Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided-Chapter 255. War Strategist

255. War Strategist

The massive doors, easily twenty metres in height, groaned open, allowing the Empress and her entourage to walk through.

The spear-bearers snapped into a crisp salute as Empress Aurora strode into the grand hallway. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

A royal guard led the way, their marching boots echoing through the cavernous space.

Zetius arched a brow. This hallway was incredibly wide, more like an avenue than a corridor, and even grander than the cobblestone roads in the city.

The ceiling reached high, with volumetric light seeping from vaulted arches embroidered with gold frames, Renaissance in design. A rectangular pool ran the full length of the middle of the avenue. Both sides were flanked with row after row of beige monolithic columns extending far into the distance, drawing the eyes to the centre of focus.

"Wow… just wow…" Cartier’s eyes glistened, her tail wagging at the grand statues of Apollo with the sun crown on his temple, and Artemis with the crescent diadem on her forehead.

Both wore ornate robes carved in marble, white and gold. The grand statuary was the implication of the House of Vale, and their depiction of the divine twins. It was quite fitting for the Celestius of Gemini.

"It’s clearly grander than anything I’ve seen…" Zetius remarked.

"It’s just a sacred chamber," Cubie added, floating by his side.

Aurora kept her pace; she was already dozens of strides ahead of the rest of the group.

The avenue was filled with groups of arcanists, high officials, and authorities, who took turns offering her either a bow or a nod of respect.

Dark navy flags waved above their heads, lining both sides at the tops of the pillars; they were painted with the insignia of the two twin ladies.

The symbol of Gemini.

The air was dense with solemn discussion and vacant eyes. Zetius could already guess that they were not faring well with each tide of the war.

The Empress’s party arrived at the midway point, where the crowd grew denser, and the discussions grew louder. Their reflections mirrored on the rippling surface of the water in a nearby pool. The water was pristine and crystal clear, revealing the intricate mosaic of lapis lazuli and gold leaf beneath, depicting the starry constellations of the twins.

"Astral Empress Aurora Vere Borealis has arrived!" the royal guard announced, saluting before quietly stepping away.

The war council halted and made way for the new arrivals, revealing the war sand table in the middle.

Zetius craned his neck and peeked over the miniature models of the buildings and megastructures. It was almost a perfect replica of the inner wall, scaled down for war strategy and logistics planning.

The markers, with distinctive features of flags and queens, were placed around the wall. Meanwhile, a bird piece was slowly moving back on its own from the north.

"It’s like an interactive map! But analog!" Cubie hovered closer, her eyes lighting up as she watched the pieces move.

"Not analog. It is an arcane map," a female voice responded.

Celestius Nyrethein leaned both hands on the edge of the oak frame, while Stephen stood straight, his form perfect like a statue.

And the tallest of all, Lunarius Luger in his towering tiger form, bowed his head. As he straightened himself, he exchanged a smile with Zetius—an appreciative recognition for his help on the southern front.

"We appreciate Your Eminence joining us for this strategic war planning," Stephen said, placing his arm over his chest and bowing at the waist. The others followed suit, their clothes rustling softly as they dipped low.

"It is my pleasure to stand with brothers and sisters. Enemies of Britainians are enemies of mine," Aurora said firmly, gesturing for them to continue.

"It’s the reassurance we needed in this dire time," Stephen said.

Nyrethein pointed her sharp fingernails at one of the holes in the sand board. "We believe the demon’s Hellgate is in this area. One of our scout reports came in; the airspace is highly guarded beyond this north forest."

"There is more than one?" Aurora asked, pointing at another spot to the south-east of the capital, then hovering her finger over another at the edge of the southern river.

"That must have been the southern warband," Zetius mumbled.

"Yes, the smallest of the three," Nyrethein smiled. It was a condescending smile that furrowed Zetius's brows. He truly didn’t want to banter with her today; he was way past that.

"Ah—" Zetius’s lips parted, trying to find the words.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Thank you." Nyrethein rose, her sharp chin lifting as she rolled the Celestius ring on her index finger. Her long white lashes fluttered elegantly.

"What?" Zetius’s brows deepened.

"I thank you, Zetius. For your effort to push back the southern front," Nyrethein said, her voice void of its usual venomous scheme.

"I…" Zetius’s hand snapped to his hair; he couldn’t meet her eyes. That’s completely unexpected…

"And you too, Cubellina." Nyrethein gestured with her four fingers. "Your good deed will not go unrecognised. You’ve saved our arcanists—my people."

"Well… I wanna be useful!" Cubie chirped. Pride swelled in her chest, and she propped her back straight.

Nyrethein raised her palms to the sky. "Britainia will never forget our debt to you. That is the greatest virtue that defines us."

Luger crossed his arms, his eyes closed in satisfaction.

Gleaming eyes of respect landed on Zetius and the glowing blue girl. Cartier smiled with all her teeth. Even Aurora clasped Zetius's shoulder and chuckled in her throat.

It was a rare sight, but it meant everything.

"Shall we continue?" Nyrethein shifted, her eyes falling onto the model of the Inner Wall. A miniature flag was used as a marker to position her forces.

