119. Kane's Premonition, Part 2

Several days had passed since the Death Empire entered a state of war readiness, yet Kane’s unease not only lingered but intensified. The other empires, too, were on edge, their relations strained to the breaking point. Trade and communication between the empires had all but ceased, scouts scoured the lands, and intelligence agencies operated under unprecedented tension. Yet, despite several days of heightened alert, nothing had transpired; no intelligence had been gathered. Gradually, the other empires began to grumble about the Death Empire’s alarmism. What was the point of making such a fuss without cause? They had forgotten that the Death Empire had only notified its allies, deliberately excluding the other empires—even the Dragonstone Empire had not been informed.

Upon receiving Vider’s report, the Goldenstone Empire handed the command of its intelligence agencies over to the commander of the Death Empire’s garrison stationed in its capital. The Goldenstone Empire dared not take the Death Empire’s warning lightly. Though it was only a premonition, under the emperor’s orders, the empire had entered a state of war readiness. Fortunately, the empire’s main forces were already under the unified command and deployment of the Death Empire’s garrison commander, so any burdens fell on him.

Watching Kane and the growing number of berserkers becoming increasingly uneasy, Vider dared not speak out. The empire’s logistics had long shifted to wartime production after Kane’s warning; military supplies poured in by the thousands into the empire’s war reserves. All the dwarves had joined the production of weapons and equipment. In just a few days, the warehouses were nearly full. Yet Vider did not dare order a halt to production. Kane’s lone unease would not have caused such a reaction, but the fact that so many berserkers shared this growing anxiety was unsettling.

Observing the heightened security of the imperial capital and the berserkers’ inexplicable frenzied tension, Vider felt waves of anxiety himself. For berserkers to feel such tension was unprecedented. In recent days, more and more berserkers remained in a state of frenzy all day long. Though some had yet to feel this disquiet, the influence of their comrades had swept through the city, and within days, every berserker in the capital had succumbed to a frenzied state.

Vider reviewed the reports from the empire’s intelligence agencies across the lands—all indicated “no abnormalities.” Yet he could not relax. For something to evade detection by scouts meticulously selected from the Death Empire’s elite warriors, what sort of adversary was this?

Amid his anxiety, Vider harbored a flicker of anticipation. He was eager to witness this unknown foe.

Kane, however, harbored no such hope. The opponent who stirred his unease was not feared for their strength, but rather for the situation’s imbalance—an enemy who knew them while they remained in the dark. Berserkers thrived on face-to-face combat, meeting their foes head-on. Now, more than anything, Kane wished for the young lord’s swift return. Though the magical array within the imperial palace flickered intermittently, Kane knew it was the bear clan’s mages practicing their craft. He secretly hoped that when the array opened, the young lord might step forth.

Vider issued orders to all military forces within the empire to heighten their vigilance, extending these commands to the allied garrison troops. Upon learning of Vider’s formal alert from the Death Empire’s garrison stationed within their borders, the Goldenstone and Doma empires launched nationwide mobilizations. Their previous knowledge had been limited to the Death Empire’s mere notification; now with official orders to increase readiness, they could not afford complacency. Neither was a military powerhouse, and without preparation, even the formidable Death Empire might be unable to aid them.

Kane did not await Mo Fei’s return; instead, he awaited the arrival of thirty warships from the bear clan. Initially, hearing of the bear clan’s fleet appearing offshore, Kane attributed it to their own affairs. Yet as the ships approached, his unease persisted. Moreover, during the bear clan’s last large-scale invasion, he had not felt this way.

Under the watchful eye of the Death Empire’s colossal warships, the bear clan’s vessels docked at a harbor near the foot of the mountain, not far from the imperial capital. Most of those disembarking were bear clan mages, which astonished Vider. Before he could speak, the lead mage captain delivered a surprise: “By the chieftain’s command, I bring three thousand mages and five thousand elite bear warriors. Our chieftain hopes this force can aid your empire.”

Could the bear clan have learned something?

“My lord, after our chieftain heard the merchant caravan’s report about your situation, he dispatched us here,” the captain explained. Since the bear clan reconciled with the Death Empire, they frequently sent merchant caravans to exchange goods unavailable on this continent. Their dealings with other empires were too recent to overcome the scars of past wars; thus, they traded primarily with the Death Empire for now.

“Our chieftain has also sensed the unease you now feel,” the captain continued. “He believes something is about to happen on this continent. He has sent word to your emperor. Perhaps within days, your emperor and our revered Shaman Lord will return.”

“Shaman Lord?” Vider had never heard Mo Fei addressed thus.

