Chapter 68: REASONING
Inside the royal castle, war looms...
The air inside the war chamber was tense. Maps lay scattered on the table, candles flickered with each hurried breath, and outside, the castle guards were doubling their patrol.
Two high officials stood in front of Clinton, who sat silently on the edge of a long wooden table.
One of them, a short man with sharp eyes and a wrinkled forehead, was Advisor Mertin. The other, tall and strong with a scar across his cheek, was Defense Minister Halvor.
Mertin stepped forward, his voice shaking.
"My Lord Clinton... it has happened. The countries around us—Draxia, Austerin, Bellshade and Luminia—they’ve all joined hands. They are preparing to invade Velmora together."
Clinton’s eyes narrowed. "All of them? At once?"
Halvor slammed his hand on the table. "Yes! And what’s worse—why now? That’s what we don’t understand! The king died months ago. We were vulnerable back then. Why wait this long?"
Mertin shook his head, clearly panicking. "We checked everything. No signs, no hints, no spies we caught. It’s as if they waited on purpose. But... why?"
Halvor’s voice dropped low, filled with worry. "We’ve sent scouts. The enemy armies are already moving. If they attack from all sides, we don’t stand a chance in open war."
Clinton stood up, calm but firm.
"So you’ve come to me... because I was the king’s second son. Because my father—before he died—chose me as the last hope of Velmora."