Amidst the gazes of curious onlookers, Lloyd remained unperturbed as he cast aside his cloak and settled himself upon a weathered wooden chair. The proceedings droned on, each participant silent as the figure at the head of the room reiterated the plan. But Lloyd paid them no heed, for his heart burned with a fierce dissent for this misguided course of action.
With a flick of its tiny wand, the enchanted instrument rapped sharply upon the chalkboard, commanding the rapt attention of the assembled throng. For the wand had a mission to impart, to expound upon the intricacies of the map that had been so deftly rendered upon the board. The map was adorned with an array of curious symbols, each marking a different place of interest. With a deft movement, the wand pointed to a small house situated next to a trio of towering structures, each marked with three symbols, denoting a city three times larger than any other nearby. The wand then shifted to another large building, marked with only one symbol, a clear contrast to its towering neighbors. And nestled amidst it all, a humble symbol of a quaint little house, denoting the humble villages that surrounded the grand cities.
"We will be discussing the crucial role of Arantia, a city in the north of Haudensaun, in connecting the regions of Salaria. As you may be aware, Haudensaun is the largest city in the region and plays a pivotal role in its economic and geostrategic landscape.
To the north of Haudensaun lies a village, but we shall shift our focus to the significant city of Arantia, located in the vicinity. It is noteworthy that Arantia's strategic location makes it a critical trade route, connecting Haudensaun and Antemur through the safe and easily navigable plains to the west.
Thanks to this well-connected route, Arantia is well-positioned to offer its commodities to the west (Antemur) or south (Haudensaun), thus facilitating a thriving trade network. As such, the city plays an indispensable role in enhancing the economic viability of the entire region.
Beyond Arantia, as one progresses through several villages to the north, lies the city of Tubber. Regrettably, Tubber is situated on the edge of a dense forest, making it difficult to directly send its goods to the west. As a result, it too must rely on the trade route through Arantia to reach the markets of Antemur and Haudensaun.
However, a complication arises in the form of a village to the east of Tubber, named Larun. While officially a part of Old Salaria, the village's close proximity to Tubber means that its commodities also flow westward."
In the land of Salaria, it was widely known that each and every city possessed a singular, precious commodity. For Tubber, it was the humble potato, grown to a such prodigious size that it could scarcely be believed. Arantia, on the other hand, boasted the bitter melon, a fruit so long and winding that it seemed to defy the laws of nature. And then there was Caro, famed far and wide for the succulent carrots that sprouted from its fertile soil. To be sure, every city within Salaria boasted a bountiful harvest, with crops of every kind thriving in abundance. But it was only in their respective cities that these special commodities could reach their full potential, for they grew to a size and perfection that could not be matched elsewhere. Indeed, so wondrous were these fruits and vegetables that they never spoiled nor withered, always retaining their freshness and flavor. Yet, despite the undeniable worth of these special crops, it was known that if every citizen within a city were to produce and own the same commodity, its value would plummet and be rendered worthless. And so, it was through the exchange of these precious goods with other cities that the economy of Salaria was kept in balance, ensuring the continued prosperity of all its inhabitants.
"To the southeast of Haudensaun lies the city of Melon, which specializes in producing eggplants. Due to its proximity to Haudensaun, much of Melon's commodities flow to the city.
However, I must emphasize that any suggestion of military action must be approached with the utmost care and consideration. While Melon may serve as a potential gathering point for troops, it is crucial to assess the feasibility and practicality of such a plan. As an esteemed gentleman has pointed out, the distance between Melon and Haudensaun is significant, and the time required to mobilize troops may be extensive. It is also essential to consider the potential repercussions of such a decision and its impact on the local economy and population.
Moreover, we must carefully consider the timing of our movements. As the letter from Mité may have been sent several days ago, it is vital to evaluate whether we still have time to catch up with our movements and make informed decisions based on the current circumstances."
