In a remote corner of the fortress, specifically in the northwest where the dwarf clan resided, several rows of tables were arranged in a circular fashion around a large campfire. The flames crackled merrily beneath a wild boar, which was impaled on a spit and rotated every few minutes.
Cliff watched eagerly as the meat roasted over the fire until he suddenly wiped drool from his hand. Just then, he felt a hand tap his shoulder. Turning calmly, he saw the silhouette of a young blonde woman. She had long wolf ears, and her crimson eyes reflected the flickering flames of the campfire like a mirage.
"My lord, I apologize for disturbing you, but unfortunately, the invitation we sent to the Xarus and Styra clans could not be delivered. The pigeon-hawks were slaughtered along the way by wyverns at the foot of the mountain," she reported, her expression dark.
"There's no need to make a fuss about it," Cliff reassured the young lycanthrope. "We'll simply invite them to join us on another occasion."
"We will send a troop with an official invitation," she replied, bowing slightly. Following Cliff's gesture, she stepped back quickly.
"What's going on, my lord?" Rakahn asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Our message couldn't be delivered to the mountain clans. Apparently, the traveling birds were shot down along the way," Cliff replied, leaning his head slightly on the table.
Although he felt physically energetic, his mind was weary from a week of relentless training, coupled with the long trek to the fortress. The numerous creatures they had encountered on the way had made their journey quite eventful. Upon arriving, he had delivered words of congratulations to the legion for their victory, offered condolences to the families of the fallen, and debriefed everyone on what awaited them from that day forward.
This banquet was organized exclusively for important figures: generals, officers, non-commissioned officers, and elders who served as both advisors and logistical supervisors. They were often tasked with the supply team.
Cliff stood up and maneuvered through a gap between two tables. Clearing his throat loudly, he sought the audience's attention.
As if on cue, the musicians, dancers, and even those tending the meat paused to listen to him.
Satisfied, Cliff surveyed the crowd with a confident glint in his brown eyes.
"My dear colleagues, this banquet is held in honor of all of us gathered here. You fought valiantly, putting your lives at risk against these demonic abominations." He paused, allowing his gaze to sweep over the assembly before continuing, "As some of you may know, especially those who have joined us recently, we plan to execute a rescue operation to free our fellow members of the elf clans and the Dhakat who have been taken hostage by ogres."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Cliff ignored them and pressed on with his speech.
"As I promised, I have given you a week to prepare yourselves just as I have. I no longer intend to mobilize all our forces for this operation; those who are awake and certain groups of mages will be more than sufficient. The rest will remain here until further notice!"
Suddenly, a hand shot up. A middle-aged man, sturdy in build, with small scales embedded beneath his eyes and along his neck, looked eager to speak.
"From what I've observed, my lord, the number of awakened individuals among us is quite low—aside from Lord Rakahn, Lady Dahlia, and myself?" he said, pointing to himself.
"Your name is Kido, right?" Cliff asked. "Didn't Rakahn explain the effects of the soul pact to you?"
Kido shook his head in response.
Noticing his reaction, Cliff ran a hand over his face in frustration. "Rakahn… didn't I tell you? If you want to recruit more people, you have to explain everything properly, including the advantages and disadvantages. I wanted them to understand this long before joining us!"
"I believe I did, my lord; perhaps he simply wasn't paying attention," Rakahn complained.
Cliff eyed him suspiciously before turning back to the assembly. "This little bastard doesn't know the meaning of priorities."
"Let's get back on track," Cliff clapped his hands.
"Through the soul pact, we are interconnected. Soldiers under its influence can absorb the essence of a monster's core defeated by another soldier. But this isn't its only effect; we've learned that as we evolve, we can share skills with one another."
Cliff hesitated before revealing the next part. "I wanted to save this as a surprise, but I need to share it now. Our bond through the soul pact allows us to use the innate abilities of other races. I plan to schedule training sessions for soldiers once they awaken. They will learn to strengthen their bodies like the Orleth and Dhakat, channel spells like the elves, wield their auras like the Ibara and Shizukesa, and much more."
His words left several attendees at the tables stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
A dwarf, seemingly the leader of his clan, quickly rose from his seat, directing his gaze toward Cain and Rakahn. "I apologize for interrupting, my lord, but I have a question for the leader of the elf clan."
"My old friend, would you agree to grant us access to the secrets your clan has painstakingly guarded for centuries?"
Cliff wanted to answer for Cain, but he was interrupted as Cain took the floor. "Barock, my old friend, this may sound absurd, but I was the one who proposed this process to the master. Once we discovered its potential, I decided to support it."
"While we would be able to utilize those abilities, they won't be as effective as when the original owner uses them. For example, 'strengthening' wouldn't be as potent for me as it is for Rakahn, since I don't possess ogre genes!"
"Furthermore, my clan has nearly been decimated for holding onto such secrets—not once, but twice. If it weren't for the master's intervention, I don't believe my ancestors would have preferred we be annihilated by keeping secrets that could ensure our survival."