The Third Prince Of Darkness

"Well, have I become your wife now?" Evangeline asked, as she lay on my shoulder.

"Absolutely," I replied without hesitation.

"So, if I want to leave the palace now, you won't let me?"

Evangeline's tone was teasing, clearly mocking me. That was a good thing because it meant she was content and happy with this night we shared.

"No, I wouldn't allow it," I said, playing along with her game.

After my words, she rubbed her bare body against mine and let out a soft giggle. The strawberry scent emanating from her pink hair filled the early hours of the morning with a pleasant warmth. After chatting with Evangeline for a while longer, we both took some time to sleep, and then our bodies met again during our morning bath.

As Evangeline cast shy glance at me, the servants changed the bloodstained sheets. Soon after, we went about our separate duties.

Lately, my relationship with Violet had also been improving. She had become more reserved and quiet compared to her old self. Initially, I thought she was still dealing with some form of depression, but I quickly realized that this was actually a sign of her maturing. The loss of her once-naïve, childish demeanor might even be for the better.

In addition to this, I had grown closer to Catherine as well. However, she was currently contemplating returning to Tiamat, now recognized as a kingdom, to fight against her uncle. She planned to incite a rebellion among the people and, with the support of loyal nobles, ascend to the throne and end her uncle's tyranny.

It didn't take long to convince her how foolish that plan was. Catherine promised, at least for now, to abandon the idea until I had ended the civil war. In return, I vowed to destroy her uncle's tyranny when the time came.

Both Tamerid and Tiamat were severely weakened in a short time. Alpshar, Tiamat and Tamerid, once an empire but now called a kingdom, had seized nearly all of their treasuries. Furthermore, heavy taxes had impoverished the people, and rebellions had already started in many regions.

My primary goal at the moment was to end the civil war, but my future target was clear. I intended to use the unrest in the northern kingdoms to unify the north under my rule.

Considering that the princesses and rightful heirs of both Tamerid and Tiamat were with me, this was more of a goal than a dream. Furthermore, I also had the Avarya princess and the Tamerid queen in my grasp. The kingdoms were weak; the people were in rebellion, and the nobles were focused on preserving their power and wealth. This chaos was an opportunity, a gift for someone like me. But that was for the future. For now, I needed to focus on completing my meal and uniting the Asina Kingdom.

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Two weeks later, I was finally ready to leave the palace. Duke Grohandal's army had merged with mine, creating a force of twenty thousand soldiers. I had spent most of the past two weeks with my women. I had also spent time with my two children, both of whom knew I was their father.

As I prepared to head into battle, the thought of leaving everything behind lingered in the back of my mind. But it was nothing more than a fleeting dream. I was no longer just a king—I was determined to build an empire. In this chaotic era of betrayals, wars, and alliances, the only way to stay strong was to move forward.

Before leaving the palace, I bid farewell to Luciana, Isabella, Evangeline, Ellera, Roxanne, Kayle, Avanne, Violet, and Catherine. Each had a different expression in their eyes.

The moment was a mix of emotions. Luciana's eyes held deep loyalty, and her determined expression silently conveyed her unwavering support. Isabella's face showed slight concern, but she maintained her usual composure. Her gentle and warm smile brought me a wave of peace.

Evangeline, uncharacteristically, smiled faintly with an air of trust. "If you die, I'll bring you back to life just to kill you again," she said jokingly, though there was an undertone of seriousness. Ellera, who rarely showed her emotions, revealed the weight of the farewell in her silver-ringed eyes and slightly damp cheeks.

Roxanne approached, wrapping her arms around my neck and whispering, "I know you'll succeed. I'll be eagerly waiting for your return." Kayle, ever silent, looked at me intensely, saying more with her gaze than words could.

Avanne, slightly timid but with a warm smile, held my hand. "Think of us, but I know you'll return," she said. Violet, as calm as ever, simply nodded in farewell. Catherine, however, stood out. "Whether you're a king or an emperor doesn't matter—I'm ready to fight by your side," she declared, her face filled with determination.

