Chapter 38 The Diplomatic Lycan King
As soon as Sebastian and his soldiers Marched into Crodor, the territory of the earth wielding Lycan kingdom, they were met with an army of werewolf soldiers at the border standing ready to fight.
This didn't surprise Sebastian. Infact, he had expected it. He didn't exactly conceal his movement, he wanted them to know he was coming. Surely words would have gotten to their King about his journey towards their kingdom and so It would be foolish of their Lycan King to not have his soldiers prepared for a battle.
Sebastian was known for settling scores with the other three kingdoms with a battle, he wasn't a peacemaker. And neither was any other Lycan ruler in the whole continent. He wasn't here for that today.
Even though there were many of the Crodari soldiers, Sebastian knew he could still get past them with ease and wouldn't lose any of his own soldiers in the fight but he hadn't came to battle this time around.
For the first time ever, the most notorious Lycan King choose a conversation instead of a battle. “I want to speak with your King.” He stated authoritatively, the icy edge in his voice told every single soldier that he wouldn't hesitate to turn this the other way round if his demands weren't met at once.
“What do you want with our kingdom?” One of the two Crodari generals commanding the present army responded. “I don't care about your filthy kingdom, all I want is a conversation with Vale.“ Sebastian replied, his voice heard despite the distance between the two Lycan armies.
The two generals knew they had no choice but to let Sebastian and his soldiers in. They communicated in whispers with tension on their faces. Sebastian smirked when he saw the unease in their eyes. “Cowards. And you say this is the best way Anderson?” He glanced at his advisor who just shrugged, ”Diplomacy can prove to be very efficient at times your majesty, we just have to be patient.“ Anderson replied.
“I do not have the time to waste, neither am I a diplomat.” Sebastian said with a gruff, earning a subtle shake of the head from his advisor. “Of course not your majesty.”
Sebastian had no idea who pushed his buttons more between Fernanda and his darn advisor. The two generals moved away from each other to their previous positions after their little chat. Not long after, they ordered their army to stand aside to let Sebastian and his men march through.
The escort through Crodor was anything but subtle.
Sebastian rode at the head of his men, posture relaxed, gaze cold, as the earth-wielding soldiers flanked them on both sides. The streets of the capital were wide and meticulously carved from stone, buildings rising like monuments to permanence and power. Crodari citizens watched from balconies and archways, whispers trailing in Sebastian’s wake like dust.
He could feel the tension in the air, thick and vibrating beneath his skin. Earth magic hummed through the very ground beneath their horses, restrained but alert, like a beast held on a leash.
They reached the palace gates, towering slabs of carved rock etched with sigils of protection and dominion. The gates opened before them with a deep groan, and Sebastian did not miss the way the earth itself seemed to recoil as he passed through.
King Vale had prepared his welcome well.
A line of elite guards stood at attention in the courtyard, armor polished, banners flying high. Servants waited at a careful distance. Everything about the display screamed control and order. It was a message, not of respect, but of warning.
Sebastian dismounted slowly, his soldiers following suit.
Vale stood at the top of the palace steps, tall and broad-shouldered, his crown carved from dark stone veined with emerald threads. His smile was sharp and entirely insincere.
“Kozlov,” Vale said loudly, spreading his arms. “It gladdens me to see you are not here for battle. I must admit, I am shocked by the sudden visit. We are not exactly playmates.”
Sebastian’s lips curved faintly as he looked up at him. “Shocking indeed. I was beginning to think I had lost my ability to surprise people.”
Vale chuckled dryly. “Or perhaps you finally learned restraint.”
“Careful,” Sebastian replied coolly. “That almost sounded like optimism.”
They were escorted inside, through halls carved entirely from stone, veins of glowing minerals running through the walls like frozen lightning. Sebastian catalogued every turn, every guard placement, every potential weakness.
Vale dismissed the servants once they entered his private quarters, the heavy doors sealing shut behind them.
Silence fell.
Vale leaned against a stone table, studying Sebastian openly. “So,” he said, “what brings the butcher of Clawshire to my peaceful halls?”
