Three days later, Marcus's small group left the capital. Only twelve people total: Marcus, Octavius, Lydia, Julian, Brutus, Phillip, Diana, Aria, and four trusted guards."This feels more like a suicide mission than diplomacy," Aria commented as they rode through the countryside. She'd joined after the tournament, pledging her Storm Blade Sect's support."Probably because it is," Diana replied from her horse. "But at least we'll die together. That's something.""No one's dying," Marcus said firmly. "Selene will warn us if the assassins move. We'll have time to prepare.""You're putting a lot of faith in a woman who worked for your enemy until recently," Brutus pointed out."People can change. You did."Brutus fell silent at that. He still felt guilty about his years serving Cassian.They traveled for five days through villages and farms. Everywhere, people came out to see their new young king. Some cheered, others watched silently, uncertain what to think.Marcus stopped frequently to

Two weeks passed. Marcus avoided thinking about the Ming Empire's marriage proposal by throwing himself into kingdom business. New laws, infrastructure projects, military reorganization. Anything to stay busy."You're going to work yourself to death," Lydia said one evening, finding him still awake at midnight reviewing documents."Better than thinking about being forced into marriage.""You don't have to accept. You're the king. You make the decisions.""And if Ming invades because I insulted them?"Lydia had no answer for that.The next morning, guards rushed to Marcus's chambers with urgent news."Your Majesty, someone's at the palace gates. She says she's Princess Mei of Ming, and she's alone."Marcus nearly dropped his breakfast. "The princess? Here? Without warning?""She insists on speaking with you privately. Says it's urgent."Marcus dressed quickly and went to the throne room. A young woman waited there, wearing simple travel clothes instead of royal robes. She was indeed be

Time moved quickly. Two years passed in a blur of constant work and preparation.Marcus turned thirteen, then fourteen. He grew taller, stronger, his voice deepening. The boyish prince was becoming a young man, though still shorter than most adults.The kingdom transformed around him. Roads connected provinces that had been isolated for decades. Schools opened in major cities, teaching reading and basic arithmetic to common children. The army expanded from three thousand to twelve thousand soldiers, all trained and equipped properly.But it wasn't enough. Intelligence reports showed Ming's forces growing to one hundred fifty thousand. Their secret alliances spread across the continent like a web."We're outnumbered ten to one," Brutus reported during a council meeting. "Even with allies, we can't match Ming's military might."Marcus studied the war maps spread across the table. The other threatened kingdoms had agreed to a defensive alliance. Together they had forty thousand soldiers.

Marcus recovered after three days of forced rest. The war continued without him. General Zhao launched two more assaults on the mountain pass. Both failed, costing him another eight thousand soldiers."He's getting desperate," Brutus reported. "His supplies are running low and winter is coming. If he doesn't break through soon, he'll have to retreat.""How many have we lost?" Marcus asked, hating the answer."Four thousand dead. Another two thousand wounded too badly to fight." Brutus's face was heavy. "We're down to twenty-four thousand effective soldiers."Still outnumbered, but Ming was bleeding faster. The pass strategy was working."Any word from Ming's capital?" Marcus asked."Yes. Diana's spies report the emperor is furious. He's ordered Zhao to break through at any cost or face execution." Brutus paused. "Which means Zhao will try something desperate.""Like what?""I don't know. But desperate generals make dangerous choices."The answer came three days later. Ming's army pull

Dawn came cold and gray. Marcus stood in the open field between the two armies, wearing simple combat clothes and carrying his sword. No armor. This fight would be decided by skill, not protection.General Zhao approached from the Ming side. He wore similar clothes, carrying a long curved blade. His face was calm, showing no emotion."Are you ready, King Marcus?" Zhao asked."As ready as I'll ever be.""Good. Know that I respect you. I will fight with full strength, but I take no pleasure in killing a child.""I'm not a child anymore. War made sure of that."Zhao nodded sadly. "War takes everyone's childhood. Some just lose it younger than others."Both armies watched from a distance. Thousands of eyes fixed on the two fighters. Everything depended on the next few minutes.An old monk, neutral party agreed upon by both sides, stepped forward. "The terms are clear. Single combat to surrender or death. No interference from either army. The gods witness this agreement. Begin when ready."