CHAPTER 308: RETURN TO THE CAPITAL

Emperor Yanyu Du Shi Wang sat upon his throne like a statue carved from living stone. His ceremonial robes, deep blue silk embroidered with golden dragons, could not entirely conceal the armor beneath.

His eyes held the weight of a man who had been making life and death decisions for weeks without respite, each choice carving deeper lines into his weathered face.

Court officials stood around the throne in rigid formations, their silk garments a stark contrast to Grim’s unmistakable stench of dried blood that clung to his clothing.

The collection of elven ears at his belt drew horrified stares and poorly concealed expressions of disgust from the assembled nobility.

Let them smell the reality of war while they stood in their perfumed safety.

"Lord Grim van Ambrose," the emperor’s voice carried clearly through the vast chamber, each word measured and deliberate. "Your reputation precedes you. Though I confess, the reports of your activities seemed too extraordinary to believe."

Grim approached the throne with steady steps, his boots echoing against marble that had probably cost more than most people earned in a lifetime.

The sound of his movement was harsh and military in this place of refined civilization.

"Your Majesty," he replied with a respectful bow. "I bring intelligence that will reshape your understanding of this war."

"So I have been told." The emperor’s gaze fixed on the collection of ears hanging from Grim’s belt. "My generals count nearly four hundred pairs. Is this accurate?"

"Four hundred and seventeen, to be precise." Grim’s hand brushed against the trophies, their dried leather texture familiar beneath his fingertips. "Each one represents an elf who will never again threaten your people."

A ripple of whispered conversation passed through the assembled court. Some voices carried admiration, others revulsion, but all held a note of fear. Fear of what kind of man could kill so many and speak of it so casually.

"Extraordinary," the emperor murmured. "But you mentioned intelligence. What have you learned about their operations?"

Grim reached into his pack and withdrew te documents that contained maps, patrol schedules, communication logs and supply manifests.

"They’re preparing" he said, spreading the papers on a low table that materialized as if by magic. "This is preparation for full-scale invasion. Three major strongholds coordinate operations across your entire eastern frontier. Over two thousand elven soldiers, with more arriving weekly."

The emperor leaned forward, studying the documents with the intensity of a man whose kingdom’s survival depended on the information before him.

His fingers traced the patrol routes and supply lines, following the pattern that Grim had uncovered through blood and violence.

"This stronghold here," the emperor pointed to a position marked in red. "How well defended?"

"Five hundred elves minimum. Stone walls, magical defenses, natural barriers on three sides." Grim’s replied. "Assault would be costly, even with overwhelming numbers."

"And this supply network?"

"Seventeen depots that I’ve identified. I destroyed two during extraction operations. The rest remain operational but vulnerable if you strike quickly."

Emperor Yanyu studied the intelligence for a long moment, his expression growing increasingly grim as the scope of the elven threat became clear. The casual raids that had plagued his border regions were merely the prelude to something far more dangerous.

"How long do we have?" he asked finally.

"Based on their communication schedules and supply movements, I estimate three months before they’re ready for major operations. Six months before they can sustain a prolonged campaign."

"Then we must strike first." The emperor’s voice carried new resolve. "Disrupt their preparations. Destroy their supply network before they can consolidate."

"Agreed." Grim straightened, meeting the emperor’s gaze directly. "Elven military units are professionally trained and well-equipped. Your regular soldiers, brave as they are, lack the specialized skills needed for this kind of warfare."

"What do you suggest?"

"I return to the Celestis Empire. Gather allies with experience fighting elven forces. Return with specialists who can match their magical capabilities and tactical expertise."

The emperor’s expression darkened. "You would abandon us at our hour of greatest need?"

"I’m not your solider, I don’t have to do anything to help you. If you need help you can pay me."

"How much?"

"Send a request to the Empress, and than we’ll talk."

"And if the elves attack before then?"

Grim’s smile held no warmth. "I’ve already given you significant advantages. Figure it out."

Elves were a naturally superior race. An average elf could make up for 2 to 5 soliders depending on how skillfully they were.

