"Good evening, Holy king," Joanne's eyes glimmered despite the lack of pupils.
"Good evening too," said the old man. He sat beside Jista with Romilda just standing beside him. Jista never felt so nervous in his life exchanging words with the king of a nation, "I believe this is my first time meeting you, Leader Jista Kierre, I'm Reggie Benett Warren IV," Reggie whipped a hand.
"Nice to meet you as well, Holy king Reggie," they exchanged palms, with Jista's filled with grease and sweat.
"Well, good evening to all," he pointed to his left with open palms, "Hannibal Ghjelo, Great Ælhelmia's Lead Plenipotentiary," he said with a proud voice and form.
"I am the Seeh-an Autocratic Theocracy's Bishop of International Affairs, Dean Almogera," as he arose, his hand on his chest.
"Representative of the High Primordial Council and the Lorriean Republic, Joanne Green," Joanne smiled and lowered herself before everyone, yet others near her formed a face induced by prejudice, one such is the bishop. Although she lacks an important eye feature, she is not blind. In fact, an eye better than most, as such, the bishop's repugnance and abhorrence is as obvious as the man a seat apart from her profusely sweats.
"And finally, Ambassador Carl Vinson," the one beside Joanne.
"I also welcome all the other Secretaries, Ministers and diligent Prime Ministers that are here to participate with our urgent meeting," he looked behind him where the Ministers are seated, he even nodded to the Agnes in uniform. He continued, "Let us all be seated," they sat in unison.
Reggie sat with a loud grunt, he wore his glasses as he laid forward and rests his elbows to the table, "Firstly, I apologize for the inconveniences I have brought to all of you great people. Normally, I do not force others into joining us here today, but such important matters are needed to be addressed. What lies within the five hours we have, will determine the future of the world. Thus, we need immediate action, and save the world as fast as we could," a brilliant starter. Romilda in the same green dress came up to his side and gave documents for him to read. She left shortly after, "As we all know by now, the Dark Father named Ophuthis, is currently taking action in the Swargon Eastern Elven Empire, who's peacefully living their lives, despite the hardships they always undergo. But the existence of Evil and his yet to be unraveled reason for destroying the Empire, have bought more problems to their country than what they already have. I will not beat around the bush and say: I have conjured up this meeting to start the Alliance, intelligent races such as humans and other humanoids have always longed for. To bring birth of a new hope, to drive the evil that is Ophuthis. I hope and expect the listeners of this speech have functioning brains to know what is good for the future or not," as the Secretaries at the back records and writes every important detail Reggie says, the one at the inner table tensed up a little.
"I tell you all this, this is the best move for us to safely travel, without worry, that is the unknown: the future. If someone here has a suggestion for a better plan, I am open to hear everyone's thoughts. Until then, I do not need your judgement or answer to my proposal that is the Alliance tonight, but expect an answer soon. Again, I am the twelfth Holy king of the Holy Realm of Hidiea, Reggie Benett Warren IV. Good evening, everyone," all, including Jista clapped at the marvelous speech. Hannibal was the first to voice a thought, "This is not my answer, but hypothetically, Ælhelmia joined the Alliance, what is your plan next, Holy king?"
"I'm glad you asked. What I plan as soon as we have all agreed, is to request military soldiers, about five to ten thousand in each country here with us tonight, and send the total army to the Empire and destroy it."
"What is the purpose of that exactly?"
"Well, I believe that by the time we form the army, the Empire is now under the Demon Lord's rule. Assuming there are still survivors, we can take that chance to take back the land and prevent the Demon Lord from doing any more actions. Although this plan won't necessarily hurt his total power, by destroying the fruit of his work, we can stop him for at Least a week and in turn, can buy us more time."
"Basically, what you're saying is that we send our units to senselessly kill Elven survivors?" Hannibal couldn't grasp the vision of this supposed senile yet wise king.
"Their deaths are nowhere senseless nor in vain, Mr. Ghjelo. Let me put it this way, the Elven survivors are now slaves of the Dark Father, they may use them to do inconvenient labor for the demons. By eliminating them, we can reduce their workforce and stop the progression of Ophuthis' plans," he left a face asking if his proposal was acceptable. That face slowly moved to others, asking their own opinions without word.
The Lead Plenipotentiary leaned back in his seat and thought about it some more.
"But Holy king, your plans are a violation towards the 'Humanoid Anti-Extinction Treaty,' correct?" asked Joanne.
