After the king officially announced that I would lead the adventurers during the war, the hall remained silent for a few seconds. It wasn't a light silence. It was the kind of silence that came when everyone realized the true weight of the situation.
The magical projection above the table continued to display the northern part of the continent. Small red dots glowed slowly, indicating enemy movements.
The King of Vailor sat back down.
"We need to begin immediately."
One of the human generals spread several maps across the table.
"The demonic troops are divided into three major fronts."
He pointed to different regions.
"This will be the main force advancing toward Vailor."
Another point glowed.
"This second division is near the elven forests."
Another point appeared.
"And this third force is moving toward the dwarven mountains."
The Dwarven King let out an irritated grunt.
"They want to force us to divide our resources."
Drakarion crossed his arms.
"And they've succeeded."
The Elven King maintained a serious expression as he observed the maps.
"The problem is that we don't know which of these forces is being led directly by the First General."
That sentence made the atmosphere even heavier.
Because that was exactly the biggest problem.
No one knew where he really was.
I silently studied the map.
If I were the First General...
I would hide my position until the very last moment.
I would use the troops as a distraction.
I would create pressure in several regions at the same time.
I would force the nations to spread out their armies.
And then I would strike exactly at the most vulnerable point.
Scarlett seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"They're trying to create chaos."
Drakarion nodded.
"The First General doesn't fight like the other demonic commanders."
The King of the Cyclopes appeared through a bluish magical projection.
His enormous face appeared above the table.
"We've received reports of strange movements near the eastern mountains."
One of the advisors asked,
"Demons?"
"Perhaps."
The projection flickered slightly.
"But the scouts couldn't get close."
The King of Vailor rested his arms on the table.
"Then we need to assume the worst-case scenario."
Another map was opened.
This time it showed Vailor and the surrounding regions.
The main roads.
The outer walls.
The smaller villages.
The evacuation zones.
A general began explaining.
"The villages closest to the north will begin evacuating tomorrow."
The Elven King spoke next.
"Our archers will reinforce the eastern walls."
Drakarion continued.
"The demi-dragons will provide aerial support."
The Dwarven King tapped the map with his finger.
"Our heavy troops will be responsible for the second defensive line."
Everything was beginning to take shape.
Military lines.
Strategic positions.
Retreat routes.
Reinforcement points.
It was strange seeing so many nations working together like that.
Humans.
Elves.
Dwarves.
Demi-dragons.
Cyclopes.
All united because of the same threat.
The king then turned his gaze toward me.
"And the adventurers?"
I took a slow breath before answering.
"The adventurers need to stay on the front lines."
Several generals looked surprised.
I continued.
"Regular troops can't react quickly enough against elite monsters or high-ranking demons."
I pointed at the map.
"The adventurers are more mobile."
Another general asked,
"But wouldn't that put you at greater risk?"
"Yes."
I answered without hesitation.
"But it will also reduce the pressure on the regular soldiers."
Scarlett watched me in silence.
She already knew I was going to say that.
I continued studying the map.
"The high-ranking adventurers should operate in small groups spread out across the battlefield."
The Elven King seemed interested.
"Explain."
"If we stay concentrated in a single location, the enemy will trap us easily."
I pointed to several regions.
"We need to strike quickly wherever the pressure becomes greatest."
Drakarion nodded slowly.
"Mobility."
"Exactly."
One of the military mages activated new projections showing possible enemy advance routes.
I continued.
"The high-ranking adventurers should eliminate demonic commanders and larger monsters."
The Dwarven King crossed his arms.
"And you?"
I looked directly at the map.
"I'll go after the First General."
The hall fell silent once again.
Even the magical projections seemed heavier at that moment.
The King of Vailor was the first to speak.
"Do you really believe you can defeat him?"
I thought for a few seconds before answering.
"I don't know."
I was honest.
"But someone has to face him."
Scarlett rested her arm on the chair.
"And we're going with you."
Drakarion looked at her.
"The whole group?"
"Of course."
She answered immediately.
"Takumi isn't going to fight alone."
That made several leaders exchange glances.
The Elven King let out a small sigh.
"Brave."
"Or irresponsible," muttered the Dwarven King.
