With the morning light, Arin's group realized that the Blood Pact between the empires and the Crystal Dominion was far more fragile than they had imagined.
The runaway prince said,
"The Iron Empire is highly suspicious… any small move from us could spark civil war."
Lyra glanced at the bustling streets.
"Ordinary people may want peace, but the commanders and politicians… they have different objectives."
Arin nodded.
"If our alliance collapses, the true enemy will advance unhindered. We must be vigilant and analyze every step."
At that moment, a secret message reached the group. A letter from a spy of the Crystal Dominion revealed an internal plot within the Iron Empire.
Kai said, astonished,
"If this is true, we must face both external enemies and internal threats… this is no longer a conventional war."
The Silent Sorceress raised her hand.
"This is the moment when your loyalty, intelligence, and political acumen will be tested. The alliance is fragile, but if we can protect it, the chance to defeat the true enemy grows closer."
The group decided to proceed cautiously, identify spies, and simultaneously prepare strategies to counter both internal and external threats. Every step was a test of loyalty and political insight.