The emperor was quiet for several minutes. Around them, court officials whispered among themselves, their conversations a susurrus of silk and speculation.

"You ask much," the emperor said.

"I ask nothing." Grim’s voice carried an edge that made several courtiers step backward involuntarily. "I’ve already fulfilled my obligations. Lady Levenhart is safe. Your prisoners are rescued. Your enemies have learned to fear my name."

He gestured toward the collection of ears at his belt. "Four hundred and seventeen dead elves. Two destroyed supply depots. Intelligence that reveals everything. I’ve given you more in three weeks than your military has accomplished in months."

"And yet you would leave us to face invasion alone."

"Your Majesty, with respect, you’re thinking like a man defending his borders. I’m thinking like someone who wants to exterminate the threat entirely."

The emperor’s eyes narrowed. "Exterminate?"

"Every elf in those mountain strongholds." Grim’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper, but it carried clearly through the vast chamber. "When I return, it won’t be to help you repel an invasion. It will be to ensure no elf ever threatens your kingdom again."

The promise hung in the air like smoke from a funeral pyre. Court officials exchanged glances that mixed anticipation with horror. Even the emperor seemed momentarily taken aback by the casual certainty in Grim’s voice.

"You speak of genocide," someone whispered from the assembled crowd.

"I speak of total victory," Grim replied without turning to identify the speaker. "The difference is a matter of perspective."

Emperor Yanyu stood slowly, his ceremonial robes rustling like battle banners in a wind that carried the scent of coming storm. He walked to the edge of the raised platform where his throne sat, bringing himself closer to Grim’s eye level.

"Lord Ambrose," he said formally. "The Yanyu Dominion recognizes your service and accepts your proposal."

"Understood. Remember I don’t fail, Your Majesty," Grim replied with quiet confidence. "Ask the four hundred and seventeen elves whose ears I carry."

"One moment." The emperor gestured to a court official who stepped forward with a scroll. "Sealed orders for Empress Alexia. Our formal request for military cooperation.

Grim accepted and secured it in his pack.

"Is there anything else you require?" the emperor asked.

"Fresh horses, supplies for a week’s journey and letters of passage through your territory." Grim paused, considering."

"Consider it done."

He turned to leave, his boots echoing against marble as he walked back through the assembled court.

Whispered conversations followed in his wake, courtiers sharing their thoughts about the foreign noble who wore enemy ears like jewelry and spoke of genocide as casually as discussing the weather.

The doors closed behind him with a sound like distant thunder.

Outside in the corridor, Captain Wei waited with obvious relief at seeing his commander emerge safely from the political theater of imperial court.

"How did it go, my lord?"

"As expected. The emperor wants elves dead, and I want to kill elves. Our interests align perfectly." Grim began walking toward the palace gates, his pace suggesting urgency. "Gather the men. We leave for Celestis territory within the hour."

"And where exactly are we going?"

"Home," Grim replied gently. "To collect allies who understand that sometimes mercy is cruelty, and cruelty is mercy."

As they walked through the palace corridors, servants and guards pressed themselves against the walls to avoid crossing their path. The smell of dried blood and the soft clinking of elven ears created an aura of menace that made even armed soldiers uncomfortable.

Grim noticed their reaction and smiled with cold satisfaction. Fear was a tool like any other, and he had learned to use it with surgical precision.

By the time they reached the palace gates, fresh horses were waiting along with supplies for travel. The emperor’s orders had been carried out with impressive efficiency.

"Ready, my lord," Sergeant Liu reported, checking the horses’ gear one final time.

"Then we ride." Grim mounted and gathered his reins, looking toward the distant mountains where elven strongholds waited in blissful ignorance of what was coming.

As they rode through the capital’s streets toward the main gates, civilians lined the way to watch their passage. Some stared in fascination at the collection of elven ears. Others crossed themselves or made protective gestures against evil.

All of them would remember this night.

The gates closed behind them with a finality that seemed to echo across the countryside.

Behind them, Emperor Yanyu Du Shi Wang stood at his palace window, watching the distant lights disappear into darkness.

"May the gods help us all," he whispered to the empty night.