Inside the provisional command post in Breeze Town, candles wavered in the draft, throwing restless shadows across the canvas walls. Aurelius sat at the head table in rigid control.

Jared stood at his right, while Yuliana waited a respectful half-step behind them. Between the three lay a detailed relief map of Celestia City and its surrounding passes, the parchment holding more weight than any throne.

Aurelius spoke again, softer this time. “Mr. Chance is right-only unity can break the current deadlock.”

He tapped the map with a finger. “To the west, Sunset Pass is held by Brendon Velez-my own protégé. His loyalty is ironclad. In the southeast, Purdina Barracks answers to Rodney Decker, whose family has long prospered under the crown and will never bow to leuan. And though Tredarin, commander of the Intelligence Agency, remains in Celestia City, he has just sent word that he has covertly secured half the secret agents. He awaits only a signal to snap into action.”

“All you need to do is write a few orders, King Aurelius. Yuliana will deliver them herself,” Jared replied, his tone clipped with purpose. “She’s already at Earthly Immortal Realm Level Nine. Ordinary checkpoints cannot stop her, and her special status makes it unlikely to arouse leuan’s suspicion.”

“Rest easy, King Aurelius,” Yuliana said, bowing deeply. “I will not fail you!”

Without hesitation, Aurelius reached for brush and ink. Three swift strokes, a flourish of the Dragon Royal Seal, and the letters were ready. He placed them in Yuliana’s hands as though entrusting the kingdom’s heartbeat itself.