Within three days of the battle at Crescent Moon Canyon, the presses in Solmere barely stopped turning.
Ink-stained workers rushed stacks of newspapers into wagons as fast as the machines could produce them.
By the end of the week, copies had spread across the United Kingdoms, the Elven territories, and even into the outer provinces of the Empire.
Most readers devoured the stories.
Some believed them completely.
Others suspected exaggeration.
But no one doubted the headline.
THE UNITED KINGDOM ARMY DESTROYS IMPERIAL INVASION
10,000 Imperial Soldiers Defeated in Crescent Moon Canyon
By Staff Reporter – Solmere Herald
Witnesses report that an invading Imperial force of nearly ten thousand soldiers was decisively defeated by the armed forces of the United Kingdoms earlier this week.
Sources claim the United Kingdom army deployed roughly one thousand elite troops, supported by powerful magical beasts and advanced battlefield tactics.
The Imperial force was reportedly routed within hours.
Survivors were later allowed to retreat after surrendering their weapons.
One eyewitness described the scene as:
"A perfectly executed ambush. The Empire walked straight into it."
Military officials declined to reveal the identities of the commanders responsible for the victory.
However, rumors suggest the operation was led by a coalition of United Kingdom strategists working in coordination with Solmere leadership.
SLAVE GUILD EXPOSED IN INVASION PLOT
Investigative Report – The Solmere Herald
Documents recovered from captured agents reveal that the Slave Guild played a significant role in the attempted invasion.
Evidence suggests the Guild provided false intelligence to the Empire and launched propaganda campaigns portraying Solmere as a dangerous military power.
The Guild allegedly attempted to justify the invasion by claiming Solmere was producing "weapons of mass destruction."
Officials in the United Kingdom have condemned the organization.
In response to the revelations, a historic decree has been announced.
Beginning thirty days from publication, the United Kingdoms will officially abolish slavery across all territories.
Any slave entering United Kingdom lands after that date will be recognized as free by law.
Those liberated will be given the choice to remain within the Kingdoms or pursue life elsewhere.
Political analysts are calling the decree one of the most significant reforms in modern history.
SAINT ZEE SAVES HUNDREDS
Humanitarian Spotlight
While the battle itself was devastating, witnesses report an extraordinary act of mercy afterward.
Zephrial of Solmere—now widely referred to by the public as "Saint Zee"—reportedly led medical teams that treated hundreds of wounded Imperial soldiers after the battle.
Witnesses claim she personally oversaw healing operations throughout the night, saving many lives that otherwise would have been lost.
One soldier who survived the battle reportedly said:
"They destroyed us in battle… and then they saved us."
Saint Zee has declined comment.
Not every article agreed on the details.
Some accounts claimed a hidden army had emerged from the canyon walls.
Others insisted the United Kingdom possessed magical beasts capable of leveling entire battalions.
A few writers even suggested that ancient dragons had joined the defense of Solmere.
Accuracy varied.
But the tone remained the same.
The United Kingdoms had won.
In the Elven Kingdom, King Aelthorin folded the newspaper slowly.
Across the table, Vaelrith leaned back in his chair.
"Thoughts?" the spy master asked.
The king gave a quiet chuckle.
"Most of this is nonsense."
Vaelrith nodded.
"But the outcome isn't."
They both looked down at the article again.
Ten thousand soldiers defeated.
One canyon.
One battle.
Vaelrith tapped the page.
"That was him."
The king didn't argue.
"Of course it was."
Back in Solmere, Brannic stood behind the counter of his forge reading the same story.
Merriweather leaned over his shoulder dramatically.
"Listen to this part!" she said excitedly.
'The United Kingdom deployed one thousand elite soldiers in a perfectly coordinated assault.'
Brannic snorted.
"One thousand, eh?"
Merriweather grinned.
"Well technically they aren't wrong."
He folded the paper.
"That boy did this."
She nodded proudly.
"Of course he did."
At the Darquebane estate, Nyxian finished reading the front page aloud.
Bunny's ears twitched.
"They think we have an entire army?"
Zee looked slightly embarrassed at her own article.
"Saint Zee?" she muttered. "Really?"
Jax leaned back in his chair, quietly sipping tea.
Nyxian glanced at him.
"You're awfully quiet."
He shrugged.
"Good."
Bunny blinked.
"Good?"
"The more they believe we have an army," Jax said calmly, "the less anyone will want to test it."
Nyxian smirked.
"Strategic misinformation."
Jax raised his cup slightly.
"Free marketing."
The Vixens burst out laughing.
Across the continent, readers finished the articles with the same conclusion.
Whether every detail was true or not didn't matter.
One thing was certain.
The United Kingdoms were no longer a fragile alliance of frontier towns.
They were a power.
And apparently—
They had an army capable of defeating the Empire itself.