My Descendants Are My Power

High above the encampment, Mike's face was a mask of grim determination.

Five years ago, he had received intelligence from his Druid brethren in Starlight County.

They had spoken of a coming storm, a day when Cloudview County would unleash its full might, when Blackwood would lead their warriors against Starlight County, and when the Azure Cloud army would meet its doom.

He had been waiting for this moment, biding his time, gathering his forces.

When news reached him that the Azure Cloud army had left Cloudview County, he had immediately begun mobilizing his warriors, eager to reclaim their lost territory and resume their campaign of conquest.

But now, despite the apparent vulnerability of Cloudview County, he hesitated.

"Apostle, what are we to do?"

The Harris High Priest's voice was laced with uncertainty.

"Word has reached the tribes. The Azure Cloud army is indeed in Starlight County. Are we to proceed with the plan? Are we to attack Azure Cloud?"

"Hold!"

Mike shook his head, his gaze distant.

"Years ago, we marched into Azure Cloud brimming with confidence. We underestimated Blackwood. We thought they were weak, divided. We paid the price for our arrogance. Our elders sought to crush them, but instead, it was Moon God who fell that day."

He turned to the High Priest, his eyes cold and calculating.

"The rabble at the Azure Cloud border... they're a distraction. Daniel sent them to Clark's territory to mine for resources. It's a feint, a ploy to draw us out. We mustn't fall for it."

"But Apostle..."

The High Priest's voice was strained, his frustration evident.

"Azure Cloud grows stronger with each passing day. If we don't strike now, we'll lose even more territory, even more resources. They'll use our own strength against us!"

Mike understood the High Priest's concerns.

He shared them.

But he had learned a valuable lesson from their previous defeat.

"Patience," he said, his voice low and steady.

"Humans are a greedy, envious lot. Blackwood will soon realize that their enemies are not limited to us."

"Word on the wind is that Sunshine Mansion is putting immense pressure on Cloudview County, on Blackwood. The intelligence we received about their attack on Starlight County... it came from Sunshine Mansion."

A cruel smile twisted his lips.

"By doing nothing, we've already achieved a great victory. We may not be able to defeat Azure Cloud, to defeat Blackwood, but those fools in Sunshine Mansion... they're blinded by their own greed. They've become our weapon, a blade pointed at Blackwood's heart."

The High Priest's eyes widened, understanding dawning on his face.

Even Mike felt a surge of satisfaction as the pieces fell into place.

"Spread the word," he commanded.

"Tell the tribes that the Azure Cloud army has set a trap, that we've seen through their deception. We're retreating, falling back a hundred miles."

"Yes, Apostle!"

The High Priest hurried off to relay the orders.

Meanwhile, on the Azure Cloud border, Nathan stood atop the wall, his coffin strapped to his back, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Beside him stood Daniel, clad in gleaming armor, his expression a mixture of anticipation and concern.

Behind them, a sea of Cloudview County Psychics stretched as far as the eye could see.

Two-tenths of Azure Cloud's population had answered the call to arms.

"Report! The Druids... they're not moving. They're retreating!"

A Developing Skill scout rushed towards them, his voice breathless. Experience more on мѵʟ

Nathan and Daniel exchanged a look, their brows furrowed.

"They're retreating again?"

Nathan stretched, his muscles tense.

He felt no elation at the news, only a growing sense of unease.

"Mike is a cunning adversary."

Despite his semi-retirement, Nathan had kept a close eye on their Druid rivals.

He had even shared a few cups of tea with Mike, their conversations a strange mix of animosity and grudging respect.

He had even met two of the Druid elders, Shane and Lester, their interactions a delicate dance of veiled threats and thinly veiled insults.

But Nathan never underestimated his opponents, especially Mike.

The Druid Apostle was a shrewd strategist, a patient and calculating leader.

"It's for the best," Daniel said, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Grandfather, we need you here, vigilant. If Mike is planning something, we need to be ready. The cost of a miscalculation could be devastating."

"Relax, he won't attack," Nathan said, a wry smile twisting his lips.

"He's waiting for us to weaken ourselves, hoping we'll tear each other apart. Whether we win or lose against Sunshine Mansion, it's a victory for the Druids."

His eyes hardened.

"He's a cunning bastard, but we'll see how long he can sit on the sidelines. Once we've conquered Starlight County, he'll be singing a different tune."

Together, they turned their gazes towards Starlight County, their thoughts aligned.

"Don't worry, Grandfather," Daniel said, his voice filled with confidence.

"Jessica is more than capable. She'll bring us victory."

...

"What? The Druids are retreating from the Azure Cloud border?!"

Danny's face contorted with rage as he received the news.

"The Azure Cloud army is gone! Cloudview County's strongest warriors are in Starlight County! Why are they retreating?!"

He grabbed the messenger by the collar, his voice a furious hiss.

He had given the Druids everything they needed.

They had assured him that once the Azure Cloud army was out of the picture, Mike would lead his forces in a devastating counterattack.

It was the perfect plan.

He had already envisioned the fall of Border Town, the triumphant march of the three families into Cloudview County, the plundering of Blackwood's treasures.

He should be standing victorious over Blackwood's ruins, not listening to this infuriating news!

"The Druids... they're afraid!"

The messenger stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

"Border Town is overflowing with Psychics! Blackwood has called upon every able-bodied man in Cloudview County to defend the border! They're even sending ordinary people, those without any cultivation!"

The messenger's fear stemmed not only from Danny's wrath but also from what he had witnessed in Cloudview County.

The people of that cursed land, regardless of their strength, were willing to fight, to die, for their home.

It was a level of unity, of unwavering resolve, that he had never seen before.

If Sunshine Mansion had called for such a mobilization, their citizens would have fled in terror.

Even the Psychics would have sought safer havens.

But these people... they were different.

They feared nothing.

"Danny."

Kyle, who had been waiting impatiently, rose to his feet, his face a mask of thunder.

He was a man of action, and delays frustrated him.

"You promised us that the Azure Cloud border would fall. Instead, I see those Druid cowards retreating. Did you bring us here for nothing? I, Kyle, never return empty-handed."

Danny's face paled.

He hadn't anticipated this.

His carefully laid plans were unraveling before his eyes.

"Please, be patient, honored sir."

Victor, who had risen through the ranks of the Roberts family thanks to Danny's patronage, stepped forward.

"Elder Danny is a man of foresight. The Azure Cloud army is in Starlight County, engaged in a fierce battle with the Druids. Once they fall into the trap..."

He smiled, a cruel, predatory expression.

"Once Azure Cloud suffers heavy losses, the Druids at the Cloudview County border will surely seize the opportunity to strike."

"It better be that way," Kyle growled, reluctantly taking his seat.

The Carters might be a bloodthirsty lot, but they were also shrewd and pragmatic.

They wouldn't have involved themselves in this scheme if not for Danny's assurances of success.

Only those who had walked through mountains of corpses and rivers of blood truly understood the danger posed by a family like Blackwood.

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