After the farewells, I walked toward my army. The horses were mounted, and flags were flying. Duke Grohandal awaited me. Standing at the head of the army, I thought about the challenges and opportunities ahead. Thaerd's army was undoubtedly larger than mine, and winning this battle would be the first step in changing my destiny.

As I looked back after riding some distance, I saw that every one of them, even Ellera, was shedding tears. My exceptional vision, a gift of the dark element, allowed me to see them clearly even though they didn't realize it.

Each of them likely decided not to show their emotions while I was there, not wanting to burden me or create a somber atmosphere. This thought brought a bittersweet smile to my face, but as I turned forward and clenched my teeth, the only feelings I had were a mix of happiness and anger.

Happiness because such remarkable women loved me, and anger because I had caused them pain. What made them so precious was not just their beauty, but also their unwavering loyalty and trust in me. It lightened my burden but also made it heavier. With every step forward, I carried their hopes and expectations.

Duke Grohandal's approach snapped me out of my thoughts. His gray hair and stern features reflected the wisdom and experience the years had given him. "Your Majesty," he said with respect and a hint of curiosity, "leading an army this large won't be easy, especially against such a powerful enemy."

I calmly turned to the Duke. "I don't expect it to be easy. But it's not impossible. Our advantage is the chance to win the people's support. To stand against Thaerd's tyranny, we must not only be an army but also a beacon of hope."

The duke nodded his head. "Your words are inspiring, Your Majesty. I hope your soldiers share the same conviction as you."

"I will shape their thoughts through my actions. They need to see a leader who can help them conquer their fears. That leader will be me. Make sure the army knows I will fight alongside them."

The first days of our journey were relatively calm. The army's discipline was impressive. However, at night, when we set up camp, I could hear the soldiers whispering among themselves. Most of them were anxious about the approaching battle. Among the young, there was fear, while the older soldiers carried a determination tempered by experience.

Nevertheless, the soldiers' morale wasn't low enough to darken the overall atmosphere of the army. Duke Grohandal's expertise, combined with the short speeches I gave, kept their spirits high. War wasn't just fought with swords and magic, but with resolve as well.

In the darkness of the night, a fire flickered faintly some distance away from the camp. While the army was asleep, I remained awake, poring over the map. This world was unfamiliar to me, yet my knowledge of history and modern warfare gave me a considerable advantage here. The enemy before us commanded a massive army bolstered by magic. But I knew that sheer numbers were not always the deciding factor. Strategy was everything. Find more chapters on empire

The reincarnation that brought me here was both a curse and a blessing. In the modern world, I had been a history teacher, but now I found myself in a completely different time and place. Still, I had no hesitation in using my knowledge—everything from Napoleon's campaigns to Sun Tzu's strategies—to end this civil war.

Tonight, with Duke Grohandal's help, I was analyzing the state of our army. I marked the enemy's likely routes on the map. Modern warfare tactics came to mind: ambushes, flanking attacks, feigned retreats... The presence of magic in this world meant I had to adapt, but that only made the challenge more intriguing.

"Duke Grohandal," I said, pointing at the map, "the main camp of the Thaerd army is here, correct?"

"That's right, Your Majesty. The enemy army is far superior in numbers, but moving such a large force isn't easy. They have to carry everything with them."

Just as I suspected. Their supply lines would be their greatest weakness. "We will target their supply convoys. Before the main armies clash, we'll starve them. And we'll raid their camps, depriving them of sleep every night."

The duke nodded with a faint smile. "A cunning strategy. But tactics like these could be seen as cowardice among the people. Are you prepared for that as a leader?"

I gripped the hilt of my sword. "The people won't remember cowardice; they will remember victory. The victors write history. Once we put an end to Thaerd's tyranny, no one will care what methods we used."

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