Thorian waited until all the unit leaders took their seats around the table before commencing the meeting. "I see that each of you has received the rewards for achieving the last milestone," he said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That accomplishment is a testament to your hard work. Be proud of yourselves."

Half the room erupted in cheers at Thorian’s commendation. "Those sleepless nights have finally paid off!" Forlune declared, laughter rumbling deep within his chest. Pride radiated from his face as he glanced at his Moonlight Saber.

Around the table, other council members also brandished their recently-acquired weapons. Predictably, Ventus, Saxum, and Aqua were armed with staves attuned to the elements of wind, earth, and water, respectively. Ifrit carried an Emberstrike Cane, identical to the one Thorian himself had been awarded. Lapis, now a guardian, was entrusted with a massive tower shield, while his brother Vivax wielded an imposing greatsword. Zogthar, both a high-orc and a berserker, gripped a formidable war axe.

The chaos this group could unleash if set loose in any city of the kingdom would be beyond reckoning, Thorian thought.

His face lit up with a broad smile, filled with pride for his comrades' progress. However, he was also keenly aware that they couldn't afford to grow complacent. The world was full of uncertainties that made any notion of safety an illusion.

Taking a deep breath to center himself, Thorian began his address. "Before we delve into the issues concerning the village and the goblin assimilation, I have some advice to offer you—my most loyal and esteemed comrades." He shifted his gaze to his right, where Lapis, Vivax, Forlune, and Zogthar were seated. "For those of you who engage in hand-to-hand combat, it’s crucial that you concentrate on mastering your weapons and shields. Over time, this will become your greatest source of strength and growth. Do not neglect it."

"Your counsel is most appreciated, my king," Zogthar replied, his voice resonating with a deep timbre.

Acknowledging the gesture with a subtle nod, Thorian then turned his attention to the magi. "For those of you in the arcane arts, the trajectory of your advancement is tied to the spells you master. Use them both strategically and consistently."

"We understand, my king," Aqua affirmed.

Seated at his left, Vigil received Thorian's advice last. "As a devotee of the Moon Goddess, Selenora, you might consider speaking with your guild master to deepen your understanding of her teachings. The more you immerse yourself in her faith, the likelier it is that you'll be offered quests which could reward you with her unique skills—critical for your growth."

"Thank you for your wisdom, my king," Vigil said, bowing his head slightly. "I will heed your advice."

With a nod, Thorian scanned the faces of everyone around the table. "Now that we've covered individual progress, let's move on to the issue of the village." He turned his gaze to Forlune, seated to his right. "Have you noticed anything unusual regarding the goblins?"

"Just some minor complaints, largely from those pompous champions," Forlune replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "Beyond that, nothing interesting. Most of them went off to sleep just an hour after receiving their citizenship."

"That could become a source of concern," Aqua interjected. "Seeds of discontent must be nipped in the bud."

"Should I teach them a lesson in respect?" Zogthar rumbled, his voice tinged with disdain. "To speak ill of a man who has shown them nothing but kindness is unacceptable. This is why I don’t like those scrawny fellows."

"What about Brix?" Ventus interjected, laughter filling his voice. "You seemed to like his singing."

"Brix is... different," Zogthar conceded, lowering his voice as if admitting a well-kept secret.

Reclaiming the room's attention, Thorian spoke with authority. "Here's what I want you to focus on: demonstrating clear superiority. Each of our warriors is worth at least twenty or thirty of theirs."

"That goes without saying, my king," Forlune chimed in, laughing heartily. "I alone could slay two hundred of those goblins, and even the least among my men could take down a hundred."

"You're absolutely right," Lapis added, joining in the laughter. "They may outnumber us, but they certainly don't outclass us."

Sensing the escalating animosity, Thorian decided to defuse the situation. "Let's not get carried away. These goblins have submitted to my authority and are now part of our community. We need to be cautious but not hostile; otherwise, we may well sow the seeds of discord ourselves."

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The room quieted at Thorian's admonishment, the atmosphere immediately becoming more restrained. Vigil, seated beside Thorian, appeared visibly pleased by the king's intervention.

"Additionally, as part of their surrender agreement, the three goblin elders were promised positions as unit leaders," Thorian continued. "Given our sudden influx of new members, I think it's time to reevaluate our military structure. If anyone has suggestions or ideas, now is the time to share them."

A brief silence followed Thorian's words, before being interrupted by murmurs and whispered discussions among the members. Aqua eventually broke through the chatter. "While this doesn't directly relate to the military structure, it’s important to note that we should separate the goblin champions from their elders. We ought to create integrated units of kobolds, goblins, and orcs. This will prevent them from merely reconstituting their original groups within our community."

