Chapter 49: Gathering of 12 division
As **Captain Elara** and **Division 10** entered the grand hall of the castle, they were immediately met with a startling sight. The atmosphere was tense, and a sense of overwhelming power hung in the air.
All twelve divisions of the kingdom's elite knights were present, including the imposing figures of the **General** and the **Vice General**. The captains of each division stood in their respective places, and the intensity in their gazes made it clear that something significant was about to unfold.
**Synoh** and the rest of **Division 10** couldn't help but feel a wave of pressure hit them as they walked forward. The stares of the other captains made them feel as if they were being judged, their every step watched. The aura in the room was suffocating.
At the center of it all was the head of the military, **General Leonhart**, an older man with a face lined with scars from countless battles. His very presence radiated authority and power. His sharp eyes, even in his age, held a deathly intensity that could silence a room. He was a legend, feared and respected by all.
With a voice as cold as ice and a presence that felt like a shadow of death itself, **General Leonhart** spoke, addressing **Captain Elara** directly.
**General Leonhart:** (sternly) "Elara. To your position."
His words carried an unspoken command that left no room for argument. The weight of his authority bore down on everyone in the room. **Captain Elara** stood frozen for a moment, feeling the suffocating aura of the general.
The eyes of the other captains followed her, their expressions unreadable, but the air was heavy with expectation. **Captain Elara** could feel the pressure, but she steeled herself, her posture straightening as she moved to her assigned place, trying to ignore the deathly chill in the general's voice.
The rest of **Division 10**, still reeling from the sudden change in atmosphere, stood behind her, trying to mask their nervousness under the intense scrutiny of the other divisions.
**Synoh** exchanged a glance with **Ursa**, both of them feeling the gravity of the situation. This was no ordinary gathering. Something big was happening, and they were at the center of it.
The hall was silent, save for the heavy sound of armored boots as **Division 10** took their positions. It was clear that whatever the king had summoned them for, it was going to be monumental.
**King Mitsu** rose from his throne, his calm yet commanding voice cutting through the tension in the hall.
**King Mitsu:** "Thank you, General Leonhart."
He nodded toward the old general, whose stern gaze remained fixed on **Captain Elara** and the rest of **Division 10**. The king's expression then shifted as he addressed the gathered knights.
**King Mitsu:** "I have summoned all twelve divisions here today because of an urgent matter. A small nation, **Lathunia**, has come under a devastating attack by the demon army."
Murmurs spread through the room, but everyone quickly quieted as the king continued.
**King Mitsu:** "Lathunia has asked for aid, reaching out to the four great nations. However, they were rejected by three of those kingdoms. The reason? Lathunia, a humble nation, had nothing of value to offer in exchange for assistance. They are isolated and vulnerable, with no significant resources or strategic advantage. For those kingdoms, their plight was not worth the effort."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the reality of the situation sinking in. A nation left to fend for itself against the might of the demon army—a fate many here had seen play out before.
**King Mitsu:** "But we... we are not like them."
His voice became resolute, and his words echoed through the grand hall, filling it with a sense of purpose.
**King Mitsu:** "The Kingdom of Arathia does not measure the worth of others by what they can offer us. We measure it by what is right. Lathunia is our neighbor, and though they have little, they are still people who deserve to be defended. We will not abandon them in their time of need."
A sense of pride swelled among some of the captains, while others remained stoic, their focus purely on the mission ahead.
**King Mitsu:** "This will not be an easy task. The demon army is powerful, and their attacks are relentless. But I believe in our strength. That is why I have called all twelve divisions here. We must act as one, united in purpose, to aid this nation and defeat the demonic threat."
He paused, allowing his words to settle in before addressing the captains directly.
**King Mitsu:** "Captains, you will each be assigned a specific role in this campaign. General Leonhart and I will provide the details shortly. But know this: this mission will not just test your strength but also your resolve. The fate of Lathunia rests in your hands."
He then looked directly at **Captain Elara** and **Division 10**, his gaze lingering for a moment before continuing.
**King Mitsu:** "Prepare yourselves. This is a battle not just for land, but for humanity itself."
With that, the king stepped back, signaling to General Leonhart to begin the briefing of their roles in the upcoming campaign. **Division 10**, along with the others, stood at attention, ready to face the next challenge that awaited them.
**General Leonhart** cleared his throat and began to speak, but just as he was about to dive into the strategy, the door to the grand hall swung open. In walked **Princess Akane**, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. She strode confidently toward the front, her long, flowing robes trailing behind her.
**Princess Akane:** "I want to join the fight against the demons."
Her voice was firm, determined, and echoed throughout the hall. There was a moment of stunned silence. **General Leonhart** shot a disapproving look at her, while **Vice General Sasakibe** stood still, observing the situation carefully.
**General Leonhart:** (sternly) "Your Highness, this battle will be dangerous. The frontlines are no place for royalty. I must respectfully decline your request."
However, **Princess Akane** was not deterred. She crossed her arms and stared directly into Leonhart's eyes.
**Princess Akane:** "I'm not asking for permission. I will fight. You can't stop me, General."
Leonhart sighed deeply, his scarred face hardening as he considered her words. The princess had always been headstrong, but her combat skills were undeniable. After a brief pause, he relented.
**General Leonhart:** (grudgingly) "Very well, Your Highness. You may listen to the strategy, but you will follow my orders, understood?"
Princess Akane nodded, standing beside the captains as the general resumed his explanation.
**General Leonhart:** "Now, onto the strategy."
He pointed to a large map that showed the regions surrounding **Lathunia**, highlighting key positions where the demon army had been sighted.
**General Leonhart:** "We will divide the forces into three main groups."
He gestured toward the map, outlining the regions.
**General Leonhart:** "First, the **Eastern Vanguard**—this will be led by **Division 2, the Trident Queen** herself, Captain Miriel. Her forces will engage the demons head-on at the eastern pass. Their job is to hold the line and prevent the demon forces from advancing any further into Lathunia."
**Vice General Sasakibe** stepped forward and added more details, his deep voice commanding attention.
**Vice General Sasakibe:** "Second, the **Western Defense**, which will be led by **Division 6**, will fortify the western approach to the capital of Lathunia. This group will act as the final line of defense should the eastern vanguard be overwhelmed."
General Leonhart then pointed to a darker region on the map, far closer to the heart of the demon-occupied territory.
**General Leonhart:** "Finally, the most critical role will fall to the **Central Strike Force**, led by **Divisions 1, 10, and 12**. Your task is to infiltrate deep into enemy territory and strike at the heart of the demon army, specifically targeting their generals. Without their leadership, the demon army will crumble."
He turned to look at **Captain Elara** and the others, his gaze intense.
**General Leonhart:** "Captain Elara, Division 10 will be the spearhead of this mission. You will join forces with **Division 1** and **Division 12** to locate and eliminate the demon generals. This mission is dangerous, and failure is not an option."
The room grew silent, tension hanging in the air as the gravity of the mission settled over them. Princess Akane, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.
**Princess Akane:** "I want to be part of the Central Strike Force."
General Leonhart shot her a sharp look but didn't argue this time. He simply nodded, though the unease on his face was evident.
**General Leonhart:** "As you wish, Your Highness. But you will follow orders and stay out of harm's way."
The general then stepped back, giving the captains a moment to absorb the information before finishing.
**General Leonhart:** "Prepare your divisions. We march in three days. Dismissed."
The captains and vice-captains saluted, understanding the perilous mission ahead. As they left the hall to inform their divisions, a sense of urgency filled the air. This battle would determine not only the fate of Lathunia but the balance of power between humanity and the demons.