get ready for Chapter 17: "Blood, Bonds & Beast Corruption – The Battle of Felgarde" 🐾🔥