Chapter 217: The Dragons Return

By now, the Black Banner’s leaders could neither continue comfortably nor bring themselves to stop.

In Ashvale, Colonel Dorian Hale spoke in a low voice.

"Lord Tervain, we’ve lost more than two hundred fearless Lords against Cassian. At least a million elite troops as well. I think he’s using the Capital’s battle spaces to harvest Battle Essence from our soldiers."

Dorian came from the same military family as his younger brother, Major Corvin Hale, whom Cassian had killed. Their grandfather was the Black Banner general commanding in Sector 632.

To ensure victory in the contest for the Governorship, Dorian had used an Advanced Relocation Writ to come to Tidecrown and take command of the military Lords.

"We can’t give up now!" Galen said hurriedly. "Look at our progress. We’re almost there!"

He pointed toward the broadcast.

"Every one of his Dragons is dead. Those Extreme troops are terrifying, but they’re physical fighters. Let them kill as many as they can. His other Heroes and troops are tiring too. A few more rounds, and the Governorship is ours!"

Dorian glanced at the time.

Midnight.

He understood the argument. But this war had been far harder than anyone expected. They had meant to crush the Crown within three hours. Instead, they had fought from noon until midnight. Even victory would leave them badly weakened.

Galen pressed on.

"Think of Tidecrown’s strategic position. And if we manage to kill Cassian as well... who will have done more for the Black Banner than you?"

Dorian’s eyes brightened. He gave a solemn sigh.

"I ask for no glory. Securing the Governorship will be enough. If we fail even at that, I’ll have no choice but to cut open my own belly."

Then he gave an order.

"Prepare the next battle."

Another military Lord gathered his reinforcements, opened a broadcast, and waited for Cassian to attack.

The commanders found themselves worrying that Cassian might change his mind. If he gave up farming Battle Essence and started slaughtering less heavily defended Lords, what could they do?

Light flashed in the new broadcast. Cassian appeared outside the waiting Domain.

Dorian relaxed.

"Fortunately, he’s too stubborn to—"

"Impossible!"

Galen sprang to his feet.

"We killed every Dragon! An illusion. This has to be an illusion!"

Dorian looked more closely and froze.

Twelve immense bodies unfolded in the sky. The Dragons they had spent a million troops killing were flying again.

Nine towered over the others. To bring her down, they had used dozens of precious Epic magic scrolls.

Both men desperately wanted to believe they were looking at an illusion.

Then Black Hole appeared on the battlefield.

"It’s over."

Sweat covered Dorian’s forehead. He sank against the table.

"He made them show those huge bodies to draw our fire. He wanted us to think we were achieving something. He really has been farming our soldiers for Battle Essence."

His voice shook.

"A life-imprint skill? Some rare means of bringing them back? He played us all."

Galen refused to accept it.

"We’re still far ahead! A few more hours, and we can take the Governorship. Then we’ll join forces with the older-sector Lords who just descended and kill him!"

It was not courage keeping him in the fight. The thought of losing a Governor’s seat that had been almost within his grasp hurt too much.

Besides, other people were doing the dying.

"It’s no use," Dorian murmured. "The battlefield was already turning against us. With the Dragons back, we can’t reverse it."

He was right.

The Black Banner Lords did not know how Cassian had done it. They only knew that the enemies they had sacrificed so much to kill were alive again.

Their morale collapsed.

The Crown’s broadcasts erupted in cheers. Even Mercer, Corin, and Lydia forgot their usual composure.

[He was farming Battle Essence during the fight for the Governorship! Incredible!]

[Now you know why he has a thousand combat troops while the rest of us struggle to raise three or four hundred. He never wastes a chance to earn more!]

[That should finish their fighting spirit!]

[We’ve won! We actually won a contest that should have been impossible!]

[One man against a Province. Cassian the Provincebreaker!]

[Giving the boss nicknames now? Careful, he might make you regret it. Though I have to admit, that one sounds good!]

The Dragons were Cassian’s most popular troops, the force everyone associated with him. They had saved the Crown’s strongest Lords at the Fortune Temple, then fought beside Riftward’s Lords against the older-sector invasion.