Seated in his heavy armor, the gallant warrior cleared his throat before speaking. "Let us cast our minds once more to the place we call home, Old Salaria. A city of wealth and prosperity, where our bellies are always full and our spirits high. Though we may be hemmed in by the imposing peaks of the Manoko mountains, we have never once faltered, for we are a people of strength and resilience. And let us not forget the added advantage this isolation grants us, for our enemies can only approach from the west, where our border cities stand guard like stalwart sentinels."
His words rang with the confidence born of years of experience, for he was a leader who knew how to defend his people. Indeed, he had already stationed his armies in the border cities, ready to meet any threat that might come their way. And if ever the need arose, they could quickly gather in the city of Melon, no more than a few days' journeys away. Such was the military might of Old Salaria, honed and prepared for any eventuality.
"Truly, your agility is impressive, Mr. Widdleson," the figure before the chalkboard declared, his voice filled with admiration. Mr. Widdleson was a warrior of unmatched skill and a general without peers, his very presence commanding respect from all who beheld him.
"Without a doubt, this gathering encourages free and open communication, and I implore all to express their thoughts freely," the individual stated. "I invite any member of our equipment and supplies unit to share their views on the matter. Are we confident that our soldiers stationed in Melon will receive adequate provisions?"
At this, a man of average build, his thick mustache bristling with importance, stepped forward to reply. "Be at ease, my fellow colleagues, for I can assure you that our troops stationed in Melon shall be adequately provisioned," he declared confidently. "Rest assured that I have meticulously prepared a diverse array of supplies, including main courses, side dishes, fresh fruits, and clean water, to cater to their every need. I have taken every measure necessary to ensure their well-being."
"Mr. Marvez, I must commend your deftness as well." Upon hearing the praise, Mr. Marvez responded by saying, "Thank you for your kind words. As a matter of fact, we have recently purchased a substantial amount of rice from Oryza city, and the consignment has just arrived in Melon. I am curious, have you made the necessary preparations on your end, Mr. Sean?"
Mr. Sean, who had previously given the explanation, smiled cordially with a narrowed gaze and responded, "It's important to keep in mind that not everything is as clear as day, Mr. Marvez. With twelve people in the room, it's crucial that we ensure all parties are prepared accordingly. Have the remaining participants made the necessary arrangements for their respective roles?"
"May I ask all of you a question?" Lloyd's sudden intervention brought all eyes fixed on him. "Each one of you presents here agreed to this plan, including you, Mr. Sean. However, I must ask, what is the reason behind this decision? Have we not learned from the past, such as during the civil war, where countless innocent lives were lost?" The room fell silent, and no one spoke a word. As Westerners, we are like siblings, so what is the issue at hand? Please forgive my interruption, but this is a matter of great importance, and I do not wish to digress from the topic at hand."
"May I respectfully ask, Mr. Lloyd, who is our God?" Lloyd cast his eyes about the gathering of faces, all of them turned towards him. The lethargy of tedium crept over him, rendering him indifferent to the moment at hand, for he knew that Mr. Sean's response would echo the same familiar refrain, which Lloyd had heard a thousand times before. A deep sigh escaped from Lloyd's lips before he spoke, his words heavy with resignation, "By the grace of Demitria, the goddess of fertility."
Upon hearing Lloyd's reply, Mr. Sean began to expound upon the subject at hand. "Thank you for clarifying that, Mr. Lloyd. I understand that we are the people of the Goddess Demitria, and we worship and adore her. However, the people of western Salaria worship and revere a different deity, the God of Cruelty and War, Albalbel. Their beliefs and practices differ from ours, and this has caused discord between our people for a long time, as evidenced by the civil war. Our objective is to reclaim the great city that rightfully belongs to the followers of the fertility Goddess, Demitria. We aim to take back what is ours, the former capital, which has been under the control of those who worship a different deity. We must not allow traitorous apostates and infidels to keep what is rightfully ours." He elucidated every detail with the same calm and collected countenance as before, wearing an unwavering smile.
