The sudden entry grabbed everyone's attention and caused a momentary confusion. The elders were already frustrated by the lethargic responses of the admiral, and this sudden intrusion further exacerbated the situation as several of them shouted in protest:

"Who are you to dare interrupt our assembly? This is a grave offense!"

"What are the guards doing? Apprehend him!"

The chief elder tried to calm their nerves as he endeavored to resolve the issue.

"Now, now, let's not be quick to judge. Admiral Kaeros, is this man with you?"

The admiral answered with a slight head nod.

A merchant named Lenso, hailing from the free city of Vicinia, interjected:

"Even so, this is highly inappropriate. We are discussing matters of national security."

Another added, "This isn't the training grounds or the tavern for him to barge in without much thought."

The chief elder asked,

"Do you have anything to add to this meeting?"

He replied while saluting,

"Esteemed elders, forgive my sudden intrusion. Indeed, I have information that should prove crucial in answering all your questions."

The chief elder pondered for a while and then said,

"Then that settles it. He is granted permission to stay."

"Thank you, and now to address—"

The chief elder interrupted him:

"Oh! Since this young man will answer the questions, the drawbridge motion is no longer in effect." He motioned to his aides, "Recover all the flags."

He added, shooting a smile:

"You brought this on yourself when you barged in here. You are required to answer their questions now."

**How cunning... so this is the renowned scholar and former shophet Andrikos? He could pose a problem.**

"I am in the service of the house."

He barely finished his sentence before a flurry of questions erupted.

"Esteemed elders, rest assured that all your questions will be answered. But first, I believe introductions are in order. My name is Marco, advisor to the admiral and Lieutenant commander of his ship, the Subitus."

"As you all know, ever since disaster struck in the last war, we have been on the back foot. Our rule over the sea has wavered, and many pirate enclaves have been harassing our convoys. Rebuilding the navy is crucial to our national defense; the enhanced security will more than compensate for the temporary loss of income."

Several members of the military bloc nodded in agreement:

"The navy is our deterrent; it must be rebuilt and expanded."

"What good is bickering over coins while our shores are undefended?"

Others, notably from the merchant union, objected, crying out:

"This doesn't change the fact that we can't afford to go to war."

"We can't afford to shatter the power balance."

"We need to keep the southern hordes in check; we can't wage war on multiple fronts."

"Deterrents, power balance, keeping in check? How amusing. One would think that you are dictating orders to the strategic command. That would be crossing a boundary, wouldn't it?"

"Watch your mouth! You're on sacred ground."

Gianni interjected, "It is true that the Constitution of Raphamiel clearly defines the strategic command's supreme executive power over all military matters."

"I'm thankful for your under—"

"But the strategic command can ill afford to disregard our advice either. Everyone in this room has more experience than you in life. Don't take their words too lightly. Why risk so many lives in an uncertain conflict?"

"I can't believe such a distinguished merchant would ask a question so absurd."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Everyone knows the immense riches you've accumulated over the years. Did your Krimata Company make it where it is today by prioritizing safety and certainty?"

"Merchants weigh risk and return, but we are speaking of war, not trading."

"They are two sides of the same coin. Merchants trade goods for money, while war trades lives for land."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He continued, "This is a report made by the Department of Agriculture, which manages the union of arable commons, consisting of what little fertile land we have in our league. It states that if the population continues to increase at the current rate, within a decade, we won't have enough to feed a third of our population."

"All we need are ports to ply our trade and vessels to transport our cargo. Everything can be bought with money."

"What if they refuse to sell it? What if they decide to pressure us by embargoing our merchants? Will you let the great famine be repeated?"

The elders quickly understood the implications.

"That would be like a noose around our necks that our enemies could always tighten."

"Having this weakness would be a diplomatic disaster."

"The islands close to the continent are fertile and have suitable weather. We need them if we are to ensure our self-sufficiency."

Giovanni remarked, "Didn't we try all this before? Even if we managed to occupy it, what good is that land if we can't hold it?"

"War is a gamble. An uncertain victory is better than a certain defeat. It's our role to ensure the best outcome for our federation."

Soon, the division in the assembly became even more apparent, as each faction became more concerned with their personal domains. The veterans from the military section questioned:

"Do you have a solid plan?"

"Will the admiral personally hold field command?"

Meanwhile, the merchants speculated:

"When will the declaration be sent?"

"Will a war tax be introduced?"

All the while, the farmers' and artisans' bloc could be heard whispering:

"Will there be a draft order?"

"How should the new lands be divided?"

Marco thought to himself **You could hear the gears in their heads turning.**

But what caught Marco's attention was a question from a retired official, known as an outspoken critic of the hegemony of Aterna and Cyanos:

"A Lieutenant commander at such a young age?"

"The officer exam grants an equal chance to all. I was fortunate enough to pass it."

The elder scoffed,

"Where are you from?"

"As I said, I'm Marco, of the strategic command."

"I meant, which country?"

"I don't understand your question. Aren't we all citizens of the Aternos Federation?"

"Enough! Are you suggesting that the strategic command discriminates based on nationality? Why don't you ask your peers from the veteran bloc!"

A few side glances and dissatisfied veterans caused the elder to back off as the admiral pressed on,

"This has gone on long enough; we are leaving."

After the admiral and Marco left, the session continued well into the afternoon.

In his office the admiral lit his pipe while sipping his brandy, saying.

"I didn't think you could handle those old geezers... It's unexpected of you, Marco!"

"You're giving me too much credit."

"What was the point of that? I'd have rather ignored them as usual."

Marco smiled,

"To weaken our position a little."

Kaeros raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. "Why would we deliberately weaken our own position?"

Marco replied,

"Admiral, politics is a matter of priorities. The strategic command reigns supreme in wartime. If it were to appear as a perfect entity, the other three powers would band together to keep it in check."

Taking a sip from his glass, he continued:

"So we show them that we don't have all the answers, that we are pressured by the central government, and they will prioritize more urgent affairs."

"But there was no pressure from the union of arable commons."

"Wasn't there? This report is genuine, and any loyal citizen who reads it would try to do something about it."

"Is that why you urged me to answer their summons? To think I was caught up in your schemes as well."

Marco pointed out,

"Only you could get away with shunning the elders for so long. If you weren't in that room, I wouldn't have been able to even look at their faces, let alone argue with them."

"Now they know you're with me, and you will be representing us in future assemblies as well."

Marco grumbled,

"You're just dumping your work on me because you find it tedious."

The admiral chuckled while offering to refill his cup.

"No more for me, I have to leave now. Thanks for having me, sir."

Marco then saluted him and left.