Chapter 104 – Letter of Blood and Threat
In the great hall of Eisenwald, tall candles burned, casting their light across a long table cluttered with maps, scrolls, and reports. The air was tense, as if every soldier, every stone of the manor itself held its breath.
Fenrir sat at the head of the table, his sharp gaze fixed on the map of the borderlands. Red markings denoted the keeps of the neighboring barons—Hohenberg, Altenburg, Falkenhain, Drachenfels.
Kael Morgenstern stood faithfully at his side.
"They will not sit idle, my lord," Kael said in his steady tone. "Your alliance with Kessler and Mühlberg has already lit a fire under them. They will strike sooner or later."
Fenrir's finger tapped the map, once, twice, before resting on Falkenhain's mark.
"They can strike. But we will make the first move."
The room fell silent. Commanders Darius Holt, Selene Aestra, Roland Ironarm, and Lyra Nightshade waited on their lord's words.
---
Fenrir took a raven-feather quill, dipped it into the crimson ink, and began to write. His strokes were deliberate, his words a weapon.
> To the Barons Hohenberg, Altenburg, Falkenhain, and Drachenfels,
I know your eyes are upon me. I know you send spies to my lands, and I know you fear the rise of Eisenwald.
You have two choices: yield and be part of the future we are building—receive peace, trade, and protection. Or, continue in your plotting and draw your blades against me. If that is your path, I swear I will level your armies, break your lines, and carve history with your blood.
Choose wisely.
Fenrir Eisenwald
The Crimson Wolf
He sealed it with the crimson wolf sigil.
"Kael," he said firmly.
The knight bowed. "Yes, my lord?"
"Deliver these letters yourself. Do not hide them. Make sure the guards at each gate read the seal before they hand it to their master."
Kael smiled faintly. "As you command. Let all the frontier know—the wolf has spoken."
---
.Hohenberg
He tore the seal open with his scarred hands, eyes narrowing as he read. His laughter thundered through the hall.
"A boy threatens me with blood and fire?! Ha!" He slammed his fist into the oak table, splitting it. Yet beneath the laughter, his hand clenched tightly.
. Falkenhain
He read the letter in silence, face as cold as steel.
"That boy does not fear death," he murmured. His men shifted uneasily at the calmness of his tone.
.. Drachenfels
Young and furious, he ripped half the parchment.
"Arrogant wretch! Let me lead the charge. I will cut his head off myself!"
. Altenburg
In his shadowed chamber, Altenburg chuckled, his thin lips curling.
"A sweet little threat. But there is iron behind these words." That same night, he penned a letter back to Eisenwald.
---
By the next evening, a courier arrived at Eisenwald. Fenrir unsealed the serpent-marked letter of Altenburg.
> I accept your offer. Eisenwald promises more than fools who cling to fading power. Send your envoys. I will bend before the Crimson Wolf.
Fenrir's lips curved faintly. He turned to his commanders.
"One has yielded. Three remain."
Kael lowered his head respectfully.
"And so, my lord, our enemies have revealed themselves."
---
Rumors swept through the streets of Eisenwald.
> "Our baron threatened four lords outright?"
"Isn't that madness? If they unite, they'll outnumber us two to one!"
"Madness? He won Falkenrath, he stood tall in the Empire's war. If anyone can, it is him."
Fear and pride mingled, but pride was stronger. And pride was the seed Fenrir needed.
---
That night, Fenrir stood over the great map again, lit by the glow of a single candle. His hand rested on the sword at his waist.
"Four wolves," he muttered, "now three. Three heads waiting to be claimed."
The shadows swayed along the walls like prey circling. Outside, the night of Eisenwald seemed heavier, as though the entire frontier was bracing itself for the next howl.
---
> [Quest Progress]
Expand Eisenwald's Territory – Conquer or integrate two neighboring baronies (Progress: 2/2 – Completed)
Shadows of the Border –
• Spies neutralized (✔)
• Military strengthened to 10,500 (✔)
• Expand diplomatic alliances (✔)
Rewards Unlocked:
– +2 Levels
– +30 Aura
– +25 Strength
– +20 Stamina
– +25 Cunning
– +15 Charisma
– New Skill: [Wolf's Dominion Lv.1] – Presence of the Crimson Wolf grants +10% morale and +5% attack power to all allied units in battle.
---
[Status Panel – Fenrir Eisenwald]
Name: Fenrir Eisenwald
Title: The Crimson Wolf, Baron of Eisenwald
Age: 18
Level: 17
EXP: 31,000 / 35,000
Aura: 165 (+30)
Stamina: 165 (+20)
Strength: 130 (+25)
Cunning: 215 (+25)
Charisma: 135 (+15)
Mental Fortitude: 185
Skills:
[Aura Control Lv.3] – Refined aura manipulation.
[Swordsmanship Lv.3] – Adaptive blade techniques.
[Leadership Lv.4] – +20% morale to commanded units.
[Tactical Instinct Lv.3] – Battlefield adaptation.
[Passive – Legacy of Strategies] – Ancient stratagem knowledge from another life.
[Wolf's Dominion Lv.1] – New!
Traits:
[Wounds That Shape] – Trauma forged into mental strength.
[Lord of the Marsh] – +25% Cunning, +15% Strength when fighting in swamps.
Active Quests:
Shadows of the Border – Final Objective: Defeat the hostile barons of the frontier.
---
#wanD48