Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

South of the Silvarian border, the kingdom of Romantica fell into a state of unrest. Their northern villages and towns were also in a state of unrest after Duke Cavallio taxed them to help pay for the war effort.

In the chambers of the capital city, Alistair Crowley, the first lord, sat in the head seat of the Twelve Lord Council table.

Beside him, Nate Blackwell, with a pale face, read through several documents, each one making him worse.

"Gentleman."

"Lord Crowley!"

"First!"

The members all attended for a change, despite the three empty chairs caused by Aldric, David, and Callum Weldon's absence.

"Calm down, everyone; today, we are here because Romantica faces a very dangerous moment in her history."

"First, how dangerous? Silvara would never cross the border if we simply apologised and signed a ceasefire, right?" The cowardly Bill Nelphim spoke with clattering teeth as his weak tone echoed through the dark stone chamber.

"..."

"Fourth is a coward, as always." Lord Blackwell replied. "Silvara would never forgive such a grievous insult. The first was correct. Our kingdom's days are numbered if we don't prepare for an invasion. First and second, are you two going to protect your cities? Or help bolster the north?"

The room clamoured most Lord, thinking of their territory instead of the larger picture. Only a few of the key members looked around and realised the danger.

"What of the capital?" Maria Svesta, the Sixth Lord, questioned.

"First will remain here with a part of his army. With that said, I'm moving my family to the fortress castle. It is more easily defended." Seldon Verdant, the Third Lord, commented.

"Do any of you have any bright ideas, ladies and gentlemen?" Crowley slammed his hand on the table, causing an echo. "For once, can we come together for our people? What good is profit if our people suffer if the land runs dry!?"

The room remained silent, with all the members looking down at the wooden table with bitter expressions.

Alistair Crowley was a powerful man and the strongest lord of the council. His army numbered more than most of them combined. By offering most of his troops to the kingdom's capital, it seemed like he was helping with the war effort.

However, some probably felt that he was just being a coward.

"I shall ride north with my Cavalier Division, then await them at the fortress city of Lundberg."

"What!?"

"Lord Crowley, are you sure!?"

"First, Lundberg is only fifty leagues from their current position if they invade!" Maria's voice echoed, the concern in her voice obvious for all to hear.

"It is fine, Maria. I am the First; thus, I should be the first to move." Alistair smiled and stood up.

"First! You cannot be serious! Your wife, your children!" The cowardly Fourth protested.

"Gentlemen, I was prepared the moment we learned the truth about Twelfth's report months ago. This is our own mistake, caused by greed and outside interference." Crowley's expression was hard to read, but his words were true.

"I shall not pretend to be a saint, and I cannot say my acts have always been just... but I know this. I would rather die on the battlefield than watch my city burn in shame or wrong my beloved kingdom like Aldric did."

"That fool..." Nate Blackwell spat.

"Yes, but he's in the north, and he's not coming back. Callum is... no one knows where he ran off to." Crowley looked around, seeing the looks of concern, anger, and, most of all, fear.

"However, it is clear from scouts that the Cult of the Fallen Sun has found its way into our ranks." Alistair's words caused the other lords to whisper again.

"Ugh, so Aldric was a traitor, and David was telling the truth?" Bill Nelphim commented.

"Obviously. Given the contents of the documents." Blackwell's voice was dripping with venom as he turned to look at the coward. "And since you're probably the next in line, Bill. I'd run off if I were you."

"What are you talking about, Nate? How dare you!"

"Haha, a coward like you. The cult would whisper a small whisper into your ear, and you crush you. Maybe they will seduce your wife and break your mind first?"

Nate Blackwell and Bill Nelphim constantly bickered because Bill's wife chose him over Nate, who at the time was his official fiancée.

"That's enough, both of you!" Alistair's voice thundered around the room, shutting all the other lords up. "Now, there's a dozen of us, and we need to stick together."

The atmosphere of the room felt sombre despite Alistair's attempts to boost morale.

"Second and Sixth, I trust you can defend the south of Lundberg? I have spoken with the Knights of Lumen, and they have agreed to reinforce the city of Tyra. These reports state student knights are their primary source of troops. Thus, their magical defences are likely to be low." Alistair commented.

"They're making war like savages..." Maria Svesta's tone was disgusted, with many others nodding.

"However, their soldiers are excellent. In fact, I had a meeting with Sir Crozius of the Lumen, and we met a group of 'Dragoons'. They ride these giant lizard beasts, and as allies, they are significant assets." Crowley's voice was serious, his expression cold as ice.

