Chapter 184

Chapter 184: Chapter 184

The fourth day was incredibly tense, and as the five suns of Flaeris dimmed on the fourth night, Dazark ordered that Lyvenor be locked down. The heavy guard gates dropped, and no one was allowed in or out.

Yet on the fifth day, smoke plumes rose to the skies.

Manor lords were targeted, as only the larger stables belonging to the lords remained. It drove Dazark mad, to have his city under siege by Hounds who were once no more than glorified war steeds.

And true to their words, neither of the other cities offered assistance. They stood idly by while Lyvenor was destroyed from within.

Perhaps if Dazark wasn’t clouded by fear and rage, he would have noticed that despite the constant attacks, only stables were targeted and innocent citizens were spared.

But the story of Ibaeron’s collapse had already sunk its claws into everyone, including the citizens. So when the city was fortified, trapping its citizens within while the dreaded walls of black smoke rose constantly, it sent them into a panic.

Grand Duke Dazark’s hand was forced, with both hands bound, there was no other choice but to lead a charge to the Deep Woods personally.

On the seventh day, the city of Lyvenor crumbled. With the Grand Duke dead and the majority of the noble families attacked, another Fiend city went up in flames.

Although another victory had been gained, Avalan was somber, grieving howls ringing out from the city being rebuilt. The Deep Woods was even more desolate, without being given the time to recover, more of the forest was destroyed, ancient trees reduced to ash.

Standing on the outskirts of Flaeris, Ibaeron’s fall didn’t cause the large waves of unease that Lyvenor’s destruction swept over Flaeris. The Wrath faction had lost two cities; naturally, the Chaos faction wouldn’t let this opportunity go by.

Across the Red Plains, to the north of Flaeris, Grand Duke Azranon had a secret meeting with two other Grand Dukes from the Chaos faction. Ashford and Thyrion hadn’t been invited; Ashford still believed in the olde Flaeris, where both factions could once again live in harmony and Thyrion was a loyal supporter.

Azranon’s black hair was kept out of his face with a silver crown, an evil glint in his purple-blue eyes as he sat at the round table with the other two Grand Dukes.

Unlike the beliefs of the weak, Azranon was more inclined toward the complete annihilation of the Wrath faction. Cohabitation was impossible, the red-skinned bastards were a disgrace to the race.

However, both factions had been more or less evenly matched; if anything, the Wrath faction had more of an upper hand. But now, with two cities up in flames, that balance had shifted.

"You want us to release the Hellhounds in captivity?" Grand Duke Kalraach repeated with a sneer, "I didn’t take you for a coward, Azranon."

Azranon merely smiled, unbothered by Kalraach’s disrespectful words. "The Hellhounds are but a means to an end." He said calmly, "After our goal is accomplished, you’re free to capture as many hounds as you wish..."

The last two cities of Southern Flaeris wouldn’t give in easily after all, far too proud to do so. Azranon’s pride was no less but it didn’t cloud his reasoning.

Grand Duke Razzith had been spared after the complete release of captive Hellhounds present in his city. The cards were already revealed to them, they simply had to play the right ones.

The third Grand Duke had remained quiet all the while Azranon and Kalraach bickered, but now he spoke up. "The Hellhounds are rather troublesome, to defeat Morkoth’s army, they’re not to be taken lightly."

Azranon grinned, sharp teeth flashing, "The title ’Chaos’ faction was coined by the red-skinned devils. Embrace it, Sylros. Embrace the chaos."

Grand Duke Sylros wore a bored expression, he couldn’t dispute Azranon’s words so he fell silent, the silence acknowledged his agreement.

To make temporary peace with Avalan and lead an attack on the weakened cities of Southern Flaeris in the aftermath. Essentially taking advantage of the chaos to gain an upper hand.

-+-

The letter from Grand Duke Azranon did not surprise Caedos, but he never stopped being cautious. Fortunately, Flaeris was split in two, or it would have been impossible to gain domination over it. However, the threat of cities allying to attack still hung heavy over them.

The letter was an invitation, and naturally, Caedos had to honor it.

The Deep Woods were battered and the Demons living within them were no better. Captain Ardan had frowned at the information in the letter, they had just fought a battle a few days ago, and even the Prince was yet to fully recover.

But his Highness didn’t ask for his opinion, so he pushed down his dissents and readied himself to accompany the Prince.

In a scant few hours, he wore a blank expression as he oversaw the return of released Hellhounds into the portal. Yet to come to terms with it despite experiencing it.

He glanced over at the other captains who also stood next to portals they kept open, watching freed Hellhounds troop into them.

Prince Caedos’ portal was the largest, the Demons being returned home staring at him in complete reverence.

Caedos barely noticed the attention, unexpressive, it was difficult to tell that he was deep in thought. Grand Duke Azranon hadn’t met them in person, and it was perhaps fortunate.

He had little to do with the Grand Duke anyway, the news that three Chaos faction cities had agreed to release their captive Hellhounds held the most importance, it mattered little who relayed it to him.

Caedos knew that there was more at play, but he would take this outcome over three cities allying to attack Avalan. They had been fortunate thus, but luck was a fickle thing.

One loss, only a single loss would crush the little sapling that was Avalan.

By the end of the day, their numbers had tripled, Avalan was bustling again, Hellhounds wandering their homes in a daze, like they had yet to fully come to terms with their sudden freedom.