Aric's POV
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt... secure.
With Rozie and Shelly now completely under my control, life had shifted. Just like that, money stopped being a problem. Shelly handed over 1,000 gold coins without hesitation. The sheer wealth she had access to was insane. Even Erika and Seren — nobles in their own right — didn't come close to Shelly's status. She was on another level.
And Rozie? She owned one of the top guilds in the kingdom. Ranked 12th among the 55 major guilds in the country, her influence was both powerful and far-reaching. Thanks to her, joining the guild and setting up a fake identity was easy. Nobody questioned it. After all, when two high-ranking nobles vouch for someone, who would dare ask more?
The system showed me something interesting:
> Slaves under your control: 8/9
So that was the limit. For now, at least. I would need a system upgrade to go beyond it.
Everyone had fallen into their new roles perfectly.
Sarah was training under Rozie since they both were young and athletic, they both had slim physiques and had similar body — Sarah's combat instincts aligned with Rozie's experience as a Swordmaster. Rozie may have been a noblewoman, but she was no spoiled doll. She had fought in the southern border wars. She was a killer wrapped in elegance.
Darcy, being a healer, fit well with Nora they both had massive ass and boobs and were both milfs . The calm, mage-type atmosphere Nora provided balanced Darcy's fragile personality. They were a good pair.
Lindy worked on her own she was also a milf with massive tits, Lindy was tinkering away with strange tools and machines in the underground lab. Ever since I gave her the blueprint of that "animal-less carriage," she had been obsessed. And frankly? I had high hopes for what she might create.
As for Shelly , her hair were brown and she had a round physique, a cute looking rich milf — well, she was just resting. She didn't need to do anything. Her wealth was her power. Her mere presence changed how people treated me. Connections, money, political shielding — Shelly provided it all effortlessly.
At this point, I had eight loyal followers. Each one of them useful in a specific way. But beyond that, things were getting... shaky.
The kingdom's king was dead.
And that meant chaos.
The news had spread like wildfire. The crown, the nobles, the balance of power — all of it was uncertain now. Right now, our borders were exposed, fragile. I couldn't understand it.
> "Why hasn't anyone attacked us yet?"
If the surrounding nations were smart, they'd take advantage of this vulnerable moment. Our capital's stability was a facade. With the king gone, every powerful house was scheming. And the more they fought each other, the weaker we became.
I wasn't strong enough to interfere at that level... yet.
....
A NEIGHBOR OF VELMORA : Luminia – War Chamber of High Command
The air inside the Royal War Hall of Luminia was thick with tension. Large golden chandeliers hung above a circular table made of black marble. Around it sat the highest military minds of the kingdom — generals, strategists, and nobles — all with serious faces.
At the head sat High Marshal Eron Valtier, a man with grey hair, a scar down his cheek, and eyes like stone.
A large map of Velmora lay on the table.
On it, red flags were placed all along Velmora's border.
But one road — the main eastern pass into Velmora — was circled in black ink.
General Yoran, a younger man in green armor, slammed his hand on the table.
> "It's impossible! We've lost three full scouting battalions. No one returns — no messages, no bodies, nothing! It's like they're just… erased!"
Eron said nothing at first. His fingers gently tapped the wood.
> "And you're sure Velmora has not deployed troops?"
The bald strategist, Lord Raelis, spoke with a slow, careful tone.
> "Absolutely, High Marshal. Our spies report confusion in Velmora. The king is dead. Nobles are fighting. There is no organized command left. They didn't send reinforcements. Something else is guarding that path."
Another noble, Count Drevis, leaned forward, whispering like the room itself might listen.
> "Magic?"
The entire table fell silent.
Eron looked at the circled road. The black ink almost looked like it had been burned into the map.
He sighed.
> "We sent knights. Then mages. Then a battalion of Blessed Blades. Even priests of the Holy Church. Every single one... vanished. Not even a scream. No blood. Not a whisper of their fate."
One of the generals stood, clearly disturbed.
> "It's not war, sir. It's a warning. That road doesn't want us to enter."
Suddenly, a scout burst into the hall, eyes wide, face pale, and breathing like he had run for miles.
> "High Marshal! A message... carved into the trees along the eastern road!"
Everyone turned to him.
> "What message?" Eron asked.
The scout gulped.
> "It says:
'The gate to Velmora is sealed by the will of the forgotten. Cross again, and you will join them.'
Signed… by no one."
Silence.
Lord Raelis sat back, visibly shaken.
> "There's something old in that forest. Older than kingdoms. Older than wars."
Eron stood up and looked out the tall glass window facing east — towards Velmora.
He whispered to himself.
> "Something doesn't want a war.
Or maybe... something wants to choose when the war begins."
The others remained quiet. The meeting was over. For now, the invasion was postponed.