Todius rose from his seat."Then why don't we strike them at sea?!" he shouted, brimming with fervor."I can ready forty great warships!"
Rogg slowly shook his head."No." His voice was firm, cold."I'm not convinced we would win a sea battle. They've… sailed across vast oceans many times. They understand navigation, they command the currents. They bought our ships—not just to sail them—but to study them. They've learned our weaknesses. They know how our ships are built... and how to sink them."
Todius snorted."Are you underestimating my fleet, Emperor? We've long mastered the Guava Sea with our mighty vessels!"
Rogg fixed him with a sharp gaze."Then tell me, Todius," his voice thundered, "how many actual sea battles have you fought? How much blood have you seen spilled on the deck of your ship?"
Todius fell silent. He couldn't answer.
Rogg pressed on, merciless."The Doliex forces, with their smaller ships, have seen more battles and survived more storms at sea… than your men, who've only ever paraded or escorted merchant vessels."
Xaverius nodded, reinforcing Rogg's words."He's right. For the past three hundred years, Whiteheaven has lived in peace. No major wars—just minor skirmishes with petty pirates easily dispatched. We've grown too comfortable."
Magnoli stepped forward, pointing at the map unfurled before them."Blacksand will be their first target," he stated firmly."The coastline there is shallow, easy to approach. They'll make landfall there. But that's also our advantage—we can intercept them before they set foot on land."
Dorges added quickly,"Exactly. We have strength in numbers. If we stand united, we can crush them before they take hold of our soil. We may not have much time… but we can set traps, raise barriers along the shore."
Vuuxi nodded in agreement, though concern was etched on his face."What worries me is the city of Blacksand itself. It's a maze of narrow alleys, filthy and crowded. Fighting within it would be a nightmare. They could burn it down in moments… and loot everything."
Magnoli exhaled heavily."He's right. That city… is too fragile to defend."
Xaverius added,"Fortunately… thanks to Rogg's orders, over a million citizens have already been evacuated to safer, remote regions."
Rogg stood. His shoulders squared, his eyes ablaze."Our priority is to save lives. I don't care about buildings or gold. What matters... is the living. Those who will one day rebuild what we've lost."
But Todius looked at him coldly."They should've been left to burn with the city," he said with scorn. "They're outsiders. Nothing but a burden to the Empire."
"WHAT?!" Magnoli snapped, his voice exploding."That's easy for you to say!" he roared. "If the Empire hadn't legalized slavery in the first place, do you think Blacksand would be in ruins?! Don't be a hypocrite! The Empire's only good at collecting taxes… while turning a blind eye to corruption and the cruelty of its lords!"
Todius fired back, his tone sharp."Every province answers to Imperial law. But Blacksand… always defied us. They chose to be criminals instead of loyal citizens."
"And do you know why?!" Magnoli shouted."Because the Empire gave them no choice! Because of the greedy officials you protect! They enslaved the people, robbed them, crushed them—and discarded them like trash!"
Dorges stepped forward, fury on his face."Then tell me, Magnoli… you've lived there all this time—what have you done?! Haven't you enslaved them too?! Brothels! Gambling dens! You built them all! You think you're any different?!"
Magnoli turned slowly. His gaze cut like a blade."I may be a sinner," he said quietly, "but I never pretended to be holy like you do. I know truths more brutal than you can imagine."
Dorges clenched his fists, his voice erupting."Don't act like you're righteous! You're nothing but a two-faced crook!"
Magnoli stepped closer, eyes locked."Two-faced or not, at least I fight on the front lines. You? You lost the war, lost the strategy, lost your pride.I have more troops than you—without begging the Empire for supplies."
His words lashed like a whip.
Dorges gritted his teeth. His chest heaved with seething rage.
SRAAAKKK!
He grabbed Magnoli by the collar, yanking him close."If it's a fight you want, I'll tear you apart right here!" he snarled, his eyes burning with fury.
Magnoli didn't flinch. He hissed back,"Believe me… all you have is muscle. No brain."
He crossed his arms and leaned in."If it's war you want… then name the kind of war you're ready for."