I ignored the comment.
Another general then began explaining how the northern observation troops would be organized.
Small groups of soldiers would remain hidden while monitoring the demonic movements.
If the enemy advanced, they would immediately report it through magical communication devices.
The information would be transmitted between the nations in real time.
I listened carefully to everything.
This no longer felt like preparation.
It felt like the beginning of the war.
Hours passed as we discussed strategies.
Defensive positions.
Supplies.
Evacuation routes.
Healing points.
Magical units.
Aerial forces.
The more I listened...
The more I realized the true scale of the conflict that was approaching.
It wasn't just a battle.
It was a continental war.
At one point, the King of Vailor stood up and walked toward one of the great windows of the hall.
Night had already completely fallen outside.
The city's lights shone below the castle.
"It's been a long time since all the nations gathered like this."
Drakarion slowly approached.
"The last time, we nearly lost half the continent."
The Dwarven King closed his eyes.
"Millions died."
Silence returned.
I also looked out the window at the city.
The people down there were probably still living normally at that moment.
Eating.
Talking.
Sleeping.
Without fully realizing what was about to happen.
The King of Vailor looked at me again.
"Takumi."
"Hm?"
"You can still refuse."
I shook my head.
"No."
"Even knowing the risk?"
"Yes."
He stared at me for a few seconds before smiling wearily.
"You really remind me of the heroes of old."
Scarlett let out a quiet laugh.
"He's probably just as troublesome as they were."
I completely ignored her.
The meeting continued for a while longer until they finally began wrapping up the main topics.
The leaders gradually left.
Some through their magical projections.
Others accompanied by royal guards.
Drakarion passed by me before leaving.
"Take care of my daughter."
"You can count on it."
He nodded and kept walking.
The Elven King also stopped briefly.
"You carry far too many expectations for someone so young."
I looked at him.
"I know."
"And yet you keep moving forward."
"I don't have a choice."
He remained silent for a moment.
"Perhaps you do."
After that, he left the hall.
Those words stayed in my mind longer than they should have.
Perhaps I really did.
Perhaps I could run away.
Ignore all of this.
Live peacefully somewhere far away.
But deep down, I already knew.
I would never do that.
Because if I stepped back...
Who would stop the First General?
The hall was almost empty after that.
Only a few soldiers were still collecting maps and documents.
Scarlett remained seated beside me.
"You were quiet at the end."
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
I looked at the enormous map of the continent spread across the table.
"Everyone is betting everything on this war."
She rested her face on her hand.
"So?"
"And if we lose..."
I didn't finish the sentence.
I didn't need to.
Scarlett watched me for a few seconds before answering.
"Then we win."
I looked at her.
The answer had been simple.
Direct.
Just like always.
She continued.
"You spend too much time thinking about the worst possibilities."
"Because they exist."
"But there's also the possibility that we wipe them out."
She stood up from the chair.
"And honestly?"
Scarlett gave a small, confident smile.
"I like that option a lot more."
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
She really had a way of simplifying complicated things sometimes.
We left the hall shortly afterward.
The castle corridors were much quieter now.
Most of the nobles had already left.
We slowly descended the main staircase while guards patrolled the area.
When we passed through the castle gates, the cold night air immediately struck my face.
The city was still awake.
But now it felt different.
More tense.
Quieter.
As if even Vailor itself could sense that something was approaching.
We began walking back toward the mansion.
Scarlett walked beside me in silence.
I kept thinking about the meeting.
The strategies.
The armies.
The First General.
And above all...
The expectations placed upon me.
Hero.
Leader of the adventurers.
Commander of the front lines.
The further I moved forward...
The heavier everything seemed to become.
We arrived at the mansion some time later.
The lights were still on.
As soon as I opened the door, I immediately realized the girls had been waiting.
Liriel was the first to approach.
"How did it go?"
I looked at all of them for a few seconds.
Elara.
Vespera.
Lyannis.
Rai'kanna.
Scarlett.
All of them staring at me with concern.
I took a slow breath before answering.
"The war has already begun."
And at that moment...
For the first time since I arrived in this world...
I truly felt afraid of what was to come.