The obsidian warships dropped their heavy iron anchors directly into the deep northern trenches. Kael stepped straight onto the frozen ground, his boots caking in dirt as he faced his vanguard commanders."Report on our current layout, Jace," Kael commanded flatly, his regular voice cutting through the noise of the landing fleet. He didn't check his bleeding shoulder wraps, keeping his eyes fixed on the central watchtower line. "Are the valley gates fully locked against the palace scouts?""The civilian patrols took over the lower fortress blocks thirty minutes ago, General," Officer Jace answered quickly, stepping forward with his iron lance drawn. "They refuse to wait for orders from the capital mages anymore. Every available man is already holding a lance along the log barriers."They organized themselves into tight civilian patrols, picking up iron lances to secure the lower fortress blocks themselves. Young miners carried bundles of dried firewood to the watchtowers while the old

"Hold the front rails tight!" Kael yelled over the roar of the wind as the obsidian war palace ships lifted smoothly straight into the storm clouds. He kept his grip firm on the cold iron side beams, watching the capital perimeter fade into the gray mountain mist before the palace scouts could even turn their warning stones.Within less than an hour of sailing through the high sky currents, the fleet docked safely at the hidden canyon ridge, and Kael immediately transferred his core team into the ground transport wagons to clear the mountain block.The big wooden carriage rolled down the mountain road fast. Kael stayed near the front wheels while the vehicle slipped deep into the narrow paths of the Blue Pass under the gray sky. The tall cliffs rose up on both sides, blocking out the light."The canyon path looks too quiet, Vance," Clara said from the leather seat inside. She looked out through the small window, her face full of serious worry as she held Lily's hand tightly. She could

" Kael whispered. He and Kira slid through the cold river channels under the capital city walls without making a single sound. The mud felt heavy against his skin wraps, but he did not slow down his pace."The mud is very deep here, Vance," Kira said softly, her fingers holding the iron lance tightly in the dark stream. "The water is freezing my boots, but my energy lines are completely locked like you ordered." Kael nodded in the dark, guiding her hand toward the rough edge of the stone tunnel path."Do not let a single drop of magic leak out," Kael answered back in his regular, flat voice. They kept moving slow and steady through the thick black liquid, their shoulders touching the wet stone walls. The cold stream bubbled around their leather belts, but they kept their breathing short to hide their track today.The water was dark and freezing, the stone arches above humming with the distant vibrations of the palace guards' boots. Every footstep from the soldiers on the street layout

Kael led his alliance troops down to the Blue River pass, their iron lances glowing in the dim light. The huge army walked with steady physical steps, their dark boots making a low rhythmic thud against the dirt road path."Keep your lines tight and watch the trees," Kira whispered softly, her fingers clenching her weapon hilt. "The enemy train is just around the river bend, and they have no front guards to shield their flank today."They surrounded the King's transport wagons, cutting off the final food supply lines heading toward the capital gates. The northern soldiers blocked every open escape lane, their long lances forming a solid wall of iron."We have their wagons completely locked in the gap, General!" Jace reported quietly, his face serious in the dark. "The mages cannot move a single food box back to the city doors tonight.""Tell the men to hold their positions," Kael answered back regularly and steadily, his face perfectly calm. "The royal family has no choice but to face

Chapter 69: The High Core Pavilion"The red defense stones are fully glowing ahead, Vance," Kira said as the warships lifted into the sky currents. Kael did not pull his blade, stepping back inside the private command cabin of the lead war palace while the fleet sailed straight toward the highest clouds. He unbuckled his leather straps, letting the hum of the ship engines fill the quiet space as the northern valley faded beneath the thick white mist blocks.Inside the private cabin, Clara stepped close to Kael's broad frame to adjust the silver buttons on his clothes, her eyes full of intense, quiet love. She moved her fingers with fast precision, smoothing down the dark fabric of his vest wraps. Her face turned a soft pink color as she looked up at his face, her breathing falling into a deep, gentle rhythm."Your leather cloth is still caked in the dirt from the lower pass, Vance," Clara murmured softly, her fingers lingering against the cold silver buckles. "Let me fix these linen c