Today, the flames ignite anew. In an entirely unexpected direction.
Vulcanus stood alone in the tower at the very top of the citadel.
The Fire Fortress of the Ignis Empire, the whole of Volcanium, was spread out beneath his feet.
The earth stained red, the barracks where flames soared like heat haze, and far beyond the horizon, dark mountain ranges could be seen faintly.
The city still blazed red, and flames tore through the sky, extending their momentum.
Ignis occupied a very vast territory thanks to its steady expansion.
Yet his expression held a subtle tremor.
“Metallum… The iron wall did not melt easily.”
Vulcanus recalled the previous battle.
Clearly, Ignis had pushed against Metallum, but they had not been easily broken through.
The iron did not burn; rather, it blocked the fire and struck back.
A certain unfamiliar substance was being stored within his citadel.
It was a silver-tinged core, a Metal Core, different from the Flame Core that blazed like fire.
It was a core produced in Metallum’s territory, plundered when the Ignis army invaded the Metallum Empire.
“We retreated. But we were not defeated. We also took something from them.”
His gaze turned toward the horizon beyond the blazing citadel.
“I am the fire of expansion. But merely spreading has its limits when it comes to becoming stronger. Now, I must burn hotter, and deeper.”
Vulcanus returned inside the citadel and looked down at the Metal Core rolling across the floor.
He still could not discern its use.
Yet the possibility of something else, something slumbering within it that was different from fire, was stimulating his instincts.
“We can become stronger. To do so, we must make use of their abilities.”
He turned around.
What was needed now was not a reinvasion of Metallum, but evolution.
Vulcanus headed toward the deep strategy chamber inside the citadel.
On top of the massive petrified table was a map carved with each empire’s territory, and Varkas and Ragdor were already waiting for him.
“Your Majesty.”
The two retainers bowed their heads simultaneously.
Vulcanus placed several Metal Cores on the table.
The two retainers’ gazes shifted toward them.
They knew what they were, but did not speak rashly.
Vulcanus was the first to speak.
“These are spoils our soldiers obtained in battle with Metallum. Judging by their appearance and size, they appear to be cores that only they use. Now that they have come into our hands, we must use them ourselves.”
Ragdor examined the Metal Core quietly and asked cautiously.
“Do you truly plan to use these?”
“Not immediately. If we were to use them as they are alongside our Flame Cores, they would act as impurities against us. We must begin research on how they can be used.”
At his words, Varkas nodded.
“The flame spearmen were outstanding. However, their forces were no trifle either.
We need to expand the barracks to the next stage and cultivate new soldiers.”
“That, too, is not something we can proceed with now.”
Vulcanus answered.
“According to Pellos, in order to expand the barracks, we must first expand this citadel. We will expand the citadel first and reorganize its interior. For now, it is time to avoid outside eyes.”
Ragdor took his gaze off the Metal Core and opened his mouth.
“It would be best to conduct analysis of this core secretly through a research laboratory. As expected, the surface grain is different from our Flame Cores. It may not be simple metal. While iron naturally melts in fire, perhaps it can be utilized in a completely different manner.”
Vulcanus nodded.
“I, too, hope for that. Have the core analyzed precisely. Soon, we shall control iron as well.”
He picked up the Metal Core again.
At a glance, it appeared to be a mere lump of iron, but the repercussions of it falling into Ignis’s hands would be great.
“And do not tell anyone about this existence for now. This is another ember we must hide until we are prepared.”
South of the Volcanium citadel, a new building was erected in a deep gorge.
Its name was unknown to the citizens of the Ignis Empire, except to a very select few, and its very existence was not properly known.
In truth, this place was a building separate from the existing research laboratory.
It was a space created by Vulcanus’s order to research the Metal Core.
Lexa, a researcher of Ignis, carefully fixed a small piece of the Metal Core into the device.
Soon, the energy of fire began to be injected into the Metal Core.
“Temperature rising to 1,300 degrees. It still seems to be holding up well. I will raise the temperature further.”
The assistant researcher said in a tense voice.
Lexa nodded silently.
A small flame was concentrated onto the core, and from within it, a very faint, low metallic ringing, a ‘tung,’ could be heard.
“Uh, um…?”
The assistant researcher stared closely at the core piece.
Lexa, too, immediately checked the device.
“It seems the core is reacting at the point of contact with the flame. However, it neither completely repels the nature of the flame nor absorbs it.”
“Could their compatibility be poor?”
Lexa slowly shook her head.
“That’s not it. Fire and iron seem to influence each other.”
Lexa hung her head, deep in thought.
“We still don’t know how this research will turn out, but perhaps we… may discover something tremendous. This could be the beginning of something trying to awaken….”
“Um, why do you say that?”
