Chapter 13: Unserious conversation
The castle appears unusually quiet, and the air carries a sense of foreboding. Despite the silence, whispers seem to weave through the halls, a somber mood palpable on the faces I pass.
It's evident that something sinister lurks beneath the surface. As I traverse the empty corridors, I catch a heavy sigh emanating from the last room in the hall. Marvos' voice filters through the thick atmosphere, laden with concern. "How many remain unharmed? Are the adventurers being sent to aid the troops?"
Adventurers? Troops? Is there a conflict brewing, an invasion, or some internal strife among them?
"Care to explain your actions, Marvos?" My voice carries a trace of frustration as I enter the room. There are more people present than I anticipated, all dressed in similar attire as Marvos and his chancellor, swiftly leaving as I arrive. It's a mess, except for Marvos, who stands amidst the chaos, seemingly composed thanks to his discipline or perhaps my blood enhancing his resilience.
"What occurred during my absence? Is there a pressing matter that demands my attention?" I inquire cautiously, hinting at Marvos' prior mention of troops and adventurers. Apart from the impending dragon invasion, there seems to be more that needs addressing.
"Well, Lord Mikhail, the recent installations you sanctioned have been put to good use," Marvos begins, discussing miscellaneous matters, including the waterway and citizen welfare, slowly delving into unnecessary details that could have been reserved for a casual catch-up conversation rather than this formal exchange.
"Enough of the unnecessary details. Please get to the point. I overheard talk of an imminent battle," I interrupt, weariness evident in my expression. Marvos appears taken aback by my directness. How exhausting.
"Regarding the dragon invasion...I'm not seeking your aid, Lord Mikhail. It's not your responsibility as the kingdom's protector," Marvos responds wearily, dismissing any involvement on my part. How dare he disregard my involvement in such matters!
"How dare you speak so casually about matters of life and death! The invasion is a dire event that—" My words are cut short as Marvos grunts, his voice strained.
"It's true that it's a matter of life and death. But despite the dragon's arrogance, your holiness hasn't made a move or even breathed a word to shield us. I am not trying to elude your duty but there is something that doesn’t need to be said about this shared burden." Marvos speaks while preparing coffee, the weariness in his eyes eclipsing the cheer he previously wore, his words laden with pain.
His complex expression seems like a question that demands an answer. From Darwen's perspective, it might seem like apathy towards the lives of mortals, with only Camael and Gabriel having previously intervened. Even loyalists like Azazel turning a blind eye indicates something significant being overlooked. If not apathy, then perhaps...
"Would it impact the holy war?" I try to piece together his words. If the angels intervene in smaller conflicts, demons might retaliate, escalating the situation beyond control.
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"Exactly, Lord Mikhail. What's labeled as humanity's trial is just a small conflict within the holy war between the forces of [Beast] and [Mortal], representatives of the dark and light lineages," Marvos explains, retrieving a book titled "World's Order."
The book unveils a hidden truth: after the [Fifth day] and [Seventh day], the world is divided into four forces: [Angel], [Demon], [Beast], and [Mortal]. Every 200 years, representatives of these forces gather at the world table to voice concerns, pledge loyalty, and wage wars—an ominous cycle.
"The squabble between [Beast] and [Mortal]... you're downplaying an invasion amidst this?" I sigh, sipping the bitter coffee. Though I've always favored tea, this harsh brew seems tolerable at this trialing current moment.
"This year marks the sixth world table meeting. Even Lord Thirteen won’t involve himself in the conflict. Humanity has to handle this on our own, Lord Mikhail," Marvos sighs, shaking his head in resignation. He's right. While I can't confront the invasion directly, there might be something else I can do.
As I proposed to lead the strategy, Marvos’s eyes filled with newfound hope and gratitude. He looked at me with a sense of reliance that seemed to extend beyond the dire circumstances we faced. "Please," he implored, "I ask of my savior to rescue us from this dreadful fate."
Arranging a meeting with the uniformed individuals alongside me, Marvos initially encountered a hesitancy stemming from their shyness toward my divine status. However, I assured them of equality at the discussion table, encouraging their voices to be heard without restraint.
Once the blockade of divinity dissipated, discussions surged with animated fervor. Delving deeply into understanding human limitations and behavioral patterns, I closely observed their emotions, particularly their susceptibility to fear, which could incite chaos even with a mere gust of wind.
As we set aside various variables, the plan started taking form, evolving into a carefully crafted strategy designed to lure the arrogant dragon into an ambush, countering its expected behavior.
I uncovered their initial plan to pit Violetta and her mage battalion against the dragon until the bitter end. It dawned on me why Darwen was so fervent about self-improvement upon my return—he was determined not to let his beloved fall victim to such a reckless plan. Thus, I discarded it in favor of a new, more promising approach.
"That's ingenious! How did we not think of that before?"
"To execute a reroute so seamlessly is quite impressive."
"And an evacuation plan to minimize civilian damage too!"
The room buzzed with murmurs as problems were swiftly addressed during the discussion. Despite the low odds of success, the new plan held promise. In the event of failure, the main force would sustain minimal damage—this was the essence of the failsafes we meticulously prepared.
"Dismissed, everyone. Let’s set the plan in motion tomorrow," Marvos announced, signaling the conclusion of the meeting as everyone returned to their assigned tasks, meticulously ironing out the finer details.
"It's astonishing how a seemingly simple plan can hold so many variations and possibilities," Marvos remarked, sighing as he glanced wistfully at the lone waning moon in the sky.
"In dealing with mortals and their fleeting lives, it’s paramount to prepare multiple contingencies. Sacrifices should not be a result of shortcuts," I remarked, smiling at his frustration. Marvos displayed an exemplary blend of leadership and responsibility.
"Time will tell the success of this operation, but your wisdom is unparalleled, Lord Mikhail. Your ability to discern amidst the chaos of today’s discussions is truly remarkable," Marvos praised once more. Though I wondered about this sudden appreciation, I decided to accept the compliments graciously.
After the serious discussions, the atmosphere turned more casual. It was clear that none regarded a war as a decision comparable to playing chess. Instead, it seemed like a confrontation that only concluded when a king was captured—a metaphor for the resolution of conflicts, not a game but a matter of life and death.
The end