Chapter 20: The Alliance of Kingdoms
The throne room of Valenheart remained silent long after the royal guard delivered his report.
The news had shaken every noble present.
Children were not only disappearing from Valenheart.
The same incidents were occurring across neighboring kingdoms.
King Aldric Valenheart stood before his throne, his sharp blue eyes filled with thought.
If multiple kingdoms were affected, then the enemy behind these disappearances was far larger than anyone had imagined.
This was no ordinary criminal organization.
No group of bandits could operate across entire nations without leaving behind a single trace.
Something far darker was moving within the shadows.
Finally, the king spoke.
"Summon the Royal Messenger Corps."
Immediately, a guard bowed.
"At once, Your Majesty."
Within minutes, 4 royal messengers entered the throne room and knelt respectfully.
King Aldric’s voice echoed through the hall.
"Travel to every neighboring kingdom."
The messengers listened carefully.
"Deliver my invitation personally."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Tell them that I, King Aldric Valenheart, ruler of the Kingdom of Valenheart, invite them to a royal council within my palace."
The messengers lowered their heads.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"We shall deliver your message without delay."
King Aldric nodded.
"Go."
Without wasting another second, the messengers departed.
Soon afterward, swift horses left the capital in every direction.
Some traveled through vast forests.
Others crossed mountain roads and open plains.
Day and night, they carried the king’s message toward distant kingdoms.
A week later...
The grand conference hall of Valenheart had never been more heavily guarded.
Elite knights stood beside every entrance.
Powerful mages watched from the upper balconies.
Hundreds of guards patrolled the surrounding palace grounds.
This gathering would determine the future of multiple kingdoms.
One after another, royal carriages arrived.
The first to enter was a woman whose beauty seemed almost ethereal.
Silver hair flowed behind her like moonlight itself.
A magnificent crown rested upon her head.
Her violet eyes carried both wisdom and authority.
She was-
Queen Seraphina Lunaris.
The ruler of the Kingdom of Lunaris.
A kingdom famous for its powerful mages and ancient magical heritage.
Shortly afterward, another royal procession arrived.
A tall man wearing dark crimson armor entered the hall.
His presence resembled a battlefield veteran more than a king.
A long scar crossed his face.
His golden eyes were cold and steady.
He was-
King Darius Solgard.
The ruler of the Kingdom of Solgard.
A powerful military nation known for producing countless elite warriors.
Soon, a third ruler arrived.
Unlike King Darius, this man carried the calm dignity of a scholar.
His white robes were decorated with golden runes.
His silver beard reached his chest.
Despite his age, his eyes remained incredibly sharp.
He was-
King Magnus Frosthelm.
The ruler of the Kingdom of Frosthelm.
A northern kingdom famous for knowledge, trade, and magical research.
The final guest entered shortly afterward.
A woman wearing emerald-colored royal attire walked gracefully into the hall.
Her long black hair contrasted beautifully against her pale skin.
Unlike the others, her gaze carried the calm confidence of someone who ruled through diplomacy rather than military strength.
She was-
Queen Elara Windmere.
The ruler of the Kingdom of Windmere.
A prosperous kingdom known for commerce and agriculture.
Once everyone had taken their seats, silence filled the conference hall.
Five rulers.
Five kingdoms.
Five nations facing the same crisis.
King Aldric rose from his seat.
"I thank all of you for accepting my invitation."
The rulers nodded respectfully.
Aldric continued.
"The disappearances of children have spread throughout every kingdom represented here."
His expression became grim.
"Before we discuss solutions, I wish to hear your reports."
Queen Seraphina spoke first.
"In Lunaris, over one hundred children have vanished."
Her voice was calm but serious.
"Our royal mages have investigated every possible lead."
She shook her head.
"They found nothing."
King Darius clenched his fist.
"Solgard has suffered similar losses."
His deep voice echoed throughout the hall.
"My soldiers searched every village and forest."
"Nothing."
King Magnus nodded slowly.
"Frosthelm’s situation is identical."
He looked troubled.
"No magical evidence."
"No witnesses."
"No corpses."
Queen Elara sighed.
"Windmere has also lost many children."
The hall became silent.
The reports were nearly identical.
It was as though the children had simply disappeared from existence.
King Aldric frowned.
"There must be a connection."
Suddenly, King Magnus raised his hand.
"I may have discovered something."
Immediately, everyone’s attention shifted toward him.
The elderly king opened an ancient leather-bound book resting beside him.
"This information was recovered from ruins located beyond Frosthelm’s northern mountains."
The atmosphere grew tense.
Magnus slowly turned several pages.
"According to these records..."
His voice became heavier.
"A race known as demons existed thousands of years ago."
The entire hall froze.
Demons.
A word that most people considered nothing more than myth.
Queen Seraphina narrowed her eyes.
"You believe Demons are responsible for this?"
King Magnus nodded.
"I did not at first."
He continued.
"But the ancient texts describe demons targeting human children during the First Age."
King Darius frowned.
"For what purpose?"
Magnus looked down at the ancient pages.
"The texts state that children were easier to capture and corrupt."
Silence.
No one spoke.
A cold feeling spread throughout the hall.
For the first time since the disappearances began...
A possible answer had appeared.
King Aldric slowly stood.
His gaze swept across the room.
"So it’s true..."
Everyone looked toward him.
"The demons really exist in this world."
His voice carried throughout the conference hall.
"And they are targeting our children because they are weak compared to adult humans."
The atmosphere instantly became solemn.
King Aldric continued.
"If we remain divided, more children will disappear."
His eyes hardened.
"We must fight back."
"We must create an alliance."
No one disagreed.
This threat had already crossed national borders.
It could not be defeated by one kingdom alone.
King Aldric stepped forward.
"I, the great King Aldric Valenheart, pledge one hundred thousand soldiers to this alliance."
Queen Seraphina rose from her seat.
"Then I, Queen Seraphina Lunaris, pledge fifty thousand soldiers."
King Darius stood next.
"The Kingdom of Solgard will contribute thirty thousand soldiers."
King Magnus nodded.
"Frosthelm shall provide twenty thousand soldiers."
Finally, Queen Elara stood gracefully.
"Windmere will contribute ten thousand soldiers."
The rulers exchanged determined looks.
At that moment, the Alliance of Five Kingdoms was born.
And somewhere deep within the darkness...
An ancient enemy gaining powers from children.