In the following days, preparations for the Asterion Valley proceeded apace. The combined Solaris and Ardelia forces continued to train, though the minor friction between them never truly subsided. The clanging of swords, the sound of shouts, and the rising dust from the fields seemed to become the new soundtrack for the Ardelia fortress.
However, beneath the hustle and bustle, another plan was brewing in the shadows.
Kaelen walked through one of the fortress's quiet corridors with heavy steps. The faint sound of soldiers gathering could be heard in the distance, but he chose a path untrodden. In his hand was a small scroll containing an official order from the council, which he had secretly copied.
He entered a dark room beneath the east tower, where several of his loyal soldiers were waiting. Their gazes were filled with doubt, but Kaelen stood tall with the authority of a commander.
"The council may have been blinded by their words," he said quietly, his voice echoing in the stone chamber. "They believe Ardyn and Seraphine's sweet words. But you know, I know—those outsiders bring no salvation. They will bring destruction to our kingdom."
A young soldier hesitantly asked, "But, Commander… we've been ordered to cooperate. What if this is considered treason?"
Kaelen stared at him sharply, cold as steel.
"The greatest treason is allowing foreigners to take over our territory. Do you want to see the Solaris flag flying above this tower?"
No one dared to answer.
Kaelen unrolled the scroll and spread it out on the table. It contained the logistics route Ardyn and Seraphine had established to bring supplies to Asterion Valley. The route was crucial, because without supplies, the garrison in the valley wouldn't last more than a few days.
"We don't need to attack them directly," Kaelen continued. "Just disrupt the supply route. Some carts are lost, others arrive late. Let Solaris bear the blame. Let Ardyn accept his own failure."
His soldiers looked at each other, then slowly nodded.
That night, two wagons loaded with supplies departed early from the fortress warehouse. No one realized that one of the guards in the column was a Kaelen. Midway through the forest, when the moon was obscured by clouds, he gave a signal.
Three figures emerged from behind the trees, their faces covered with black cloth. In an instant, two of the coachmen were paralyzed. The supplies were dragged into the forest, leaving a faint trail that was difficult to find the next day.
The next morning, a report quickly reached the council table.
"Two wagons are gone," said an officer with a stern expression. "There are no signs of a monster attack. This is the work of humans."
Ardyn stared at the map with a frown.
"If this was the work of bandits, why would they dare attack so close to Ardelia? This is odd."
Lady Seraphine gave him a sharp look, then added, "More than odd. Bandits wouldn't know which paths were most important. Someone gave them information."
The room fell silent. Theon tapped his quill on the table, his eyes half-closed as if contemplating something.
"I suspected it. Internal division is more dangerous than external attacks. Someone doesn't want us to succeed."
Ardyn clenched his fists. He knew his suspicions were correct, but without proof, he couldn't accuse recklessly. And Kaelen, with a calm and disciplined face, remained present among the commanders, as if oblivious.
On the training grounds, tension began to build. Solaris soldiers accused Ardelians of deliberately withholding supplies, while Ardelians countered by accusing Solaris of careless cargo protection. A small argument escalated into a fistfight.
Elric and Darius were forced to intervene to separate them.
"Enough!" shouted Elric, his sword drawn, if only to intimidate. "If we attack each other, those monsters won't have to come all the way here. Before they get there, we'll all be destroyed!"
Darius stared at the divided ranks, then glanced at the stand where Kaelen stood. He caught a glimpse of a very brief, thin smile—a smile that unsettled his heart.
That evening, Kaelen returned to the east tower. He gazed toward the valley far to the north, where the Solaris and Ardelia alliance was supposed to be solidified.
"Let them believe in that false alliance," he whispered softly. "I will prove them wrong in their decision. This world is no place for weaklings like them."
The torchlight in his hand dimmed, but the flames of his ambition burned even brighter.
And unbeknownst to anyone, the seeds of betrayal began to grow.