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“Alaric is right,” added Julia, “-don’t forget, the Sabbath clan has yet to step onto the battlefield. I wouldn’t count us out of the fight yet. Also, not to be insulting to lady Elvira, Count Sabbath is a half-blooded vampire. The innate strength is significantly reduced.”

“Underestimating foes is never the greatest of ideas,” said Serene, “-Lord Alaric, Lady Julia, please be considerate.”

“Understood,” said they rather comprehensively. No bad blood nor hard feeling, they spoke out of admiration for their kind, in a way, the table felt united.

“Moving on,” said Aurora, “-the Young master has completed the assigned task. The Blood-King’s faction must pay as agreed.” Silence sprawled before their might, what to do and what to say. A job well done needed compensation, and compensation would be in form of land. The prospect felt simple and easy to follow, not that the other nobles would accept. Questions on nepotism might rise through the ranks, vampires were strong and also the most finicky to work alongside. Either rule with might or give and be forced to match their pace.

“I have a suggestion,” said Elvira, “-the quest was given on part of my clan. I’ll be sure to explain the situation. I doubt my nephew has the time to take care of a granted fief. I’ll ask the reward to be in another form, perhaps a landless title.”

“Or perhaps,” interjected Gabrielle, “-why not reward lady Elvira’s clan. Here’s an incentive, any noble who recaptures a sieged castle or village has claim upon said property regardless of station.”

.....

“I see,” nodded Aurora, “-this will motivate the neutral parties to take action. They’d be more interested in gaining than losing.”

“More inclined to go into a fight with treasure instead of risking one’s position. I like the thought process,” nodded Julia.

“How about it?” asked Alaric, “-lady Serene, shall we vote?”

“Let’s,” said she. Six out of six, a unanimous vote.

“Have it be known, any occupied land shall fall to the ones who’ve successfully claimed ownership. Condition is that the occupants have to keep control of said property till the war is over or is otherwise decided,” a safety switch to prevent chaos, Serene’s shrewdness knew no bounds. The effect of said condition would be beneficial. The rich would risk much and the poor would stand to gain, in either case, the effort was a must. And so, the council continued. Baron Tagn was granted control of Ect. The prisoners were in Elvira’s custody.

“Might I ask something?” inquired Gabrielle, the table attentively listened, “-I have a plan of action to force a non-aggression pact.”

“Go, we’re listening.”

“Here,” she stood over the map, “-the invasion began here, to the west of the capital. Currently, most of the empire’s forces are on a campaign to the East, they’re planning to hit Town Eden and cause a civil war. Divide and conquer, the upper half of Arda’s too tedious for air support,” a glance flung towards Elvira, “-let’s conquer the airfield and Castle Eldo. The two are undeniably linked, securing a perimeter should be easy as the forest is denser here. Dark tree and a single road from the castle, to the airfield, and then the capital. Everyone’s realized it by now, we’ll have to call on help.”

“It’s easier said than done,” added Aurora, “-Castle Eldo’s a pillar of Ardanian defense magic. Once occupied, the barrier and magical weapons are traps for any invaders. The last war proved its might. The airfield’s another death trap; it’s been reinforced.”

“Even if we secure the airfield, who’s going to support us?” wondered Alaric.

“We will,” smirked Elvira,”-Phantom’s special ops might be of help.”

“Won’t that be harmful to relations with the other?”

“The Haggard’s have long left the Federation. Phantom’s a free mercenary group, we choose when to fight and when to cower,” elbow on the table, “-a single message and I can have their headquarters be reduced to dust.”

“You have such a weapon?” squinted Aurora.

“We have more in store than is necessary. If such methods are implied, I’m afraid the forest might never be able to grow.”

“No need to include the doomsday bombs,” said Alaric.

“Phantom can provide support to a certain extent,” firmed Elvira.

“What about the border fight at Elendor,” asked Aurora patiently, “-aren’t the forces thin?”

“Just say the word,” she turned to Serene, “-the council must decide. Phantom will take up arms and lay siege to Castle Eldo. In return, Sabbath must take control of the airfield.”

“We’ll forge a new supply route along the western border,” said Gabrielle. “-Fighting head-on is foolish.”

“All is good,” said Julia in a suspicious tone, “-what will it cost. We already owe Lady Elvira quite a fare.”

“Control over the airfield and castle Eldo,” demanded Elvira.

“I see,” all leaned to think, the offer was too good to be true. A countless number of other factors might affect the course of the war. On the outside, the fight was a stand against the Empire’s invasion.

“We must decide,” said Serene, “-all in agreement with lady Elvira, please raise your hands.” Once again, they agreed.

“Then it’s decided, Phantom will launch an attack on the 20th of April. Lady Julia, Lord Alaric, the airfield is yours, please do not disappoint.” That being said, the council went on to discuss the budget and allocation of sacred weapons of the progenitors.

“Ota, wake up!” yelled a lady, the words came to slap him who slept. Birds chirped, cows mooed, and people moved about outside. No response came from the room, footsteps marched loudly to barge the door, “-OTA, WHERE ARE YOU?” sweat down the tensed forehead, flour stained on the cheeks and in between the fingernails. “-that boy,” she breathed, her cat-ears lowered, “-what am I going to do with him?”

*ding, ding,* “-lady Aoi,” greeted a gentle old man, “-why such a hurry?”

“It’s Ota,” she scurried behind a table, “-the boy’s run off again. I’m at my wit’s end.”

“He’s at the age of discovery,” said the old man, “-don’t mind him, I’m sure the boy’s just full of energy.”

“He probably is,” a loft of bread handed over, “-we’re lucky famine didn’t ravage our village this year around,” said she kind in mien.

