The morning light streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across my room as I readied myself for the day. Though my night had been fitful, troubled by dreams of ethereal voices and monstrous shadows, I awoke with a sense of purpose.
Today was an important one. The King had sent a servant to inform me formally that I was invited to the council in the morning. On the back of the note, the king spoke more informally.
"Feel free to speak your mind at any point and do not be intimidated by the rest of the people in the room. I know that you are smart, and others will respect your opinions."
The king's words of encouragement were welcome, but I really wasn't sure just how insightful I would be when I came to war. What I could do was prepare to protect the city with Divinatech, I just needed to get back to the library. Hopefully, this meeting won't drag on too long. If war was coming, we really didn't have time to waste.
With the council meeting heavy on my mind, I dressed quickly, choosing attires that straddled the line between the assertive look of an emerging leader and the unassuming style of a craftsman. I needed to project confidence, but not appear overly ambitious to the other council members who might be wary of a prince too eager to assert himself.
I made my way to my door to leave, but there was a knock from the other side as I reached it. I opened the door to find Marcella waiting with a smile. Or she was wearing one until she looked down at what I was wearing.
"Did you, umm... trip and fall into your wardrobe, look in the mirror, and nod?" She asked me with a light laugh, her eyes playfully scanning my eclectic assemblage of garments.
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. "I wanted to strike a balance. Look approachable yet authoritative," I explained, giving a small shrug.
Marcella stepped closer, her hands reaching out to adjust the collar of my shirt with deft fingers. "Balance is good, but remember, you're the craftsman they're relying on to protect the city. Your attire should send that message clearly," she said, giving me a reassuring nod once she had finished fixing my collar.
"Thank you," I said, feeling a tad more confident with her adjustments. "Shall we head to the council together? Having a Noble Diplomat at my side can't hurt my case."
"Lead the way," she replied with a graceful gesture of her hand. Together, we walked through the corridors of the castle, the sounds of our purposeful steps echoing off the stone walls.
Upon entering the council room, I immediately felt the weight of the assembled gazes falling upon us. The chamber was filled with the kingdom's most influential figures—generals, nobles, and advisors—all there to discuss the impending crisis.
King Aldrich presided over the meeting, giving us a nod as we took our seats. The discussions commenced, the air thick with tension and the gravity of the matters at hand.
"We have just received word that the kingdom of Bossprinz and its king have fallen," Aldrich announced, and a weighted silence fell over the room.
I, for one, was only slightly surprised by this, since I knew that my father was ambitious, but once I got ahold of the report, my eyes widened. My father had taken the castle and the king's head in less than two days. Not only that, but he was already heading to the Capital of Jagar. This wasn't ambition, it was madness. Catching Heinrich off-guard would be one thing, but why would my father move to attack Jagar so fast?!
The realization hit me like a cold wave. This wasn't just a simple conquest; it was a show of unbridled power, one possibly driven by something dark and insidious. As I scanned the reports more, my skin crawled at what a survivor that had escaped.
No one had been left alive. The entire city had been brutally and systematically chased down and killed. The reports said the knights seemed possessed and only killed. They were like dogs on the scent of blood, and barely anyone had escaped them.
I really hadn't been ready to read this, and I was actually feeling sick to my stomach. The capital of Bossprinz held over 120,000 people. That number was mind-numbing to think that humans alone had slaughtered such an inconceivable number of people in a senseless massacre. It defied logic, reason, and morality.
I looked up, meeting the eyes of those around the council table, my expression grave. "This isn't a simple war for territory," I spoke up, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "This is genocide. Whatever has taken hold of my father and his knights, it's something far more dangerous than a mere lust for land."
Murmurs of agreement and shock resonated around the room. The generals shifted uncomfortably, exchanging concerned glances. It was clear that this news had shaken everyone to the core.
King Aldrich leaned forward, his face lined with worry. "We must take immediate action. Reinforce our defenses, send out scouts, and prepare for any eventuality. The question is, what is driving Alphonse to this madness? Is it simply power, or is there something more at play here?"
