âTheir leaderâs trapped and unable to communicate with them. You can begin however you like. Iâll leave the troops management to you guys.â
This is what Luna and the rest of the Dawn Council members heard in their heads on one of they days where they were monitoring the movements of the Abyssals.
As expected, they were in an uproar. It didnât take them long before they realized that Raven went ahead of them and already made his own move. He already suppressed the Leader of the Abyssals which will seriously affect their operation on conquering Divine Realm.
They were of course, worried about Raven. He did went off on his own and didnât even bother telling them about this beforehand. That was seriously risky since there is a fair chance that he couldâve failed his solo mission and that will cost them everything.
None of them even know if he was successful on his Breakthrough. But if one would ask them about it, theyâd probably say that Raven didnât have enough time to do so.
They didnât feel any disturbances on the Throne Room which usually happens when Raven breaks through in strength.
Also, they do know that Raven found himself a bit weaker compared to the Abyssal Emperor. He admitted it to them before. But, out of all people here, he has the highest chance of keeping him in-check so it could only be him who could confront him.
After hearing this from Raven, they tried contacting him but he was unreachable. He didnât say anything after that either which made them think that heâs really leaving the rest to them.
Itâs probably taking him a lot to keep the Abyssal Emperor imprisoned, which also meant that they have no time to lose.
They have to start this war and they have to win.
Just like that, the spark of the Realm War ignited and every cog moved.
Luna took the helm of the operations and summoned the Divine Knights to the Dawn Council.
The summons were of high priority so the Divine Knights appeared through their special means to answer as soon as possible.
Once they arrived, they immediately felt the heat of war in the Dawn Council as well as the somber atmosphere. Something mustâve happened and that should be why they were called here.
âWe just received new developments that we would like to share with everybody here.â Luna stated, starting the meeting as soon as everybody appeared.
âMy husband contacted us.â She continued: âAt first we thought heâs emerging from his seclusion to take over the operation but it seems that he has other ideas.â
âUnbeknownst to us, he infiltrated the enemy territory alone and confront the Abyssal Emperor by himself, trapping him and cutting his connection to his subordinates.â
The Divine Knights were shocked. Their expressions differed from one another upon realizing what happened. Some were awed, some were worried, some were mildly concerned, some were impressed and some were neutral.
âWe tried establishing a connection with him but itâs not working. We guessed that itâs probably taking him a lot of effort to keep their leader in check and he needs to focus on it to make sure that he doesnât get out.â Luna concluded her words there for now.
âHoly Maiden, did the Young Lord succeeded in his breakthrough?â One of the Divine Knights stepped forward and asked.
âIâd be honest with you. We have no clue if he did.â Luna shook her head. She also understood the reason behind the dismayed expressions of the people around her.
âWe didnât feel any reactions nor signs of any breakthrough. In addition to that, he left before we could ask. So we canât really tell.â
Although Luna didnât confirm nor denied the failure of Ravenâs breakthrough, most of the people here understood what sheâs trying to imply.
âDonât expect much.â Thatâs basically the idea. Everyone knew how hard it is to truly search for that fabled realm. Everyone knows how many tried and how nobody managed to succeed.
Itâs just really difficult to establish a road that will reach that stage. In addition to that, Raven didnât have much time. Heâs young and already carried so much responsibilities. He did his best and it would totally be understandable if he didnât make it. Thereâs no shame on denying that really but admitting that right now would hurt the morale of everyone so itâs best if this stays a secret for now.
âHe gave us the go signal to go to war so I ask this of youâ¦are you all ready to follow?â Luna ask with a serious expression.
The Divine Knights didnât speak since itâs useless. They just nodded and geared their mentality to engage in a full-scale war.
Theyâve been preparing for a long time now. Everything they did back then was all for this. To ensure the safety of their home and to protect it,
âGood! Now, I announce that Divine Realm will officially enter a Warring State! All troops shall report within the Dawn Councilâs headquarters as early as tomorrow morning.â
âI will take over the positions as the United Forcesâ Supreme Commander, right until my Husband returns. I shall expect obedience from now on to ensure that our operations runs smoothly along with our plans.â
âWe will be going over our plans and routes to ensure the destruction of the invaders and the protection of our home. They will pay for their hubris.â
âNow! Go! I expect your presence here as soon as possible.â
As Luna said this, the Divine Knights immediately dispersed and returned to their respective homes, gathering their soldiers to gear-up for the Realm War.