People in his Region often saw them passing overhead. There were even calls to make medals for them and grant them Crown citizenship.

Now, watching those familiar shapes return, some of Riftward’s women openly cried with relief.

Elara was crying too. She had fought beside Nine and the other Dragons. When Nine first appeared in the broadcast, she had recognized her at once and marveled at how much stronger she had become.

Then she had watched her fall.

"Nine’s alive. Thank goodness."

Elara wiped her eyes, laughing through the tears.

"That wretch Cassian. He made me grieve for nothing."

With the Dragons back and the Stormlance killing whatever stood in their way, the Black Banner’s resistance broke.

Three more hours passed.

[Current Occupation Progress:]

[1. Galen Tervain — 83%.]

[2. Cassian Vale — 63%.]

The Crown was still behind. But anyone who could read the figures knew which side would win. In three hours, Galen had gained only four percentage points.

Darian laughed aloud.

"Cassian, damn it. This time you’ve really convinced me!"

Maren opened her mouth to remind him of his manners, then smiled instead.

"Let him enjoy it. After a miracle like that, even a heart with thousands of years behind it can get excited."

Bren, who had been quiet throughout, suddenly spoke.

"There aren’t many people I admire. Lord Edran. My clan uncle. A few others. Now I can add Cassian Vale. I hope he survives what lies ahead."

Maren glanced at him in surprise. She knew which uncle he meant: the Mythic Lord who had advanced through the path of slaughter. Bren had placed Cassian in extraordinary company.

A message from Selene appeared.

[Selene Rook: Lord Cassian, I trust you won’t take offense at my little joke earlier. The Crown and Dawn Coast share the same blood, after all. Generosity is one of our finest qualities.]

She had gone from arrogance to pleading without giving up the chance to praise herself. Jeers answered her from every side.

Nessa had disliked her for a long time.

[Nessa Fenwick: You want to be tough, but you don’t dare. You want to beg, but you can’t bear to lose face. So now you’re trying to shame him into forgiving you. All that conceit, and all that insecurity.]

Selene nearly choked with anger.

Arun yielded too.

[Arun Varma: The Realm belongs to all Lords. Lord Cassian, as fellow Humans of the Homeworld, we ask that you allow us to remain and develop in Tidecrown.]

Coldridge had chosen a new representative since Austin’s departure. That Lord hurried to speak as well.

[The Beacon League and the Crown have always been allies. Surely Lord Cassian won’t disappoint his friends?]

Alexei sounded somewhat more sincere.

[Alexei Petrov: To our friends in the Crown, I apologize. My decision affected every Lord in our Marches. Under that pressure, I agreed to the Black Banner’s demand that we remain neutral.]

[Alexei Petrov: That decision was mine alone. I’ll accept the punishment. But please let the other Northbear Lords stay in Tidecrown. We are willing to pay the market rate for residence and stand with the Crown from now on.]

One by one, Galen watched his allies turn away from him. He could no longer deny what was happening.

"Damn Cassian! Why does he have to be this strong? Why couldn’t he have come back after the contest?"

A thought struck him. He straightened abruptly.

"Colonel, if there’s nothing else, I’ll relocate out of Tidecrown."

If the Governorship was lost, he had no reason to stay.

The second wave of older-sector Lords had arrived, but they had badly underestimated Cassian and Riftward. With several House Frost Lords supporting the Crown as well, the reinforcements might not be enough.

By the time a third wave came, weeds could be growing over his grave.

Dorian had regained his composure.

"Leave?"

He glanced at Galen.

"No one leaves without the military’s permission. Anyone who does will be treated as a deserter and court-martialed."

Galen’s expression changed.

"What is that supposed to mean? You call me a deserter? A moment ago, you were promising to kill yourself. Shall I stand behind you with a sword and make sure you finish?"

Dorian stiffened. Of all the things the fool could bring up.

He held his anger in check.

"I’ve just received secret orders from the war sector. We are to remain in Tidecrown and do everything possible to stop Cassian from entering the Contest of Champions."

"Stop him from entering?"

Galen stared. He might be frightened, but he was not stupid.

"The Skyreach Tower! You mean Skyreach Points?"