Everyone's face instantly dropped. Even Phoenix's heart skipped a beat.
"What are you—"
"Before panic erupts, let finish," Astaroth interrupted the rising voices, raising his hand to silence them.
"You cannot be serious! Calling us in for a declaration of war?! Have you lost your mind?!" Commander Alena shouted.
"I said let finish!" Astaroth's voice bood, a pulse of mana slamming into the woman.
She felt like a mountain had just slamd onto her shoulders, and her knees almost buckled instantly.
'What the… When did he beco this powerful?!' she wondered, struggling to stand up straight.
The last ti they had fought, a few days before his disappearance, he had needed to ld and use Royal Protection just to make her feel this way. But she couldn't see any traces of such a thing on him currently.
In Astaroth's ears, a notification rang, almost distracting him from his announcent. But he swung it aside for now, wanting to finish this order of business first.
"I am not declaring war on anyone. Yes, we are going to war. But no one will die. At least, I hope not."
Phoenix frowned.
"Then what did you an? Because that was a bold statent to make without proper explanation," she stated.
"I'm getting there, love," Astaroth replied, smiling at her.
"First, let say this. Do not misinterpret my words. We will eventually have to go to actual war. The Ash Elves have a crisis on their hands, and we will help them when they call for us.
"Secondly, the issue with the demon tears and demonic resurgence is also only starting. It will drag us to war as well before too long. But that is not what I ant. Starting next week, we are going to war against our inadequacy."
After saying this, the faces in the room morphed from outrage to confusion.
But Astaroth wasn't going to let them hang out to dry.
"I was gone for a month, and the reason isn't because I wanted to be left alone or any other reason that may have been told to you. The truth is, I died," Astaroth said, his face grave.
Declan, who was also a player, looked at him with a strange gaze.
"Sir, with all due respect, us Abnormals can't die in New Eden. We simply respawn."
Astaroth locked gazes with him.
"I don't an in here, Councilman. The real died. Out in our world. And if fate hadn't been a cruel and treacherous mistress, I wouldn't be here to talk about it."
The implications to the Natives were unclear, as they were used to people not coming back after death, and the Abnormals had already shattered their worldviews on this.
But this was world-breaking to Declan and the other players who were part of the officials.
"Let's not dawdle on the subject for long, as it is only relevant to the why of my statent. I realized that my inadequacy was the reason for my fall. And now that fate has given a second chance, albeit poisoned, I intend to make it its problem.
"I realized that we were not ready. None of us are. And we are not going to be, at the rate we are going. So starting next week, this kingdom will beco hell on earth for everyone living in it.
"Not a single person will be left out, as long as they decide to stay. We will all be training to beco the most powerful nation in the world. Because if we don't, the world will fall."
After saying his piece, Astaroth let them digest the information.
Phoenix sent him a private ssage so no one would hear her.
**
'Are you insane? If you turn Bastion City into a boot camp, all the progress to grow into the kingdom we are will go out the window. Be reasonable. I understand wanting to make the troops stronger, but the citizens?'
**
Astaroth could understand her point of view, but he viewed this differently.
**
'You don't get it. The demons will not stop at the troops. They will not imprison the civilians or turn them into slaves. They are not here for that. The demons don't want to conquer. They want to feed. And the world is a moving buffet.'
**
He saw her eyes widen slightly at his words, as if she finally understood what they were fighting against.
Astaroth grabbed her hand, shaking his head lightly at her, before looking forward again.
He could see the eyes of so of them already hardening.
"Sir. I don't know if I can get behind this approach," Commander Kadmus said, her eyes wavering.
"Mary. I understand your reluctance. But please understand sothing. The world will soon turn into a battlefield. And there will be nowhere safe. The people will flock to the largest cities in hopes of safety. How are we to protect them if we can't fight off the threat?" Astaroth replied to her.
And, although his words made sense, it just didn't appeal to her mind.
"But why everyone? Can't we recruit more troops and make them stronger? Why would we mix the civilians in this?" she asked, her eyes pleading.
"Commander Kadmus, let make sothing clear. I am not forcing anyone who doesn't want to stay to partake in this endeavour. But it will happen. We need everyone ready," Astaroth said, his tone serious.
"Of course, I won't make civilians into soldiers. I'm not a monster. However, there will be rigorous training for them in evacuation protocols, urgent situation response, and first aid training. I need everyone to be on their A-ga if the demons ever reach our walls," he added.
He saw in her eyes that cald her fears a little. But Astaroth knew he would need to have a one-on-one talk with her.
He needed everyone in this room to be on the sa page if this was to work.
He knew Phoenix was already thinking up plans in her mind, even though he hadn't talked about the big picture with her.
He could already see her eyes darting about as she mumbled to herself.
"This isn't going to be easy or pleasant. But it needs to be done. Prepare yourselves ntally. eting adjourned," Astaroth declared, leaving through the back room.
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