Romantica, shaped like a curved shoe, is attached to Silvara by its northernmost peninsula. Many small towns and villages are spread near the coast for fishing and trade reasons. The first major city lies 60 leagues south of the tip, while Lumen sits 150 leagues south of the tip.

Thus, the northern border was undefended, with most lords working on expanding their territories in the central and eastern parts of Romantica because of the constant peace and alliance deals with Silvara since the start of the Kingdom.

Along the border with Silvara, the city of Tyra stood to the west of the fort city Lundberg. With the largest port on the northernmost section of the border.

It was a military and economic stronghold. Its location also made it easy for the Lord of Tyra, Bill Nelphim, to ask for naval reinforcements from his cousin, the Lord of Westrin, who had a considerable fleet on the eastern coast.

"Haa... This is a disaster." Bill Nelphim sighed and placed his head on the table, his mind filled with worry. "You're right, first! I will reinforce Tyra from the east, and then my cousin's fleet will crush them at sea!"

"Excellent. If all of you follow through on these plans, we can win this." Alistair's voice was calm, but his hands trembled on his knees. "Are there any objections?"

"None!"

"This is fine by me."

"Me too."

"Then, this meeting is adjourned for now. Those leaving should leave an officer to keep updated on our situation."

The remaining lords nodded, except for Maria Svesta, who seemed hesitant. Slowly, they prepared to leave while Alistair sat in silence. The room seemed to become darker as if something evil had entered the room.

"F-First, a moment?" Maria walked over, her movements sluggish and her skin pale. "I'm heading north, too, to assist Third."

"Oh? Why not head east or west, like those two?"

"I need to make sure we hold the border. I live closest to it, after all. Plus... there are the local people to think about."

"I see. Then shall we ride west together? My beautiful summer rose?"

"Alistair, not here.. if someone sees us!?"

"It is fine. I will take all responsibility for our love."

Alistair pulled the blushing Maria close and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Haa..." The beautiful woman sighed.

"What's wrong, my darling?"

"I have sinned, broken the lord's tenets and given birth to another man's child while married."

"That fool is not worthy of your love."

Maria was the daughter of the Lord of Redwyn and from the city directly east of Lundberg. Lord Svesta, her husband, an older gentleman, had several mistresses in the past.

However, because of Maria's status rose after her father's death. He pressed her into marriage several times, and because of the strength difference back then, she ended up married to a man double her age.

That man recently passed, and left her a widow.

Alistair watched her back. She peeked at him longingly for a moment before she vanished.
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"You are a talented actor, Alistair Crowley. When will you tell her that boy is already dead?" A distorted female voice sounded before a small serpent slithered from the ground and sat on the table. Thanks to your quick thinking, we have more subjects to test with."

"Quiet, cultist!"

"Call me saintess, you inferior dog!"

"Tch...! My family, are you going to spare them!?"

"Naturally. You played your part well, noble lord. Once Romantica falls, I will become the first member of the church to overtake this cesspool."

"..."

Alistair's face became glum. His bright and heroic features suddenly degraded while clenching his right hand, hiding a small squirming mass that seemed to penetrate his flesh. While with a flicker of the snake's tongue, the serpent vanished with a haunting cackle.

In the darkness, the first lord sat in silence. He then smashed the stone table.

"Haaa..."

A single tear fell upon the document, reading:

Attention: The Lord's Council.

This letter is written at the behest of His Highness the King. The recent actions of Twelfth Aldric Weldon have been determined as treasonous and at the hour of XXXX, shall have all titles and territory stripped. An unspecified source has confirmed his connection to the cult and his murder of the former Duke, a crime that can no longer be punished.

Gentlemen, prepare yourselves. Once the king returns, this will not be easy.

~ James Arthur, Head Steward.

Alistair Crowley realised their actions would destroy his beloved country.

Yet he could do nothing because the cult already kidnapped his beloved wife and two daughters. The cult's orders involved seducing Maria and making the council fracture because of Bill's cautious nature.

However, that also meant more lives would be lost in the conflict.

"Haaaa... I really am pathetic. There is no knight in shining armour, only a kingdom fallen. And a tinfoil squire."

Alistair buried his face in his hands and cried.

The sun set upon the eastern mountains, and news of war quickly spread across the capital. The lands of Romantica faced a serious turning point and would not experience peace for a long time.

After three days, the knights of Lundberg, Lumen, and Westrin began to gather, awaiting the presumed march of the Silvarian army, which would soon invade their lands and crush them.

However, while Romantica prepared for the journey back to the Silvarian border, it seemed to be a different story.

There was no plan to invade Romantica. The cult fooled the Romantican council because two days later, they began moving west.

Hundreds of Monster Kingdom boats arrived on the western coast of Westrin.