The assistant researcher asked her.
“Even though fire and iron met, neither side seems to be suppressing the other. And yet, they don’t show signs of rejecting each other either. Rather, it feels like they are accepting one another.”
Lexa continued in a trembling voice.
“I don’t know how to interpret this. I’ve never seen anything like this… Could this be the beginning of a new fire?”
That night, Lexa and her assistant researcher personally reported their findings to Vulcanus.
Even while listening to the report, Vulcanus maintained a solemn expression.
After hearing the report, he asked briefly.
“If the energies accept each other, could they also mix together?”
Lexa answered.
“We do not know yet, but we will do our best.”
Vulcanus nodded.
“Good. If we can use their Metal Cores, we shall grow even stronger.”
Varkas and Ragdor were once again summoned before Vulcanus in the citadel.
This time, it was a meeting not for war, but to decide the direction in which to spread the flames.
Vulcanus sat on the throne, looking at the massive tactical map carved into the wall.
Ignis’s territory in the south had spread in nearly every direction with Volcanium at its center, and it was stained red especially up to the border with Metallum.
“We move again,”
Vulcanus was the first to speak.
“We must spread the fire again. Further, and deeper.”
Varkas raised his head.
“Are we attacking Metallum again?”
“No.”
Vulcanus’s words were firm.
“We need more certain preparations. And since we are making those preparations in our own way, wait until then. This time, we must spread our flames in a different direction.”
Ragdor asked cautiously.
“What do you intend to do about Aqua?”
“Hmm.”
Vulcanus shook his head.
“Terra is blocking the way ahead anyway, so there is no need to consider them. And there is no reason for us to approach them of our own accord. Even if we were spotted by them and attacked, we would be able to defend, but I have no intention of creating troublesome matters yet.”
Varkas moved his finger along the map.
“Then it seems Silva is what remains….”
“Indeed.”
Vulcanus nodded.
“They are wood. Our fire grows greater using wood as fuel. However….”
His voice paused for a moment.
“I cannot be certain that they will welcome us. After all, Silva needs Aqua.”
Ragdor added in a low voice.
“Unilateral symbiosis is something that must be approached with caution from the start. The closer we approach, the further they may drift away.”
Vulcanus nodded with a serious expression.
“That is true. Another way we can make use of Silva is to bring them to our side and threaten Terra. Only then will Terra listen to us as well. I shall attempt to persuade Silva myself, so for now, approach quietly. Install outposts in every area the army moves through, and watch for exchanges. It is not an offensive, but planting fires of detection.”
Varkas pointed to the southeastern edge of the map.
“As far as I have found, the surveillance network is still loose around this area.”
“Good. We shall spread the fire again from that region. Quietly, but surely.”
Through Volcanium’s eastern gate, a vanguard composed of flame infantry and flame spearmen quietly advanced toward the southern border of the Silva Empire.
The expansion was not large, but the direction was clear.
Watching them from the top of the citadel, Vulcanus quietly muttered to himself.
“Yes, expansion is not mere advance. It need not move only in one direction. Now, we advance along another path as well.”
When he clenched his hand, sparks flew.
He watched the sparks scattering here and there, lost in thought.
Now, Vulcanus planned to lead the army and approach toward the south of Silva.
And so for quite some time, Vulcanus, his retainers, and the soldiers slowly advanced from the south toward the east.
But that night, an urgent report was delivered to Vulcanus from the scouts.
“Your Majesty, the vanguard reports that they have discovered an anomaly.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was a large lake. Because of its water, the soldiers are losing their strength.”
Varkas, too, reacted with some surprise.
“Could it be that Aqua has come this far…?”
Ragdor shook his head.
“Aqua is located further north by position. There is no way they would have come down this far. May I go there myself to see?”
“Do so.”
The retainers and some soldiers who left for the location returned before Vulcanus shortly after.
Ragdor spoke, holding his head.
“It is truly inexplicable. Certainly, no Aqua forces were visible at the lake. But strangely, we, too, felt a threat to our lives. It is undoubtedly a dangerous place.”
Vulcanus stroked his chin in thought.
“Our only weakness must be water energy. It seems merely being vigilant of Aqua’s lands was not enough.”
He turned his head and commanded the commander.
“Have the soldiers move while avoiding the lakes. That region is not necessary to us anyway. There may be more lakes nearby, so continue to survey the surroundings while advancing.”
“Yes, understood.”
The army of the Ignis Empire moved again.
As expected, several more lakes existed nearby.
The entire lake region was altogether weakening Ignis’s army.
“Ugh….”
Passing through the lake region with his soldiers, Vulcanus muttered to himself.
“To think water energy exists even without Aqua. So there are places in this world where energy dwells.”