Chapter 185

Chapter 185: Chapter 185

It took days for things to settle, injured Hellhounds were treated, the infirmary remaining in the castle. Lost family and loved ones reunited, the vines that wrapped around the city grew more vibrantly, leaves and flowers blooming.

Caedos sat in his study while the bustle went on, he was meeting them all for the first time, so no one was lost family or a loved one. Seven cities had been emptied of Hellhounds but only two of those cities were conquered.

Despite his unrivaled success, the danger was far from over.

"Your Highness?" Dilya broke into his thoughts with a polite knock. "There’s someone seeking an audience."

Caedos glanced at the door to his study, curious, save for his captains and Lady Dilya, the rest of the citizens simply watched him from afar. "Let them in."

Dilya stepped in first, and behind her was a towering Demon. There was a jagged scar running over one of his eyes, one of his dark ears nestled in his short hair torn and ragged.

"Your Highness, General Urien." Lady Dilya introduced, she visibly deferred to the scarred Hellhound, hastily taking her leave.

The name was unfamiliar to Caedos but the title of General wasn’t one that was generously given. He rose to his feet in a show of respect, surprised that a powerful figure from the past had managed to survive until the present.

Urien went down on one knee, a fist to his heart to show his loyalty. "Your Highness."

"Rise," Caedos said immediately, taking his seat.

"King Gladius and Queen Floris foresaw this day," Urien rose to his feet as he was directed, his dark eyes almost seemed misted over.

Caedos’ shoulders tensed at the mention of his parents, loath to remember that to save him, they had to sacrifice themselves. "You should rest and recover..." He started to say, intending to dismiss the old general before he began reminiscing.

"In Azranon’s stables, all I did was rest," Urien cut him off, he took a step closer, inviting himself to take a seat. "He led the charge to k-kill your parents..." Despite his intense demeanor, his voice cracked on his words.

Caedos fell silent, his expression measured, revealing nothing of the fire in his veins. "That is my grudge to carry," He said calmly.

Avalan was far too weak, aggravating their enemies would only hasten their demise.

Urien looked like he wanted to say more but he fell quiet, respect shining in his once dim eyes. He could see how the heir to the throne had accomplished such a grand feat in a mere handful of months.

"Then... about your coronation," Urien began, some of his disapproval showing on his scarred face. Learning that the Crown Prince had yet to take the throne had been devastating.

"Three cities still possess captured Hellhounds," Caedos swiftly changed the conversation.

Urien fell for it, falling back into his old position with ease. "Chaos faction city, Thyrion would likely offer a peace treaty," He sat up straighter, "The Wrath faction cities however would be troublesome."

Caedos listened intently, although General Urien’s knowledge of the cities was from before his capture, the patterns he had experienced matched the general’s words. All four of the five cities of Northern Flaeris had offered peace treaties, Ashford hadn’t even offered a treaty, they had simply released the captive Demons in their cities without prompting.

Meanwhile, two of three Wrath faction cities had launched an attack, the likely outcome was clear to see.

A battle did not worry him, war was the key to their shackles, but the fallout was troubling. Hellhounds who had only just regained their freedom forced to die to preserve it, as well as the rapidly deteriorating forest.

With the departure of the old general came a report of a letter. The next city to be liberated was Drevalis, and with the influx of rescued Hellhounds, the army ranks were filled to bursting.

It was evident that some of the most powerful Demons had been subjugated and taken by Azranon. Not only was there a general who survived from the Great War, but there were also a handful of nobility.

Thyrion had sent a letter indicating a peace agreement just as General Urien had predicted. Without delay, they made the trip to Thyrion.

This time, the Grand Duke met them in person, offering a genuine apology. It drew strange expressions from them because although the Grand Duke of Thyrion was a Fiend, he had no Hellhounds in his royal castle, and much like Ashford, the number of captive Hellhounds was few.

Soon, they were back in Avalan, the recently rescued Hellhounds were more lively than most, easily adapting once more to their home.

Caedos retired to his room for the night after eating his dinner alone. After living through the time when Avalan was completely devoid of life, it was difficult not to notice the noise.

Laughter and soft spoken conversation seemed to come from a distance, even his castle wasn’t empty although most Hellhounds now lived in the rebuilt city.

He stared at the vines running across the far wall of his room, a flower slowly blooming right under his gaze. He still intended to strike while the iron was hot, and it wasn’t due to impatience.

Before things progressed this far, he had been prepared for a long, drawn-out war spanning years. Morkoth had been incredibly beneficial to them without even knowing it, if the Fiend hadn’t threatened them with total annihilation right from the start, they would have followed the path of caution.

After the army ranks were consolidated, they would attack Drevalis. Although their numbers were more impressive now, tens of thousands of Hellhounds now inhabiting Avalan, given the choice, he would take the destruction of the Deep Woods over the death of more of his kind.

The moon wasn’t visible to him from where he lay but the silver light of the moon filled the room, softening the warmth of the burning candles.