The men were surrounding the round table once again, a map of the city and its surroundings spread out on the table. All of their faces were grim and dark. The men were tight on their seats, waiting for Eiji to speak up.
Eiji announced, his voice full of dread and concern, "Gentlemen, I have gathered you here today, to report that Jisei has taken encampment..."
The men were all silent, their faces ever unchanging.
Eiji added, "I take it that you already know about this."
The men nodded.
Eiji announced, "We will evacuate all of the people in the innermost part of the city, and use all of the houses of the nobles." One of the men exclaimed, "The nobles?! The Emperor will kill us if we let the lower people use their lands!" Eiji yelled at him, "WE DO NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO TALK ABOUT HEIRARCHY!" The man shut his mouth up and nodded. "Not only that, do you think the Emperor would care what happens here? The Emperor and the nobles are cowards, don't you think so too?" Eiji added. The men nodded in agreement.
Eiji looked at the map, taking in every detail, "One million... We need to defend one million."
The men were looking at the map as well. The situation was truly dire.
Eiji asked, "How are the soldiers doing?" One of the men responded, "As you commanded, all of them are currently going through training, as well as the civilians." Eiji nodded, "Good, the people must also learn how to fight in case of our... Defeat." That word rang out of the office, and they all went silent. That word alone managed to put a dent in their spirits.
The silence was thick with dread and worry. One of the men spoke up, "Can we win this...?" The dreaded question that no one knew the answer to. All of them went silent until Eiji sighed and spoke up, "We'll hope for the best."
...
Eiji surveyed the city, and seeing the civilians taking refuge in the innermost walls of the city relieved him a little. The faces of the people were mostly filled with worry and fear. Eiji looked at them with genuine pity and he returned to his office. He knows that he must win this no matter what.
...
...
...
Night of the Attack...
The nighttime hit, Eiji was in his office with the men surrounding his table once again.
"Gentlemen, some of our scouts have reported movement," Eiji announced
The men were scared, and one of them asked, "When will they attack...?"
Eiji didn't know when but he replied, "We need to expect their attack any time soon."
They all nodded. Eiji asked, "Are the soldiers ready?" One of them nodded, "Yes, sir. The soldiers are all lined up just like every night and the archers are currently guarding the walls. Eiji nodded, "Good."
Though they did prepare, the fear in their hearts was still fresh in their minds.
Thick silence...
Eiji told them, "Are the cannons prepared?"
The men all nodded and one of them replied, "Yes sir-"
The door was slammed open as a man panting for breath entered and exclaimed loudly, "Sir! They are attacking us now!"
Eiji hurriedly announced, "Everyone! Announce to everyone that the battle has started!"
...