The corridors of the hidden command center were silent but for the distant hum of magic. In a secluded chamber lit only by the faint glow of enchanted orbs, Reyon and Princess Julie stood face-to-face. The tension in the room was palpable as they discussed their perilous plan to take down Berth—a plan that would shake the very foundations of the Classers.
Reyon's voice broke the silence, steady and resolute. "As you know, Miss Julie, Berth alone is fearsome. But before we can take him down, we must weaken his forces from within. There are five squads in total, and I have the advantage—I lead Squad 5."
He paced slowly before her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I've already defeated Cyrus. Without his leadership, Squad 1 is much weaker. I have a way to convince my men to come to our side so they can handle Squad 1 without much resistance."
Julie's eyes narrowed slightly as she listened, her mind already racing through the implications. "And what of the other squads?" she asked, her voice cool yet edged with concern.
Reyon's lips curved in a faint, confident smile. "Squads 2 and 3, when not on mission, are usually guarding Berth himself. Their numbers are strong, but if we can force them to stand aside, even a minimal force of royal guards could subdue them. As for you," he continued, his tone lowering, "you will take on a very special role. Disguise yourself as Emily, the reputed leader of Squad 4. Just take your squad away with you on a fabricated mission, ensuring they don't interfere with our real objective."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in the dim light. "I will first defeat the leaders of the 1st and 2nd squads. That way, Berth will be left isolated—alone, vulnerable. I will handle him then."
Julie crossed her arms, her expression guarded. "And after you kill him?"
Reyon met her gaze steadily. "After I dispatch Berth, I'll send you a signal. At that moment, you can send in the royal guards to take his body. The capture will be credited to the royal palace, solidifying our cause in the eyes of the kingdom."
A tense silence filled the chamber as both considered the plan. Julie's mind raced with calculations and the risks involved. The plan was audacious, but it was their best chance to turn the tide. Still, one burning question remained between them.
Reyon's tone became grave as he continued, "There is one more thing I must ask of you, Princess. As I take on Berth, I will be in great danger. I risk my life on this mission—and I need to be sure that after the fight, you won't take advantage of the situation to eradicate not only the corrupt but also the remnants of the Classers… and me."
Julie's eyes flashed as she absorbed his words. For a moment, her face betrayed a flicker of the ambition that had once driven her secret mission. Memories of betrayal, of orders that sacrificed the innocent, and of a kingdom corrupted by power threatened to surface. Yet, she maintained her composure, speaking slowly.
"Reyon," she said, "even though you might not be able to kill Berth outright, at the very least you'd be able to injure him enough for the Knight Commander to finish him off. It is far better than risking everything and having the Knight Commander—the sole pillar of the Kingdom of Elise—fall with Berth, weakening us all."
Reyon's gaze softened briefly, a rare glimpse of vulnerability crossing his features. "I understand your concerns, Julie. But we both know that if I fall, all our efforts will be in vain. I have come too far, and I cannot afford betrayal at this crucial moment."
She regarded him for a long moment, then spoke, her voice firm and resolute. "I promise that if you come out alive, I won't take advantage of that fight to exterminate the Classers. I won't let the power vacuum lead to needless bloodshed." Her words held a weight that spoke of more than just political necessity—it was a pledge that tied her honor to his survival.
Reyon stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Miss Julie, I don't mean empty words by promise. I mean a mana oath."
Julie blinked, startled. "What?! A mana oath? Do you want me to lose my magic?"
Reyon's eyes sparkled with a mix of seriousness and a hint of mischief. "You won't die as long as you keep your word. But if you break your oath, the price will be steep—your magic, your power, will vanish forever."
Silence reigned as Julie considered his offer. She knew the weight of a mana oath; such an oath was binding beyond mere words. The consequences were dire, irreversible. After a long moment, she slowly extended her right hand. Concentrating, she let the ancient energy within her flow outward. The air around her shimmered, and a faint golden light swirled around her hand—a visual manifestation of the oath being sealed.
"On the name of mana," she declared, her voice resonant with newfound determination, "I take this oath: I will not take advantage of your fight, nor will I use this opportunity to attack the Classers. If I break this promise, may I lose all of my mana and my magic forever."
A brilliant flash of light pulsed for an instant, then faded into a warm glow that suffused the room. Reyon inclined his head in acknowledgement. "Well, it's done then. Let's move forward to execute the plan."
Julie nodded, her expression resolute despite the weight of the promise. "Then we begin," she said softly, more to herself than to him.
The two stood in the half-light of the chamber, bound by a promise that went deeper than any spoken word. Their fates were now intertwined, their shared mission a dangerous dance on the edge of betrayal and redemption. In that moment, the stakes were clear: they would dismantle Berth's corrupt power from within, even if it meant risking everything.
Reyon's mind raced through the details once more—his plan was intricate, requiring absolute precision. His own squad, now partially swayed to his side, would move against Squad 1. The leaders of Squads 2 and 3, usually idle when not on mission, would be forced into submission by a minimal force of royal guards. Meanwhile, Julie, masquerading as Emily, would lead Squad 4 away from the action, ensuring that no conflicting orders interfered with his attack on Berth.
Every minute counted. The political chessboard was set, and the pieces were moving silently in the shadows. Reyon knew that once he engaged Berth, the balance of power would tip irrevocably, and the chaos that followed might either herald a new era or plunge the realm into darkness.
He stepped away from Julie, gathering his thoughts and mentally rehearsing the forthcoming confrontations. He envisioned his past life the faces of his men, the hardened warriors who had grown disillusioned with Berth's tyranny, now ready to fight under his command. He recalled the valor of those who had fallen, the sacrifices made, and the relentless hope that had kept the Classers together in the face of overwhelming corruption.
As he exited the chamber, his footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor—a rhythmic reminder of the approaching storm. Outside, the night was deep and still, as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation. Reyon glanced back once more at the sealed chamber where the oath had been made, feeling the weight of the promise settle on his shoulders. It was a vow that would bind him to a fate that he couldn't escape.
With determination in his eyes, Reyon made his way to his personal quarters to prepare for the mission ahead. Every detail had to be perfect: the coordination of his loyal men, the timing of the diversion, and the exact moment when he would strike. There was no room for error. but before that he has to go somewhere.
Meanwhile, in a secluded part of the palace, Julie reviewed there's no need to worry about mana oath as there is now way he could defeat berth he must have used some tricks to defeat a peak 7th circle mage lile cyrus without so much of a scratch, but his confidence does give me chills not to mention his capabilities a boy who is not even 20 possess ability to devise such schemes and that strength if he is allowed to grow he is sure to become one of the strongest 8th circle at that time kingdom of elise would be absorbed by him he must die in that fight and after some time i will personally eradicate the shame of kingdom the rebels, classers
To be continued....