As Roman gave the order, the two hundred Presia knights moved in perfect synchronization behind him, led by Knight Simon. The teleportation portal he had opened roared with compressed mana, bending space itself.

  The command was clear:

  Secure Ephor’s borders.

  Kill those who attack.

  Accept surrender from those willing to kneel.

  In a single blink, the entire battalion passed through the portal.

  They emerged across Ephor’s borders.

  Ephor knights froze in shock as Presia’s forces suddenly appeared around their strongholds.

  Simon stepped forward, bde drawn.

  “Ephor Dukedom is now under the direct control of Presia Dukedom,” he announced.

  “You have two choices. Fight… or surrender. Your capital and cities have already fallen.”

  Confusion spread among Ephor’s ranks.

  Some knights attacked.

  They were cut down.

  Others fought fiercely, but Presia’s elite crushed them. Those who surrendered were taken prisoner. Within minutes, Ephor’s border defenses colpsed.

  Presia fgs repced Ephor’s banners at every border base, decring the merger.

  Roman descended from his horse inside Ephor’s pace district.

  Zion.

  Allen.

  Josey.

  Tower Master Velkan.

  Jeremiah.

  They stood waiting.

  Roman walked toward them.

  “Zion,” he said calmly, “stop the riots and imprison the culprits.”

  Zion bowed. “At once.”

  Roman turned to Velkan.

  “I observed your battle with Damon. You mastered the purification technique perfectly.”

  Velkan lowered his head.

  Roman turned to Josey.

  “Your disguise magic was fwless. You created chaos and made Ephor’s knights destroy each other.”

  Josey smiled.

  “I want you to join Presia. I will form a new unit under your command.”

  Josey immediately bowed.

  “It will be my honor, Young Master Roman.”

  Roman stepped toward Jeremiah.

  “Your spatial magic is exceptional. But your decision-making is even better. A mage fights with both mind and mana.”

  Jeremiah bowed deeply.

  Roman moved toward Allen.

  Allen spoke before Roman could.

  “I don’t want praise. I did what you ordered. That’s all.”

  Roman nodded. “Very well.”

  Andrew opened the pace doors.

  Roman entered Ephor Pace with his people behind him.

  “Knight Andrew,” Roman said, “you stood for your people. From now on, you and your men will form the first knights of the new Ephor.”

  Andrew froze.

  “You will be their head knight captain.”

  Andrew knelt, shaking.

  Roman walked forward and sat on Noah Rockson’s throne.

  “The easy part is finished,” he said.

  “Now comes royal politics.”

  “Andrew, stabilize Ephor. End the riots. Tell the people they are free. Provide rations and medical aid.”

  “Yes, Lord Roman!”

  “Velkan,” Roman said, “use Jeremiah’s spatial magic and bring relief supplies from Presia.”

  “Yes,” Velkan replied.

  Jeremiah bowed, and both vanished.

  Meanwhile…

  Duke Jacob Crowell’s letter reached King Augustus Nova.

  It decred:

  Ephor seized.

  Ephor merged with Presia.

  Noah Rockson unfit to rule.

  All evidence from Operation Specter was included.

  But in Clover’s capital, Astreon…

  Duke Noah Rockson still remained unaware.

  Not for much longer.