“It’s the goddess of harvests grace. Good day to you, Aoi.” The roof creaked; bread cooked in a stone oven. Customers arrived one by one. Streets of stone and grave, robust-looking houses with wooden roofs. Oda village’s prosperity came from being a merchant’s village. Traders came from all over the region to trade. The skin of the honed rabbit and mushroom cow were prized in the thousands of Exa. Many adventurers stayed to try and make easy money. In all but title, the village was as prosperous as some of the towns around. A brand of the guild stood at the outskirts, adjacent to the southern path. The latter led to hectares of crops. Olden couples were strict in keeping the youth off their land, more tough love than animosity.

In the shadow of the guild-house, swords sang the melody of battle. Bullets were shot into empty targets. Few bestowed by the skill of magic horned their mastery. Quests were rare, one of the many ways to make money was hunting, the forest to the north were battlegrounds for the mighty.

“Ota, Ota, where are you?” shouted a girl aged around 9 with a round face. Few of her missing teeth were often subject to praise.

“Where are you headed?” asked the same old man of before.

“Old man Elm, have you seen Ota?” asked she wearing boyish farmer clothes and a straw hat, “-lady Aoi is angry.”

“Young Annie,” he hunched over for a caring pat, “-go check the guild, the boy’s steadfast on becoming an adventurer.”

“Ok, thanks old man Elm,” she skipped away.

“Hey there Annie,” waved a lady drying laundry a few houses away, “-looking for Ota again?” asked she.

“Yes ma’am,” she smiled whole-heartedly, “-he skipped out on doing chores again.”

“Oh, how rude of him,” she knelt and gestured, “-come here.

“Yes?” asked she with an adorable expression.

“Why not take Honye to play?”

“He’s back?” her face flushed.

“Mother,” came a rougher voice of an 11-year-old, “-you wanted this laundry basket?”

“HONYE!” yelled another, “-you dropped the socks,” shuffles came at the wooden door, “-if it’s not young Annie, you’ve grown a little, haven’t you?”

“Father,” gritted the boy, “-I forgot, ok...”

“Yes” she proudly showed her teeth, “-I lost one yesterday.”

“Good on you,” gently messing her hair, “-go play Honye, return before sundown.”

“Alright,” and off they bolted towards the adventuring guild.

“Honye, did you fight big scary monsters?”

“Yes,” said he loudly, “-father killed a goblin with a single stroke. He taught me the fire-spell incinerate.”

“Wow,” her eyes glimmered, “-that’s awesome.”

*Clang, clang, clang,* “-look, old man Elm was right,” said she, “-follow me, Ota’s in the secret hideout.”

Scuffles against the tall grass led to a rotten busy tree, “-is he here?” asked Honye.

“Yes,” said she,”-lookup.” Fondly enough, there sat a boy perched atop a branch. A wooden sword locked to his back alongside an eyepatch.

“OTA!” cried she, “-come on, get down. Lady Aoi’s looking for you!”

“Who is this Ota?” asked he in a condescending manner, “-I’m divine blade Raulf Serlo, the strongest swordsman in Hidros.”

“Stop fooling around,” her pitch rose, “-lady Aoi’s mad because you didn’t do chores again.”

“Oh, oh,” said an adventurer leaned over a wooden fence, “-looks like the divine blade’s in trouble by the queen.”

“Shut up,” he snapped and leaped, “-fight me one on one.” A bold proclamation ending in embarrassment.

“Oh look,” laughed the adventurer, “-the mythical blade’s locked,” he vaulted over to dislodged the blade from the boy’s pants, “-come on, don’t be such an idiot. Taking care of the people is also the duty of an adventurer. Go help lady Aoi first, then come hang out, I’ll even teach you a few tricks.”

“You mean it?” the eyes glimmered.

“Yes.”

“Ahem,” he blushed, “-no, I mean,” one hand cupped the eyepatch, “-my power’s fighting against my will. If we fight, my power’s might unleash. Farewell, my rival,” and off he scurried to the southern path, “-Honye, Annie, come, we’re going to fight the monsters.”

“OTA!” sighed Honye, “-stop running around, lady Aoi’s going to get mad.”

“You’ve been possessed by a demon,” said he loudly, “-princess Annie!” sword stretched to the duo, “-how dare you steal princess Annie, vile monster, I’m going to slay you.”

“I’m the Demonlord huh?” he smirked, “-then feel the power of my fire-spell, ” *pssht.*

“Noooo!” he dodged in slow-motion, the on-lookers happily watched. Kids having fun was bliss on its own.

*Smack,* ten minutes later, “-Ota, we’re going back home!”

“Mommmmm,” he begged, “-princess Annie’s in danger, I have to save her.”

“You stupid boy,” she chopped his head, “-clean the inn first, then go play, didn’t I say this before?”

“Fineeee.”

.....

Out on the southern road, a horse-drawn carriage loitered to a stop. “Who are they?” wondered a judging adventurer.

“Some nobles by the look of it,” returned another.

“Guild master, we have visitors.”

Out in the distance, Igna and Julius found a more effective way in erecting the barrier using a degrading posture. Igna flew and held the prince by the armpits, a little out there in the fatigued department. Nonetheless, the speed quickened. Progression was 3/4 till Oda village.

“Nicely done,” said Igna on firm ground.

“Yeah, sure,” sighed Julius, “-I was held as if excess baggage.” Guards surrounding the tent vanished with a snap. Whimpers came from inside, the doorway unzipped to a nauseating sight. Her face had drowned in snot and tears, clothes were ripped as well as claw marks all over the back and legs.

“I c-can’t e-endure t-the t-t-torture.”

“Too bad,” *Mana Control: Healing Element Variant: Restoration.*, “-go wash, I’ll get breakfast started.”

“Cousin... don’t you think that’s a bit too much?”

“Not really.”