The king was dead.
The throne stood empty.
And power — like a shattered mirror — fractured into competing factions.
That moment marked the beginning of total war.
---
Civil War Ignites
Within hours of the assassination —
Military units loyal to different claimants mobilized.
Three primary forces emerged:
🔴 Royal Loyalists — Commanders who believed stability required a temporary regency under traditional law.
🔵 Elara's Faction — Supporters who declared the legal heir must immediately assume the throne.
⚫ Leon's Coalition — Military elites who argued authority should go to whoever could defend the kingdom strongest.
Clashes erupted inside the capital.
Soldiers who once trained together now stood on opposite sides.
---
Street Battles
Armored units stormed through major districts.
Explosions echoed between buildings.
Magic artillery struck defensive barricades.
Citizens fled in panic.
Markets burned.
Public infrastructure collapsed under crossfire.
Aria commanded Underground forces carefully.
"We do not engage in pointless fights."
"Protect civilians."
"Target only Shadow-linked operatives."
Audrey agreed.
"Let the royal factions weaken each other."
"We intervene when necessary."
---
Leon Enters the Battlefield
Leon made a bold move.
He appeared publicly in the central military district.
Surrounded by elite soldiers.
He announced:
"Until succession is decided…"
"I assume temporary military command to prevent total collapse."
His presence immediately rallied several battalions.
Many soldiers trusted him more than fragmented nobles.
He moved decisively —
Disarming rogue commanders who attempted to seize power violently.
---
Elara Declares the Throne
Meanwhile —
Elara gathered loyal nobles and remaining royal council members.
She stepped onto the ruined balcony of the palace.
And declared publicly:
"As the legal heir…"
"I claim the throne to restore order."
Her voice echoed across broadcast crystals throughout the capital.
Some citizens cheered.
Others doubted.
But legitimacy gave her authority to command loyal royal divisions.
---
The Shadow Faction Moves
Hidden behind the chaos —
Serene and her operatives observed.
She whispered calmly:
"Perfect."
"The kingdom is weakening itself."
The Shadow faction activated sleeper agents embedded inside military ranks.
Suddenly —
Several battalions switched allegiance mid-battle.
Explosions erupted from inside royal formations.
Commanders were assassinated.
Supply routes sabotaged.
Civil war escalated to uncontrollable levels.
---
Then — The Sky Darkens
Without warning —
A massive portal opened above the capital.
Demonic energy poured out like a storm.
Sirens blared.
Selene scanned the anomaly.
Her face turned pale.
"…It's not a small force."
Audrey looked up.
Golden energy surged around him.
And then —
They emerged.
---
The Demon King's Army Arrives
Thousands of demonic soldiers descended from the portal.
Elite demons.
War beasts.
Corrupted giants.
And leading them —
A high-ranking demon general riding a colossal shadow dragon.
The general's voice thundered across the battlefield:
"By order of the Demon King…"
"This kingdom is condemned."
Civil war suddenly became irrelevant.
Because now —
Human forces were forced to unite against an external extinction-level invasion.
---
Unexpected Unity
Leon immediately ordered:
"Cease internal combat!"
"Redirect all forces to defend against the demons!"
Elara agreed.
"Anyone who fights internally while demons invade…"
"Will be charged with treason."
For the first time —
Competing factions aligned temporarily.
Royal forces.
Leon's coalition.
Elara's supporters.
Even parts of the Underground.
They formed a reluctant alliance.
---
Audrey's Resolve
Audrey stepped forward onto the battlefield.
His golden aura expanded dramatically.
Kiran stood beside him.
Darius unsheathed his weapon.
Aria raised her blade.
Lyria prepared intelligence support.
Audrey's voice was cold but powerful.
"They brought war to our doorstep."
"Then we show them why humanity survives."
He activated a new Solar Dominion technique.
Golden light erupted upward —
Clashing directly with the descending demon army.
---
The Demon General Laughs
From atop the shadow dragon —
The general observed Audrey.
"So…"
"The heir fights personally."
He smiled cruelly.
"Good."
"Let us test your worth."
He commanded the dragon to dive.
The first direct clash between Audrey and a Demon King general was about to begin.
---
🔥 End of Chapter 46