Chapter <b>26 </b>
Adide’s POV
<b>I </b>slipped into the royal archives, shielded by Frostfang’s stealth cloak.
It masked my scent and muffled my steps, allowing me to glide through the high–security area like a wraith.
No need to search–the Bloodscar Campaign reports were neatly arranged on the upper shelf of the left oak bookcase.
I retreated to a dim corner of the archive room and, by faint light, began reviewing the dispatches one by one.
By the time I finished thest report, my blood felt frozen, and a bone–chilling dread spread through me.
Tears welled up uncontrobly, blurring my vision.
Ulrik and Velda<b>, </b>as reinforcements, rushed to the Bloodscar Border and plunged into the fray.
Their inexperience on the battlefield soon became apparent.
In the first battle, my uncle lunged to save Ulrik, his left arm severed by an enemy de–a scene so visceral, it yed out before
my eyes.
My youngest uncle<b>, </b>ever–vibrant and dashing in my memory, fell heroically before reinforcements could arrive.
My grandfather, struck by an arrow, was left critically wounded, leaving Ulrik tomand subsequent engagements.
Yet, there’s <b>no </b>denying Ulrik and Velda’s pivotal role in turning the tide.
They led troops into the Western Tribe’s Snowdeer Town.
Ulrik set fire to their arsenal, while Velda captured several soldiers.
These captives became the leverage that forced the Western Tribe’s surrender.
Only after the treaty was signed in Snowdeer did Velda release the prisoners.
The battle reports made no mention of <b>massacres </b>or killing captives.
<b>This </b>omission could mean either my grandfather deliberately concealed it, or he was entirely <b>unaware</b>.
Either way, should the truthe to light, he, as themanding officer on the battlefield, would face <b>severe </b>consequences.
<b>I </b>stifled my grief and fury, reced the documents, and swiftly exited the archives.
Back at Frostfang, Beata awaited me.
Without a word, she <b>handed </b>me a note from Prune.
Reading it, I felt a chill–it confirmed my fears.
+15 <b>Bonus </b>
Prune’s message revealed that Western Tribe soldiers, disguised as Dragon Ash wolves, were en route to the Southern Border.
This meant the Western Tribe had allied with Dragon Ash.
Erasmus. I reflected for a moment <b>and </b>said to Beata, “<b>Beata</b>, help me select <b>an </b>appropriate o
outfit. I’ll meet Lycan
I needed to see Er
Erasmus tomorrow<b>.</b>”
“Yes, Alpha Adide. You should rest now. It’ste,” Beata replied as usual<b>, </b>without further questions.
“You rest to
too,” I said, my voice slightly hoarse from recent tears.
The next day, I arrived at the pce and requested an audience with Lycan Erasmus.
“Hail, Your Majesty!” My voice, still rough fromst night’s tears, held a tremor.
Last night, after Beata left, I’d cried into my pillow for hours. The pain of my family’s loss and the current crisis weighed heavily
<b>on </b>me.
“Have <b>you </b>been crying?” Erasmus frowned, his usually handsome face creasing with displeasure. “Still upset about Ulrik and Velda’s bonding ceremony?”
I shook my head hastily. Before I could speak, Erasmus continued<b>, </b>“Your bond with Ulrik is dissolved. Since you’ve no further
connection, why grieve over the past?”
His voice was mild, yet I sensed an underlying annoyance.
I spoke quickly, lest he interrupt <b>me</b>. “My tears aren’t for Ulrik. I have no lingering <b>feelings </b>for <b>him</b><b>. </b>I weep because Prune
Informed me of <b>my </b>uncles‘ fates and my grandfather’s injury from an <b>arrow</b>, which hasn’t healed.“\/
I wouldn’t reveal that I’d infiltrated the royal archives to uncover the truth.
<b>Erasmus </b>paused, then sighed deeply. “I intended to shield you from this, given your family’s tragic massacre <b>half </b>a year ago. Your
uncle died a hero for the kingdom. I’ve posthumously honored him as a War God. Do not mourn excessively–it would distress your health,”
I blinked back tears. “I understand. They were wolf warriors. I’vee today <b>on </b>urgent business. My friend, Craig, while traveling abroad, discovered Western Tribe soldiers infiltrating Dragon Ash, disguised as their warriors, en route to the Southern Border battleground.”
At this, Erasmus’s brow furrowed and he eximed, “Ridiculous! Utter nonsense!”
1prehended his skepticism. The Western Tribe had recently signed a non–aggression pact with the kingdom.
Should they dare to <b>vite </b>it so soon, they’d ruin their trade <b>standing</b><b>. </b>
<b>This </b>was precisely why Erasmus found my im unbelievable.