Are you saying you know sothing?
As Allen spoke in a confident tone, he felt the eyes of everyone sitting inside turning towards him. He answered without delay.
The situation at hand is related to the dark sorcerers.
How do you know that? No, wait
Gaielles eyes were filled to the brim with interest.
The Knight Commander finally opened his eyes without a word, and Gardell began to smile. Various emotions filled each of them: excitent, doubt, surprise.
The situation was, without a doubt, under Allens control.
Yes, when I went to Bergen the other day, I happened to hear of it from a rchant-group leader.
The truth was, Soned didnt know anythingbut it didnt matter whether he did.
All he had to do now was look good.
He told he learned that dark sorcerers had begun to pop up near the Heavenly Forest.
Tell them what happened in the past.
And, as a result, the security of the Heavenly Forest was greatly tightened.
No, wait Alright, did you say you heard this from a rchant-group leader? Is your contact in a position in which they may communicate with the elves?
After considering it all for a mont, he realized that Allen had a point and nodded.
Yes, this is what I think: perhaps, the elves hadnt intended to ask our family for help at all.
You have a point. Even our people know that were on bad terms.
And if it were a formal request, we wouldnt have only received one ssenger. They must have had so sort of covert mission.
Wait, that ans
Gaielle slowly murmured to himself after hearing Allens words.
The elf who asked for help wasnt sent alone?
Yes. Or, it could be that theres sothing blocking them, strong enough to make it difficult to send out a number of ssengersit may have only been possible to get out alone.
Taking in all of Allens insight, Gardell thought of Eliza.
Is he really her son?
Gardell couldn't believe Allen had analyzed this far from the fact that an injured elf had appeared.
Of course, Allen couldnt have done so without the information hed received from the rchant-group leader, but even the fact that he had that connection was reminiscent of her.
Yes, then it makes sense.
Obviously, thats all just my guess. But
Allen closed his eyes and recalled the feeling of affinity he felt in the Spring of Spirits to materialize a spirit.
Whoosh.
Theres evidence of more.
A swarm of rainbow-colored spheres appeared around him.
Is that a spirit?"
Gaielles stone-cold expression cracked for the first ti.
Allen looked at the figure with a feeling of inner contentedness and opened his mouth. Yes, but I havent signed a contract yet.
How did you
He was well aware of Allens talent. Sure, he didnt know how to be sensitive or amiable, but to have an affinity for spirits
The last ti I hit a milestone in my magic training, there appeared to be a slight change in my body.
Gaielle looked unconvinced by Allens explanation but nodded anyway, still wanting to know more about the spirit present.
Incredible What does this have to do with what you said before?
I havent signed a contract, but I can still hear what this spirit says to so extent.
Allen looked at Gaielles expression, but the emotionless face had returned.
Dark sorcerers, battles, retreats, defeats, fires, monsters and a heavenly forest? Gods? I cant understand all of this.
Allen allowed the spirit to go as he made eye contact with his father.
In short, it is certain that there are elves in danger, and we can take advantage of that to encourage a significant turning point in our relationship with them.
No one interrupted him while he spoke.
Even if that doesnt co about, the fact that there are dark sorcerers near our territory is a good enough reason for us to subjugate them. And
Because there was no one here who would argue against his logical argunt nor the basis of his argunt.
Even if we dont gain anything significant in return, we have to go.
Signaling the end of his argunt, Allen shared his final point.
If we can regain our influence on the territorial boundaries with the elves, that alone will mark the beginning of our familys revival from a public perspective.
Of course, if I cant show a different side of myself after this, that will be the end.
However, considering the achievents that Julius and Allen would make in the future, that wouldnt happen.
Its about saving the world.
With a cynical smile, Allen glanced at the man whod beco the future hero. Julius stared blankly back at Allen.
At the finale of his speech, the inside of the conference room turned static.
Gaielle closed his eyes, organizing his thoughts for a mont, and nodded slowly.
Yes, if you know your enemy and you can use that to your advantage then its worth a try.
Combining the given cluesthe elves attitudes, the presence of the dark sorcerer, and the present state of the Heavenly ForestsGaielle seed to have already predicted the enemys strength.
Well then, Ill send you half of our knights and 300 ordinary soldiers. So, Allen, you may go with Julius to help you
W-wait!
Just as the eting was about to end without a hitch, Julius shouted belatedly.
Gaielles turned his curious gaze towards Julius.
To let it end without interrupting?
Of course he couldn't do that.
Itd be a great opportunity to make an impression!
If I just follow Quests instructions, things continuing on as they are now would be advantageous
If he did that, hed be no better than a sidekick.
Julius didnt want anything like that.
Because I
Hed chosen the hero.
Are you saying that this is how youll decide? Without considering any opposing propositions?
There was a hint of embarrassnt in the poor bastards eyes.
Why did the Quest tell to step up?
To stand up for the elves despite there being no opposition from his family?
However, it was too lateFather, whod originally been opposed, now agreed with Allens arguntsand the Knight Commander and Gardell werent arguing, either. Things were going just as Allen had planned.
Gaielle opened his mouth with a puzzled face.
Do you oppose sending aid, Julius?
