News of Vargan's death spread quietly, but the political winds moved quickly.
Within weeks, the King of Eldoria sent formal word to Valerion. Tensions were rising across the borders, and whispers of war were growing louder. What had once been scattered threats were beginning to form patterns.
In the grand hall of Eldoria, beneath hanging banners of silver and blue, two rulers met.
The King of Eldoria stood calm and measured. Across from him stood the King of Valerion—older, sterner, but visibly grateful for Eldoria's support after recent events.
"The enemy we face is not reckless," the King of Eldoria said. "They are calculating."
The King of Valerion nodded. "Caldryn has been gathering forces near our eastern borders. Quietly. Too quietly."
The name alone carried weight.
Caldryn.
A kingdom known for strategy, secrecy, and sudden strikes.
After hours of discussion, the decision was made.
Eldoria and Valerion would support one another—militarily and strategically. Supplies, intelligence, and fighters would be shared. If Caldryn moved against one, both would respond.
A pact was sealed.
And with that pact came responsibility.
Ace stood beside Amagi when the decision reached them.
"You two are our strongest frontline fighters," the King of Eldoria stated. "But strength alone will not win this."
The King of Valerion added, "We need information. Numbers. Command structure. Intentions."
Ace's eyes sharpened.
"You want us to scout Caldryn," he said.
"Yes," Amagi answered calmly. "Not to fight. To observe."
The mission was clear: infiltrate near Caldryn's outer territories, gather intelligence, confirm whether an ambush against Valerion was truly being prepared—and return without revealing themselves.
That night, Ace stood alone on the balcony overlooking Eldoria.
War.
He had trained to protect people, not to stand between kingdoms.
Amagi joined him quietly.
"This won't be like forest battles," Amagi said. "Caldryn values traps and layered defenses."
Ace nodded. "Then we won't rush."
Shark's Fin for movement.
Snake's Tail for counters.
Controlled spell percentages for endurance.
He was no longer just a student.
At dawn, the two warriors departed—traveling light, cloaked in neutral colors, carrying only essential supplies.
Ahead of them lay Caldryn.
And if the rumors were true—
This mission would decide whether Valerion stood prepared…
Or walked blindly into destruction.