The crowd nodded along, and heads turned to the war table.

"Our scouts detected the Hellgate opening up again," the Minister of Intelligence reported. He was an elf with a monocle. "They aren’t subtle about it, either. Their heavy marching and machinery could be heard kilometres out."

"Great. Judging from that, they will likely arrive at the battlefield at dawn break?" Nyrethein asked.

"Exactly 0610 in the morning. We should expect them to reach our Inner Wall," the monocled elf said.

"The fight is at dawn, then." Nyrethein rose up.

She weaved black light out of thin air. "Time to set the war clock!"

It coiled around her palm before she flicked her wrist. The black light shot out at the ceiling, hanging in static, flickering light before it eventually shifted and formed into numbers — the ticking timer until the next strike.

"Since we discovered the size of the Hellgate grows proportional to the size of the enemy force…" She waved her finger, and one of the markers floated up and landed on the northern front.

"I agree," Stephen Vale cupped his chin before he moved the caduceus marker along with the flag. "Then, you’d need the healing support."

He gestured to the Minister of Health, a woman in a white uniform. Her arm sleeve bore the same caduceus marker, a snake on a staff — the symbol of medicine.

"Acknowledged! We’ll arrange medical teams to mobilise accordingly tonight," the woman replied.

"Thank you, Minister," Stephen offered a nod.

Zetius crouched beside Cartier and whispered, "Are they arcanists or medical staff?"

"Judging from their attire, I’d say they are both!" Cartier whispered back.

"I see, I see." Zetius rose up and tuned back in with the war discussion.

"...It appears you have strategically placed all your arcanists throughout the walls," Aurora brushed her brows. "I have no doubt in my mind, it is impenetrable. However, this is merely a siege strategy; we are simply waiting for them to attack in hopes of surviving. It offers no real resolution. How do you plan to stop their advance for good?"

Nyrethein’s lips parted, then there was a shift in her visage. A smirk painted her lips, her eyes gleaming. "I’m glad you asked. I will personally launch the counter-strike to the heart of the spawn."

"A counter-strike? Pray tell, how exactly do you achieve that?" Aurora asked.

"With the power of the Primordial Essence, of course." Nyrethein raised her palm. "There’s a theory which I’ve been working on, and I’d like to test a probable hypothesis. I shall bridge the Dreamless Realm with the Underworld and send my army of the night against them!" Her hands curled into a fist and raised up.

Aurora didn’t react, not even a small rise in her brows. Her expression remained sombre. "So you plan to fight Hades in his own realm…"

"Hell should freeze over," Nyrethein replied firmly.

Silence struck the cavernous chamber. Nobody moved. Only the sound of heartbeats echoed in the air.

"You have doubts, Empress." Nyrethein bit her lip, her fingers clenched, her knuckles whitening.

"No." Aurora’s voice was tight. "I don’t have any objection… Are you sure about this?"

"I am…" Nyrethein closed her eyes solemnly. "It is worth a try, and even if I…"

She gently placed a hand on her brother’s chest.

"Please don’t say that," Stephen drawled, his brows knitted.

"My people are still in capable hands," Celestius Nyrethein said, the desperation reforming into boiling hatred through her gritted teeth. "I will bring the head of their leader, be it gods or any hellspawn."

"Very well. I would not stop you." Aurora took a step back.

Nyrethein nodded slowly. "Please don’t feel obliged to stay, Empress. We’ll be discussing the fine details of the logistics and support from now on. I’m afraid we’ll only bore you with it." She turned to Zetius.

"You too, go rest." She commanded.

"I shall arrange the accommodation for you and your entourage," Stephen said, clasping his hands and signalling for the head of staff.

"Thank you," Zetius said.

"It’s been arranged, Magnus Primarch." The female voice was as smooth as velvet.

A female in a black tuxedo appeared behind them, her long dark hair tied up in a ponytail. She had a refined, dignified face with sharp features and dark blue eyes like the sea at night.

"My name is Stefanie Pavo." She bowed deeply. "A maid has been assigned for your party. Please proceed to the accommodation area on the right."

She stepped aside, sweeping her arm gracefully to indicate the path.

The Empress’s entourage made their way toward the far side of the hall. A young maid awaited them at the intersection. She had amber-orange hair braided into two small tails, resting against her maid blouse. Freckles adorned her face, crossing her cheek and nose. It was a beautiful and distinct feature.

"Dear Esteemed Guests, I’ll be your guide and your maid for this evening." She bowed her head low and began to provide a quick tour of the accommodation area.

The accommodation wing unfolded like a labyrinth of identical corridors. While intimate compared to the cavernous avenue, it lacked nothing but luxury. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft, amber warmth overhead — a gentle rescue from the intense, hallowed god’s ray of the war chamber.

Rows of polished doors lined the walls, evoking the atmosphere of a high-end hotel rather than a military fortress.

The maid guided them efficiently. The Empress and Cartier were the first to be shown to their suites; with a final wave, they disappeared behind the heavy panels.

Now, it was Zetius and Cubie’s turn.