Chapitre 11: Chapter 11: The Calm Before the Storm
Leonis left his father's chamber with the weight of the sword in his hand and the responsibility of leading in his heart. The halls of the imperial palace were quiet in the early morning, with only a few royal guards stationed along the way. As he made his way back to his quarters, his mind was filled with thoughts of the upcoming campaign. He had just received his father's blessing to lead the charge, but it wasn't just the orcs and goblins he would face. The demonic forces in the eastern regions were a far more dangerous threat, a reminder that darkness was always lurking in the shadows of the empire.
Upon reaching his room, Leonis set the sword on a stand beside his bed and sat at his desk, staring at the map laid out in front of him. The eastern region of the Perdium Empire was circled in red, marking the areas where demonic activity had been reported. Villages had been destroyed, towns raided, and there were rumors of demonic beasts appearing closer and closer to the empire's borders.
His fingers traced the path of their planned march, leading through dense forests and over rugged mountains. It was a dangerous route, but it was necessary if they wanted to strike at the heart of the demonic forces before they grew too strong. Leonis knew that timing was everything — the longer they waited, the more powerful the demons would become.
As he studied the map, the door to his room creaked open. His youngest brother, Caelum, stepped inside, his expression serious for once.
"Brother," Caelum said, his voice unusually quiet. "The council meeting is in a few hours. Father wants you to be ready."
Leonis nodded, still looking at the map. "I'll be there. But Caelum... do you understand what this campaign means? This isn't just a skirmish."
Caelum hesitated for a moment before responding. "I do. But... this is our duty, isn't it? To defend the empire?"
Leonis looked up at him, seeing the uncertainty in his brother's eyes. Caelum, despite his brash and confident exterior, was still young, barely having experienced the realities of war. He hadn't yet faced the horrors that came with fighting demons and monsters.
"Our duty is to survive," Leonis said firmly. "To protect the empire, yes, but also to come back alive. The demons… they aren't like anything you've seen before. They don't fight like orcs or goblins. They use magic, and they won't hesitate to kill anyone who stands in their way."
Caelum swallowed hard, his youthful bravado fading as he absorbed his brother's words. "I... I see."
Leonis stood up, placing a reassuring hand on Caelum's shoulder. "You'll be fine, but you need to be smart out there. Stay close to me during the campaign, and follow my lead."
Caelum nodded, his expression more determined now. "I will."
As Caelum left the room, Leonis returned to his desk, feeling the pressure of the upcoming battle settling heavily on his shoulders. He was no longer the reckless prince with no sense of responsibility. He was the future emperor, the descendant of the empire's progenitor, and the one destined to inherit the spirit of his powerful ancestor. But more than that, he was the man who would lead the empire's forces against their greatest enemies — demons.
He reached for the sword his father had given him earlier and unsheathed it, watching the light reflect off the flawless blade. He had already risen to the 4th mana circle in swordsmanship, a feat that few could match. But it wasn't enough. Not yet. He needed to grow stronger, faster.
Taking a deep breath, Leonis stood in the center of his room, sword in hand. He began to focus, closing his eyes and summoning the mana from within his body. He needed to push himself further, to reach the next stage. The 5th circle, the Grandmaster realm, was within his grasp, but it would require discipline and focus beyond anything he had ever experienced before.
5 HOURS LATER:
A knock on the door.
"Enter," he called.
A royal messenger stepped inside, bowing low. "Your Highness, the council awaits you."
Leonis nodded. The time had come to face the empire's leaders, to lay out the plan for the campaign that would decide the future of the Perdium Empire. He sheathed the sword and placed it on his back, his mind already sharpening for the battle to come.
The war against the demons was just beginning.
Leonis followed the royal messenger down the grand hallways of the palace, his mind heavy with thoughts of the upcoming campaign. The sound of his boots echoed against the marble floors as he approached the large, ornate doors of the council chamber. Inside, the most powerful figures of the Perdium Empire awaited him — military commanders, strategists, high-ranking knights, and of course, his father, Emperor Valerian Perdium.
