The Castle in the middle of nowhere.

I looked at the map and leaned back on my throne. The problem with wars is that wars are about deception. There were only two crucial truths I had to discern. The first one was harder than the second and boiled down to the simplest of questions: who was attacking us? If I could find that out, the real assault target would be obvious. If the Devilkins were making their move, the attacks were almost certainly a bluff. The only point of interest for them is directly under Avalon, so attacking any other city is just a diversion. However, if the enemy were the Ruinous Powers' servants, their attack would be directed to inflict as much damage as possible before my forces could arrive to help. Fortunately, the Dungeon Cities were fully capable of defending themselves. The JDF armies were rerouted to the Goblin Dungeon, which they would reach in just a few hours. From there, they would be moved to their home Dungeons, so no matter who would attack us, they were in for a very nasty surprise. Guessing the correct opponent was key to a proper tactical approach.

However... Was it really important? Perhaps I could just assume the worst possible scenario-

"Theon?" Amber touched my shoulder, and I felt her trembling slightly. "Is everything all right? You are so quiet..."

"Yes, my Sweetheart. I was just wondering which of our enemies decided to attack us, completely disregarding Ban's opinion about it being a suicidal move." I smiled slightly. "I was trying to guess who."

"Isn't it obvious?" She sighed and leaned back on her throne. "The Winter Beasts have no real benefits in attacking us directly, and they already know how such an attack would end. They learned the hard way during their attack on Freya. Those are the Devilkins."

"I agree with Amber." Aoi nodded curtly and crossed her arms in front of her. "The servants of the Ruinous Powers never used the Shadow Realm, and they wouldn't leave any traces in the first place. From our limited knowledge about them, we are sure they leave traces only to intimidate people or when they want to be followed."

"I also believe that our enemies are the Devilkins this time." Luna took a deep breath. "The markers found by the Third and Fourth Legions are similar to the measurement markings used during various battles on Earth. It looks like they tried to measure the optimal distance for their artillery. Since we know that Winter Monsters do not use siege engines, the Devilkins must be behind it all."

"Hmmm... Your assumptions are sound, and while I don't want to assume too much, I believe that preparing for the Devilkins attack is the best course of action." I rubbed my chin. "In case of an attack from them, the Devilkins’ real objective is to gain control over the Dragon's Gate. Discoverable traces might be a simple diversion, or even if their attacks are fully executed, they are nothing more than a distraction. However, if we are completely wrong and the cultists attack us, the Dungeon Cities can defend themselves and wait for support. The servants of the Ruinous Powers are simply the lesser of those two threats."

"But what do they want to gain from attacking cities other than Avalon?" Freya asked timidly, making it apparent that she rarely had to wage wars during her life as a Dungeon.

"It's just guessing, but the two things are possible. The first one is to force us to spread our armies thinner. The second one is to prevent Avalon from getting any reinforcements once it becomes obvious that capturing Avalon or just the Dragon's Gate is their main goal."

"Why are you so calm?" Freya looked at me in shock. "Isn't the prospect of fighting a war terrifying?"

"It probably should be." I shrugged, and she quickly turned red. It looked like she remembered that I'm no stranger to war. "Amber, I want you to prepare plans for the evacuation of the Dungeon Cities if I'm woefully wrong about the scale of the incoming attack."

"I'll do my best, but it will be hard." She slowly nodded and collected the reports that had materialised in front of her. "Luna and Aoi, I will need your help."

"Irene, Hestia, and Lavender, I leave civil defence, medical relief, and associated logistics in your hands. I'm concerned about attacks on the civilian infrastructure because I expect the enemies to kill without discernment. While I believe that the Dungeon Cities' fortifications should withstand the Devilkin or Cultists attacks, the problem is that we have no clue what we will face."

Irene nodded. "We will be ready for anything."

"What about me?" Freya looked at me and Amber nervously.

"You can help Amber or Irene, but honestly, I don't know what kind of work would suit you the best."

"What about helping you?" Freya asked, creating a strange tension in the air.

"How much do you know about military doctrines, troops allocations, and military logistics?"

"Not much..." She admitted and slowly lowered her gaze.

"Then you can't help me without distracting me with an endless stream of questions." I sighed and put my hand on her shoulder. "Look, Freya. I believe you want to help me, but before that, you must learn everything I listed. Luna and Aoi have been training for a couple of months already, yet they only begin to see their shortcomings."

"Oh..." She smiled more confidently, but as quickly as her smile appeared, uncertainty replaced it. "I don't know how I could help..."

"In that case, you will help me, Freya," Amber said, deciding for her. "Your direct connection with the other Dungeon Cores will come in handy to deal with this situation."

"I will be happy to help you!" Freya exclaimed and quickly went towards Amber.

"Excellent. Thank you for your help, my Darlings." I nodded and smiled towards Amber who winked at me.

When I was left alone, I looked once more at the map and crossed my arms in front of me. In the moments that dragged into minutes, I realised that I was lacking something. I ran many scenarios of the incoming battles in my head, and none were convincing enough to develop meaningful conclusions.

"Eva," I called. "Summon Princess Cahrona."

"As you wish, my Lord."

The soft echo of her footsteps died once the heavy doors closed behind my secretary. I focused on the reports one more, slowly and methodically reviewing every trace found by the Legion's scouts. From physical shreds of evidence to the analysis of the magical background, it was obvious that the enemies were trying their best to mask their presence. The minutes passed slowly and painfully, but immersing myself in the reports finally revealed what I sought—the traces of black magic; the enemy would be the Devilkins.