The air thickened with the scent of conflict. Their aura clashed like a storm about to break.
The other princes rushed forward, desperate to stop a duel before it ignited.
Robb, standing on the sidelines, laughed with delight."Heh! That's more like it! Get angrier!" he shouted with a grin."At this rate, the enemy might be scared off by our spirit alone!"
But amid the chaos, Rogg stood silent. His eyes watched everything keenly, his thoughts racing.
The fragile unity among the princes weighed heavily on him.
Xaverius stepped beside him, placing a hand on Rogg's shoulder."Don't worry, Rogg," he said softly."You know how it is—hot tempers are part of who we are. But family is still family.Ambitions may burn… but our blood binds us tighter than any passing fury."
Rogg drew a long breath. He knew the words were true—but the fear in his heart could not be extinguished.
In the end, a decision was made.
They would unite—if only temporarily—to forge a strategy and face the coming war against Balevad.
Though Rogg had only worn the crown for a single day, he was already burdened with the weight of war.The threat loomed right outside the gates of Whiteheaven.
All the warlords had gathered at the front—in Blacksand, a barren land now standing as the last hope of defense.
Rogg pitched his command tent atop a low hill, eyes fixed on the dark sea where danger lurked unseen.He remained vigilant. Watching. Preparing for a war that could no longer be avoided.
Troops were stationed at key points along the coast, ready to intercept the approaching enemy.
That night, the sea breeze was cold.
Rogg stayed awake, standing at the threshold of his tent, his gaze locked on the shadowy horizon ahead.
From the shadows, Robb stepped closer.
"Brother…" he called softly. "Today, you looked... different. So anxious. Not like when we fought the Lagosh giant back in the Mozkdu forest.What is it you're truly worried about?"
Rogg turned slowly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
"Robb… when we hunted the Lagosh, we were the predators. We knew our strength. We knew our target.But this time…" He let out a heavy sigh."…I fear we are no longer the hunters. We might be the prey."
Robb stared at his brother, taken aback.
"What do you mean, brother?"
"I fear there's a traitor among us, Robb," Rogg whispered, his voice weighed down with dread.
Robb tensed.
"A traitor? What makes you think that?"
Rogg's eyes drifted toward the dim stars above.
"Prince Neroxius… he hasn't shown himself today.Vuuxi told me the Red Larfex army is immense. And I fear… their loyalty might not lie with us."
"What…? But… didn't we already win the Imperial Throne?" Robb's voice rose with disbelief.
"The throne?" Rogg replied softly. "Even being Emperor… doesn't guarantee anything, Robb.I fear they're just biding their time. Waiting for the right moment. If I don't align with their desires... they may turn."
Robb clenched his jaw.
"Then this isn't just a war against Balevad. It's a war against enemies in our own ranks!"
Rogg nodded slowly.
"That's why I stationed the Dark Legion on the western flank of Blacksand," he said."I won't risk an attack from behind."
Robb looked at his brother with renewed respect.
"Now I understand… why you've been so cautious, Brother."
Rogg offered a faint smile, then placed a firm hand on his younger brother's shoulder.
"Robb... I want you to stay with Mendrova. The two of you are my trump cards."
Robb raised an eyebrow.
"Mendrova? A trump card? I'm honestly amazed, Brother… turning a former enemy into a key part of our forces—into something so... crucial, like you said."
"Yes," Rogg replied firmly. "I trust Mendrova. He's just like Vuuxi—one of the greatest knights Doliex has ever produced.Listen, Robb! If things take a turn for the worse, your mission is not to help the other forces. Your task is to observe.Strike down the enemy the moment the opportunity appears.Don't let yourself get dragged into aimless battles. You and Mendrova… will be the sharpest blades at the most critical moment."
Robb tightened his fists.
"Understood, Brother.We'll await your command."
Rogg looked at his brother for a long moment before giving a firm nod.
"Thank you, little brother… for always being by my side—even when fate keeps throwing us into the heart of war."
Robb simply smiled at him.Then he turned and made his way toward the western flank of Blacksand.