He revealed the royal family's secret first to pressure me. What a terrifying man.
"I am honored, Your Majesty," Lelius said, bowing and kneeling on one knee.
Sigmund regarded the back of Lelius's head coldly. She's just a commoner's daughter with no claim to the throne anyway. A capable subordinate like him is worth keeping close—and under surveillance.
"Oh, by the way, how goes the search for my beloved brother?"
Lelius swallowed hard and broke into a cold sweat. "It is proceeding well, Your Majesty. We've uncovered a critical lead and are tracking him as we speak. I will ensure he is brought to you as soon as possible."
Sigmund's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Good. Bring him to me quickly, so I can tear him apart with my own hands."
In a dark room with drawn curtains, Charles V stared intently at an ornate mirror hanging on the wall. The surface of the mirror rippled like water.
This artifact, known as the "Mirror of Communion," was a priceless relic passed down among the leaders of the eight major nations of the continent.
Charles V traced the edge of the mirror with a heavy hand. It was only used during moments of extreme upheaval, such as the Pamir Empire's invasion. The activation of the mirror required the recitation of an ancient incantation, which exacted a toll on the life force of all participants.
Although the drained vitality would gradually replenish, the resulting fatigue and emptiness were not easily endured. There was even the lingering fear that it might reduce one's lifespan. Thus, the mirror could only be used with the unanimous agreement of all eight leaders.
At the repeated urging of Henry III of Elonia, the leaders had finally agreed to convene. As their vitality was offered to the mirror, the images of the leaders began to materialize.
Their forms appeared distorted as though reflected on water, their expressions obscured. Gradually, as all were seated, the vision cleared.
Henry III was the first to speak. "Thank you for responding to this call. The situation has become dire. The Pamir Empire has crossed our borders and begun pillaging. We can no longer hold them back. If we continue to stand by, the entire continent will be engulfed in war."
Charles V, having already sent reinforcements, watched the others with a calm demeanor. His eyes caught the regent of the Pasha Kingdom clasping her hands as if grappling with guilt. In the young king's stead, she stammered out a response.
"Our… our kingdom has already mobilized to the Lenac Fortress. We are holding our ground there to prevent further incursions. We have no resources left to spare."
Sigmund, seated arrogantly, spoke next. "The northern three nations formed an alliance to support one another, did they not? If I recall, during the last war, the Kingdom of Lania alone managed to hold out for over a year. Why are we hearing such complaints so soon this time?"
Henry III gritted his teeth but forced himself to remain composed. He couldn't let the provocation get to him.
As for the Pasha Kingdom… The betrayal left a bitter taste in his mouth, but there was no choice. They would have to settle the score for breaking the alliance once the war was over.
"We have made grave mistakes. Our preparations for war were inadequate, and the most critical defensive line, the Dolce Fortress, fell far too easily. I humbly petition for the assembly of allied forces," Henry III pleaded.
Sigmund's gaze shifted to Allegro III. "Pope, have you nothing to say about this situation? Strange rumors are spreading across the continent."
Allegro III feigned ignorance, his practiced indifference honed over fifty years. Even Henry III's piercing glare, which seemed to scream a desire to strangle him on the spot, failed to faze him.
"Ahem. The Holy State has already prepared reinforcements," Allegro III finally declared, though the words left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Originally, he had planned to send reinforcements triumphantly, casting the Holy State as the savior of the continent. But now, it felt like a concession born of guilt, an offering given under duress. Even his unparalleled audacity couldn't transform the current circumstances into a moment of glory.
"Well, the more people, the better. Even if they're knights who haven't seen proper combat in decades," Charles V remarked sarcastically, causing the Pope's blood pressure to spike.
Yet the comment held truth. Despite numerous wars over the years, the Holy State had rarely, if ever, dispatched reinforcements.
"This time, the Holy Knights will display their full might. We will deploy 1,000 of our elite knights, 50,000 infantry, and 50 hippogriff riders," Allegro III announced.
Henry III nodded with satisfaction. While rumors painted the Holy State as the root of all the current turmoil, their willingness to take responsibility was reassuring. Even if this gesture was a means to assert their dominance and pressure other nations, it hardly mattered now.
Romano II of the Kingdom of Therma spoke up. The longer the meeting dragged on, the greater the toll it took. From his position in the central continent, where his kingdom often watched conflicts from the sidelines, he was eager to conclude the discussions swiftly.
"Deployments are inevitable, aren't they? Let's quickly confirm troop commitments and decide which front to prioritize. The Kingdom of Therma will send 2,000 cavalry, 20 wyvern riders, and 30,000 infantry. However, given the distance, it will take some time for the full force to arrive. The cavalry and wyvern riders will reach their destinations first. From my perspective, the Kingdom of Elonia appears to be in the most urgent need. What say you?"
Charles V nodded heavily. The primary front was already forming along Elonia's border.
"I agree. However, once the Kingdom of Elonia is stabilized, we will need your support in our territories as well."
"Agreed. But keep in mind, we cannot provide additional reinforcements should our forces dwindle. The Kingdom of Therma is not a military-focused nation," Romano replied, his proposal reasonable.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The Kingdom of Astoria, which had a similar level of power as Therma, pledged an equivalent force but offered three Class-3 magical beasts in place of wyvern riders.