Chapter 4 - Consensus

[One may resist with all its might, but none shall prevail in the face of the unknown. Enter the mind, and conqueror you shall be.]

As the matter resolved and the kingdom has finally walked as one. Halius and the higher-ups went back inside The High Chamber to discuss the best answer for the current situation. It is a two-front encounter. Sandwiched by the flame of a formidable beast and an enigmatic assault. It's an obstacle that surely cannot be faced head-on without proper strategic arrangement.

" According to the report from the front line, the gate on the plaza is going to take quite a while before it becomes fully opened. Also, with the aid from Lord Argil, they are currently able to hold the creatures off the line. I personally think that we could rest assured. The situation is under control. "

Instead of feeling relieved, Halius frowned listening to the report. He had faith in the field marshal's capability to assess the situation on the plaza. But to what end? Until the gate is destroyed? But do they even know how to destroy it? It's simply too many unanswered questions. Too many uncertainties. Which could also possibly mean that there would be too many sacrifices.

" What about the citizen? Where are they taking them? "

" Yes, Your Majesty. They are currently evacuated to the nearest garrison. "

" ...How many lives do we lose? "

" There are... 11.000 casualties... and they haven't stopped counting. "

Everyone closes their eyes, taking a deep breath to offer their prayer to the victims. As a realm that has maintained peace for more than a millennium, this is the first time Edessia has encountered such catastrophe ever since its founding. Saddened as they are, but the situation demands them to remain unshaken. For there are still grave matters to attend to.

" Are there any words from The Arcane Tower? They are to be held responsible for the dispersed barriers. "

" Yes, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, we haven't heard any. Thus, we have dispatched some of our men to investigate, but their reports are yet to come. "

The king clenches his fist. He realized that whoever caused this must have it carefully planned. Moreover, they really know where to strike. Too precise, as if it's like an inside job. Halius can't help but feel suspicious towards the attendees. Therefore, he used telepathy to communicate with the grand sorceress. One of a few whom he wholeheartedly put his faith on.

" Jana. "

" ...! "

Startled by the sudden telepathy, Jana jumped a bit. It would sting quite hard - much to cause slight dizziness and nausea for the receiver to be forced to communicate with telepathy magic without any pre-notice or proper arrangement from the transmitter. Like having the flow of your thoughts suddenly disturbed by a forceful interference.

" Y-Your Majesty? Is there anything I can help you with? "

" It is too absurd for our enemy to exactly know where to hit us the worst. "

" ...Do you mean there's a double between us?"

" Presumably, yes. "

Jana immediately figured out the king's intention and proceed to see through the mind and heart of all of the attendees. It is but a gift of hers which is only known to certain people, including the king. Though it might be useful for such circumstances, it takes quite some time to be fully utilized.

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Jana will need to exert absolute focus and cast aside all that threatens her concentration as the use of her gift will strain her mind. The gift itself only results in some auguries that sometimes would be too nebulous for her to interpret. Even so, in this time of crisis, even a fishbone would be regarded as valuable as long as it proves to be any help for the kingdom. Considering this prerequisite, Halius decided to buy her some time.

" Is there no one among us who could shed even the faintest of light? "

" I do possess a piece of knowledge or two regarding that dragon. If you would allow me, Your Majesty. "

Eremir raises his hand, offering his hundreds of years' worth of knowledge. It is at moments like this the old records might prove to be useful, as it is often able to explain the seems-like never-encountered phenomenon. This time, the king kindly allowed Eremir to speak.

" Dragon is the ancient sin of Aerdrin. The flowers of greed and tribulation. The bane of both mortals and immortals. Born of pure evil, nurtured by pain, and molded in despair. As the fruits of a forbidden entanglement, they bore untold power.

Brothers and sisters who are able to bend the fundament of nature to its desire. Death belongs to those who disturb the four. "

" Is there any chance for such a powerful being to be controlled by another? "

" Can you put a leash on a rampaging storm, Your Majesty? "

Halius feels somehow oddly relieved. He concludes that the possibility of the monsters in the plaza and the dragon being under the same banner is next to nothing. He finally saw a faint thread that shows the way to turn the table around. 'We can try something' he thought to himself. He is about to speak when Eremir interrupted him.

" The good news is, I'm pretty sure that the dragon and the creatures in the plaza are not on the same side. "

" I believe we're all on the same page here. Well then, what about the bad news? "

" I'm certain that it was Sargaroth who is coming for us. "

" Sargaroth? "

It is an unfamiliar name for all except those who studied the ancient chronicles. Even before all of these unprecedented events took place, the majority of people only regard dragons as nothing more than bed-time stories.

" The eldest of the dragons, said to be the most powerful of all. It was his rage that slaughtered more than half of The Founding Father-Lorentheus's army during The Last March back in the Third Age. Sargaroth The Crimson. "

" ...Then surely there must be records on how to slay it. "

" Slay it? Surely you jest, Your Majesty. I'm not sure they ever did that... and also regrettably, there's no record regarding how they repel this beast or whatever they did to survive his onslaught. "

Eremir did shed a light on the council, but he also cast a shadow in their heart. As if the room has been stormed by an abrupt blizzard, cold sweats run down their cheek, and the hairs on their nape are tight. How are they going to confront an entity that even the old-powerful alliance couldn't manage to beat?

" Allow me to propose a plan, Your Majesty. "

It was Lord Frings who ask for permission to propose a plan. He is the duke of Arsten, ruler of one of the seven domains of Edessia. Known as a prominent politician for his subtle intellect, he is a figure who climbed the ladder on his own and securing his title with his own hand. The only duke of no noble lineage.