As the doors opened, the council members turned their attention to Leonis. His father sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect and authority. The emperor's sharp eyes met Leonis's, and there was a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Leonis stepped forward, his face calm but focused. He had prepared for this moment — to address the council as a prince and future emperor, not the disgrace he had once been seen as.
"Leonis," Emperor Valerian's voice filled the room, low and powerful. "We have received word from the eastern region. The demonic forces are growing, and their numbers far exceed what we anticipated. We must act quickly, or they will overwhelm our defenses."
One of the commanders, a seasoned warrior with a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward. "The orcs and goblins are also moving. It seems like they're planning an invasion in coordination with the demons. If we don't strike soon, we could be dealing with multiple fronts."
Leonis placed his hand on the table, looking at the map spread out before them. The eastern region was littered with marks indicating enemy forces — too many for a simple raid.
"We have no choice," Leonis said, his voice steady. "We must hit them before they have a chance to organize. The longer we wait, the stronger they become. But this won't be a standard attack. The demons have powerful magic at their disposal. We will need to focus on swift, decisive strikes, taking out their leaders before they can rally their forces."
The room grew quiet as the council members considered his words.
General Tyros, one of the emperor's trusted commanders, spoke up. "Your Highness, leading such a charge is risky. The demonic forces could trap us in their territory if we overextend. How do you propose we avoid that?"
Leonis glanced at his father for a brief moment before answering. "We won't fight on their terms. We'll use small, elite units to penetrate deep into their ranks, striking their commanders. Once their leadership is in disarray, their armies will collapse. We need speed and precision, not brute force."
His father raised an eyebrow, impressed. It was clear to everyone in the room that Leonis had changed. This wasn't the same arrogant and careless prince they had once known. He was thinking strategically, displaying the wisdom and foresight of a true leader.
"Very well," Emperor Valerian said. "We will prepare the elite units. But you, Leonis, will lead this operation. The success of this mission lies with you."
Leonis nodded, accepting the weight of the responsibility. "I understand, Father. I won't fail."
There was a collective murmur of approval from the council, and the mood shifted toward action. Plans were drawn up, strategies refined, and resources allocated. It would be a grueling campaign, but Leonis knew it was necessary to protect the empire and its people.
As the meeting concluded, Emperor Valerian stood, signaling the end of the council session. "We leave in three days. Prepare yourself, my son. You will carry the weight of our empire's future on your shoulders."
Leonis bowed slightly, acknowledging his father's words. "I will be ready."
After the council meeting, Leonis stepped out into the corridor, his mind racing. The weight of his responsibilities was immense, but this was his chance to prove himself, to become the leader his father and the empire needed.
As he walked through the halls, he heard footsteps approaching from behind. He turned to see his uncle, Lord Alistair Perdium, a skilled tactician and one of the emperor's most trusted advisors.
"Leonis," Alistair said with a smile, his tone warm yet serious. "I see you're already proving your worth. Your plan was sound."
Leonis returned the smile, grateful for the support. "Thank you, Uncle. But the real test is yet to come."
Alistair 's expression softened. "Indeed. But remember, you're not alone in this. You have the strength of your family behind you, and more than that... you have the blood of the progenitor flowing through your veins. Never forget that."
Leonis nodded. "I won't."
As Alistair walked away, Leonis stood in the hall for a moment, reflecting on everything that had happened. He had come a long way from the bullied, lonely student he once was on Earth. Now, he was standing at the precipice of something far greater — the legacy of his ancestors, the future of the Perdium Empire, and the prophecy that foretold his rise to unimaginable power.
But the path ahead was filled with danger. The demonic forces in the east were just the beginning. There were greater battles to be fought, betrayals lurking in the shadows, and secrets buried deep within the empire.
With a deep breath, Leonis made his way back to his chambers. He needed to prepare for the campaign, to strengthen his mana, and to hone his skills. Every moment counted now.
Standing in front of the mirror in his room, he looked at his reflection. The once awkward, insecure boy was gone. In his place was a prince — powerful, determined, and destined for greatness.
Gripping the hilt of his sword, he whispered to himself, "I will surpass them all."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone