The legend of the Pagan Empire’s Second Prince

Chapter 31: The Undeclared War

There are forces moving like ants across the plains of Myint Zine with endless sight. Their formations were perfect, their movements synchronized. The air crackled with the oppressive heat of fire magic, war elephants adorned with crimson armor towering over infantry columns.

At the heart of the colossal army rode, a man of terrifying presence. His armor, forged from volcanic steel, glowed faintly with molten veins. The crown upon his head bore the symbol of Agniras, the Fire God, the man name is Emperor Rajavarman IV of Magic Empire.

Beside him rode a lithe woman with cold eyes and twin scimitars infused with elemental fire, High Flame Marshal Bhandra.

"My Emperor," Bhandra spoke softly, "our scouts report that the Myint Zine forces are preparing defensive fortifications along the Talin river."

Rajavarman smiled, lips curling beneath his thick mustache.

"They cling to their false hope like insects." His eyes gleamed. "Burn everything. Spare no temple, no village. Kill the men, slave the women and children. Let them learn the futility of resistance."

"As you command."

Bhandra raised her hand, signaling a nearby pyromancer battalion.

Flames surged into the sky as the first village was consumed in a roaring inferno.

The Emperor gazed at the horizon where the Myint Zine city stood.

"The city of commerce that heretics owned. Is it worth to take…?" he mused. "I've heard tales of the duke's residing in the city's with formidable military and commerce power."

Bhandra smirked. "Tales, my Emperor. Nothing more. Even though he has powers as the reports say it doesn't matter. They will crumble beneath our feet."

The Emperor's smile grew darker.

"An easy win for the start. We will crumble the entire Pagan Empire and our fire will consume beyond Eastward (Eastern Alliance). They will bow down under our flames and tremble under our Fire God.The world shall know the name of Agniras, the God of Fire. Hahaha...Hahaha!"

What the emperor doesn't know is the unknown factor: the second prince is coming to help the province.

.....

The biting chill of the Khachin winds swept across the courtyard of the provincial palace, carrying with it a sense of unease. Prince Aung stood alone atop the highest balcony, his eyes locked on the distant horizon where the snow-capped peaks met the crimson-streaked dawn. He felt the shift—an ominous, invisible tremor in the world's balance.

War was no longer a distant storm gathering on the horizon.

It was here.

The Eastern Alliance had made their move, but they weren't the only predators circling the wounded empire. The report clutched in his hand confirmed his darkest suspicion.

The Magul Empire had invaded.

Jason's eyes scanned the hastily written words again, as if willing them to change.

Intelligence Report – Shadow Unit Omega

Date: Two nights prior

Location: Myint Zine Province – Western Border

Enemy Forces: 1,000,000 Magul troops confirmed.

Command Structure: Emperor Rajavarman IV leading the campaign personally.

Composition:

500,000 Heavy Infantry (Blessed by the Fire God Agniras)

300,000 War Elephant Cavalry (Equipped with enchanted armor)

200,000 Fire Mages and Siege Specialists

Status: Myint Zine forces are holding the defensive line but casualties are rising exponentially. Reinforcements requested immediately.

Additional Note:

Enemy morale is high. Civilian centers are being targeted. The Magul forces have begun ritualistic burnings of temples dedicated to the Supreme Being. Intent appears to be both military conquest and religious eradication.

Jason exhaled slowly, his heart heavy. The Empire of Magul, also known as the Empire of the Elephants, had revealed its true intentions. Known for its religious fanaticism and military discipline, Magul worshipped the Fire God Agniras with unyielding devotion. Their imperial doctrine dictated that all other religions were heresies to be eradicated through holy flame.

The sight of burning temples and screaming civilians filled his imagination, tightening the knot of fury in his chest.

They didn't just want land.

They wanted to purge his people's faith. His father's legacy. His own vision for a united, peaceful empire.

Jason crumpled the parchment, his eyes blazing.

"They've declared war without uttering a word," he murmured. "Cowards."

The war table in the palace's command chamber was crowded with generals, strategists, and advisors. The map of the Pagan Empire had been revised overnight, with bold crimson lines marking the Eastern Alliance's offensive in the east and the Magul incursion from the west.

Jason stood at the head of the table, flanked by his most trusted commanders.

General Thmain Zeya—the man who had commanded the expedition since its departure—stood with arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the map. Beside him stood Vice Generals Hla Mao Htet and Ba Oo, their expressions grim.

On Jason's left was Yvraine, the True Ice Dragon in her human form, silver-haired and cold-eyed. Her presence alone sent chills through the room.

The air crackled with tension.

Jason spoke first, his voice cold and measured. "The Eastern Alliance's strategy is clear: divide the empire and fracture our forces. The fall of Moon Province was a lure to draw our military eastward."

He tapped the western border with a gloved finger.

"And now, the Magul Empire has fallen upon our western flank, invading Myint Zine while we were focused on the south."

Hla Mao Htet let out a frustrated sigh. "They've timed it perfectly. If we split our forces, we risk being too weak on both fronts."

Jason's jaw tightened. "Exactly. That's their strategy. Bleed us dry on two fronts and cripple our logistics."

Ba Oo shook his head. "The Crown won't send reinforcements. They're still dismissing our reports."

Jason's lips pressed into a thin line. The Court had become so complacent, so insulated in their palace politics, that they remained oblivious to the existential threat bearing down on the empire.

"They won't send help until the flames reach the palace gates," Jason muttered. "But we don't need their help. We'll solve this ourselves."

The command chamber beneath the palace vibrated with tension as Jason's generals gathered around the war map. The map, meticulously crafted from enchanted marble, projected glowing runes indicating enemy movements in the east and west.

Jason stood at the head of the table, his eyes hard and calculating.

General Thmain Zeya, his closest and most experienced officer, stood beside him. His scarred face was grim as his gaze shifted between the glowing crimson lines marking the enemy's advances.

To Jason's left, Vice Generals Hla Mao Htet and Ba Oo stood in silence, while Yvraine, the True Ice Dragon in human form, leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

The tension in the air was palpable.

Jason tapped the map. "The Eastern Alliance is mobilizing along the border provinces. Our forces have identified forward operating camps stretching from the riverlands to the eastern foothills."

He moved his finger westward.

"And now, the Magul Empire has invaded Myint Zine with overwhelming force. A million troops, led by their emperor."

Thmain Zeya let out a low whistle. "A million troops. Gods."

Hla Mao Htet frowned. "And they aren't just invading—they're purging religious sites."

Jason nodded. "That's why we can't treat this as a standard military invasion. They're not here for territory. They're here for annihilation."

Ba Oo's eyes narrowed. "What's our response?"

Jason pointed to the east. "Thmain Zeya, you'll take 25,000 of our best soldiers to the eastern front. Your orders are to disrupt, delay, and sabotage their supply lines. Force them to overextend. Do not engage in open battle unless you see a clear, winnable opportunity."

The general's brow furrowed. "Guerrilla warfare?"

"Exactly. We're outnumbered ten to one. We don't need to win the east—we just need to slow them down."

Thmain Zeya's lips twisted into a grim smile. "Consider it done."

Jason turned to the others. "Vice Generals Hla Mao Htet and Ba Oo—you'll stay here with 10,000 troops. Fortify Khachin Province. You'll be our last line of defense."

The two saluted.

Jason's eyes shifted to the west. "I will personally lead 15,000 of our elite knights to reinforce Myint Zine."

Silence.

Hla Mao Htet's mouth opened in protest, but Jason raised a hand to stop her.

"I know what you're going to say. We'll be facing a million-strong army with only 15,000 soldiers."

Thmain Zeya crossed his arms. "Even with your strength, that's suicide."

Jason's eyes glowed faintly with golden Anja. "We won't be alone."

The air grew cold.

Jason's gaze shifted to Yvraine. "The Water Spirit Queen. I will summon her."

The dragon's pale-blue eyes widened slightly. "Aqua? The Queen of Water spirits. Daughter of Water God."

Jason gave a curt nod. "Yes. We made a pact long ago. I'll call upon her power."

Back in Khachin Province, Jason knelt in the palace's private sanctum, hands resting on the cold marble floor.

The air around him shimmered with moisture as he activated the Spirit Contract carved into his soul.

"Aqua, Spirit Queen of the Waters, I call upon you. By our pact, I summon thee.."

The chamber trembled as water coalesced into a crystalline form before him.

A towering figure emerged, skin like flowing rivers, eyes like sapphire whirlpools. Aqua, the Water Spirit Queen, materialized with a graceful bow.

"You summon me, Child of the Supreme.Why do you call me?" Her voice was liquid silk.

Jason didn't waste time. "The Magul Empire is invading. I need your power."

The spirit's eyes glinted with ancient wisdom. "Fire and water will clash once more as they have in ages past. A war that will scar the land."

Jason's voice was resolute. "So be it."

Aelith tilted her head, considering his resolve.

"Very well. I shall lend you my strength."

The following morning, the forces of Khachin Province mobilized.

25,000 troops departed for the eastern front under General Thmain Zeya, tasked with delaying the Eastern Alliance.

10,000 troops remained in the province under Vice Generals Hla Mao Htet and Ba Oo, prepared to defend against potential demonic incursions.

Jason, with his 15,000 elite knights, set out toward Myint Zine, accompanied by the unseen presence of Aelith, the Water Spirit Queen.

The soldiers moved with discipline, their morale unshaken despite the impossible odds.

Jason rode at the front, his mind already calculating the possibilities.

"We'll arrive within five days," said a rider beside him.

Jason nodded. "Good. We'll strike their siege camps first."

He could already feel the tension in the air.

The battle against the Eastern Alliance was already set in motion.

Now, he would have to contend with the wrath of an empire blessed by fire.

And he knew one thing for certain:

This war would redefine the future of the Empire. Jason rode at the head of the 15,000 elite knights, his black cloak billowing behind him. The Ice Dragon Yvraine watched from the palace walls, her eyes glinting with protective instinct.

After 5 days passed, Jason's army reached the western highlands overlooking Myint Zine. The valley below glowed with the orange-red of thousands of enemy campfires.

Jason narrowed his eyes.

"Commander," said one of his scouts, "the enemy outnumbers us… seventy to one."

Jason's lips twitched into a grim smile. "Perfect odds."

Behind him, the Water Spirit Queen materialized, her translucent form shimmering with anticipation.

Jason lifted his sword, the blade humming with Anja energy.

"Prepare for battle."

The storm was about to break.