Two days before the upheaval at Bersuvi Castle.
Imperial Army headquarters. A meeting of senior officers.
"Your Majesty, we're a day and a half from the rebel House Bersuvi's castle. Duke Bersuvi spent years building it, and its walls are high and thick. Taking it will be no easy task. We believe we should discuss our tactics," said a Leader Tier Imperial general.
Nicholas IV shook his head slightly. "Before we decide how to attack, there's something important we must do."
After a pause, Nicholas continued, "The Drow Elves that emerged from underground are lurking somewhere in a dark corner of West Desert Province, waiting to ambush us after we fight the Xisha Rebels. The Imperial Army has nothing to fear from those pointy-eared monsters in a straight fight. But if they strike while our forces are in disarray, the consequences could be dire."
The senior officers in the command tent exchanged glances and murmured among themselves.
Nearly everyone agreed with the emperor's assessment.
"We need to send out search parties, one north and one south, to find the Drow Elves and make sure those monsters have no chance to ambush us." Nicholas brought the discussion to its point. "Which two of you will take on this mission?"
The senior officers lowered their heads and said nothing.
The creatures from underground had always been rumored to be mercilessly brutal. If a search party with so few men actually encountered the Drow Elves, the outcome was easy to imagine. Forget fighting them—escaping alive would be lucky. More likely, the Drow Elves would capture and kill them.
Seeing the officers shirk the task, Nicholas IV's expression hardened. "What? Is no one willing to take on a mission just because it carries a little danger? Are you still soldiers of the Empire? Where