Wicked Reign

Centro

The announcement of the Eckrett Empire's official support for the Kingdom of Monakre shook the entire continent.

Diplomats, merchants, and sovereigns all scrambled to make sense of the sudden shift in power dynamics. While the Monakre delegation in the imperial palace breathed a sigh of relief, the rest of the world understood the weight of such a proclamation.

In his war chambers, King Ryzen of Altera merely smirked as he listened to the frantic whispers of his advisors. This move was something he had anticipated.

The Eckrett Empire had long played the role of an indifferent giant, but he had always suspected that Queen Victoria Rozenreff Eckrett would not stand idle while Monakre fell into his hands. She was a woman of calculated moves, and he knew she would not allow Monakre to be consumed by Altera without putting up a fight.

"Let them come," he said, swirling the goblet of wine in his hand. "We will not fight them on the battlefield. We will make them beg for bread."

His advisors exchanged glances before one of them hesitantly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, are you suggesting we move forward with the Centro initiative?"

A slow, dark grin spread across King Ryzen's face. "Precisely."

...

King Ryzen's next move was a stroke of ruthless genius. He dispatched a fleet of Alteran ships under the guise of routine patrols to the seas surrounding the Centro Trade Federation, the economic heart of the continent.

With its bustling ports, vast trade networks, and the majority of food supply routes passing through its harbors, Centro dictated the flow of resources across the land. If anyone could starve an empire into submission, it was Centro.

But instead of negotiating, King Ryzen sent an ultimatum to Director Magnus Farrow, the public leader of the trade federation. The letter was brief but chilling in its implications:

"Should the Centro Federation fail to comply with the demands of the Kingdom of Altera, all merchant ships crossing our waters will be seized, their goods confiscated, and their crews executed for trespassing. From this moment forward, Centro answers to Altera."

The message was delivered alongside the severed head of a Centro merchant captain who had refused to pay Altera's new "toll."

When Magnus read the letter, his hands trembled. He knew that while he was the official face of Centro, he did not truly command its power. He was but a mask for the true ruler who controlled the trade routes from the shadows. He needed to act fast.

Without hesitation, he scribbled a letter in cryptic script, sealing it with wax before handing it to his most trusted falconer.

"Take this. Now."

...

The falcon soared through the night, covering vast distances as it headed towards the true ruler of the Centro Trade Federation—Queen Victoria Rozenreff Eckrett.

Few in the world knew that it was not merchants or directors who controlled the lifelines of trade, but rather the woman who sat upon the Eckrett throne. Under her secret network, the Centro Trade Federation flourished, its influence reaching every kingdom and empire. Every sack of grain, every shipment of spices, and every convoy of supplies moved under her unseen hand.

...

When the falcon arrived at the palace, Victoria was already in her study, poring over maps with Kieran Arin, the Chief of the North, and Prince Alice of Monakre. The bird landed on her desk, and she immediately recognized the wax seal.

Breaking it open, her ruby-red eyes skimmed the contents. By the time she reached the end, her lips curled into a cold, calculating smile.

"So, the Golden King thinks he can starve my army?" she murmured, setting the letter aside.