Queen X

The tension in the room was palpable as the leaders of Elodor convened around the round table, their faces etched with worry and uncertainty. Sir Artas, the leader of the King's Knights, sitting at the table, spoke with a sense of urgency in his voice.

"What are we to make of this?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the assembled leaders. "A shield maiden missing in the heart of the city, no word from the Barrier Holder, and our knights falling one by one..."

The murmurs among the leaders grew louder, each voicing their concerns and speculations about the unfolding crisis. Some suggested launching a full-scale search for the missing shield maiden, while others advocated for reinforcing the city's defenses in anticipation of further attacks.

Silo, standing beside the king, listened intently to the discussions, his mind racing with possible strategies and countermeasures. "We cannot afford to underestimate the gravity of this situation," he interjected, his voice commanding attention. "If the Wildwood clan has indeed reappeared and turned hostile, we must act swiftly and decisively to protect our realm."

Lord Latia, leader of the Noble House, expressed his concern. "We must take immediate action."

Lady Elara, the representative from the Mercenary Guild, added, "The silence from the Barrier Holder raises even more questions. We rely on the barrier to protect our realm, and its guardian must be held accountable."

Sir Artas, interjected, "We need to act swiftly. The longer we delay, the more vulnerable we become. We must investigate both the disappearance of Queen Lizabeth and the apparent failure of the Barrier Holder."

The grand chamber of Elodor resonated with urgent deliberations. Theron, representative of economic interests, trade, and commerce within the kingdom, raised a crucial point about the historical extinction of the Wildwood at the hands of Xander Nightborn.

He emphasized the potential impact on trade routes, signaling the need to inform the populace about the re-emergence of the seemingly extinct clan if they turned hostile.

Gerald Strongman, the stalwart Champion of Man, interrupted with a solemn inquiry, "What is the king's decision in this matter?" demanding clarity on the king's stance. His piercing gaze conveyed the seriousness of the situation, demanding a decisive response.

Silo, the sagacious advisor, met the gravity of Gerald's question with a measured response. "Let us exercise caution and refrain from hasty decisions," he proposed, his eyes carefully assessing the silent king. "We await Agatha's counsel. Until then, we must inform our people about the possible resurgence of the Wildwood, acknowledging the potential threat it poses to our trade routes. Our city must remain vigilant, and we should not let fear dictate our actions."

Lizabeth, known both as the Shieldmaiden and the Queen of Elodor, her absence keenly felt in the midst of the crisis with her empty seat.

The room fell into a contemplative silence as the leaders considered Silo's words. In the absence of their queen's guidance, uncertainty loomed large, and the leaders braced themselves for the challenges ahead, knowing that the decisions made in the coming hours could shape the destiny of Elodor.

The grand chamber fell into an expectant hush as Agatha, the Academy Principal, entered the room with an air of apology. The sudden creak of the door had drawn the attention of all present, heightening the tension in the room.

"I'm sorry for being late," Agatha's voice, though calm, carried a weight that hinted at the gravity of her concerns. Before she could elaborate, a sudden commotion ensued as Viktor, the king's son, emerged from behind her. His urgent call, "Father!" reverberated through the chamber, but the king remained stoic, unmoved by the unexpected intrusion.

Agatha, unaware of Viktor stealthily following her into the room, found his student at the center of the grand chamber. Little did she know that Viktor, driven by concern for his mother, had pleaded with her to let him follow her until the outer confines of the meeting room; the reason for her tardiness.

Yet now, Viktor, locked eyes with his father, his gaze demanding answers about his mother's whereabouts.

As Viktor locked eyes with his father, the silent demand for answers hung heavy in the air. The king, stoic and unmoving, finally broke the silence. His words, delivered with a weight that echoed through the chamber, revealed a haunting truth – the return of the Demon Lord.

Rising from his seat, he strode to the window, his silhouette framed against the fading light.

A collective gasp rippled through the leaders of Elodor, their expressions a tapestry of shock and disbelief. The room erupted into a heated debate as voices clashed, discussing the implications of the Demon Lord's return.

As the debate grew more heated, Silo, the voice of reason, suggested removing Viktor from the room for disturbing the proceedings. But before the knight could intervene, Viktor asserted his independence, "Hands off, I know my way out," refusing to be ushered out.

Seeing Viktor leaving the room, Silo hesitated reminding the king, "But my lord, it is still a rumor."

The king, peering through the window, responded, "Not anymore. And here's the proof." He subtly gestured toward the empty space where the queen once stood, alluding to her mysterious disappearance.

Sir Artas, his eyes narrowing with suspicion, confronted the king, "I'm sorry to pry, but how did you know about this, my lord?" The question hung in the air, demanding an answer that could potentially unveil hidden motives and secrets.

The king, however, remained stoic as he responded, "Just a hunch, and now it is a reality." The vague admission left the leaders of Elodor with more questions than answers.

Theron, ever the voice of diplomacy, interjected, "Shouldn't we inform other nations of this matter? It might make them reconsider their attacks on our nation."

Silo, the ever-cautious advisor, countered, "And what if they perceive it as an attempt to take advantage and further our own interests at their expense?"

The tension in the room thickened as the leaders grappled with the delicate balance of power. Sir Artas, added his perspective, "If the Demon Realm launches an attack now, it could disrupt the fragile balance of power that currently exists."