Chapter 40

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Chapter 40: Shadow of the Empire

"Who signed the declaration of war?" Midi suddenly asked.

A declaration of war was a formal announcement issued by nobles before launching territorial conflicts. It would be publicly posted in their own territories and the duchy’s capital, then submitted to the Senate and the Queen as proof of resolve.

The Sais family had indeed submitted such a declaration—but only after mobilizing their troops, aiming to catch the Asreks family off guard.

After the surprise attack on York County, Midi’s father, Count Ingman, had released a statement. While acknowledging the damage caused to the Joseph family’s lands, he emphasized that their true target was the Sais family’s army, promising compensation after the war. This was standard practice among nobles, meant to pacify the Joseph family.

Yet now, the Joseph family had launched an aggressive assault—uncharacteristic of their notoriously cautious Count.

As Midi suspected, the declaration bore not Count Joseph’s signature, but that of his younger son: Quinn Joseph.

Aged thirty-two and at level 31, Quinn was a prime-aged Elementalist. The declaration claimed Count Joseph had fallen gravely ill, forcing Quinn to take charge. He vowed to prevent Joseph lands from becoming a warzone, hence declaring war on the Asreks family.

With the Joseph family’s full support, the Crimson Flame Legion secured ample supplies and attacked within a week, forcing the Asreks family into a defensive position.

Midi frowned, then froze as memories from his past life clicked into place.

In that timeline, Count Joseph had also “fallen ill”—but two years later, during the Delos Empire’s invasion. Back then, Quinn Joseph had conspired with the traitorous Sais family. The weak Asreks forces, equipped with sabotaged weapons from the Sais, collapsed swiftly, allowing the Empire to invade through their territory.

The Delos Empire had been the true puppeteer: propping up the Sais family, installing the ambitious Quinn, then crushing the strategically vital Asreks family.

But this time, Midi’s rise, his alliance with Fina, and his thwarting of plots had strengthened the Asreks family. Their future looked bright—which was why the Empire had moved early.

This war was no longer just a feud between noble factions. It was the Delos Empire making its opening move.

Everything traced back to Count Joseph’s “illness.”

The Empire was here.

The behemoth that had devoured the Belmar Duchy in his past life was extending its shadow. Their first target? The Asreks family, guarding the path to the Forest of Gran—the Empire’s future invasion route.

Midi’s chest tightened. *The stronger I grow, the greater the threats. I thought the Sais family was our biggest problem, but the Empire itself is moving…*

Yet his resolve burned hotter. His blood pulsed, heart drumming. Closing his eyes, he inhaled winter’s sharp air, letting it steady him.

The Empire’s schemes ran deep. Without a decisive victory, the Asreks family would perish. But Midi had survived despair before. No storm would shake him now.

His eyes snapped open, blazing like lightning.

*War.*

“Decided, then?” Fina smiled, studying his battle-hardened expression. The future Queen of Magic had her own plans but trusted Midi to lead.

Meeting her gaze, he addressed the room calmly: “If the Josephs want war, we’ll give them war—not defense, but conquest. We’ll plant our flag on their walls!”

Elven elders brightened—more Asreks land meant more resources for their tribe.

A scoff cut through. “Human, you ignore the obvious. More enemies mean greater numbers. We elves don’t fear death, but we won’t charge blindly.”

The speaker was a towering elf in black heavy armor—Klasty of the Claw Tribe, commander of their 300-strong Nightblade Leopard Cavalry.

Elders watched slyly; this challenge had their approval.

Unfazed, Midi countered, “Their extra troops are a weak fist, but they’ve exposed every weakness. This war will be easier.”

The Crimson Flame Legion’s 10,000 troops gaining 2,000 Joseph soldiers meant little—infighting was likely. Meanwhile, Joseph lands were now valid targets. Midi could strike anywhere, stretching enemy supply lines.

“With the Nightblade Leopard Cavalry as our core, we’ll shred them in a lightning campaign. Any objections?”

None came. Even the elves looked eager.

“Where first?” Fina asked, arms crossed.

Midi spread a map. “Here. We start at Tami Town… and sweep everything in our path.”