âLaughing Dragon, I place you as the head of the Logistics Division. You will collect all necessary intel for tomorrowâs meeting and show-us the optimal paths for our soldiers to take.â
âPaul, Mark, Anne, Ellen, you will all be named as Platoon Leaders. You will be leading them to the frontlines to ensure our Victory. Iâd also pick more Platoon Leaders from other Divine Knights to make sure that our forces will remain flexible.â
âGo make your own preparations. The Treasury is open for you all to use. We wonât hold back in this battle.â
Following her words, the rest of her close friends also disappeared to make their own preparations, leaving Luna behind to simmer in her own thoughts.
While she did willingly place this heavy burden on her shoulders, as expected it is quite heavy. She can already feel the stress coming and it hasnât even been a day since she began.
She sat down on her chair and sighed, whispering to herself: âThe burden you always carried with confidence and unshakeable gait truly is so heavy. How did you even carry it by yourself all this time?â
Of course she was referring to her husband here. Again, she was reminded of how important Ravenâs presence was not only to her and Vanessa but for the entirety of the Divine Realm.
âYou couldâve at least told me something before you left.â Luna pursed her lips as she felt a bit frustrated by Ravenâs decisions, yet in the end of the day, sheâs unable to put all the blame to him.
Did he breakthrough or not? This is the question she wanted to ask him, yet she canât since he left before they even knew. Sheâs trying to reach out to him but heâs not responding.
However, Lunaâs confident that Ravenâ alive and well. The sigil representing their marriage is still intact and unblemished. If something happened to him, the sigil will display it to her and sheâll know.
It seems that she would really have to do this in his place for now. This will be tough and hard for her but she must persevere.
Thereâs way too many things relying on every move she will make from now on. She has to be careful. If she wants to ensure the highest chance of victory and safety, she had to be as paranoid as her husband.
Being confident might spell a disaster for them. Victory isnât achieved unless the enemyâs completely wiped out and all of their chances are lost. Nobody shall be spared for this to never happen again.
Luna has to close her heart for compassion and assume the real spirit of a commander. This isnât her first time doing this but this is the largest battle she will ever lead.
The Holy Valkyrie shall watch over everyone from above once more, it seems.
âMomâ¦?â
Luna was momentarily shook out of her reverie when she heard Vanessaâs voice. She didnât even notice her presence until she called out to her.
âYes, Sweetheart? Sorry, I didnât notice you right away. I was immersed on something. Whatâs up?â
ââ¦is it true?â She tentatively asked, âWarâs going to start?â
Luna took a deep breath and looked at her daughter front and center.
âYes.â She nodded, âYour Dad already started it.â
Vanessaâs expression turned serious and her posture turned tense.
âMom, donât pull me out on this.â She declared, looking at Luna straight in the eyes.
Lunaâs expression turned a bit unnatural but in the end, she knows her daughter wonât back down from this. In the end, she bit her lips and nodded:
âYes, Sweetheart. I wonât.â She complied, âYour Father will not be happy with this but heâll understand. However, I expect you to adhere to rules strictly. Do you understand?â
âUnderstood, Supreme Commander!â
âGood. Now go make your preparations.â Luna said, âAnd please, make sure to pay attention to your safety.â
[A/N: Hey! Hey! Before you leave, I have a request!!
I have a new book! Itâs called: âIdle Mage: Humanityâs Strongest Backer!â This has been on the works for quite some time now and I entered it in this yearâs WSA.
It should appear in my Profile or you can just search it on the New Novels Section.
If you could check it out, please do! Iâd appreciate every support I can receive from you. I worked and will work very hard on that book, everything that I learned while writing this book will be applied on the new one. I hope I wonât disappoint you.
As usual, thanks for your continued support! Way of the Knights is close to ending and it has been a wild ride. Thank you so, so much!
â Hateful_Fellow]