After the destruction, the silence on the mountain wasn't the usual quiet of night. It was that satisfied calm you get after winning a fight. Right after the battle, things were handled with a clear, sharp focus which shows just how well Aetherion trained his people. Commander Rexus, ignoring how tired he was and running on adrenaline, led the Seventh Squad to grab all the stuff they had won from the enemy. They got back the supply carts that were all over the place, made sure the dark ritual stuff was secure, and quickly questioned the prisoners. They weren't trying to get big, scary threats. They just wanted to know when and how the Shadow Empire was moving its people and talking to each other.
Even with all the stress of being in charge and the hard work of the fight, Aetherion stayed calm and professional. He watched over the medical care of the injured, both his own people and, oddly enough, the enemy too. He believed prisoners were gold mines of info, not just people to get even with. He got the few soldiers they had who knew a little about healing to make sure everyone got the care they needed quickly and practically. Showing this measured bit of kindness, although practical, made the Seventh even more loyal. They were ready for a tough, heartless leader.
The big issue now wasn't the enemy, but getting word of their win back to the Imperial Palace. Normally, a win like this would be announced with a big flash of light or a showy spell. But Aetherion's win was quiet, physical, and in some no-name pass. He just knew the court, with their obsession with mystical stuff, would want proof of some power and magic forces, which he didn't have. He needed a messenger who could really explain things, someone who could show how smart the attack really was.
He trusted this mission to a small group of scouts under Torin, a vet who knew his stuff. Their job was easy: bring the dark ritual stuff they grabbed and the Shadow Commander's weapon (with its magic) as proof. Torin also had to give a simple, non-magical account of the attack. Don't go on and on about great power, Torin, Aetherion said, his voice serious. Just talk about how surprised the enemy was, how well the trenches worked, and how fast we moved. Let them choke on the fact that this victory came from plans and skills they think are worthless. Torin and his squad took off down the winding, safer trail. Aetherion got back to the difficult but important task of making the pass stronger. He had won one battle. He knew the political fight back home was just getting started. Right after the attack, all they did was work to hold their gains and stay alert. Aetherion switched up the guard shifts and patrols. He knew the Shadow Empire would be back for revenge soon, probably with some powerful magic units. His training went from just getting in shape to learning how to defend the pass from all angles, using the hills and valleys to set up kill zones and escape routes. The whole battalion moved like one unit. The tired men and women had become a tough, skilled fighting force.
Back in the Azure Imperial Palace, Torin's squad showed up with their cargo and caused an immediate buzz, even if people acted like they didn't care. The court expected to hear about Aetherion's complete failure. Instead, they got real, hard proof of a smart win. The Shadow Commander's big, dark steel mace, broken and twisted, was dropped on the clean marble floor of the War Council room. Torin stood before the Emperor and the angry magic folks and told his story exactly as Aetherion had instructed: no magic talk, just the brutal, physical stuff.
They walked right into our trenches, Your Majesty, Torin said, his voice steady even with all the magic in the room. The cavalry was stopped by spike traps and rocks we made fall on them. The Prince told us to focus on the enemy's ability to move and get supplies. We didn't fight their spells. We fought their ability to move around and keep themselves going. The whole group was destroyed by force and surprise.
Prince Kaiden exploded, his face red with jealousy. That's nuts! That sounds like a fight with bandits, not the Shadow Empire! Where's the proof of their magic masters? Where are the big spells you need to win for real? This is a lie, a lucky trick to distract people from the real war! Princess Lyra, trying to stay calm, pointed at the dark ritual stuff they had grabbed. If it's just supplies, why send a prince to get it? This is a small win blown way out of proportion for political reasons. The court people sided with her, happy to say it was a fluke that didn't fit their magic rules for winning. It was hard to accept that Aetherion was good at his job.
The disbelief and jealousy reached a boiling point, almost drowning out the fact that they had won in the mountains. Prince Kaiden argued that the whole battalion should be called back and broken up because their weird tactics were a danger to the Azure Empire's magic beliefs. Princess Lyra hinted that Aetherion's lucky attack just meant the enemy would leave the mountain pass, making it pointless for him to stay there. The Emperor stayed quiet, looking back and forth between the twisted mace and the faces of his kids with their magic gifts.
Finally, Lord Valerius stepped in. His presence demanded respect, no matter what magic rank people had. He walked to the war table and tapped his finger on the spot showing the mountain pass they now controlled. Your Highnesses talk about luck and small gains, Valerius said, his voice flat. But the enemy lost important supply and dark ritual items. They also lost the sureness of their only shortcut for supplies. General Kaelen on the eastern front says the main Shadow attack has slowed down, not because of our magic but because their healing potions and heavy weapons aren't getting through. That's exactly what was taken in the pass.
Valerius paused to let that sink in. The Scorned Prince didn't win a regular fight. He won a key strategic point. By hitting them hard where they didn't expect it, he has given our magic troops time to get ready. This win might not be magical, but it's the most strategically important thing that's happened in the war.
His approval sealed the deal. The Emperor nodded and silenced the room. The victory is recognized. The Seventh Auxiliary will stay at the mountain pass, making the position stronger and continuing to scout. He gave Kaiden and Lyra a hard look. And Prince Aetherion will be given official command recognition. His ways might be weird, but the result is obvious. He has proven he can get the job done. The decision was final and carried the full weight of imperial power. Aetherion was miles away, facing the possibility of another Shadow attack, but he had won the first political fight. The court had to admit the strength they had always hated was effective. The word of the win, though quiet, had reached the heart of the empire. The jealousy and fear it created would soon become a new and dangerous challenge.