When we passed through the gates of Vailor, the city was far busier than usual. Soldiers moved through the main streets carrying crates of supplies, adventurers hurried from one place to another receiving orders, and even the merchants seemed more rushed. The atmosphere of the entire city had changed over the past few days.
People were still trying to act normally.
But you could feel it.
The war was near.
The bandits remained unconscious, floating behind us thanks to Elara's and Lyannis's magic. Several people on the street looked startled when they noticed the number of captured criminals.
Scarlett walked beside me in silence while Rai'kanna had seemed thoughtful ever since meeting her father.
Liriel was the first to break the silence.
"This meeting seems important."
"It is."
I continued walking through the stone streets while observing the surroundings.
"The fact that the kings are gathering in person means the situation has become truly serious."
Vespera adjusted the bow on her back.
"And it also means they're worried."
Lyannis agreed.
"The demonic army has remained still for too long."
"As if it were waiting for something..." Elara murmured.
I was thinking exactly the same thing.
The demons were no longer advancing irrationally like before. Now there was strategy. Organization. Patience.
That was the most dangerous part.
We arrived at the guild shortly afterward.
As soon as I entered the building, several adventurers immediately looked in our direction. Some recognized our group instantly.
Others looked mainly at the captured bandits.
The guild master was behind the counter examining some documents when he looked up.
He let out a small sigh.
"You really finish things far too quickly."
Scarlett gave a faint smile.
"They weren't strong."
We took the criminals to a restricted area of the guild, where guards began properly restraining them. One of the men tried to wake up during the process, but a single look from Scarlett was enough to make him pretend he was still unconscious.
The guild master approached me.
"Did you find any useful information?"
"A little."
I crossed my arms.
"They had magic users among them. Besides that, they were using crystals contaminated with demonic mana."
His expression immediately became serious.
"So it has begun..."
"You already suspected?"
He nodded slowly.
"Over the past few days, we've received similar reports from other roads. Small armed groups using strange artifacts."
Lyannis spoke calmly.
"The demons are probably distributing resources to create internal instability."
"Exactly."
The guild master then took a small pouch full of coins and handed it to me.
"The mission reward. Four hundred gold coins."
I accepted the pouch without much reaction.
The difference between that reward and the previous missions was enormous, but honestly, I didn't care much about it at that moment.
My mind was still focused on my conversation with Drakarion.
Conference of the nations.
Military movements.
The First General.
Scarlett looked at me.
"Are you going now?"
"Yes."
Liriel stepped a little closer.
"Are we all going together?"
I shook my head.
"No. I think it's better if you all return to the mansion."
Scarlett answered immediately.
"I'm going with you."
I looked at her.
"Scarlett."
"There's no point."
She crossed her arms.
"I've already decided."
Rai'kanna let out a small laugh.
"She really never changes."
Scarlett completely ignored her.
I sighed.
"Alright."
The guild master watched the exchange with a faint, weary smile.
"Good luck at the meeting."
Before leaving, I heard several adventurers whispering quietly in the main hall.
"The hero is going to attend the conference?"
"Then the situation is worse than I thought..."
"Do you think the war will start soon?"
I kept walking without responding.
Scarlett accompanied me through the streets as we headed toward the royal castle.
The sun was already beginning to sink slowly below the horizon, turning the sky orange. Even so, the city remained busy.
Blacksmiths worked nonstop.
Soldiers reinforced the walls.
Mages transported crates of mana crystals.
Everything seemed to be preparing for something inevitable.
Scarlett walked beside me with her hands in her pockets.
"You're thinking too much."
"Maybe."
She looked ahead.
"You always get like this before something important."
"Because usually something important tries to kill me."
She let out a small laugh.
"Fair enough."
We climbed the castle's long staircase shortly afterward.
The royal guards immediately opened the way when they recognized me.
As soon as I entered the castle, I noticed the difference.
The place was far too quiet.
Far too serious.
Several high-ranking soldiers moved through the corridors carrying maps and documents. Some mages maintained active magical projections displaying different regions of the continent.
One of the royal advisors quickly approached.
"Hero Takumi. Your presence was expected."
He looked at Scarlett.
"And Lady Scarlett as well."
We followed the man through the castle corridors until we reached the enormous doors of the main hall.
The guards slowly opened them.
As soon as I entered, I immediately felt the weight of the atmosphere inside.
A huge round table occupied the center of the hall.
Giant maps were spread across it.
Magical runes glowed across the floor.
Mana projections displayed mountains, fortresses, roads, and military movements.
The King of Vailor sat at the center.
Around him were the leaders of the other nations.
Drakarion.
The King of the Elves.
The King of the Dwarves.
Representatives of the Cyclopes.
Several important generals.
Other leaders appeared through floating magical projections, as they had been unable to attend in person.
As soon as I entered, several gazes turned toward me.
The King of Vailor gave a faint, weary smile.
"I'm glad you came."
I approached the table while Scarlett followed just behind me.
Drakarion gave a simple nod.
The Elven King observed me silently.
The Dwarven King, however, looked far more irritated than concerned.
"So this is the hero who defeated the demonic armies in the south..." he muttered.
The King of Vailor pointed to two empty chairs near the table.
"Please, sit."
Scarlett and I took our seats.
For a few seconds, silence filled the hall until the king finally spoke.
"The situation has worsened."
A projection appeared above the table showing the northern region of the continent.
Several red points glowed intensely.
"The main demonic army remains three days away from Vailor."
Drakarion continued.
"And other smaller groups have begun appearing near the elven and dwarven borders."
The Elven King crossed his arms.
"They're spreading our forces thin."
Lyannis would probably have loved to be at that meeting. It was exactly the kind of military strategy she analyzed all the time.
A human general pointed at the map.
"The enemy troops remain stationed here."
The projection zoomed in on a mountainous region.
"But our scouts have reported constant movements during the night."
The Dwarven King slammed his hand on the table.
"They're waiting for reinforcements."
"Or orders," Drakarion replied.
The room fell silent once again.
Then the King of Vailor looked directly at me.
"Takumi."
"Hm?"
"We need to decide how the adventurers will act during the war."
Every gaze turned toward me once again.
The king continued.
"The adventurers will be essential on the front lines."
One of the generals spoke immediately afterward.
"Regular troops will have difficulty facing elite monsters."
Another added,
"And especially the demonic commanders."
I already knew where this was going.
The king then spoke clearly.
"We would like you to officially lead all adventurers during the battle."
The hall fell silent.
Scarlett looked at me from the corner of her eye.
Drakarion remained serious as he watched my reaction.
I took a slow breath before answering.
"And if I refuse?"
The King of Vailor answered without hesitation.
"Then our chances will be much lower."
Direct.
Honest.
At least he didn't try to soften it.
I looked once more at the map floating above the table.
Thousands of soldiers.
Enemy movements.
Defensive lines.
The First General was probably somewhere, watching all of this as well.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds.
Then I answered.
"I accept."
Several leaders immediately looked relieved.
The Dwarven King crossed his arms.
"Good. At least we'll have someone capable on the front lines."
Scarlett let out a small sigh beside me.
The King of Vailor then slowly stood up.
"Then it's decided."
He raised his hand over the table.
"Takumi will officially serve as the leader of the adventurer forces during the war against the First General."
The magical projections shone more intensely.
At that moment, I clearly felt the weight of responsibility grow even heavier upon my shoulders.
It was no longer just about fighting.
Now thousands of lives would also depend on my decisions.
And deep down...
I was beginning to understand that the battle against the First General might be far greater than I had imagined.