The Plan Unfolded

Before long, Labia and Kimberley hurried back to their legions and called emergency meetings with their officers, relaying the grand duke's orders.

The regimental commanders were stunned to hear that the decisive battle would begin tomorrow. Even more shocking, their side would attack first!

The meeting room erupted. The commanders protested heatedly, all talking at once.

But Labia and Kimberley stood firm. Both invoked the grand duke's authority and forced the room to quiet down.

Then several regimental commanders raised another problem: reorganizing the troops would be far from simple.

In response, the two Legion Commanders brought a group of special guests forward—the independent nobles and the Silver Maple Secret Guard!

At first, the regimental commanders were baffled. Then they noticed that every noble was flanked by two fully armed members of the Silver Maple Secret Guard, and everything clicked.

When the nobles began competing to declare their willingness to help with the difficult task, the commanders' hearts sank.

It seemed the grand duke had threatened or coerced these independent nobles!

One wrong move might cost them their lives. And the Secret Guard shadowing them were clearly there to watch them—or even execute them...

The regimental commanders soon led away the nobles assigned to their units. Now that the decision to attack had been made and the command issues settled, it was time to prepare for battle.

After the last person left, Labia stood alone in the vast room.

He remained still, his gaze sweeping the room as though checking for anyone else. Once he was certain he was alone, he opened his mouth and called softly, "Lord Hurst, are you here?"

His words had barely faded when a shadow slowly emerged from a dim corner.

A broad cloak, black as ink, concealed the figure completely.

In the blink of