"You summoned me, Your Highness." Cahrona's soft and gentle voice raised all the hair on my neck. "So here I am."

In shock, I realised I had unconsciously closed my eyes while focusing on the reports and abruptly opened them when I heard her speak. That was a bad idea. On the other side of the war table stood a woman so beautiful that I felt my heart racing. She had her hands crossed and lowered with her head tilted in a respectful bow. She wore a standard secretary uniform, similar to Eva's, but Cahrona appeared perfect as if she were wearing a royal gown. In growing panic, I checked my status and found that she wasn't using any of her seductive skills on me. With an enormous effort of my will, I lowered my gaze towards the table and took a deep breath.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Princess Cahrona." I tried to welcome her, and I was glad I managed to speak with only a slightly trembling voice. "The information you will hear in a moment is highly confidential, and you have to promise me that you will keep it secret until we officially disclose it."

"I promise never to speak of it outside this room," the Succubus assured me honestly and firmly.

I was afraid to risk looking at her and felt angry at myself. With another deep breath, I slowly raised my head and nodded with a smile. This time, it was easier not to feel like an idiot when I met her gaze.

"I appreciate that, Princess. Please, sit down." With a broad gesture, I pointed toward the empty chairs around the table and waited until she sat down. She came a little closer to me and sat on the first empty chair that wasn't a throne normally used by one of my Queens. She nervously tucked a hair strand behind her ear and looked at me with her incredibly intense, amethyst-purple eyes.

"Your eyes have changed colour?" I mumbled in shock, causing her to smile and blush slightly.

"Yes, my Lord. Thank you for noticing. I've been changing a lot lately and am a bit scared of these changes..." Cahrona lowered her gaze and I realised that I must have been staring at her.

"I'm sorry, Princess Cahrona. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." I made another titanic effort and slowly turned my gaze toward the map, but to my surprise, she smiled charmingly.

"I don't mind hearing it from you, my Lord," she said with a clearly affectionate smile.

"Umm... Right..." I sighed and took another deep breath. I had no idea why she made me so tense, but it wasn't the time for that. "I called you here to inform you that we will be attacked. All evidence suggests that your people are preparing this attack. I would like to hear your opinion."

I summoned the reports right in front of her, too afraid to risk accidentally touching her hands. Her Succubus's powers were no joke, even if she wasn't using anything on me directly. She changed quickly, focusing entirely on the small stack of papers, which ensured me that she wasn't doing anything to me. Cahrona grabbed the reports and started reading them. Her gaze stopped occasionally on some parts, only to skim the others. Her previously smiling face became clouded as she finished reading, raising her head to look at me.

"You are right, my Lord. Without a doubt, the Devilkins are preparing for an assault. While I can't be sure about the scale of their attacks, I am sure you mustn't underestimate the enemy."

"What should I expect?" I asked, glad she had some meaningful suggestions on her mind, judging by the focus painted on her cute face... God damn it, Theon, FOCUS.

"Hmmm... If the Dark One was sure to best Arcadia's armies in battle, he would have attacked without warning and struck Avalon directly. However, it seems like he and his generals must know they can't afford to fight you directly, or they have far fewer soldiers than I anticipated. But that doesn't matter. The Devilkins prefer quick raids. You should expect them to retreat if they meet fierce resistance, attacking elsewhere instead. But I don't believe that those cities are their real targets." She looked down nervously but quickly took a deep breath, appearing as embarrassed and anxious as I was. "The Dragon's Gate is their target. I believe they are trying to lure your forces out of Avalon, and they will throw everything they have to capture it. Once they have access to the Gates, they will try to seal them."

"What you said is consistent with our predictions." I nodded slowly. "However, I have a feeling that I lack some crucial information."

"I don't know what else I could tell you, my Lord. I swear I told you everything about my people and the prophecy that had deceived us." She was sad, instantly making me want to console her, but I forced myself to focus before I said anything.

"The prophecy..." I clung to that thought.

"If the Layline Gates of the world remain open until the end of the millennium, the world will be destroyed." She quoted the prophecy almost instinctively in response to my incoherent mumbling.

"Hmmm... Until the end of the millennium? When exactly is that?" I asked, realising that somehow I had overlooked that part.

"We are not sure because in the past few centuries, a few times, we lost count in the turmoil of internal wars. I know it's embarrassing... However, the common agreement is that we are in the last year of the third millennium after the reign of the first Demon Lord."

"That was the important piece..." I sighed, but it still wasn't it. There was something more. "Wait... You said they want to lure my forces out of Avalon?"

"Yes, my Lord." She fervently nodded in agreement, and I suddenly wished I did not see the things happening below her neck...

I was very close to spilling a cup of ice-cold water on my head, but I simply took a generous sip of it instead. The water was so cold it gave me clarity of thought for the next crucial moments.

"What would happen if I didn't send any reinforcement to the besieged Dungeon Cities? Will the Devilkins attack Avalon or refrain from doing so?" I asked, and she fell into a thoughtful pout. I swear she is doing this on purpose.

"I don't think so. They wouldn't bother attacking other cities if they believed they could attack Avalon and win. However, they are opportunists. If they believe that they could damage you by slaughtering innocent people in those cities, they will certainly do that. They want to destroy you, my Lord."

"Thank you for your priceless help, Princess Cahrona." I smiled as the last piece of the puzzle clicked in place. "Thanks to you, I will be able to set a trap for them."