Court of Elves.
Every important elf of high authority is accounted for. There are familiar faces, and some are just slightly recognizable from their unique quirks. The royal princess, Kara Glt Zorun, solemnly starts the meeting by raising the main agenda.
"We are in a state of war," At this announcement, few show a look of surprise such as Allenwood who is usually too busy, Naya who is not privy to military affairs, and Dahlia who only concerns herself with internal matters. "To those who are not informed. Know that we are currently at war against creatures called vampires. We do not know of their affiliation whether they are driven by self-interest or working for another nation. Currently, Ratatoskr is suspecting they have connections with the empire."
Currently, the elves present for this important gathering regarding the activities with the vampires are General Trudviar of the Einherjar, Clairvoyant Naya, Chief Police Dahlia, Head Combat Instructor Beler, Gatekeeper Hemris of Wylderkeep, Master Alchemist Allenwood, and Guardian Tree Yirlung.
Trudviar has a hunch of what is happening as even before this, he has a few exchanges of dialogues with Varen through a letter. Beler is not so surprised because of Trudivar, his post-direct superior's heads up before the meeting. Meanwhile, it is within expectations that Yirlung is not surprised as he is always beside her highness and is privy to a lot of matters.
The curious individual is the red-haired Hemris who guards the border between the Great Anisia River and Dark Forest, and also the officer in charge of manning the main gates of Wylderkeep as he is a kind of ex-convict who should have been tried by the court already for lese majeste.
"We shall convene this meeting with the preparation of war in mind. After learning of the vampires' scheme from the Dark Lands, I had Varen immediately devise countermeasures at his own discretion. Yirlung, please…"
Kara gives up the floor to Yirlung.
Now the acting assistant to her royal highness, Yirlung reads out a report from the direct observers of the recent secret operations by Ratatoskr. "The vampires are special creatures of the night. The current assumption is that they are a variant species of humans. They stalk the night and hate daylight. Their abilities surpass a normal human's specs. They possess normally three to four times of a human's ability. Moreover, they possess fearsome self-healing abilities on par with the consumption of Life Potion. The Ratatoskr has apprehended a couple. Because of the vampires' natural survivability, and special qualities, the Ratatoskr has to resort to killing a lot of them. While this may alert the vampire forces, we manage to acquire a high-profile member of the vampires' organization. As we still have the initiative, Varen suggests that we take the fight to them."
"Now," Kara crosses her leg and places her fingers on her chin out of habit. "Any thoughts?" She asks her subjects for their opinion of the report.
The first to expose his thoughts is Trudviar. "Is it necessary to take the fight to them? It is the suggestion of the head of our intelligence division, and it is only acceptable that we follow intelligence, but is this going to be the smart move to play when the Einherjars are already busy fighting the monsters of the Dark Forest? The Einherjar cannot participate in this war. We are already at war against the denizens of the Dark Forest. It is too dangerous to wage war on two fronts."
Beler, the bald elf, scratches his head in surprise finding Trudviar's reluctance to join the war against the vampires to be suspicious. "General, I admit the monsters of the Dark Forest are strong, but we can reinforce the vanguard against the monsters with the students of the Academy of Hunts. There are plenty of students who failed the police examinations. Though they are not fit for internal peacekeeping, they are already fit for military service."
Trudviar shakes his head in disapproval. "They are a reserved army. We only use them when we are truly in danger. Sending them actively to the frontline is counterproductive for the purpose of the Academy of Hunts. Moreover, what a waste it would have been if they die too early. They have so many years ahead of them."
Naya adds in a rebuttal. "I agree with Trudviar. It is called an Academy because its purpose is for education. And their education is not done yet. Their mistakes on the battlefield might cause more problems than necessary."
"But," Beler shuts his trap as understanding dawns on him. "I… understand…" Currently, there are reportedly no casualties in their fight against the monsters of the Dark Forest. This perfection is only possible because Trudviar is there.
If the war against the vampires does commence, they will need Trudviar to go to the frontlines against the vampires because of his monstrous martial abilities. Beler knows because he has been working under the General for some time already.
Trudviar is a monster on the battlefield.
Hemris offers his opinion at this junction. "We can hire the fairies."
Beler knows Hemris. This red-haired gatekeeper uses to be an Einherjar recruit, but after passing the Einherjar qualifications assessment, he suddenly receives an offer from her royal highness to become the gatekeeper of Wylderkeep.
"Elaborate," The royal princess succinctly gives her permission for Hemris to speak and enforce his opinion.
"The fairies have methods to ward off monsters. Because of our population, it is impossible for us to use the fairies' abilities to completely ward us off from monster attacks. I suggest we halt the war with the monsters of the Dark Forest and turn it into a defensive battle using the fairies' abilities to funnel them into a single area… What was that? Just like the labyrinth in the Fae Legends. We can build something like a labyrinth to guide the monsters' traffic."
Hearing his suggestion, the elves nod in approval. It is a viable option.
Dahlia, the blonde elf, not wanting to lose to Hemris expresses her doubt. "How will you make the fairies participate?"
Naya voices an answer immediately. "The Pilgrims will negotiate a deal." She is not here simply as a representative of the Academy of the Hunts but also as a partial representative of the Pilgrims. "The fairies like stories and sweet things. One of the students from the Academy has been fostering a bee farm, and they have quite a lot of gains already. I am confident the fairies would love a taste of honey."
"This can work, your highness." Trudviar expresses his approval, no more questions asked.
Kara smiles finding her decision to place Hemris in a position of power. "Gatekeeper Hemris. The kingdom shall rely on you. While the General shall wage his war against the vampire menace, you shall defend the Kingdom in his place and hold defense against the monsters of the Dark Forest."
Hemris fall on one knee and solemnly accepts the decree. "I accept."
"General Trudviar, is this fine with you?"
Trudviar simply nods.
The meeting continues as the elves throw and exchange their ideas in a brainstorm.
Meanwhile, Allenwood has been thinking about something for some time since the beginning of the meeting. "Your Highness. Varen has asked me about some weird concoctions lately. It has come to my attention… that he must be doing something quite… brutal…"
Kara has been waiting for Allenwood's doubts, and with already a prepared answer, she unfeelingly gives an honest explanation. "We elves don't shy on brutal methods. The Elf King, his majesty, has taught us that cruelty is a method. You have heard of the vampire's regenerative healing powers, and Varen deigns it as an opportunity."
Yirlung intervenes in Kara's words taking it upon himself to put the dirty and cruel words in his mouth. "Currently, Varen has harvested over twenty face masks peeled off the vampire's face by the name of Angelica. While the General confronts the Dark Lands and the vampire's main forces there, the Ratatoskr will be hitting multiple Vampire Alcoves across the Allied Kingdoms."
And on top of that, Varen must also be compiling various data about the methods of torturing. Yirlung leaves these words unspoken.
Except for Trudviar and Allenwood, the other elves are quite surprised. Even Naya who knows of the level of cruelty that the elves can do finds herself questioning the morality of the elves. The Clairvoyant quickly erases her dubious thoughts realizing that she is being too naïve.
Kara stands from her throne and declares. "We shall end this war with our overwhelming victory. Now, my elves, go forth!"
The Royal Elf Princess adjourns the 'war' meeting with a shout.