“Yes. Your Emperor Mo Fei is our continent’s Shaman Lord, the guiding light of our mages. Under his tutelage, sixty of our mages have made remarkable progress and are now among the continent’s most promising. We hope our arrival will receive the Shaman Lord’s guidance as well.”

“I see,” Vider said, enlightened. “Thank you for coming. I have prepared lodging for you in the capital. Though your arrival was unexpected and preparations are scant, I hope you will not mind.”

“Upon coming, our chieftain said we are now allies. We cannot stand idly by while you face trouble,” the captain replied.

Once the eight thousand bear clan mages and warriors were settled, Vider felt somewhat relieved. He knew well from Mo Fei of the bear clan mages’ fierce offensive capabilities. Their presence would sharpen the Death Empire’s offensive and defensive might.

Kane, however, remained unmoved by the bear clan’s arrival. He continued his daily patrols throughout the capital, personally arranging the berserkers’ guard shifts to ensure rest. Though the berserkers were perpetually frenzied, their combat power did not wane; instead, the constant frenzy served as a rigorous training, and in a few days, each berserker sensed their strength growing. Thus, each day, when relieving comrades at the city walls, they did so while in full frenzy.

At the bear warriors’ insistent request, Kane assigned these elite fighters to the city walls alongside the berserkers and dwarf crossbowmen. The mages, under Vider’s direction, remained within the imperial palace, observing the situation quietly. The bear clan mages’ residence had been moved into the palace, guarded by sixty thousand elite palace berserkers newly stationed there. Since mages were vulnerable in close combat, it was crucial to keep their numbers secret. Should the enemy learn that three thousand mages were within the palace, they would surely attempt covert infiltration. Otherwise, facing such formidable magic on the high walls would be a certain death sentence during any siege.

Accordingly, Vider imposed a strict information blackout regarding the bear clan mages’ deployment. Civilians who saw them entering the capital were brought into the city and closely monitored. Freedom was a distant notion until the crisis passed. The military, meanwhile, faced fewer restrictions. All were under orders not to discuss these matters. Even the bear warriors, after entering the city, donned the berserkers’ heavy armor, with only half their faces visible. At a glance, if not for the berserkers’ frenzied state, they were indistinguishable.

Yet the observant noticed subtle differences. Berserkers wielded terrifying great axes; dwarf warriors carried rapid-fire light crossbows. Those brandishing curved blades, newly forged by the dwarves, must belong to a new Death Empire unit. Previously, the empire’s conscripted soldiers wielded only spears; knives were unheard of.

Fortunately, the imperial capital’s walls were towering and formidable, making it impossible to discern such details from below. The walls were capped with pointed spires, and guards stood in shadow, hidden from distant view.

Since Vider’s announcement of heightened alert, all city gates had been sealed. Entry without thorough inspection and proper identification was impossible; suspected spies were immediately detained. To exit, one had to prove their origin, residence, neighbors, and provide official certification. Even then, permission was uncertain, as imperial cavalry patrolled the outskirts, ready to crush anyone deemed suspicious. Those lacking proof faced immediate imprisonment.

Many merchant caravans had been stranded within the city, closely monitored. Their lodging and food were free, but their freedom curtailed. Only those with trustworthy credentials—those trading with the Death Empire since its founding—could leave safely. New trade routes were met with suspicion. Such caravans were monitored heavily, questioned repeatedly to verify consistency with prior statements.

For these merchants, the best course was to settle in patiently. The Death Empire had promised compensation for any losses once the crisis passed. They knew that, should trouble arise, nowhere was safer than within the Death Empire’s lands, so they cooperated quietly.

“Father…” Upon seeing Vider, Kane felt a twinge of guilt. His personal unease had plunged the entire empire into anxiety. Though Kane’s heart was troubled, he often recalled Mo Fei’s counsel: maintain vigilance, fortify defenses, and remain battle-ready to avoid unnecessary losses.

“Kane, I know what you want to say. Rest assured, I support you. Besides, the bear clan mages said their chieftain also sensed trouble ahead. That means your premonition is correct. Though we don’t know when this foe will appear, it’s always best to be prepared.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Don’t mention it. What are we if not family? You are my son, and we are the founders of the Death Empire. We do not wish for this empire to fall and for us to return to that city of death. We have a duty to protect this empire and all its people. They support us wholeheartedly. When we sealed the city, they said nothing. When we moved outsiders inside, they endured living in tents without complaint. If not for us, then for their trust in us!”

“Report!” As they spoke, a rider approached swiftly from outside the city, shouting loudly from a distance.

“General, it’s our scout. He appears to be injured.”