Lloyd's countenance revealed his displeasure with Mr. Sean's reply, causing him to avert his gaze and ponder a way to halt this tedium. However, before he could act, Mr. Marvez, who sat beside him in the front row, interjected, "Dear Mr. Lloyd, please allow me to provide you with some vital information regarding the Salaria region. As you may already be aware, Haudensaun is the largest city in the region, even surpassing the current capital, Antemur. Furthermore, it serves as a critical link between the eastern and western blocks of the region. Unfortunately, the ownership of Haudensaun has fallen into the hands of the western block, which is a matter of significant concern. We believe that it is imperative that we regain control of this essential city to ensure that it remains in the hands of our region. By retaking Haudensaun, we would also gain control of the trade routes of Arantia and its surrounding areas. This would be a significant boost to our economy and ensure our region's continued prosperity."
Observing Lloyd's demeanor, Mr. Widdleson recognized that he would not acquiesce to the plan due to his apprehension that it may spark a protracted conflict, resulting in the loss of countless innocent lives. "Stand at ease, Lloyd. I assure you that no harm shall befall any innocent civilians. The objective of this mission is to impede the movements of the Haudensaun units, and subsequently, topple their government and replace it with one that aligns with our cause. I give you my word, Lloyd. Do you yet harbor any reservations regarding my intentions?"
Noticing the unappreciative expressions of those present, Lloyd elaborated, "Listen closely, everyone. Have we forgotten the blood, sweat, and tears shed during the negotiations that took place after the civil war? The documents and laws unequivocally state that Haudensaun is a part of Salaria, not Old Salaria. We cannot just brush aside these legalities for our selfish gain. I understand that it's disheartening, but we have no right to claim Haudensaun. It goes against the very principles that our beloved Goddess Demitria taught us. She never taught us to seize someone else's land or engage in aggressive behavior. Yes, news of the Goddess's passing shook us all to our core, and we are still in mourning. But, we cannot use this as an excuse to lash out and blame the western block for our loss. It would be an insult to the memory of our revered Goddess. We must remember our values and uphold our principles. We cannot compromise our morals for a piece of land. Let us not tarnish the legacy of our Goddess Demitria, who always taught us to embrace compassion and empathy." Upon hearing Lloyd's contention, a deep hush fell over the room, as everyone present contemplated his words in pensive silence.
"Verily, the teachings of the goddess are myriad and multitudinous, Mr. Lloyd. Even among her holy priests, there may arise varying interpretations of her divine words. Thus, trust is a matter of faith, not of logic. Though they are as two sides of a single coin, it is precisely due to this duality that the coin may be known as such," countered the speaker, as he offered a rebuttal to Lloyd's point. "The city of Haudensaun hath ever belonged to my kin," declared Mr. Sean with conviction. "Such is the word of the goddess, clear as the sun in the sky. We do but reclaim what was stolen from us by the perfidious infidels who betrayed our sacred trust."
All those present regarded Lloyd with disdain, their silence communicating their lack of conviction in his words. The air was thick with unease, and Lloyd strove to avert any calamitous outcomes. His knuckles whitened as he clutched the armrests of his seat, his palms slick with sweat, for he knew all too well the dire consequences that could arise. Though he had given his utmost effort and exhausted all options, he remained powerless in the face of the looming catastrophe.
Amidst the group, Lloyd stood alone in opposition to the plan, his disdain for conflict and warfare unyielding. As of late, he had been plagued by a lack of sleep, consumed with work on official documents, leaving little time to spend with his beloved daughter Grace. The impending chaos and inevitable loss of innocent lives left him tormented with grief. With a heavy heart, he rose from his seat, snatched his coat, and strode purposefully towards the door of the meeting room, resolved to remove himself from the dire situation.
"Bear witness, all of you, that I shall not be a party to this operation in any manner," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "I oppose it with all my heart, with full awareness, and I implore you all to remember this." He then turned to Mr. Widdleson. "My apologies, Mr. Widdleson," he said, before striding briskly out of the room, eager to return home as quickly as possible.