The Beginning Adventure of the New Monarch

Ethan's estate was nothing more than a smoldering heap of ashes marking the fall of yet another pillar of Ouroboros.

Shadow Raven stood in the shadows watching the fire complete its work.

Nilyna calmly wiped her dagger on a silk curtain before rising to her feet.

— "Let them come. We'll be waiting" she murmured, her tone a blend of defiance and cold resolve.

Far from being crushed Ouroboros was bound to strike back.

Nilyna knew this, just as she knew that the kingdom had made its decision: this was no longer a silent war. The crown had resolved to eradicate Ouroboros to the very last member.

Meanwhile, at the harbor of the island of Ednia, the night's silence was deceiving.

Normally deserted at this late hour, the port was teeming with shifting shadows.

Thirty men in black coats bearing the emblem of a serpent devouring its tail gathered around their leader.

Noah a tall bald man whose, gleaming head caught the moonlight, twirled a dagger between his fingers.

A sadistic grin spread across his lips as he surveyed his subordinates.

— "This is the perfect moment," he said, his tone smug. "

The port is defenseless. Even with the war officially over, knight patrols are rare.

By destroying these last twelve ships, we'll cripple their ability to respond to a maritime invasion. The kingdom will collapse, crushed under its own weight."

He raised an arm, ready to give the signal for his men to set the ships ablaze.

An Unexpected Surprise happen.

Before Noah could lower his arm, a loud thud broke the silence.

Armed knights emerged from the bow of one of the ships, their figures illuminated by the moonlight.

One of the Ouroboros men, panicked, shouted:

"I recognize you! With that gray hair and armor... You're Gilbert the captain of the royal guard! What are you doing here?!"

Gilbert strode forward with steady determination, a confident smile gracing his lips.

He unsheathed his sword, its steel glinting under the lunar rays. Pointing his blade at Noah he declared in a strong, resolute voice:

— "By the order of the Crown of the Kingdom of Ednia I am here to put an end to your misdeeds Ouroboros. Tonight will mark your defeat."

Noah scowled, irritation and anger warring on his face.

He spat on the ground and growled:

— "A lapdog of the crown... No matter. I could use a good fight anyway."

He brandished his dagger and roared to his men:

— "Slaughter them! No mercy!"

The two sides charged at one another, the night's tranquility shattered by the clash of blades and the cries of battle.

Gilbert led the knights with military precision.

Every swing of his sword was deliberate, cutting through enemy ranks like a hot blade through butter. His commanding presence inspired his allies and struck a deep fear into his foes.

Noah meanwhile carved a path through the knights with his dagger, moving with blinding speed. His combat style, brutal and unpredictable, made every strike a lethal threat.

Despite his ferocity, he could not deny Gilbert's tactical superiority.

— "That cursed dog..." he muttered, narrowly deflecting an attack.

Amid the chaos Gilbert and Noah eventually found themselves face to face.

The captain of the royal guard launched a vertical slash but Noah sidestepped deftly, countering with a feint to the right.

Gilbert parried the blow smoothly, using the momentum to deliver a diagonal strike.

Their blades clashed, sparks flying and briefly illuminating their faces.

 "This kingdom is ours! Ouroboros will never surrender, mark my words!" Noah hissed through gritted teeth.

— "That's precisely why I fight," Gilbert replied with icy composure. "To rid this kingdom of parasites like you."

The duel intensified, the two exchanging blows at a blistering pace.

Slowly but surely, Noah began to lose ground. Gilbert's discipline and technique outmatched his wild aggression.

As Noah attempted one final desperate attack, Gilbert sidestepped and countered with implacable precision. The captain's blade pierced Noah's chest, pinning him to the ground.

One of the cadre of Ouroboros spat blood, rage and despair flickering in his eyes.

— "You... will never win. I'm not the only leader... the others will destroy you..." he whispered before life drained from his body.

Gilbert withdrew his sword, surveying the battlefield.

The knights had emerged victorious, though many bore wounds from the fierce skirmish.

A Victory for the crowm.

As calm returned, Gilbert approached one of his lieutenants.

— "Ensure that any documents or valuable items they were carrying are recovered. Secure these ships before dawn."

The lieutenant nodded in agreement.

Gilbert lifted his gaze to the starry sky, his expression resolute.

This victory was just another step in a war that promised to be long and bloody.