The Beginning Adventure of the New Monarch

The battle against Giyard and his troops had just ended.

As the knights savored their victory, they interrogated the captured demons in hopes of extracting useful information. Among them a gravely injured demon his voice raspy and labored revealed a critical detail: a battalion of 300 demons was en route, traveling aboard six massive ships.

Gilbert, ever stoic in the face of such news, listened intently. He let out a long sigh before breaking the silence.

— "Fortunately, we kept some of the demons alive."

Raelia standing beside him, nodded.

— "If we had left the forest and returned straight to the capital these reinforcements could have taken everyone by surprise," she said, crossing her arms.

She already envisioned the disastrous consequences of a battle within the capital, having to fight while protecting non-combatant civilians—it would have been catastrophic.

Her gaze shifted to Jonady silent and deep in thought. She approached him gently, her voice tinged with concern:

— "What do we do now?"

Jonady furrowed his brow his hand resting pensively on his chin.

Although they had achieved a major victory, their forces were still weakened from the previous fight.

 After a moment of silence he raised his head, his decision made.

— "We will take 300 men with us: 150 mages and 150 soldiers. The rest will return to the capital to rest and protect the civilians in case of an attack."

The intervention group included Jonady Lord Robert, Gilbert, and Princess Raelia herself.

Lord Robert ever pragmatic, asked an essential question.

— "Do we wait for their ships to reach the coast to ambush them?"

Jonady shook his head his eyes shining with determination.

— "No. They could spot us with telescopes long before we are in position to attack.

Better to avoid that risk. We will strike before they have time to react."

He then outlined his plan, methodical and daring.

— "When their ships come into view, we will use fire bombardment magic. They will never expect an attack at sea. Their blind confidence in their progress will leave them vulnerable."

Raelia, impressed by his ingenuity, smiled in admiration. Her thoughts betrayed her.

— "He's incredible" she thought her eyes fixed on Jonady.

Two hours later, the silhouettes of the six enemy ships appeared on the horizon. A gentle sea breeze carried with it the palpable tension of the impending conflict.

Hidden behind coastal hills, Jonady's troops waited in an almost supernatural silence. Every mage and soldier was motionless, senses on high alert.

Jonady exchanged a glance with Raelia. With a confirming nod she raised her hand to give the signal. The mages disciplined and synchronized, raised their staffs in a fluid motion.

A massive magic circle lit up in the air, pulsating with energy.

— "Giant Flame Fire!"

A colossal fireball materialized at the center of the circle, its blinding light briefly illuminating the coast before hurtling toward the enemy ships.

Aboard Kilrey's Ship

Kilrey the demon commander of the battalion, was in the captain's cabin, studying maritime charts. The door burst open and one of his subordinates hurried in kneeling before him.

— "My lord, we are under attack!"

Before Kilrey could respond, a deafening explosion shook the ship, causing the sea to tremble.

He stormed out of his cabin roaring, his imposing figure radiating a terrifying aura.

— "Who dares attack us?!"

The scene before him was nightmarish.

A massive wave of flames had struck one of the ships in his fleet, reducing it to ashes.

Bewildered Kilrey furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of the situation.

— "An aerial attack? Could the dragons have allied with the humans? A last-minute alliance… what would they have to gain?"

His thoughts were interrupted by his panicked subordinate rushing back toward him.

— "It's the humans, my lord! They're using long-range spells!"

Kilrey had no time to respond another explosion thundered, this time even more violent.

He turned his head filled with rage, to witness four ships disintegrating under the impact of another fire barrage.

The flames reflected in his red eyes, fueling a growing fury. Trembling with anger, he muttered through clenched teeth:"Those accursed humans…"