"I do not believe it to be the case. You see, Ms. Green, that treaty is overwritten by another, called the 'Extermination of Evil Pact,' where it states, 'If an individual, group, organization or country is in any way shape or form, in relation with the Devil, they must be exterminated as soon as possible with any means necessary.' I believe my plans are on par with the treaty and I am only eliminating a country that now has a relation with the Dark Father," Reggie crossed his arms.
"But the first treaty is more powerful if one of the Royal families that are not in mind control personally admits and confesses that there is no reason for them to be slaughtered. Also, the second treaty you've mentioned also states, quote unquote: 'If a collective group of people are forcefully subjugated and serves under the Demon Lord without their consent nor volition, deaths to the race, group or entity is not justified.'"
"Pardon me, Ms. Green, but do you still believe that the Empire is treated well by the Devil? I'm sorry, Ms. Green, but the outcome you presume is utter foolishness."
"While I admit that that is true, thinking and planning of multiple outcomes might be a good thing to be prepared to any situation that will or may arise. So, if the event I say has an extremely low chance of happening, what might be your judgement if it miraculously happens?"
"To end this conversation, I will just answer your question, Ms. Green. If for some miracle a royal family from the Empire really comes here personally to tell us that they are in a good situation and they do not need pointless slaughter, then I will eat back my words, that much I can promise."
"To change the subject, what do you all think is the reason for the Demon Lord's slaughter of the Empire?" Carl from the WUK suggested to leave the muddy water of the future, and look back at the past.
"Demons are always blood-lustful, even when they have nothing to earn from it, they need to satisfy the need of slitting throats," Bishop Dean explained a verisimilar.
"I doubt. The Demon Lord is an intellectual man. I doubt he would waste time and resources to a simple bloodshed. He must have something planned for such a big scale," the man in yellow, Carl argued opposite, holding him in high regard. It prompted Jista to smirk subtly, while resulted oppugnant to the rest.
"He must have done that as an example to others. He must've been showing others a fraction of his strength," Joanne supported his hypothesis but with less praise.
"I like that idea, Ms. Green. That seems highly probable. What about you, Leader Jista, I haven't heard your thoughts yet?" Reggie rotated.
"Umm..." The pressure is nigh—nay present. With everybody, including the disgusted eyes of Hannibal laid within him. He could even sense his strong gaze through his peripheral vision.
He did not want to say bad things to his Master with all he had done for him, but if he says something that is in favor of Ophuthis, he might be killed this instant.
He is faced with a dilemma, "Mercy," still, he cannot help but say it. It was at this moment where Jista realized his mistake because of the looks of others around him. Before, only Hannibal looked at him in an offensive way, now, everyone does.
"Excuse me?" Reggie broke the dangerous silence.
"Umm, I- I mean, what he thinks his d- doing is mercy, when in reality he's s..."
"S?" the old man whispered like a snake.
"S- slaughtering everyone."
"O- ohh," Reggie, at his utmost confusion looked at others with the same emotions as him, "Why does he view killing mercy, though?" Reggie followed.
"What is believe, Sir Jista here is saying is that Ophuthis wants to kind of, be merciful to the world by, you know, killing others. Basically, what Sir, err, Jista here is saying is that Ophuthis is nature friendly and that humans destroys nature," Joanne desperately helped Jista for some apparent reason. He did not know why that was but Jista was thankful if her internally nonetheless.
"I- I see," as his question left unanswered, he was still lost in thought. He felt self-conscious realizing he may be the only one to not understand the point this young man tried to make. In reality, there isn't anything for him to be ashamed of, because what Jista wanted to inform is nonsense. "Umm, anyway, by the way, Bishop Dean, the Empire requested aid to your country's organization against the Dark Father's attack, right?"
"Yes, Holy king, they requested the help of our major military organization, the Holy order. We feel it is only necessary to send our most powerful unit, the Grandmaster and the highest ranked in the organization, Cinadi Alvech."
"A woman? Well, that's most surprising," Hannibal beside the Bishop left his stoic facial expressions through shock.
"Your most powerful? Then I will for sure have more faith in the Empire then. Also, the name Cinadi is unfamiliar to me?"
"She climbed the highest rank just recently, I guess that explains why her name is not yet known to many. On the other hand, her father was the former Grandmaster, but died heroically during the Rosely incident."
"Where is she from?"