" To be simply put, we can't subdue such calamity as numbers mean nothing. Therefore, we need more time to find a way to deal with it. I strongly advise Your Majesty to send only a handful of our best men. Preferably, have to include the Lord Commander himself. "

" And what should they accomplish, considering that even the first crown and the old alliance could not hope to best that beast? "

Halius listened to the lord's suggestion carefully. Because deep inside, he had thought of the same thing. Hence, he pretty much agreed to some part of the suggestion.

" They need not to even harm the beast, Your Majesty. They only have to lead that dragon to Endel. There, we can hope to somehow force it to use its strength to destroy the gate. "

After listening to his plan, another duke slams the table. This is of course, not the first time for Lord Frings to be opposed. His rise to power inevitably invites numerous discontents from those who believe that he uses underhanded schemes to lay his hand on the title.

" Unbelievable! Shameless! How dare you to plot in this time of crisis! After all the vile schemes and monkey business that you did, now you even try to cast aside our Lord Commander!?

Not even a sea of gold can ever satisfy you, you sly snake! "

Insults after insults are thrown by the other nobles, opposing the idea of the duke of Arsten. Even though some of them remain silent, some others have already pulled out their swords, threatening to kill him. The guards are moving to the edge of the table, ready to prevent any scuffle that could happen by any second now.

" Silence! "

The king's voice echoed that through the chamber instantly restored the solemnity of the council. Although his voice is bold and firm, there's no sign of anger on his face. He knows that they are running out of time and therefore have no need for such a meaningless quarrel.

" Rein, what do you think about his proposal? "

" Yes, Your Majesty! Judging by how the dragon easily wiped out our most prominent scouting party, I find that Lord Frings's proposal to be actually considerable. "

" W-What do you mean, Lord Commander Rein!? He's clearly trying to get rid of you! He would even kill His Majesty if he had the chance! "

The discussion heats up again for the second time. Amidst this never-ending debate, the grand sorceress finally completes her task. This time it was the king who jumped a bit, startled by the sudden incoming telepathy.

" I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. "

" It's okay, it's not just something that one can ever get used to after all... That aside, now tell me what you found. "

" Yes, Your Majesty. The truth is... I can't find anyone that harbored any suspicious intention. We are all in the same state of anxiety and fear. "

Halius is both feeling surprised and glad, this makes it easier for him to make decisions. He then knocks the armrest of his throne many times, calling for attention.

" Is there any better ideas other than Lord Frings's proposal? "

" I do, Your Majesty! I believe we should split our forces evenly on both of them! With both the lord commander and you next to each other, we surely have a chance to slay that dragon! As for the gate, just as the report has implied, we can leave it to Lord Argil. "

Two front war is by any means, not an easy stunt to pull. One mistake and that's all that it takes, swords in your throat and spears in your butt. Surely not the best way to die. Knowing this, Lord Frings absolutely had to object to such a proposal.

" You fools clearly don't pay any attention to Lord Eremir's tale! Do you want us all to repeat the same tragedy our predecessor had been through all over again?! Your jealousy had blinded your greedy eyes! How I have wished for your mind to be as sharp as your tongue! "

" Tale?! Say it once more, and I'll send you to your mother! "

" All of you, enough! This is my decision... Rein! "

Halius stand up and so are the other attendees. Rein kneel before the throne, prepared to accept any decision his king would make. But the truth is, he is not ready to accept what he is about to hear.

" I agree with your plan, Lord Frings. I thank you for your suggestion. "

" Please, Your Majesty. I am not worthy of such praise. "

" Then we will proceed immediately. I myself alone, will face Sargaroth and lure it. And Rein, you will lead the other to hold the plaza. We will end this once and for all, here in Endel! "

Rein is startled upon hearing his king's word. He immediately raised his head looking at the king's eye with such an expression of disagreement. 'The king is too important to handle such perilous task' he thought to himself. His intention wasn't to insult by questioning the king's capability, but rather worries that made him worked up so much.

" I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty... But I can never agree to such a decision! "

" We have no other option, Rein. We are running out of time. "

" Then, please! Let me do it in your stead! Surely, I am no match for your strength, but have I ever failed you, Your Majesty? "

Halius stand still for a moment, astonished by the loyalty of the man who bows before him. It has been a long time since the first time Rein pledges his sword for the king's cause, and never once he failed his duty ever since that day no matter how hard it was.

" I bet that you would be against it no matter what. Or rather, you would even raise your sword on me, wouldn't you? "

Rein didn't answer. He just looked down, hoping that the king would give up without a fight on his well-known stubbornness.

" Very well then, this is the only thing that I can do for you. If you succeed in doing this task without dying, then it's yours to keep. "

Halius pulled out the ring in his right index and give it to Rein. Without any hesitation, he bestows Faelmir to the lord commander. A treasure that has been passed down for generations since the first crown. Everyone in the room was taken aback, for it was the greatest honor for a subject to be trusted with an heirloom of the royal family. Yet they understand, as the lord commander is consciously walking towards his grave, a little sweet to encourages his heart before meeting his end is the only salutation worthy for such bravery.

" Y-Your Majesty, isn't this your- "

" I gave it so you can carry out your duty. Whatever the truth is, one thing for sure is that my ancestor, the first crown, Lorentheus The Hope, wielded the very same sword to repel the dragon. I trust you will honor him by using it to the best of your ability, as he did in the past. "

" I shall value it more than my own life, Your Majesty! "

" You must not. No matter how grand its history is, at the end of the day it's just a sword, it will never be worthy for a life to die for. "

" Yes, Your Majesty! "

Afterward, the king approach Eremir and the Elder Council, agreeing on something they had previously argued. With that, the assembly is closed, and everyone sees to their assigned task. Preparing logistic, doing search and rescue, breaking down the old scrolls and artifacts in the library for clues, and various other things that have to be done.

They will not go down. If they are destined to, then at least not without a fight.