Age of Adventure

"Your majesty we have sent the letters to the other nations." The messenger is kneeling in front of the throne reporting on what he has instructed them to do.

And one of those task is the sending of his letters and his apologies to the Alliance.

’Every nation?’ he inquired again seeking for confirmation

’Yes’

Hah he sighed and then he nodded. Finally, that is over.

’You may go’ he said to the messenger gesturing him to leave

The messenger nodded and went outside

He gets up from the throne and began walking to the balcony of his castle.

Step by step he walked to the balcony. The balcony is a concrete ledge, square clean edges and newly built rail. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

It is a place where he goes to see his city and clear his mind. He saw the statue on the side and shake his head.

The statues were carved by famous carver and sculptor and occupy the balcony space but not too suffocating that it would hinder him to enjoy the view of the city, but instead it gives him a sense of satisfaction.

He has always been a fan of art. The gentle breeze of the wind, the heat of the sun and sometimes even the misty rain.

He embraces it all.

Below, the city flowed and ebb like a wave, wave of people, his people living their lives, bustling and alive.

Sitting on this balcony, somehow he became an observer. And for a moment he is not troubled by its strife.

He looked up and see the clear blue sky. The sun today is not too hot. The wind comforting, the scent marks the beginning of spring

he looked outside and he could see all the temples dedicated to all the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus

The Temple of Hera, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. Beautiful and mighty. Does the Gods lose their powers?

Even with all of their combined efforts from the Faith yet the Holy Empire still stand. He sighed

Then he heard footsteps behind him and he turns around

’Father. ’

Even before he turned back he know who that is. This deep voice could only belong to his son Pollux.

’Pollux what are you doing home?’

Just a couple day ago Pollux volunteer to lead a vanguard to aid the ongoing battle, the holy war against the Church of light.

’Father. Brother believe that you were about to call off the Holy War. Please tell me it is not true’ he asks

’It seems Castor already guessed my intention’ as Vrandeus mused

He entered back the throne room and sit at his throne. Pollux seeing his father in silence follow behind him silently.

"Father do you need help?" he asked eager to help. Vrandeus could see it in his eyes.... But no...this is not his burden to bear.

Vrandeus chuckled inside....

’It seems the young will inherit. I’m old and decrepit...Soon, I will meet Hades and then it will be Castor that sits here.’

Vrandeus hold the handle of the throne chair.... And he could not help but thought that Someday it will be his son that sits here.

’No, go rest my son. You have .... suffered greatly for our faith now. Go. Rest. Eat.’

Pollux hesitated but then he nodded and exited the throne room. When he leaves the room Vrandeus sighed

It seems the only thing he did now is sighing. He can still feel the black ink in his fingers.

The holy war has been called back; the holy crusade is a failure.

Right now they are retreating and withdrawing while Zeus the unspoken leader of the alliance is trapped under Ariana trick in a marsh somewhere in Zun, though report suggest that Zeus is planning something to break out

Whether that is true or not, the holy war is ended.

For now, they will regroup and think of a new plan... and tomorrow Ariana proxy will come to the capital of Duvar to sign a peace treaty.

Not to mention the moment they retreated Ariana swiftly march to Nero and annexed the Kingdom, while leaving Zeus to her general

It is a total defeat.

They can march to Arian, pushing on despite the circumstances but then who knows if Vanheim decide the other nation is too weak and begin marching on their country and pick up the pieces.

All of the countries that follow in the Holy War has begun retreating their soldier fearing that Vanheim is strong enough to attack them.

He however has nothing to worry about. George son is married to his daughter. He will not attack his in-laws.

But the Holy war? The first of its kind?

It is a failure.

It seems the Church of Light will survive and become stronger. Many of the common folk and even some of the elite has begun accepting this new religion, some practiced it secretly, others openly.

And their influence is spreading. All he can do now is wait

The economic blowback and the war with the Empire really cost the Alliance of the Righteous a lot of loss, militarily and economically.

With Vanheim controlling the entire East it is only a matter of time, before George march here and claims himself Emperor.

But George will find himself a contender here. Vrandeus doubt Zeus would just sit still in their castle when George declares his intention.

To be honest the Kingdom were not really North as they were west, but the past King determined to distance themselves from the other Kingdom refer themselves as the North

Their military power is also depleted like other countries so the other countries don’t have to worries about being attacked or annexed by Veva not to mention the ongoing revolt that is happening in his country right now.

In the East however a new Kingdom is formed.

The Great Orc Gruk has finally managed to unite all the tribes of Orcs and humans living there and create his own Kingdom, under the protection of Vanheim, not to mention being supported militarily by Bradheim who guarded the border.

Their economy is controlled by most of the key players in Vanheim politics.

Mostly from Darius and Thornleaf those two merchants that is having the biggest hold in the new Kingdom.

Not that Gruk cares.

He has one of the greatest marauders group, and strong, their military has strong cavalry which is also supplied by Vanheim.

Vanheim will recognize and treats the Orc Kingdom with all of its full right intact as long as the Orc Kingdom, help them in their battle.

Most Orcs make money from mercenary work and in this time of war, gold and opportunities is abound.

Vrandeus looked at the sinking sun in the distance. The birds are returning and people are going home

The scintillating sun, the wonders that the Gods bestowed upon all slowly it began sinking, as the colors beginning to fade.

Night is coming and darkness roam. Too many wars and too many bloods have been spilled in this Holy War. He hopes the age of his children will be different

He began to rise up from his chair when suddenly the room was barge in by a messenger, his face pale, his cloth drenched by a sweat

"Your majesty" he said nervously, trembling. Even Vrandeus feel startled by his appearance.

’Calm down what happen?’ he said. He saw the urgency in the messenger expression

’The...re is someone out there that wanted to meet you’ he said stuttering his word

’Who?’ the messenger gulped and take a breath before saying a name that shock Vrandeus too

’Aero of the East’

And then the door opens as one person strode in the Throne Room with a smile.

’It has been a long time, Your Grace’ And Aero bows to Vrandeus.

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