Sebastian arched a brow. “Peaceful. That is generous.”
“I work hard to maintain appearances,” Vale replied. “Something you have never cared for.”
“I prefer honesty,” Sebastian said. “It saves time.”
Vale scoffed. “Spoken like a man who solves every problem with bloodshed.”
“And spoken like a man who hides behind walls and pretends he is better for it,” Sebastian shot back.
Vale’s smile thinned. “You are in my kingdom, Kozlov.”
“And you are still breathing,” Sebastian replied calmly. “Let us both appreciate restraint.”
For a moment, Vale laughed. “You have not changed. Still arrogant. Still convinced the world bends at your feet.”
“It usually does,” Sebastian said. “Now let us stop circling each other.”
Vale’s eyes sharpened. “Then speak. Why are you here?”
Sebastian did not hesitate. “Emerald stones.”
The words hung heavy in the air.
Vale blinked, then burst into laughter. “Emerald stones? Have you lost your mind?”
Sebastian remained still. “Crodor is the only kingdom with access to them.”
“And you think that gives you the right to question me about my resources?” Vale asked, amusement dripping from his voice. “Those stones are sacred to us. We do not sell them. We do not trade them.”
“Yet they are around the necks of men who invaded my palace,” Sebastian said quietly.
Vale waved a dismissive hand. “If I made a deal with outsiders, it would be none of your business.”
Sebastian’s gaze darkened. “You will find that anything connected to my wife is very much my business.”
Vale’s laughter grew louder. “You expect me to believe that someone invaded the Icy Palace and you are blaming me for it? Perhaps the mighty Kozlov is not as invincible as he likes to pretend.”
That was when Sebastian moved.
It happened faster than thought, faster than breath. One moment Vale was laughing, the next Sebastian had him by the throat, slamming him into the stone wall with such force that the entire chamber shook. Cracks spiderwebbed through the stone behind Vale’s head.
Vale gasped, hands clawing at Sebastian’s wrist.
Sebastian leaned in, his eyes glowing red, his voice low and feral. “I have just lost my wife to men wearing stones that only your kingdom possesses.”
Vale choked, terror flooding his eyes.
“I do not care what deals you make,” Sebastian continued. “I do not care who you sell your resources to. But those stones led shadow wielders into my palace. They took Fernanda.”
His grip tightened.
“And now,” he said, voice trembling with restrained fury, “you are going to tell me who you supply.”
Vale struggled, his feet barely touching the ground. “Kozlov… please…”
Sebastian ignored him. His Lycan stirred beneath his skin, roaring for blood.
“I will break every bone in your body,” he said evenly. “Slowly. Painfully. And I will still get my answers.”
Vale screamed, agony tearing from his throat. “The Black Seal!”
Sebastian stilled.
“They call themselves the Black Seal,” Vale rasped. “That is all I know. They come in shadows. They do not reveal their base. They take what they need and leave.”
Sebastian loosened his grip just enough for Vale to breathe.
“Where do I find them?” he demanded.
Vale shook his head frantically. “I swear it. I do not know. They never tell us where they come from.”
Sebastian stared at him for a long moment, then slammed him back against the wall one final time, twisting until a sickening crack echoed through the chamber.
Vale screamed as his arm broke.
Sebastian released him, stepping back. “Be grateful I am diplomatic enough today to not snap your neck.”
Vale collapsed to the floor, sobbing, clutching his arm.
Sebastian turned and walked toward the doors. “End your dealings with them,” he said over his shoulder. “If I find out you continue, I will return. And next time, I will not ask questions.”
The doors opened as he approached, guards flinching at the sight of their broken king.
Sebastian mounted his horse in the courtyard, his soldiers already prepared to move.
As they rode away from Crodor, the earth trembling faintly beneath them, Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
The Black Seal.
A name was not enough. But it was a start.
And whoever they were, wherever they hid, he would tear their world apart stone by stone until Fernanda was back in his arms.
The continent had just been put on notice.