Published at 27th of April 2026 6:56 am

Chapter 1699 Preparations

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

In preparation for the defense of Amberfall, the whole city was buzzing with activity.

The common people could be seen panicking, but there was order to their movements. When fear set in, they didn't freeze. Instead, they chose to work, to help.

Families packed supplies and food. Carpenters reinforced doors and windows. Blacksmiths worked day and night, forging weapons and armor. Merchants organized their goods, ensuring nothing useful went to waste.

The slaves worked the hardest. They had been promised freedom if they fought in the upcoming war. Of course, the catch was that they had to survive the battle.

Still, this was a very big decision made by the royal family. One had to know that Amberfall was also called the City of Slaves. To offer freedom in return for participating in the war spoke volumes about how serious the royal family was. It was not a promise made lightly. For generations, slavery had been woven into the city's foundation. To even consider changing that, especially when war was on the horizon, meant the situation had reached a critical point.

Princess Anna had thoroughly emphasized to everyone the weight of this war. Defeating their enemies here would not only allow the forces in the north to continue fighting without worrying about resources, but it would also greatly reduce the Cult's strength.

The fate of the city rested on not just the nobles and the Magi, but on those who had never been free. The slaves knew what would happen if Amberfell was lost. Their fate would either be death or being used as experimental test subjects by the Cult.

Under Kasper's leadership, the City Watch of Amberfall had tripled in size. Sellswords and wandering Magi were hired, contingents of soldiers were requested from the Sovereign and the nearby kingdoms, hundreds of scorpion siege engines and catapults were constructed and stationed on the walls.

As for the naval fleet, Amberfall had almost sixty ships. Fifty of them were war galleys, while the rest were merchant vessels. Furthermore, there were dozens of barges, skiffs, ferries, and rowboats.

Princess Anna was already arranging the "gift" that Mikael the Mad had left behind. Meanwhile, Prince Marlow had commissioned a giant chain to be forged by a dozen blacksmiths. The purpose of this great chain remained known to only a few.

The mouth of Amberfall's was shaped like a wide U, its entrance guarded by two massive towers on either side. These towers were only recently built. The structures rose high above the water, their stone walls reinforced and lined with watchpoints.

Between them lay a broad passage, wide enough for a dozen ships to sail through side by side at once. The waters there were deep and steady, allowing even large vessels to pass through without difficulty.

Beyond the entrance, the port opened up into a vast harbor. It stretched far and wide, with rows of docks extending into the water. The space was enormous, capable of housing at least a hundred fifty ships at a time. Even now, the vessels of all sizes were anchored, preparing, loading, and waiting.

It was built for trade. Now, it was preparing for war.

Marlow stood at the base of the East Tower, his voice thundering as he directed the work in front of him. "Quick! We don't have a lot of time. This must be finished before the sun sets. Do you hear me!"

Hundreds of slaves roared in unison and moved at his command, hauling a thick chain toward the edge and lowering it steadily into the water. The metal groaned loudly under its own weight as it sank, link by link.

"Steady... steady..." Marlow had a solemn look on his face as he watched the progress.

The stretch of sea between the East and West Towers had been completely cleared. Not a single ship remained in the passage. Below, slaves swam through the cold water, guiding the chains into place along the seabed. They worked in coordinated groups, pulling and adjusting and securing the heavy links.

Above them, standing along the edges of the U-shaped mouth, Magi assisted with spells. They steadied the currents of the sea, ensuring the work proceeded without disruption. Slowly, the work progressed beneath the surface of the water.

As the sun gradually dipped below the horizon, it dyed the sky in a shade of orange and crimson. The giant chain had already been laid onto the seabed, its ends connected to the East and West Towers underwater, completely hidden

from sight.

From above, the waters looked calm and undisturbed. There was no sign of what lay beneath. But along both towers, massive winch mechanisms had been prepared. The iron drums, reinforced with magic, were ready to be turned at a moment's notice.

All it would take was a single command...

Kasper York walked along the pier. In the distance, he saw Marlow standing with his hands clasped behind his back. And in the waters below, he saw slaves cheering after having just completed a monumental task. Only they knew how heavy the chain truly was.

"My prince," the elderly Magus arrived beside Marlow.

He had seen everything unfold and had a clear idea of just what the prince was planning to do. And yet, he dreaded it.

If the enemy fleet broke through the blockade at sea and reached the mouth of the harbor, the casualties would be immense. Marlow's plan was simple and brutal... he was willing to sacrifice an arm to completely destroy the enemy.

"Kasper." Prince Marlow turned to him and offered a faint smile. "How are preparations on the battlements coming along?"

"Everything should be ready in another day. Maybe two," Kasper said solemnly.

He then turned to the distant horizon where the sun kissed the Summer Sea, and couldn't help but murmur, "So it's really happening, aye? Honestly, I never thought war would ever come to our shores in my lifetime."

Marlow placed his hand on the old man's shoulder. "Everything's going to be all right," he said, his tone calm and reassuring.

He paused for a moment, then asked, "How many men do we currently have in

the city?"

"Almost ten thousand, Your Highness."

Marlow frowned. He knew it wouldn't be nearly enough to battle the Empire's

forces.

"And what about the Union?" he asked. "Where are the soldiers they promised?

Have you heard any word from them?"

Kasper wore a grim expression as he slowly shook his head.

His reply caused a shadow of despair over the prince...

Share