Tyrant of the Ruined Sun-Chapter 87: The Weight of His Name and Immediate Action

It was too obvious what they were thinking, yet I felt nothing, since I completely understood as I too held the same doubts they did. Maximillian was not Georgios or Marcus; he held no obvious flaws or weaknesses to exploit. He was a genius in offensive warfare and a master who perfected the ways of defensive warfare through centuries of experience. Even the monotonous and often times boring job of logistics, and the shameful but necessary times of retreat were trained into an artform by him.

Such was the monstrosity of Maximillian.

His only weaknesses, if you could even call them that, were his obsession with his game, and his unending pleasure by winning through ingenious strategies not brute force, despite him having the power to do so.

As for my men's thoughts, my two decisive victories in the last war were undoubtedly impressive, granting me a great deal of glory and recognition not only among my own soldiers and officers but also within the greater world community. But such was the might and prestige carried by Maximillian's name alone, even they who had seen me clutch victory from the jaws of defeat now doubted me.

Taking in a deep breathe to clear my mind from all the unnecessary thoughts, I began focusing on the matter at hand, thinking of a way to both ground my men in the present and not their depressing fantasies, as well as how to ultimately win this war. Yet before I could do much, a young man clad in the black attire of a high ranking officer gingerly spoke to his friend next to him in a quiet tone, yet due to the dead silent nature of the hall and all who were present's power, everyone heard his words "Maybe we should explore diplomatic options first."

A silent stir rippled through the room, and I instantly saw it, the quickly changing eyes of my men, especially those of my younger and recently promoted commanders. They were the eyes of men abandoning bravery and succumbing to their own fear.

Knowing that I must reverse the coming tide before it's too late, I called upon my divine blood and fully showcased the unrestrained force of a second gate demigod. The room was instantly hurled into a suffocating darkness where even the sun's light was barred from entering, and for a split second a blackness more absolute than an abyss devoured all. Then a burst of heat shot through the still air, causing them to feel as though their skin was being seared on an open fire, as all their eyes turned to behold a single flame, no larger than a candle's light, dancing silently in my open palm.

All the fire that still stubbornly clung to life atop the massive chandeliers above or on the torches that lined the pillars all instantly and simultaneously vanished, even their embers were extinguished. Such was the might of Hellfire, one of existence's most horrifying creations.

With it by my side, as my silverish white eyes hauntingly glared at them with a predator's gaze, I had once again reminded these fools who they should they truly fear, before I called out in a bone chillingly calm tone, akin to that of a ruthless judge summoning his next victim to meet his executioner's axe "Leonid."

Rising from his seat, my newest knight stepped forward and bowed, responding in such a vigorous and confident voice that it instantly shattered the prison of dread some of the weaker men had unconsciously locked themselves in "Your orders, my liege."

Flashing an imperceptible smile at him for having realized and acted to aid my plan, I commanded "Ready your arms and armor, for you and all one hundred and twenty thousand men of my personal army are to prepare to march in two days time."

"Understood." Leonid bellowed out even louder than before.

Turning my head, I called out again "Grand Vizier."

"Your orders, sire." Darius replied the same as Leonid, but added with it a trace of his aura to further magnify the effect of his words.

"Send a missive to every king and queen from here to the Boreas Empire, that if any of them so much as dares to even think about meddling in my empire's business, I will personally make sure that their bloodlines ends with them screaming like skewered pigs atop the ruins of their capitol's walls." I murderously ordained with a venomously sinister tone.

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"Right away, sire." He replied, bowing his head even lower, trying to hide the massive grin that now dominates his features.

Shifting my gaze yet again, this time to the eccentric looking researcher in the crowd with the glowing purple eyes, I said with a more humble tone "Lord Hekan. I'm afraid I'm going to have trouble you this time."

Sighing, the ancient Arch mage of the empire replied with a dissolute voice "I thought this might happen."

Smiling slightly, I try placating him with a few soothing words "My apologies for disrupting your work for this, lord. If you wish I will increase the budget for the Alcazar Archive when we return in compensation."

Chuckling the old mage replied "Then I shall not reject your generosity, my liege. Besides I was planning to stretch my any way."

'Crafty old fox.' I thought irritably, understanding that this was his plan all along.

'But it didn't matter that much anyway.' I comfortingly mused, 'I was planning to increase their budget either way, doing it a little sooner isn't a bad idea either.'

Finally turning to Isaac, I simply said "You know what you must do correct?"

"Of course, sire. I will immediately divert all available resources and manpower to the east." Isaac replied like the other two, but his tone carried a more ruthless edge to it, as if the man couldn't wait to avenge the humiliation they had incurred upon him.

Nodding I reply with a great emphasis on my words "Your first priorities are to determine the statuses of the Eastern army's and Chimera Knights' commander Sodarus Indra, as well as the eastern fleets admiral Khaireddin. Then you are to find the locations, size, troop composition and anything else of significance of the enemy forces. We can't win this war if we remain blind to all that's happening beyond the Jurren de Yachi Mountains."

"As you command, my liege." Isaac confidently replied.

"I am to meet with Maximillian in two weeks time. That means you have a month by the latest to have acquired all this information. Am I clear?" I stressed, as I looked at the increasingly furrowed brows of the man.

Isaac remained silent for a mere moment before replying not in a tone of mere confidence, but as a matter of fact "... The Shade Corps will not fail you again."

Hearing this a satisfied smile emerged upon my lips, not only due to his iron like conviction but also because this would inject the final dosage of courage and confidence needed to completely quell the restless hearts of the new officers.

Yet when I scanned the crowd before me again, I noticed that while the older generals were indeed restless, it was no longer due to fear but eagerness and excitement, meanwhile the younger men in the assembly were; yes, far calmer, but obviously still held a clear glint of unease in their eyes.'

Staring at this, I thought in exasperation 'Even after all this, they are yet to purge their cowardice? Who in the name of all the gods promoted these spineless clowns?!'

It was then that Darius meaningfully looked at me, and mouthed voicelessly without anyone noticing 'I shall explain later.'