Chapter 84: The Imperial Expedition Corps

The eastern gate of Dragonspire Fortress stood open.

Hundreds of soldiers marched through its massive iron doors.

Banners representing every Imperial Legion fluttered proudly in the morning wind.

The Imperial Expedition Corps had gathered.

This wasn't an army assembled for conquest.

It was a force created to explore the unknown.

To investigate monster outbreaks.

To reclaim forgotten ruins.

To protect Imperial citizens beyond the reach of permanent garrisons.

Kael slowed his horse.

His fifty Black Dragons followed in disciplined formation.

As they approached the staging grounds...

Walter let out a low whistle.

"...That's a lot of people."

Rows upon rows of tents stretched across the valley.

Engineers.

Scouts.

Knights.

Healers.

Mages.

Supply caravans.

More than two thousand people bustled through the temporary camp.

Leon looked around.

"This isn't just a military expedition."

Darius nodded.

"It's practically a moving fortress."

Meeting the Command

An officer approached their formation.

His armor bore three silver stars upon the shoulder.

He looked to be in his early forties.

Scarred.

Calm.

Experienced.

He saluted.

"Tenth Prince."

"I'm Colonel Gareth Valen."

"I'll be coordinating the expedition."

Kael returned the salute.

"An honor."

The colonel studied the Black Dragons.

"You've made quite a reputation."

Walter smiled proudly.

Kael ignored him.

"I've heard about Ironridge."

The colonel continued.

"My condolences for your sword."

Kael looked surprised.

"You heard?"

Gareth chuckled.

"News travels quickly among soldiers."

"A swordsman losing a trusted blade..."

"...is something every veteran understands."

The Briefing

A large map covered the command table.

Senior officers gathered around.

Kael was invited to join.

Several nobles immediately noticed.

Some frowned.

A prince attending a command briefing was unusual.

Colonel Gareth pointed toward the Crimson Highlands.

"Our scouts have confirmed something strange."

He placed several wooden markers across the map.

"Monster populations normally fight one another over territory."

"This time..."

"They're running."

Silence filled the tent.

General Magnus, who had arrived earlier that morning, folded his arms.

"Running from what?"

"No survivor knows."

Gareth answered honestly.

"But every attack is moving west."

"Toward Imperial territory."

He moved another marker.

"This village was attacked."

Another.

"Three days later..."

"This one."

Another.

"Then another."

Leon frowned.

"They aren't random."

"No."

Kael agreed.

"They're being displaced."

The colonel looked at Kael with interest.

"Exactly."

Mission Structure

Colonel Gareth continued.

"The Expedition Corps will divide into multiple units."

"The main force secures the roads."

"Scouts investigate ruins."

"Knights eliminate major threats."

Then he looked directly at Kael.

"The Black Dragon Company will operate independently."

Walter nearly smiled from ear to ear.

Independent operations.

Exactly what Kael wanted.

"You'll investigate reports from villages the main army can't immediately reach."

"If you discover anything unusual..."

"Signal immediately."

Kael nodded.

"We understand."

Camp Life

By evening...

The expedition camp resembled a small city.

Campfires burned across the valley.

Smiths repaired equipment.

Healers treated minor injuries.

Soldiers laughed over dinner.

Others sharpened weapons in silence.

Walter carried two bowls of stew.

He handed one to Kael.

"...You know..."

"This is nice."

Kael accepted the bowl.

"What is?"

"No one's trying to kill us."

Leon walked by.

"Give it until tomorrow."

Walter sighed.

"...There it is."

Laughter spread around their fire.

Branch Families

Several young officers approached cautiously.

One bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness."

Kael looked up.

"Yes?"

The officer hesitated.

"We wanted to thank you."

Another stepped forward.

"Our families heard about what you did."

"What happened at the trials?"

"About promotions."

Kael remained quiet.

"My grandfather serves a branch family."

The young officer continued.

"He said..."

"...for the first time..."

"...someone from the Imperial Family looked at us as people."

The surrounding officers nodded.

None of them wore famous family crests.

Some belonged to forgotten cadet branches.

Others were sons of ordinary knights.

Kael smiled slightly.

"Earn your achievements."

"The rest will follow."

The officers saluted together.

"We will."

As they walked away...

Darius watched silently.

"Word spreads faster than armies."

Kael nodded.

"And expectations spread even faster."

The Black Egg

Late that night...

Kael sat alone outside his tent.

The mysterious black egg rested beside him.

The moonlight reflected off its smooth shell.

Thump...

The heartbeat echoed softly.

Kael frowned.

"It's more active."

He gently placed his hand against it.

The shell felt warmer than before.

Almost...

Comforting.

Then—

A tiny pulse of blue light escaped through one of the silver veins.

It disappeared almost instantly.

The system reacted.

Unknown Lifeform

Growth Progress:

1%

Further analysis is unavailable.

Growth condition fulfilled:

Witnessing Unity

The notification vanished.

Kael stared at it.

"Witnessing... unity?"

He thought back.

Ironridge.

His soldiers.

The officers from the branch families.

The egg wasn't reacting to battle.

It was reacting to people coming together.

"What exactly are you?"

No answer came.

Only another slow heartbeat.

The Crimson Highlands

Miles away...

Far beyond the Imperial camp...

A mountain trembled.

Deep inside an ancient cavern...

Thousands of glowing eyes opened.

Creatures of every shape and size crowded together.

Dire wolves.

Stone trolls.

Horned boars.

Shadow panthers.

Creatures that should have been killing one another...

Instead, he stood silently.

Watching.

Waiting.

At the very center of the cavern...

Something enormous shifted in the darkness.

A single crimson eye slowly opened.

Its pupil narrowed.

It wasn't a demon.

It wasn't a dragon.

It wasn't any creature recorded in the Empire's history.

The ground shook as it took one slow breath.

Outside...

Every monster in the Highlands bowed their heads.

The hunt...

Was about to begin.