Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Chapter 59: Situation Around_2
Richard nodded. “We have already confirmed that the broadcast containing the first solid information on cultivation and spiritual awakening… came from Amira and her unit.”

The room fell into silence, the weight of the revelation settling between them.

While Alaric’s mind raced as Amira, she was more than just Yenna’s student—she was the direct catalyst of everything unfolding.

“She broke out of the detention center just days before the surge,” Richard continued, “and not only she did it alone all by herself but also became an awakened individual herself—possibly even stronger than Aiden.”

Alaric’s jaw tightened at the mention of Aiden.

It was already frustrating enough that their is no news about Aiden and his entire unit and their ambush plan as if they vanished no proof of their deaths, nothing.

Still, he clung to the possibility that, even if Aiden survived, at least his forces would have suffered massive casualties.

But now this as is fingers curled into a fist. “Do we have any news on Aiden’s unit? Are they dead, or did we at least succeed in crippling them?”

Richard let out a slow exhale and shook his head. “Not yet. But I expect word will come soon.”

As if on cue, a knock echoed against the study’s double doors.

Both Richard and Alaric exchanged a glance. They had explicitly ordered no interruptions unless it was something urgent.

Richard straightened, his tone calm but expectant. “Enter.”

The door creaked open, and a man stepped inside. His expression was grim, his posture tense as he stood before them, waiting for approval to speak.

Richard gestured impatiently. “Go on, speak.”

The man swallowed, gathering his thoughts before delivering the news. “We’ve received word from Rourke—the person we sent with Grant to oversee Aiden’s ambush.”

Alaric’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“And?” he asked, voice clipped, controlled—but edged with expectation.

The man hesitated for a fraction of a second but that was enough. “The mission… was a failure.”

Alaric’s fingers twitched, sensing the news wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

A long silence filled the room.

Richard’s face remained unreadable, but Alaric felt something inside him snap. “Define failure,” he said coldly.

The man clenched his jaw before answering. “They weren’t able to inflict any damage on Aiden’s unit. In fact… our forces were completely overpowered. They were even captured.”

Alaric’s breathing slowed, but his anger burned hotter.

Richard’s calm demeanor cracked slightly, his brow furrowing as his fingers tapped harder against the desk.

This wasn’t just a loss but was humiliation.

Alaric’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. “You’re telling me,” he said slowly, deliberately, “that an entire trained unit failed to take down Aiden and his forces, and instead, they were all captured—without even dealing significant casualties?” His voice was low, but laced with venom.

The scout hesitated, but nodded stiffly.

Alaric gritted his teeth as he thought it was unacceptable.

Richard, however, remained collected. “How?” he asked. “How did it go so wrong?”

The man visibly tensed before answering. “There was another team that came to Aiden’s aid. They were all… very powerful awakened individuals.”

Alaric’s gaze sharpened as absorbed the latest revelation with a carefully maintained expression, while the thought of that another team kept spinning in his mind?

“Did we identify the leader of the opposition team?” Richard’s voice was measured, though there was an unmistakable edge beneath his calm exterior.

The man swallowed, shifting on his feet before answering. “Yes, sir. We’ve confirmed it. The leader of the team that intervened and wiped out Grant’s forces… was none other than Amira.”

A beat of absolute silence followed.

Alaric’s grip tightened over the leather armrest, while Richard did not react immediately, but his eyes darkened, his posture turning rigid as steel.

This was worse than they had anticipated.

“Amira.” He tasted the name like venom on his tongue, his mind piecing everything together at a terrifying pace.

“So it’s true,” Alaric muttered under his breath, rubbing his temple. “She has reassembled her Phoenix Unit.”

The same Phoenix Unit that had been feared across the Federation and was trained by Yenna herself.

The man nodded. “Yes and not just reassembled—they are stronger.”

Alaric’s jaw tensed, his fingers pressing into the desk. “What do you mean?”

The man hesitated, choosing his words carefully before replying. “Rourke wasn’t close enough to assess each of their abilities, but from what he observed, every single one of her unit member were a seasoned awakened individual.”

“He said that their coordination was… unmatched. They outmaneuvered and overpowered more than two thousand soldiers without taking a single casualty.” He took a slow breath before continuing. “But the worst part is that Amira power was something he has never seen as she was able to single-handedly divide and contained 70% of our forces in multiple ice barrier and then her and Aiden’s team easily defeated everyone one by one easily”

A slow exhale left Richard’s lips, and his hands finally unclenched.

Alaric leaned forward, his golden eyes gleaming with something dangerous. “It makes sense. Grandfather, what you told me before—about Amira and her unit already knowing about this surge and cultivation technique—it’s can be confirmed now.”

His fingers drummed against his thigh, calculating the implications as without have knowledge and cultivation technique they can’t be this strong so easily. “They have the proper cultivation technique and knowledge to increase their strength and now it’s clear they are using it.”

Richard nodded, silent for a moment, before exhaling. “We had already suspected it, but now there’s no doubt.”

He turned his gaze back to the man. “That will be all but when Rourke arrives, send him to me immediately. I want every last detail of what happened out there from him.”

The man nodded quickly, bowing before making his exit.

As the heavy wooden door clicked shut, Richard let out a deep sigh, rubbing his fingers together in thought. “We need to act faster.”

Alaric, however, was still tense. “What do you suggesting Grandfather?”

Richard’s gaze flickered toward him, unreadable. “That we start building up our forces. We cannot afford to let them gain even an inch of ground. If they are truly advancing this fast, then after we take full control of Therndale, we must immediately begin strengthening our own military force. And that includes our special teams.”