Once the war council was concluded a lot of reforms were swiftly put in motion.
DarkSorrow and Max ironed out the details of the compulsory military service and a Lord's declaration was made regarding the same.
The tenure of the compulsory service was kept quite short.
3 month of training+ 9 months of field service for a year of compulsory service.
For now Max was hoping that patriotism and sense of duty would make many young vampires volunteer for the service of their own volition, but if that did not happen he would need to send soldiers door to door and ensure that everyone that was meant to serve did serve their time.
Sebastian the foreign minister set up a meeting for Max to meet up with Guildmaster Neatwit to discuss the reinforced concrete purchase and Anna and Asiva began studying ways to quickly make a dam.
Only a few days remained till the start of the war and there was a lot of preparation to be done in that time period.
Rudra himself did not take part in any further preparations as he chose to spend his time in silence as he observed the daily lives of his children and wives from a distance.
************
( Planet Radiance, Neatwits office )
Max could feel the tension in the air the moment he stepped foot inside the True Elites headquarters in Radiance.
The elites seemed to be preparing for war as well and the tension in the air was palpable.
Neatwit had also taken this meeting today only because it was Max Rajput who was asking this favour for his time, as if it were anyone else, including Lord Ravan Bloodfall he would have declined the request.
The moment Max entered his cabin, Neatwit glanced at him and said " Why are you fighting with the vampire's? The earthlings need you Max…. "
Neatwit cut right to the chase as he seemed disappointed in Max's decision to fight such a critical war from the side of the vampires.
In his understanding Earth should always be Max's priority which is why he confronted Max for the same.
" I owe them a lot, this is not a decision I can make of my own volition " Max replied as he wrapped his decision as being indebted to Ravan and the vampires.
Neatwit sighed, from the way Max replied it seemed clear to him that he was not going to change his mind which is why he changed his attention to the next agenda.
" You want reinforced concrete bricks along with a blueprint of a 16×16 fort?
My forgers under Kalash are already working overtime. I'm not going to make them spend two to four days on your project at this crucial time if I don't think it's necessary.
So please explain to me why you need to make the fort? " Neatwit said as he urged Max to give him the pitch for why he needed the supplies so urgently.
Max unflurred a map of the battlefield and began explaining the war strategy of the Bloodfall clan and why he needed the fort to increase a layer of protection against air raids.
Neatwit who listened to every word coming out of Max's mouth tried to scrutinise Max's battle plan from every angle, but after spending a few minutes thinking about it he could not pick apart any flaws with it.
" You know Max….. although choosing this spot to defend is a strategic blunder. The defence strategy you have come up with is almost as good as one that Shakuni would come up with.
Your brother would be proud of you if he saw you like this… " Neatwit said as he tapped lightly on Max's shoulder.
Having spent a lifetime fighting alongside Rudra, Neatwit was no stranger to his way of planning a fight and this battle plan was structured in a way that Rudra liked to plan.
It had layers, contingencies and forward planning integrated inside of it so that if PlanA failed there was still B, C , D and E.
Max smiled at the compliment as he did not clarify that he was not the person who came up with this plan.
Although he knew he did not actually earn the remark, he was still feeling good knowing that Neatwit thought that he could fill his brother's massive shoes as a strategist.
He also made a mental note to thank the old man for his wisdom later tonight as it seemed like his plan was good enough to even impress Neatwit.
" Fine, I'll make time for your bricks. But I still expect you will bail any Elite soldier out on the battlefield and go out of your way to save them if you have the chance.
Naturally, I don't want you to throw your life away but….
Yeah just help them " Neatwit said as Max nodded to his words.
In this coming war if there was ever a situation where he would need to assist an Elite, he would do it wholeheartedly.
With his objective achieved, Max headed back home leaving Neatwit to settle his busy affairs.
********
( Meanwhile Micheal )
" Can we count on your support in the coming war? Lord Angakok? " Micheal asked as he tried really hard to not frown when talking to the old blood shaman god.
The angels had been tracking Khnum for a long time now and after confirming his whereabouts they found him to be alongside Angakok.
Initially, Micheal would not have chosen to go personally for such a meeting, but with the great war looming over their heads he was willing to give scouting Angakok a shot.
" My participation in the war young angel depends on a variety of factors but you can rest assured that If I choose to participate it will be on your side.
I will either stay neutral or join the light.
There is no possibility of me joining the dark " Angakok replied with a sly smile on his face.
Micheal who had already expected such an answer sighed as he looked at Khnum to ask what his will regarding this issue was.
" I will do whatever lord Angakok asks me to do " Khnum said like a true teacher's pet which frustrated Micheal to no end.
It seemed like he had been harbouring a snake for all this decades within heaven.
When the times became tough, the old sea god changed his master.