Chapter b26 /b

Adide’s POV

bI /bslipped 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 Veldab, /bas 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 uncleb, /bever–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 bno /bdenying 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 bmassacres /bor killing captives.

bThis /bomission could mean either my grandfather deliberately concealed it, or he was entirely bunaware/b.

Either way, should the truthe to light, he, as themanding officer on the battlefield, would face bsevere /bconsequences.

bI /bstifled my grief and fury, reced the documents, and swiftly exited the archives.

Back at Frostfang, Beata awaited me.

Without a word, she bhanded /bme a note from Prune.

Reading it, I felt a chill–it confirmed my fears.

+15 bBonus /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 band /bsaid to Beata, “bBeata/b, help me select ban /bappropriate o

outfit. I’ll meet Lycan

I needed to see Er

Erasmus tomorrowb./b”

“Yes, Alpha Adide. You should rest now. It’ste,” Beata replied as usualb, /bwithout 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

bon /bme.

“Have byou /bbeen 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 continuedb, /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 bme/b. “My tears aren’t for Ulrik. I have no lingering bfeelings /bfor bhim/bb. /bI weep because Prune

Informed me of bmy /buncles‘ fates and my grandfather’s injury from an barrow/b, which hasn’t healed.“\/

I wouldn’t reveal that I’d infiltrated the royal archives to uncover the truth.

bErasmus /bpaused, then sighed deeply. “I intended to shield you from this, given your family’s tragic massacre bhalf /ba 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 bon /burgent 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 bvite /bit so soon, they’d ruin their trade bstanding/bb. /b

bThis /bwas precisely why Erasmus found my im unbelievable.