In the two weeks since Jax and the Vixens had returned to Solmere, the talk across the entire United Kingdoms had been about one thing.
The event now widely referred to as The Main Street Massacre of Alexandria.
Of course, the Empire called it something different.
According to their proclamations and propaganda, it had been Liberation Week—the glorious moment when the Empire rooted out traitors and dissenters who had supposedly conspired against the crown.
Official Empire announcements claimed the executions had saved the kingdom from chaos.
But outside of the Empire's borders, the story sounded very different.
Many people across the continent had begun questioning the Empire's version of events.
Even some citizens inside their territory were starting to doubt the narrative.
Still, Jax knew something many others were only beginning to suspect.
The Empire would strike again.
It was only a matter of time.
Inside Solmere's growing council hall, the leadership of the United Kingdoms gathered for their weekly meeting.
The hall itself had once been a modest administrative building.
Now it had been expanded twice to accommodate representatives from the rapidly growing alliance of cities.
Large maps of the continent covered the walls.
Trade routes, portals, and supply lines were marked in bright ink.
Jax stood near the central table as discussions began.
Around him sat leaders from several major settlements across the United Kingdoms.
Llandra's father, King Althandor of the Elven Kingdom, was present as usual.
Aurabelle's family had also begun taking a more active role in regional leadership.
Her oldest brother, Kieren, now represented the Rabbitkin communities on the council.
The mix of species around the room would have been unthinkable in the Empire.
Humans.
Elves.
Rabbitkin.
Beastkin.
And several others.
All sitting at the same table.
King Althandor leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers steepled thoughtfully.
"The Empire will not allow this humiliation to stand," he said calmly.
"They executed over a thousand of their own soldiers to preserve their narrative."
"That level of desperation rarely ends quietly."
Several council members nodded.
Kieren crossed his arms.
"My people have heard the same rumors," he said.
"Many believe another army is already being prepared."
Jax nodded slowly.
"They will come again."
He said it plainly.
No dramatics.
Just certainty.
"But next time they won't make the same mistake."
He pointed to the map on the table.
"They underestimated us once."
"They won't do it again."
A human merchant leader from Crescent City spoke up.
"So what do we do?"
Jax leaned forward slightly.
"We stop reacting."
The room grew quiet.
"We start anticipating."
King Althandor's eyebrow lifted with interest.
"Go on."
Jax tapped a section of the map.
"When I threatened the Slave Guild last year, I started something of a… spy network."
Several council members chuckled.
"Yes," Kieren said.
"We heard about that."
Jax shrugged.
"It wasn't really organized."
"It was more of a 'see something, say something' approach."
"Travelers, merchants, caravan guards."
"Anyone who noticed something unusual could report it."
He looked around the room.
"It worked surprisingly well."
King Althandor nodded.
"Grassroots intelligence can often outperform structured networks."
"But the Empire's intelligence network is far more sophisticated."
Jax nodded.
"That's exactly why we need something better."
Jax turned to face the room fully.
"I propose we develop two systems."
"First—a counter-intelligence network."
"Second—our own spy network."
Several leaders leaned forward with interest.
"The Empire and the Slave Guild made a major mistake when they tried to infiltrate Beastkin communities," Jax continued.
"They assumed Beastkin would cooperate."
Kieren snorted.
"That was never going to happen."
Jax nodded.
"Exactly."
"Instead, they accidentally created double agents."
Murmurs spread across the council table.
King Althandor's eyes sharpened.
"You're saying those agents are still active?"
Jax smiled slightly.
"Oh yes."
"And many of them are still being trusted."
One of the council members leaned forward cautiously.
"But if the Empire has someone like General Korvin running their intelligence operations…"
The room grew slightly more tense.
Everyone knew that name.
Korvin's reputation for espionage and infiltration was legendary.
"He's clever," Jax admitted.
"He'll suspect leaks eventually."
"Maybe he already does."
Kieren frowned.
"So what happens when he finds them?"
Jax's smile widened slightly.
"That's the fun part."
Several council members leaned closer.
"We give him someone else to find."
Silence filled the room.
King Althandor began to smile.
"You intend to feed him false victories."
Jax nodded.
"Exactly."
"We identify spies who aren't particularly useful."
"Then we let those people leak information."
"But only information that we want the Empire to have."
A merchant leader laughed softly.
"You're planning to trick the Empire into believing their spies are successful."
"Exactly."
"And while they celebrate their intelligence victories…"
"We quietly control the narrative."
King Althandor chuckled approvingly.
"Deception layered within deception."
"Impressive."
A slender Beastkin representative raised a hand.
"The Cat Clans might be able to assist with this."
Jax looked over.
"The Cat Clans?"
The representative nodded.
"Our cities developed intelligence networks years ago."
"Mostly for survival."
Kieren grinned.
"Translation: they've been spying on everyone for generations."
The room laughed.
Jax leaned back thoughtfully.
"So you already have trained agents?"
The representative nodded.
"And specialists."
"Experts in stealth."
"Information gathering."
"And infiltration."
Jax rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"In other words…"
He smiled slightly.
"Ninjas."
The representative blinked.
"...I suppose that is one way to describe them."
Jax chuckled.
In his own mind, he had a different name.
Cat Burglars.
But he kept that thought to himself.
King Althandor turned toward the representative.
"Is there anyone among your agents particularly suited for delicate missions?"
The representative hesitated briefly.
"There is one name."
The room grew quiet.
"A shadow operative who has handled extremely sensitive assignments before."
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"What's their name?"
The representative answered simply.
"Kunari."
Jax nodded thoughtfully.
"Good."
"Keep that name in mind."
"For now, let's continue building the network."
The council meeting continued late into the evening.
Plans were drafted.
Communication routes established.
Double agents identified.
And the foundation of the United Kingdom's intelligence network began to take shape.
It would take time.
But it was a start.
Because if the Empire wanted a shadow war…
The United Kingdoms would be ready.
And this time—
They would not be fighting blind.