"I am very sorry, Holy king. But even I don't know where she came from. What I know is that she is immortal and have served the Holy order for more than I can remember. Rumors has it that she actually helped in the war when the Dark Father is on his rampage. But others deny the rumors. The Ecclesiastical body currently is split in terms of their opinions about the woman. The half Says that she is suspicious for she possesses immortality, the other half says she might be the hope of humanity and that she has been sent by the Gods to help us."
"Immortality huh? Indeed, that person piques my interest. I would be honored to meet her."
"Anyway, to go back at our topic, what is your next goal if all goes well to our Alliance?"
"Optimistic to say the least, but if we ever were successful in our campaign to the Empire, my plans for our next mission are the literal destruction of the East GaCotta island, including the residents it holds," the old man said in sanguine. His view for the future is all clear skies. Unlikely for it to unfold flawlessly, yet the Holy king only made his answer simple to the questioner, Joanne.
"Holy king, are you serious about this?" the bishop raised some concerns.
"Although it sounds like an easy task, I feel, while we have the Heroes, we could use them of great use and unite them to help us destroy East GaCotta."
"Indeed, that sounds bullish. Shouldn't we take a little break, should we destroy the Empire? Pardon me, Holy king, but it looks like you're really worried about the Dark Father. If all comes to worst, we can always trust the word of the Gods and summon the Archangel," Carl suggested assuredly despite his lack of knowledge of how to summon one and such. In addition, the summoning of the Archangel is not even as simple as Carl would like it to portray. In addition, only the Ecclesiastical body-the five Cardinals-of the Seeh-an Autocratic Theocracy's government are the only people most familiar of how all of what Carl suggested works.
"This is the time that every intelligent species is at its greatest. That demonic lord is kind enough to let us prepare for his second rampage by waiting for 288 years. Through all those years of peace and prosperity, this is the only time we have that we're the strongest. Pair that with the titling of the thirteen Heroes, and we're in good shape. I doubt that the Dark Father will give us that much free time any time soon," asseverated Reggie.
"And what if we lost?" Jista, finally and harshly said. His realistic thoughts silenced everyone in the room, including the very passionate Reggie.
He took the time to breathe and answered Jista's painful question, "If that happens, we'll keep on trying till we cannot fight no more. Even though the reality is that we will lose, we will prove our dedication by not siding with the Devil," Reggie's mighty voice gave everyone hope, but Jista turned him down again. If only they knew his true identity, "Then if we kept on trying till we don't have any more men to spare but ourselves, what next? Supposedly even the thirteen Heroes die?"
"W- we flee to the Western Continent. That is our only hope," the shining hope faded as soon as it appeared. His hands formed a fist and eyes scrunched as he admitted the terrible reality.
"As expected," Hannibal sighed.
"To Trotzza?" asked Joanne.
"We can't!" Said Carl as he slammed the table with his own formed fist.
"I also cannot side your decision, Holy king. In the west, we're seen as, excuse my word use, as shit. Holy king, they see us as pests incarnated, we will be heavily discriminated. If the ultimate worst arises, we will be turned as slaves. Conceivably more torturous than dying to the hands of Ophuthis."
"Exactly!" the Ministers of other countries at the back started to speak as well.
"I know, I know. My decision on that note is not very good. But that is the absolute worst of the worst scenario. If we value our survival and life, going to the Trotzzan continent is not a bad choice. It is much better to be a slave of the west than a worker of the Devil."
"Holy king, I can see we're you're going, but we can't let our dignity fall to shame. I can never see myself bowing down to those racist scums," said the bishop.
"Anyway, speaking of Trotzza, a port city called Adra at my country, have found suspicious travelers who traveled by ship," the yellow man from the United Kingdoms divulged.
"Suspicious travelers?" queried Jista.
"Yes, they identify themselves as Darrius and Annabeth. He said that they're from an isolated island that merchants often travel to."
"Is the island they're from part of Trotzza? If I remember correctly, we don't accept tourist or merchants from Trotzza do we?" Jista crossed his arms as he imparted.
"Correct, sir Jista. What's more suspicious is that he had an armor very archaic to most people including myself. I'm betting his sword as well because I did see it, though sheathed, is colored blue and had black accents. Speaking of accents, the way he talks is very unnatural, he sounds foreign. Although there are variations and different dialects here at Farona, the dialects are all familiar to me, his is not," a number of information adduced as he remembered.
"So, where's he now?" Said Reggie.
