Lord Valerius' nod was like an invisible shield for the Seventh Auxiliary, so even the palace critics quieted down for a bit, but Aetherion just saw it as a start. He was all about getting the troops ready to roll out. With his past military smarts kicking in, he dove headfirst into planning.
For the next two weeks, he checked every tiny thing. While the magic squads used teleport scrolls and mana-filled stuff, Aetherion wanted old-school, tough gear. He checked every horse, cart, and food pack himself. He switched out the flimsy tents for camouflaged tarps, got extra-long iron spikes made for trenches, and even beefed up the normal armor by adding plates to spots that magic didn't cover simple stuff the magic users didn't care about.
The trip was a rough, non stop march. Aetherion skipped the main roads guarded by spirits and took back roads instead. This did two things: saved energy and kept the Shadow Empire from knowing a big force was headed south. The Seventh, already tough from Aetherion's training, marched in complete silence. They were like a sneaky ghost army, working together and pushing through.
Leading the pack, Aetherion felt the weight of being in charge. This wasn't just a move on the map; it was personal. This mountain pass was where he'd prove himself. He picked the worst spot, the weakest army, and used weird methods. If he failed, it would just prove everyone right about him, but looking back at his silent, determined troops, he felt sure of himself. He was bringing physical strength to a magic war, and he was about to change the game. The mountain pass was a rough, messed-up place that the magic armies ignored. It had steep slopes and loose rocks, and magic was weird and weak there. That's why the Shadow Empire thought it was safe for their supply guys. But Aetherion saw it as the best ally for his well-trained soldiers.
As soon as they got there, Aetherion put them to work. Commander Rexus, worn out from the march, followed orders quickly. First thing was to hide and dig in. Aetherion split the group into small teams, using what they learned using terrain for an advantage. Instead of a showy fort, they blended their defenses into the land. They dug hidden holes, put spike traps under the dirt, and changed the path a bit to push enemies into kill zones.
Aetherion went from group to group, helping out instead of just bossing people around. He fixed a wall here, moved a lookout there, quick and practical. The troops, pushed to their max, got a boost from seeing him work. Their Prince wasn't just telling them to dig; he was digging with them, covered in dirt and working. This made them loyal.
As the sun set, Commander Rexus walked up to Aetherion. Your Highness, Rexus said, The men... they don't do magic. But they know digging in, saving water, and how to break a leg in a trap. This place fits us. It takes away the magic and makes it about survival, which we've been training for. Rexus's words proved Aetherion right: making war physical made the magic users less powerful. The field was fair now, and the Scorned Prince had the edge. That night, everyone was on edge, ready for anything. Aetherion figured the Shadow Empire wouldn't wait, since they thought the pass was safe. He used his own senses, sharpened by years of martial arts, to set up an early warning system. He told the stealthiest soldiers to set up tripwires, use knots to signal the camp, and listen for marching sounds instead of looking for magic.
While the others took turns on guard or building up the defenses, Aetherion stood watch on the highest point. Alone on a ledge, he scanned the valley, thinking about possible attacks and escape routes. He was playing chess against an unseen enemy, guessing they'd think this area was safe.
As the moon hit its highest point, a faint sound carried on the wind the steady thump of heavy cavalry and soldiers moving through the valley. It was the Shadow Empire's supply train, right where Aetherion thought they'd be. They were moving with a little care, believing this pass was safe. They were strong, but blind.
A smile appeared on Aetherion's face. Time had come. He had put the scorned army in the scorned pass to ambush the enemy. The magic world was counting on magic, but Aetherion's win would come from physical strength and smarts. He went down from the ledge, ready to give the order to attack and ruin the Shadow Empire's confidence. The war was about to start, and the Scorned Prince would show them what it meant to be strong.