Allen stayed silent, still in disbelief that Julius made such a ruckus right before they closed the eting.
Could it have anything to do with that?
When Gaielle secretly made eye contact with Laina, she bowed her head as if she didnt understand, either.
No, its just, it must be dangerous, so I thought it would be better to rethink it one more ti.
Julius was about to go insane with embarrassnt.
Why would it tell to support them against the opposition of the family?
Obviously, that was what the Quest Window had said.
Didnt it ask him to restore their relationship with the elves, and to take it even further by saving a god on the verge of ruin?
Julius also planned to find the hidden boss from the original story with the intention of contacting him.
But why?
Why was the plot progressing without him even having ti to express the opinions that soone else had scripted out for him?
Did you not listen to Allens argunt? Dark sorcerers have appeared in the Heavenly Forest.
We don't know how strong our enemy is.
But without having to insist on supporting the elves, the eting had already gone on without any resistance, and without putting in even a single good word, it was about to end.
It is not difficult to grasp the importance of the Heavenly Forest, our relationship with the elves, and the background of our enemy, which has been identified to be dark sorcerers.
We wouldnt be without the support of the elves there, so I think itd be sufficient if we all worked together.
Having his argunt disputed, Julius forced out a rebuttal. Even so, how can you guarantee that there wont be a stronger enemy than we expect? For example, if a band of pagans gets involved
Would they really just appear?
Allen asked with a hesitant look, as if he knew there was absolutely no chance, Julius Do you not trust your brother?
When Allen acted calmly yet disappointed, Julius clenched his teeth and shook his head.
No, I trust you and your information. But if that were to happen
As he spoke, the Knight Commander, whod been silent up until this mont, spoke in a deep, low voice. Our knights are not so weak.
But
Ill see to the battle myself, so you have nothing to worry about. Do you not trust , sir?
I
The Knight Commanders strong, unwavering eyes turned to Julius.
Basil, the Knight Commander, is a real talent in the west. Itll be okay, Sir Julius.
Following him, even Gardell, the head butler, responded appropriatelyand Julius, who was trying to raise an so sort of objection, had no choice but to reply, with a single twitch from his lip. I-I suppose I am overreacting.
Seeing that the situation was now over, Gaielle shared his conclusion that he was unable to earlier.
Now that it has been decided to send our support, I understand that 300 soldiers and half of the knights, including the Knight Commander, shall participate, along with Allen and Julius.
Alright.
Julius, do you have anything else to add?
Allen looked at Julius with a discontented face and stifled a laugh.
No.
Then
Gaielle recited briefly.
Go on.
That signaled the conclusion of their ergency conference.
* * *
* * *
After the eting, they imdiately prepared to go to battle.
Allen watched the soldiers as they readied themselves in an orderly manner at the outdoor training ground. As they did, drivers hustled about and inspected their equipnt.
Allen frowned for a mont when he saw them.
Tsk.
He had set aside his expectations of them since their silence about Juliuss idealshe could only hope to receive the sa loyalty soday. He looked at them for a mont, disappointed, before turning his head away.
Then, he saw itat a place a short distance away from the other knights.
Think about it. It may be beneficial for you to co under my wing.
Sir, I have no intention of supporting anyone else.
That's not what I ant. Im discriminated against because youre here
Julius was talking to a person there. No, it would be more accurate to say that Julius was just being pushy, rather than having any sort of conversation.
Allen watched the female knight, who had a neat appearance and black hair.
Camilla Carter.
The female knight who had given Linbelle a basic education, and a knight of the Familys Order.
And
The only commoner in the Order.
Her father was one of the manors coachn.
She happened to catch the eye of a forr Knight Commander, who noticed her talent, and was able to join the knights
Shes being bullied.
She wasnt being insulted or beaten, but she was being ostracized by the other knights. Had she ended up under Juliuss wing in her previous life?
I cant recall.
At so point, her participation in Juliuss journey had ceased, so Allen knew little about her.
Because the number of Juliuss n who disappeared in such a way were countless.
No, Ive changed. Dont you know what my reputation is like these days?
I do know. But Im sorry.
Allen took so ti to consider recruiting her, but gave up soon after.
Not now.
Her present role in Juliuss story was limited to her recruitnt, and the right ti to bring her under his command was still a long way off.
I dont need to get into that quite yet.
The situation had to simr for a little longer. Just like the other one, which was already beginning to look ripe for the picking.
I hope she does as well as I expect.
Allen didnt approach themnot so that he could create a certain future, but because hed be able to use them one day.
After another 30 minutes had passed like that, the soldier shouted.
Sir! All knights! The preparations are complete.
When Allen turned his head, the Knight Commander had already finished preparing and was riding a horse.
Hop on!
Allen smiled kindly and climbed on his horse.
Sorry for being late.
The midday sun was still warming the ground, and the soldiers whod finished their preparations felt the discipline coursing through their veins.
The Knight Commander shouted out.
Then, lets go!
To battle!
After the knights chanted, the troops began to leave the manor.
This is just the beginning.
Allens eyes turned to the Heavenly Forest beyond the mountains.
The ti had co to find a clue about his brother.
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