I paused, taking a deep breath before answering. "I'm not sure what's causing this, but I encountered... something in the sewers. A creature of shadow and malice that seemed to be toying with me. Whether it's related to my father's actions, I can't say. But I think we should consider the possibility that there are forces beyond our current understanding influencing events."
Marcella placed a hand on mine under the table, giving a subtle squeeze of support. "Gideon's right," she added. "We need to look at all possibilities, no matter how otherworldly they may seem."
"What of Jagar? Are we just to leave them to their fate?"
I turned to the voice to see General Varrick, a seasoned warrior with countless battles etched into his grim visage. His question hung heavy in the air, reminding us that time was of the essence.
"What do you suggest? Jagar will know that they are coming, and they are not without defense. Their wall is one of the most formidable that surrounds a city in this world!"
King Aldrich responded sternly, seeing the battlefield afresh through the general's eyes. "We cannot abandon an ally, especially not when they face such imminent danger. We will send aid—troops, supplies, and our best strategists."
I nodded, feeling a sense of unity at the table. "As for me, I will aid in reinforcing Jagar's defenses with Divinatech. Their walls may be formidable, but with enhancements, we can make them near-impenetrable. Still, I don't really think that the walls will be the problem. Even if they can't get through the wall, the city has no escape if my father surrounds them. Not only that, but we would have to fight our way through my father's crazy Knights."
"Do you really have to go?!" Marcella asked suddenly, squeezing my hand quite hard.
"I don't think we will be able to help unless I do. If I am going to be honest, I don't know if sending the army there is a good idea," I explained, and all eyes fell on me, the king's included. "I am your peace treaty right now. As it looks, my father is on a rampage. If he is willing to rush to the only other thing that can stop him after senselessly killing that many people, I don't think he will stop with just Corundum. I personally don't want the kingdom of Havenby to become the next target until I know we can win."
"Then what is it you suggest?" Varrick asked, and I nodded.
"I will go alone in one week. That should give me enough time to prepare and learn what I need to," I explained, but the general gave me a leary look and gave my small frame a good look.
"Not to insult you, Prince Gideon, but I think that this is more than one person, even of my size could handle," He said, skepticism laced in his voice.
I knew his doubt was fair, considering my apparent youth and stature. But they didn't understand the full extent of my abilities, my past life's expertise, and the deities' blessings.
"I know how it must look," I said, meeting the general's eyes confidently. "But I assure you, I'm not a typical prince or even a typical craftsman. I have skills and knowledge that can make a real difference. And I won't be going there to fight a war single-handedly, but to rescue the royalty to bring them back. I also want to see just what has a hold of my father. I somehow feel responsible for all of this, but I don't know what else we can do."
I hated the words that came out of my mouth, but this was not some fairy tale where everything would just work out. My father was clearly not the same man, but he had not been a nice one to start. If something evil had really gotten a hold of him, then I might be the only one who could stop him, but the general was right. I was only one boy, and I had to think of what I could actually accomplish going to Jagar. Unfortunately, I could not save everyone.
Marcella's grip on my hand tightened further, a silent testament to her mixed feelings of worry and support. Around the table, apprehension was etched on every face, yet acceptance slowly crept in. They understood that while the situation was dire, the unique skills I possessed could very well turn the tide.
King Aldrich cleared his throat, drawing the room's attention. "Your bravery is commendable, Gideon," he said with a grave nod. "I trust in your judgment and your abilities. We will organize an emergency summit, contacting our allies for support and preparing our troops for any possible outcome. In the meantime, do what must be done to bolster Jagar's defenses. Time is against us."
The council adjourned with a tangible sense of urgency. The warmth of Marcella's hand lingered on mine as I withdrew to gather my thoughts and plan my next steps carefully. Each moment felt precious, each decision critical.
I had one week—one week to become the lynchpin in the defense of a kingdom and perhaps the very world I had come to call my own. With Kuka's knowledge, my crafting skills, and the enigmatic support of the deities, I would face what came with the heart of a warrior and the mind of a master craftsman.
As I left the council room with a steady stride, I knew that the eyes of the entire kingdom—of gods and men, of ancient creatures and the youngest child—were upon me. Their hopes, their fears, and their dreams mingled with mine. I would not let them down. My resolve was set, and my path was laid out.
Let the week begin.