Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 520: End of meeting

The meeting in the command tent gradually drew to a close as the last points of coordination were settled. There was no celebration in the conclusion, only agreement that carried the weight of inevitability rather than relief.

King Highmoor gave a final nod across the table. "From this point onward, any change in movement, timing, or intelligence will be communicated immediately."

The King of Blackmare responded with a firm nod. "Agreed. No delays in information."

The Empress added calmly, "Silence is as dangerous as the enemy. We do not afford it."

That ended it. The princess and the four guards were called to enter. So were commander Alexander and Captain Varran.

Then the Blackmare king rose first.

He adjusted his posture slightly, his expression composed once more, the weight of leadership returning fully to him as the private discussion gave way to formal departure. Behind him, his elder princess stepped forward with quiet grace, and his four guards moved in unison to form a protective formation around them.

"There will be further developments soon," the Blackmare king said as he reached the exit. "I expect we will be speaking again before long."

King Highmoor inclined his head. "We will."

The Empress gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, acknowledging him without unnecessary words.

The Blackmare king left the tent with his entourage, the fabric parting and falling closed behind them as their presence gradually faded into the encampment beyond.

Silence settled again inside the command tent.

Only King Highmoor and the Empress remained.

For a moment, King Highmoor stood still, his gaze fixed on the table where the plans had been laid out, though his attention had already shifted elsewhere.

Then he turned slightly.

"Send for Princess Nyx," he said to a nearby guard.

The guard immediately straightened. "At once, Your Majesty."

He turned and exited quickly, disappearing into the encampment.

The Empress watched him briefly before shifting her gaze back to King Highmoor.

"You are involving her in this," she noted calmly.

King Highmoor did not look away from the entrance of the tent. "She needs to be informed," he replied. "What is coming next will not allow time for gradual introduction."

The Empress studied him for a moment, then gave a faint nod.

"Then she will either adapt," she said, "or she will break."

King Highmoor’s expression remained steady. "That is why I am calling her now."

Moments later, Princess Nyx entered the command tent with a calm, measured step, her expression unreadable at first as her gaze adjusted to the quiet inside. The Empress was no longer present, and the absence of others made the space feel more focused, more personal, as if the decisions about to be spoken were meant for fewer ears.

King Highmoor turned toward her immediately.

"Nyx," he said.

She gave a slight nod. "Your Majesty."

He did not waste time.

"We have concluded the war council with Blackmare," he began, his tone steady and direct. "An alliance has been formed. Their king will be committing five thousand troops to the war."

Nyx listened without interruption, her posture straightening slightly as the information settled in.

"Their forces will join ours in the campaign to retake Lechia," he continued. "At the same time, we are initiating a secondary operation."

Her eyes narrowed just slightly, signaling attention.

King Highmoor’s voice remained even. "A covert extraction mission into Rus. The goal is to retrieve the imprisoned Emperor before the usurpers solidify control further."

Nyx remained silent, absorbing the structure of the plan.

Then he added the next part.

"Xavier will lead that operation."

That detail did not surprise her outwardly, but something in her gaze shifted slightly, acknowledging the trust placed there.

King Highmoor continued without pause. "In parallel, I will be sending a message to my brother on the next continent."

Nyx’s attention sharpened.

"And you will deliver it," he said.

The statement landed clearly.

For a brief moment, there was no response from her.

Then she exhaled softly. "I see."

King Highmoor studied her carefully. "You have spent time there before," he said. "You know the terrain, the political environment, and the routes better than anyone currently available."

Nyx gave a small, understanding nod. "Yes," she said simply. "I lived there for a substantial period."

"That is why I am assigning it to you," he replied.

She did not question the decision. Instead, she asked the practical concern. "When do I leave."

"Soon," King Highmoor said. "After final preparations and secure transmission of the message. We cannot risk interception."

Nyx’s gaze lowered slightly as she considered the scale of what was being asked of her, not just travel, but responsibility tied directly to a continental power that could alter the outcome of the war.

Then she looked back up.

"And if your brother refuses," she asked calmly.

King Highmoor did not hesitate. "Then we proceed without him."

A brief silence followed.

Nyx gave a slight nod. "Understood."

King Highmoor’s expression remained firm, though there was a quiet trust in the way he looked at her now.

"You will not be traveling alone," he added. "You will be escorted, but the message itself remains yours to deliver."

Nyx acknowledged that with a subtle incline of her head. "I will see it done."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Only the distant sounds of the encampment filled the space outside the tent.

Then King Highmoor said quietly, "You are aware what this means."

Nyx met his gaze without wavering. "Yes," she replied. "If I am sent, it is because the situation is already beyond hesitation."

He studied her for a moment longer, then gave a small, decisive nod.

"Then prepare," he said.

Nyx bowed with controlled precision, her posture unchanged even as the weight of her new responsibility settled fully onto her shoulders.

"As you command, Your Majesty," she said.

King Highmoor gave a slight nod in response, his attention already drifting back toward the broader structure of the war unfolding beyond the tent.

Without further delay, Nyx turned and stepped out.

She was going to find Lucas.

Not because it was required, but because it felt necessary before everything began separating into motion.

It did not take long.

Near one of the training and staging areas, she spotted him.

Lucas stood partially apart from the surrounding activity, speaking briefly with members of his group, his attention split between conversation and something else entirely, something internal, as though his mind was already operating several steps ahead of what was physically happening around him.

Nyx slowed as she approached.

Lucas noticed her first, turning slightly as her presence entered his periphery.

Their eyes met.

The surrounding noise of the encampment seemed to soften just slightly in contrast.

Lucas gave a small nod. "Nyx."

She stopped a short distance from him. "I have been assigned a mission."

"I know," Lucas replied calmly.

That answer made her pause briefly, though not in surprise.

He continued, "To the next continent."

Nyx exhaled lightly through her nose, almost amused. "Information travels quickly here."

Lucas did not deny it.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice slightly. "I will be delivering the King’s message to his brother."

Lucas nodded once. "It is a necessary move."

Nyx studied him for a moment, her gaze steady.

"And you," she said, "will be leading the breakout mission into Rus."

"Yes," Lucas replied simply.

A brief silence followed.

Nyx crossed her arms lightly. "It seems we are both being sent into positions that require trust in outcomes we cannot fully control."

Lucas met her gaze evenly. "That is most operations."

A faint pause.

Then she said, "I will be leaving soon."

"I know," Lucas replied.

Nyx tilted her head slightly, as if weighing something unspoken. "Then this might be the last time we speak before everything begins moving."

Lucas did not respond immediately, only observed her briefly.

Then he said, "If your route passes through uncertainty, adjust quickly. Do not rely on fixed assumptions."

Nyx gave a faint, knowing smile. "And here I thought you came to say something more personal."

Lucas’s expression remained steady. "That is also advice."

That earned a quiet exhale from her, almost like a restrained laugh.

"Of course it is," she said.

She looked at him for a moment longer, then she gave a small nod.

"I will deliver the message," she said calmly. "And I will return."

Lucas nodded once. "Good."