Chapter 85. Under the Shadow of War

Ethan's POV

The meeting hall is filled with an almost palpable tension, the walls echoing the murmur of low and expectant voices. Not only are my military advisors present, but also the elders of the council, their faces somber and full of an ancient wisdom that hangs like a mantle over the environment. Alongside them is Kai, my right-hand man, and beta, whose presence commands respect and authority. Kai has led all military forces with an iron fist, especially the aerial attacks against the kingdom of Aconitum. His firm and determined gaze is a constant reminder of his unwavering loyalty and competence in times of war.

In the center of the war table, a 3D holographic map floats, projecting the complex geography of my territory and that of Aconitum. Mountains and valleys, rivers and forests all come to life in an almost mystical representation, a landscape of strategic possibilities pondered by everyone in the room. The greenish glow of the hologram casts shadows on