Chapter 85 Avalonia''s army


    In those moments of reprieve, when the clear sky held no hint of clouds, it''s worth pondering the origins of this peaceful atmosphere. Groans and the nging of metal, apanied by trembling earth, marked the residents of the city of Sedyon.


    "My Lord, an unidentified army is approaching us!" A loud cry echoed in the mayor''s office, leaving all city officials stunned.


    Adam pushed his chair back and stood up, approaching the window that revealed a distant cloud of dust and the apanying mor. Narrowing his eyes, he adjusted his vision and managed to see them up close.


    "Emblem... Crossed swords and a dove?" Adam frowned, turning to Amarantha, who seemed to have grasped something. "From your expression, it seems you''ve concluded."


    "Yes." Amarantha nodded briefly and furrowed her brow. "It''s the emblem of Avalonia, and it appears to be one of their main knightly orders. We need to secure our defenses immediately."


    Amarantha''s gaze shifted to ra, who nodded briefly and closed her eyes, retrieving a light blue token with red patterns from her breast pocket. Her elven ears twitched, and her body lit up as powerful magical energy flowed into the token.


    "Activation," she murmured, opening her eyes, which now shone brightly due to the significant infusion of magic.


    Adam turned his gaze back to the window and saw a dome taking shape with each passing second. The dome consisted of threeyers, each subsequentyer thicker than thest.


    A Defense Dome. A top-level formation was created based on an item purchased by Adam.


    This formation was ten times superior and could withstand an attack from a practitioner at the Ascendant: demigod (SS-) level.


    "What are their intentions?" Adam muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. Then, as if speaking to himself, he said, "Send scouts to gather information and determine their goals. Try to ascertain their intentions without incurring losses. Return and report as soon as possible."


    "Understood!"


    Shadows in the room suddenly diminished, and dozens of shadows leaped out of the open window. They were Amarantha''s subordinates. Turning to ra, Elyra, and Amarantha, as well as the person who brought the report, Adam appeared serious and somewhat tense.


    "We don''t know their intentions, and even if theye in peace, we mustn''t allow any chance of harm to our city and its residents. Dere a state of emergency, prohibit leaving homes, and strengthen the guards. Those on leisure must also participate. room.


    Refusal will indicate coboration with the enemy." Delivering his orders in one breath, Adam breathed heavily and sighed deeply, feeling the warm touch of his wives. "...Is themand clear?"


    "Yes, sir!" Bowing, the guard (who brought the news) exited the room.


    The tension was palpable, and Adam felt a sense of unease. A sh with Avalonia was possible, but it could lead to grave consequences for the city and considerable expenditures.


    "Amarantha, how many of them are there?" Adam turned to Amarantha, hoping it wouldn''t be a significantlyrge army.


    "More than fifty thousand. Average level - Higher path (7 wishes)." She frowned and bit her lower lip, sensually crossing her arms over her chest. After deep contemtion, she weighed her words carefully. "Adam, I can only fight those who have reached the Supreme path (3ws), otherwise, there will be issues with other Ascendants: demigods."


    "Damn it!" Adam swore and briskly approached the window, feeling frustrated.


    Amarantha was bound by an agreement among the strongest practitioners, forbidding attacks on beings who hadn''t reached the Supreme path. Viting this agreement would have significant consequences.


    Turning around, he looked at Elyra and ra, calming down and exhaling. "Be prepared to fight... ra, protect her in case of anything. Don''t allow her to expend too much magic."


    Already pregnant, Elyra was already expending a quarter of her magical energy to sustain the spiritual trace (of the unborn child). If she didn''t have sufficient magical energy, it could be detrimental to the child.


    "However, Elyra, if it bes too dangerous, use your magic immediately. Don''t worry about the child." Adam approached and embraced Elyra, nuzzling his nose into her hair and gently stroking her beautiful blue locks. "You mean much more to me."


    "Mm..." Elyra nodded briefly and smiled.


    And so, apanying Elyra and ra, Adam turned to the serious Amarantha and saw a sh outside the window.


    "My Lord, My Lady... I have news about the uninvited guests," a figure in ck clothing and a mask lowered their head and began reporting, "After negotiations with a representative of the army, we''ve confirmed their identity and learned that theye with good intentions."


    "Good intentions?" Adam smirked, ncing at the halted army five hundred meters from the city walls. "With an army like that, it doesn''t seem like an act of kindness. It looks more like a threat."


    "Elizabeth enjoys making such moves, and if there''s an opportunity to instill fear in the enemy, things will go much more smoothly," Amarantha sneered contemptuously, recalling that unsettling queen. "From childhood, she was a maniptive woman and could make others believe things they disliked. However, she''s also a good queen, and thanks to her actions, vassal kingdoms dare not even think of treason."


