CHAPTER 302: PLANS OF BATTLE 2

The King rose from his seat with a heaviness that marked the beginning of something irreversible. He moved toward the door and beckoned a nearby servant who had been waiting in the outer hall. The servant bowed deeply, sensing the shift in the air even before any words were spoken.

"Send word immediately," the King ordered. His voice carried the iron weight of a ruler preparing his nation for war. "Call My Seer at once. Summon the High Council. Inform every seated lord and lady in Valerion, every commanding officer, and the leader of the Royal Cultivator Army. Valerion stands on the edge of battle. We assemble now."

The servant bowed again, already pale, and sprinted through the corridor with the urgency of a man carrying the fate of a kingdom on his back.

The King turned to Lucas with a steady, knowing gaze. "You have your role in this, Xavier. I trust you understand what must be done." His tone was firm, yet warm beneath it. "Prepare yourself. Tend to your spirit, your strength. When we march, every ounce of power you can muster will matter."

Lucas bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will be ready."

The King then faced the Empress, his voice softening but carrying no less resolve. "As for you, Your Majesty of Lechia... send messages to every one of your allies. Every household, every duke, every sect, every wandering cultivator who once honored your throne. It does not matter if some of them command ten thousand soldiers or only ten. We will need everyone we can gather. The wars ahead will be bloody, brutal and without mercy. If even one ally stands idle, we all fall."

The Empress lowered her head respectfully. "I will send word to all of them. Even those who may hesitate or those whose strength has waned. Lechia’s banners may be scattered, but loyalty still lives in corners of the world where the usurpers’ eyes have not reached."

"Good," the King answered. "We cannot afford pride in this moment. The usurpers will unleash horrors unlike anything the continent has seen in centuries. They will not spare the weak. So neither can we spare our hesitation."

The Empress gave a small nod, her veil shifting with the movement. "Then let us gather the last embers of resistance before darkness consumes the rest."

The King placed a hand briefly on Lucas’s shoulder, a gesture filled with trust. "Go. Prepare. War is no longer on the horizon. It has already reached our gate."

The Empress turned to leave as well, her steps measured and regal, already planning the messages she would send across continents and mountains.

And as Lucas walked out of the chamber, he felt the weight of destiny settling onto his shoulders once again...heavy, cold, and inevitable.

Valerion was preparing for war. A war that would decide the fate of nations. A war where not everyone would return.

After nearly an hour of heavy discussion, the atmosphere in the throne hall settled into grim determination. Messengers were already sprinting through the palace corridors to execute the king’s orders.

Lucas excused himself and walked out of the throne room.

Once he stepped outside, he headed straight to where the royal carriage stood by, he gave the order to head to the Alden estate.

Lucas climbed in, the carriage moved, wheels crunching over stone, then transitioning into the main road.

After a short but steady ride, the carriage slowed in front of the Alden estate.

Lucas stepped into the Alden estate...the familiar scent of the place which he got from fragments of Xavier’s memories...some warm, many bitter. He exhaled softly. This is home now, he reminded himself. These are my parents.

Before he could take another step, Lady Mariana Alden rushed in.

"Xavier!" she cried, her voice trembling.

Elder Gideon wasn’t far behind, his usually stern expression cracking with visible relief.

They reached him...his mother cupping his face as if to confirm he wasn’t an illusion, his father gripping his shoulder firmly.

"You’re awake... you’re back..." Lady Mariana whispered, tears already welling.

Lucas smiled gently. "I’m sorry for worrying you both. The seclusion lasted longer than expected."

"Longer?" Elder Gideon exhaled sharply. "Xavier, you were in seclusion for months. Half the estate thought you were going to die a third time."

Lady Mariana shot her husband a glare. "Don’t say such things!"

Lucas chuckled lightly. "But I’m here. And stronger than ever."

Their relief lasted only moments before Lucas’ expression turned serious...too serious.

"I came to tell you something important."

"I’ll be going to war," Lucas said.

Lady Mariana froze completely.

"What... did you say?" she whispered, voice cracking instantly.

Elder Gideon straightened. "War? Has His Majesty declared..."

"The usurpers have taken Lechia. Rus is under siege. Valerion is preparing for a full-scale campaign. I... have to fight." Lucas’ voice was calm, steady, certain.

Lady Mariana staggered back a step as if struck. "No. No, absolutely not. You just returned to us. You’re still so young. I won’t let you...."

Elder Gideon placed a hand over hers, giving her a somber look. "Mariana... he’s a cultivator. A strong one. And he’s our son. Valerion needs him."

Lucas softened his tone. "Mother... I can make a difference. Maybe even turn the tide."

Lady Mariana shook her head violently. "Then I’ll go with you!" she snapped.

Both Lucas and Gideon stared at her.

"My son and husband going to war? And I should stay behind and wait to hear news of their deaths?" She trembled, voice thick with emotion. "I refuse!"

Elder Gideon sighed deeply. "Mariana, you know you can’t leave the estate unattended. And you’re not a frontline cultivator..."

"I can still help! I can heal! I can assist the wounded! I can..."

Lucas stepped close and gently took her hands. "Mother... I promise I will return. He paused, lowering his voice. "I’m stronger than before. Far stronger."

Mariana’s breath hitched. Even through her fear, she could sense the truth in his aura.

Still, tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Let me at least support you," she whispered. "Both of you. Let me prepare protective talismans, potions... anything to keep you safe."

Lucas smiled and pulled her into a hug.

"That would help more than you know."

Elder Gideon placed a hand on Lucas’ shoulder. "We’ll fight together. The Alden family will not stand idle while Valerion bleeds."

Mariana looked between her son and husband...two of the most important men in her life...and a deep, aching fear settled in her heart, but so did pride.