"He looks like they were being hunted for some reason. Because three days after the arrival of the mysterious fellow, three more people with the same accent, the same armor arrived in the same port city. One woman, two men, names were: Hanna, Reith and Paulter. We sent some espionages to track them down, and with the information provided, they are currently in East GaCotta."
"East GaCotta you say? Why are they of all places at the Demon's domain?" the Holy king expressed eyes tired of everything being tied to the Dark Father.
"What if they're just the demon lord's followers?" Opined Bishop Dean.
"Pardon me, Everyone, but Holy King, I believe Prince Reggie have met the man you're talking about. It was in his report saying he met someone interesting and spoke in an unfamiliar way. I believe his name in the report matches what Ambassador Carl tells us, "Said Romilda who's beside Reggie.
"Really? Then we might get information about that person named 'Darrius.' Contact my son now."
"Understood, Holy king. Then everyone, please excuse me for now," the woman in the green dress bowed before exiting the room.
"To answer Bishop Dean's question, I doubt any of his subordinates speaks that way. Nonetheless, I think we need to talk to those people, they seem powerful and to get them on our side will be a good asset. It would be fruitful to have them on our roster. Otherwise, the Demon Lord recruiting them will be nothing but bad news."
"Aren't they Trotzzan? Pardon my language, but why the hell would we side with them?" Hannibal frustratingly said.
"But they are powerful. If we could somehow manipulate them and use them whatever, whenever we please, we can use them as powerful pawns against the already powerful Ophuthis. If they're not open to negotiation the answer's clear..."
"We behead them?" Joanne suggested; uncharacteristically bloodthirsty.
"Torture them first until they're willing. If not cut the head we do."
"But anyway, aren't all of these major events going in favor with the Dark Father?"
"You are correct, Mr. Ghjelo. All of these events that seem to be good assets to us, goes to evil. Which is why it is a race, and we must get as much pawns as we can and beat the demon lord against his own game."
"I am sorry, everyone, not to add to the pile of bad news, but our naval fleet that are stationed near West GaCotta have noticed fleets of unidentified ships going to the coasts of said island, and they look like they're from East GaCotta," Dean took the opportunity to aver another news, as if not enough.
"The Tristique Kingdom. They're not a major ally, are they?" Reggie lost some cheerfulness as he confirmed.
"You're correct, Holy king Reggie. But they're so Isolated that we haven't talked to them in years. They also don't participate in trades and events such as this, the 3rd Century Hero titling event," Carl replied.
"So, Bishop Dean, you're saying is that he's next target is the Tristique Kingdom?" said Joanne.
"There is a high probability that that will happen, what I can guarantee everyone is that we will be monitoring the movements of the Dark Father from the seas. I feel that that responsibility is only fitting since the East GaCotta island is just below us."
"If say, the Dark Father do subjugate Tristique Kingdom, what will that do for him?" the highest of the Holy kingdom is brought with yet another potential problem. Below the table, his hands gripped the muscle above his knee.
"Looking at the Kingdom, there are not a lot of good things that are in Tristique Kingdom that might hook the interest that is the Devil. However, there is one thing, the Magic Arts that is native to them that most of us don't know."
"Heqa Arts, was it?"
"Precisely."
"Didn't we have a Hero aspirant in your country that has the knowledge and power of Heqa Arts, Leader Jista?" Joanne twisted her neck to see the person least talkative. For all she knew, he was probably asleep beneath those eyes. He couldn't really blame the man. After all, this is his first time in listening in a tense diplomatic meeting.
"Correct. She is a Lorriean actually," Jista answered.
"Really? A Lorriean who knows Heqa Arts?"
"Yes. Her name's Ellen Farona. Although she's a Lorriean, she is born and raised in Tristique Kingdom and immigrated here at the Central region to pursue her dream and career of a freelance worker of the People's Protection Guild, although she probably did not expect to be the next Hero of the world. Because, we all know that freelance adventuring, even in the east, isn't that widely popular except here at the central region. She is a good person and knowledgeable in terms of Heqa Arts."
"That is a great information, Leader Jista. I'm glad we have a powerful person on our team. Which is why, if the Dark Father were to destroy or take hold of Tristique Kingdom and its ancient Heqa Arts, at the very least, we have knowledge of the ancient power and base on that knowledge, we will find a way to counter it," said the Holy king.
Although it really is against Jista's will to tell everybody about valuable knowledge to them, he needs to act friendly and he needs everyone to not be suspicious of him, if some rumors do arise.
It is at this moment where Jista is thinking whether to assassinate Grace to not give information to these rulers as it might give them an upper hand against Ophuthis.