    "Either way, we must take action rather than wait like a fish on a chopping board." Adam frowned, tapping his finger on the table. "Twenty-First, I need a detailed response from them and their intentions. If theye in peace and want to negotiate something, set a mandatory condition - a five-hundred-meter distance. I won''t allow them into the city in any case."


    "As youmand," Twenty-First responded and vanished.


    Allowing the enemy into the city would be akin to saying, "Kill me, I''m an idiot." While Sedyon didn''t possess military technology or bases, it did have secret organizations, some of which were considered criminal in Avalonia.


    A sh between two hostile sides would be a catastrophe for Sedyon and given that Avalonia was an enemy, allowing them into the city would be foolish.


    "They''ve crossed the borders of Elffheim and are moving through foreign territories recklessly..." Adam frowned, looking into Amarantha''s eyes. "Elffheim is losing ground."


    Shrugging, Amarantha simply smiled. "We''re not affected by that, neither good nor bad. I believe if you strike a deal with Avalonia, you''ll receive bonuses and far better conditions. Nothing is waiting for you in Elffheim."


    Elffheim had been friendly to Adam and had offered considerable help, but he saw no reason to remain under their authority. Given that Elffheim couldn''t even secure its territories, joining Avalonia didn''t sound so bad.


    Adam grimaced, settling into a chair and looking tired. "Either way, let''s hope for a favorable oue."


    ***


    Two hourster...


    Apanied by Amarantha and her subordinates, Adam headed towards the camp of the Avalonian army. They noticed his approach and came forward to meet him. One of the knights stepped forward, appearing quite handsome with his fair hair, blue eyes, and charming face.


    "Greetings! I assume you are Mayor, Sir Adam?" the fair-haired knight politely inquired, offering a soft smile as he elegantly bowed.


    "Good day. Indeed, that''s my name. How should I address you, sir?" Adam smiled, looking into the eyes of the handsome man.


    "Where are my manners? Please forgive me. I am Richard Junior von Bennerin, heir to the noble House Bennerin, son of Count Richard Senior." The knight named Richard introduced himself with a smile, then turned to Adam''s entourage, bowed again, and gestured toward arge tent. "Please, Sir Adam. The envoy is inside that tent, and we hope to negotiate an agreement with the city of Sedyon. Yourpanions are wee to enter as well."


    Richard was amicable and engaged in friendly conversation on the way to the tent, inquiring about Adam''s favorite food, color, and simr topics without touching upon the main purpose of their arrival. He also avoided personal questions and behaved tactfully, earning Adam''s respect.


    Upon reaching the tent entrance, Richard bowed with a regretful expression. "Sir Adam, I must remain outside as I''m not authorized to enter. After the negotiations, if they prove sessful, I hope to speak again with such an intelligent and noble gentleman as yourself."


    Richard offered a peculiar smile, then joined the guards securing the tent. Though Adam nodded and smiled in response, he secretly heightened his vignce in response to the hint and veiled threat.


    "Shall we?" Adam smiled at Amarantha and entered the tent. "Hmm..."


    Inside the tent, it was quite ordinary with a round tablerge enough to amodate twenty people. A person was already seated at the table—a beautiful woman with chestnut hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in knightly armor that covered every part of her body.


    "Oh? Hello." The woman stood upon noticing them and greeted them with a smile.


    "Greetings to you." Adam smiled, helping Amarantha settle in a chair before taking his seat. The woman waited until they werefortably situated, then smiled and introduced herself. "My name is Julia. You can address me informally if you''d like, dispense with the formalities. I would only be pleased."


    Adam smiled and nodded, maintaining his vignce. Julia nced at Amarantha out of the corner of her eye, noting her silence, but then returned her gaze to Adam and began the conversation with a tender smile.


    "First, let me apologize for this visit, especially with such an army. We had a mission to clear thend of monsters, which is why we''re so numerous." She exined with a smile, but Adam didn''t believe a single word.


    "Yes, monsters do indeed pose a considerable problem. It''s great that Avalonia cares for its territories and is so generous as to recycle them." Adam chuckled, narrowing his eyes.


    "Indeed. Her Majesty is a woman and a ruler with a big andpassionate heart." Julia nodded with a smile. "And so, we''ve deviated from the topic. Sir Adam, do you recall the letter you received a few days ago?"


    With narrowed eyes, Adam looked at Julia, who was nonchntly smiling.


    "So, it is indeed someone from the royal family." Adam pondered about the letter''s author.


    Julia inteced her fingers on the table, smiling, and announced, "Her Majesty would like to see Sedyon be a part of Avalonia."


    To be continued...