"A commendable idea, Aqua," Thorian responded, nodding appreciatively at the blue kobold. "To add to your suggestion, each smaller squad should share a communal living space, eating and sleeping together. I believe this will help to shift their loyalties from their former leaders to their new comrades-in-arms."

"Your wisdom never ceases to impress, my king," Saxum offered respectfully, eliciting another nod from Thorian.

Thorian steered the conversation in a new direction. "Beyond the interpersonal dynamics, how do we envision the formal organization of our forces? Any suggestions?"

Zogthar, after a thoughtful pause, said, "Might I suggest adopting a structure similar to the traditional orcish military, my king?"

Thorian gestured encouragingly. "Please, share your insights."

Drawing himself up, Zogthar began to outline his proposal. "At the pinnacle stands you, my king, as the Supreme Commander. Directly beneath you, two generals should helm the entire force, each overseeing a full company. Each general would have under them four unit leaders, who in turn would have squadron leaders reporting to them. Envisioning the numbers, a squadron would consist of fourteen fighters, making a unit sixty-strong. Thus, a complete company would comprise two-hundred-and-forty warriors."

Thorian reflected on Zogthar's proposition, then scanned the room. "Does anyone have reservations or critiques regarding Zogthar's proposed structure?"

Forlune, the moon kobold, was swift to respond. "I see no issue."

Appraising the rest of his council and noting their agreement, Thorian offered Zogthar a smile of approval. "Your input has been invaluable, Zogthar. We'll move forward with the structure you've outlined."

"It's an honor to serve, my king," Zogthar replied, bowing slightly, pride evident in his demeanor.

Thorian acknowledged the group before delving into the next topic: the allocation of leadership roles. Ultimately, the two pivotal roles of generals were granted to Forlune and Zogthar. Zogthar’s rich military background made him a natural choice. This decision underscored Thorian’s commitment to meritocracy, underscoring that race held no sway in his considerations.

As for the unit leader positions, three had been set aside for the goblin elders. The remaining five were awarded to Lapis, Vivax, Saxum, Vigil, and Aqua. Both Ifrit and Ventus initially bristled at being overlooked, but Thorian’s clarification about the administrative duties tied to the role quickly tempered their discontent, as neither relished the thought of tedious bureaucratic responsibilities.

Having resolved the leadership assignments, Thorian steered the conversation toward the second pressing issue: the quest to defend Locksley. Given his prior experience with similar quests, Thorian emphasized the significant rewards at stake. He urged his council to ensure their subordinates accepted the quest without delay.

As the session drew to a close, Thorian had one final directive, primarily for his newly appointed generals. "Before we conclude, I’d like you both to introduce the goblins to the four major guilds. Subsequently, direct them here to retrieve their daily quests." He cast a sweeping gaze over the assembly. "Once that's accomplished, gather all our combatants and reorganize them as per the structure we've delineated. Remember to integrate the different races effectively."

Forlune responded with an assured nod, "Rest easy, my king. I will make sure that the job is done correctly.”

Thorian gave a final nod of approval. "I have every confidence in all of you. Our discussions are done; now we act."

As the council members dispersed, Thorian motioned for Zogthar to remain behind. "Zogthar, a moment of your time. There's a matter I'd like to discuss with you."

The high-orc looked momentarily perplexed but complied, waiting patiently as the chamber emptied of the other council members. Once they were alone, he approached Thorian, his expression earnest.

"My king, I am deeply honored by the trust you've placed in me by appointing me as general. I–"

Thorian held up a hand, interrupting. "Your appointment was based on merit, and you deserve it. But that's not why I wanted to speak with you." He leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "My concern lies with the representation of your race in our village. The orcs are few in number."

Zogthar looked momentarily taken aback, but then his face settled into a somber expression. "It's true; we are not numerous, but each of my kin is fiercely dedicated. I assure you, we'll work tirelessly to meet, if not exceed, your expectations, my king."

"I don't question your commitment or the quality of your warriors, but the reality remains—you're underrepresented," Thorian said, his tone somber. He took a deep breath before continuing, "Are there more orcs residing in this forest that we should be aware of?"

Zogthar exhaled heavily. "It's uncertain, but it's likely that there are other tribes."

Thorian scratched his furry chin, deep in thought, before posing another question. "If we were to encounter another orc tribe, would they be amenable to joining us under peaceful terms?"

Zogthar paused for a moment, carefully considering his next words. When he finally spoke, his gaze was unwavering. "They would not. In orcish tradition, allegiance is never given freely to someone who hasn't proven their worth in combat."

Leaning back into his chair, Thorian let out a sigh of disappointment. "That is a shame."