"Let us change the gloomy and scary topic for now. I have a question, are all of your Hero aspirants ready for Sunday? Can they all make it up to the ceremony?" Joanne took a view of all their diverse expressions. Some wilted, some tired, some in deep thought, some laid back.
"Unfortunately for us, our Elven Hero aspirant, Owen Rooney, have requested a leave for a week as he is currently going back to his homeland. Of course, I stopped him, I said to wait before he is titled and get the Gemstone for an extra firepower just in case, he encounters someone powerful. But of course, he still has his family there so I couldn't blame him for trying to reach them as soon as possible."
"That must be sad. I feel bad for Owen, probably thinking about his family all the time since he'd heard about the Dark Father's subjugation. I pray that his family is okay."
"I know," Reggie muttered.
"For us, our Hero aspirants are all ready, thankfully enough," said Jista.
The meeting was interrupted by Romilda who came back without any signs of the Prince the Holy king asked her to get. Her face that was always calm had the face of confusion. She preceded to walk until she whispered an information to Reggie's ear. Reggie's face altered in conjunction to Romilda's. His eyes housed incertitude and a mind that seem to process the situation best he could, "At this hour?"
Romilda only nodded to respond to her superior's question. Jista who was hungry for information but doesn't have the courage to ask it himself, was satisfied as Joanne was the first who asked. From her saving him earlier to this, though it was a small thing, Jista couldn't help but be happy. He is somewhat slowly falling for this pupil-less Lorriean woman, he just met tonight.
"Is the information shareable, Holy king?"
"Well, it seems my son, Reggie is currently missing," his mouth flattened with concern. "Have you searched the whole castle?" he looked to Romilda's face.
"Yes, Holy king. We turned this place upside-down but the presence of Prince Reggie is yet to be unveiled."
"Well maybe he exited the castle to do something?" said Jista.
"Despite his kindness, he still sees himself as higher than the commoners. Thus, why I doubt he'll go out to the masses. In addition, with a tight security of about a guard or two per four square meters, they must've have seen him get out, both in the back and in the front."
"Then, where could he have been?" Carl asked as well.
"For now, I don't know. Romilda,"
"Yes?"
"Go send a search party outside, he must've slipped out coincidentally when a guard is resting."
"Understood. I shall go immediately," she sprinted outside.
"I am very sorry everyone. These information are all clogging up my brain, I feel we should take a break for a while. I shall be at my room within five minutes," Reggie slowly stood up, with legs shaking. His faulty knee surprised at the sudden rising, almost an hour they sat and he immediately stood.
"Yes, please rest for now, Holy king. Everyone, I fear I might be in need of a privy break," Joanne too left the room.
Everyone then followed and exited the room, including the Ministers. Jista was the only who did not feel any need of a pee break or thirst, which is why he stayed at the room with his sister.
Reggie who looked very young just minutes earlier because of his cheerfulness and positivity, returned to his state of being slow, old and senile.
However, to Jista, this conference is nothing but good thus far, at least for him. The amount of information he had received in many fronts is a win in his part. With him silently writing beneath the table, he was able to record every piece of information he had heard. All he needs to do now is report this to his superiors. He also needs to report the potential birth of a new alliance that will oppose Ophuthis, an important matter he cannot forget to say. Even for their long talks, with various topics, barely only an hour has passed.
According to the regime for tonight, after the urgent meeting they just had, it would be party here on out. A ball was apparently prepared for them below, at the first floor. Jista can at least relax and taste a very expensive wine he can never get his hands on if he continued to be a blacksmith. And while he could ask for a wine in Visique, it is rare for him to visit East GaCotta. There are a lot of good privileges when you're in the highest position in the ranks of politics, but to Jista, his position also bears a lot of responsibilities he sometimes questions whether he can lead about 1.9 million people. His responsibilities as an espionage of the Dark Father are even not accounted for.
Still, every once in a while, he forgets those things and try to live the life of a total ruler. He cannot resist his temptation with the booze that seem to entice him the more he thinks about it, he stood up.
"Brother- sorry, Leader Jista, where shall we go?" Agnes with her sweet smile asked him.
"I want to taste the rumored most expensive wine, the 'Living Death. 'A wine produced by the Lives themselves."
"The same family as the twins, Nicholas Live and Nick Live?"
"Exactly," And so they strode and exited the room. Waiting to get the taste of the red wine.
It is indeed going to be a long night.