The tension was palpable in the council chamber. The generals, shocked and incredulous, straightened up in their seats upon hearing Jonady's words. Princess Raelia also paused, visibly caught off guard.
— "Abandon the front?! Withdraw from our positions?!" exclaimed several commanders, their voices vibrating with astonishment and indignation. Some were already standing, waving their arms as if to express their dismay at such a proposal. The clashing sounds of their swords echoed through the heavy air of the room, like a warning of an imminent rebellion.
Raelia, although used to making difficult decisions, frowned. She largely shared their skepticism. Their situation was far from ideal, to be sure, but abandoning their position seemed madness. Especially since the growing threat of demons and orcs became clearer with each passing day.
Before another word could be spoken, Jonady raised his hand, his gaze sweeping the room with calm but relentless authority. The atmosphere immediately grew heavier, like the silence before something monumental.
— "Yes, or rather, that is exactly what our enemies must believe." His voice, measured and resolute, left no room for hesitation. The murmurs stopped immediately, all attention focusing on him.
Jonady stood slowly, his eyes shining with a determination that made even the most skeptical shudder.
He then laid out his plan. The generals listened attentively.
Meanwhile, in the northern part of the island, the allied forces of demons and orcs were gathering their troops. The coalition forces prepared to crush the kingdom of Ednia once and for all.
The orc and demon camps buzzed with activity. Campfires crackled, illuminating the distorted faces of rustic and brutal creatures. The orcs, broad and muscular, bore scars from countless battles. Around them, conversations flowed freely.
— "I can't wait to finish this war," grunted one orc, sitting on an old tree stump. His massive hands rubbed a weapon-sized axe.
— "Neither can I," replied another orc, inspecting his own axe, the firelight reflecting off its crude blade. "But I'm even more excited to reach their capital. Imagine the treasures they hide there."
The orc's face twisted into a grimace of pleasure. He was already lost in thoughts of pillaging, glittering jewels, and countless riches he could claim at will. The demons, with their supernatural powers, enforced obedience, but that did not mean the orcs had any real loyalty to them. They were pragmatic, driven by greed.
In a large command tent at the center of the camp, Kurt, the orc chief, polished his massive sword. The metallic sound of steel against stone mingled with the ambient noises, but he paid little attention. His massive torso was covered in tattoos and scars. Beside him, a heavy shield rested against the tent wall, and his gaze fixed unrelentingly on the firelight.
Before him stood Giyard, the demon leader, whose red eyes blazed in the darkness. The black horns on his head looked like a malevolent crown upon his forehead. He adjusted his dark armor with an impatient gesture while watching Kurt.
— "Do you really trust that human?" Kurt sneered, a amused smile playing on his lips.
The demon let out a cold laugh, his eyes burning with a mischievous gleam.
— "Trust a pathetic human? Don't confuse us with your kind, orc. We're not that stupid. Once they've served their purpose, we'll get rid of that pitiful Philippe and install a more obedient puppet." He let those words hang in the air like a carefully measured poison.
Kurt burst out laughing, his laughter rumbling like thunder.
— "Hahaha! That suits me fine. As long as you demons keep paying us, we'll do the job." He shrugged, as if loyalty was just a trivial detail.
The orcs were mercenaries at heart, ready to accept any mission, faithful to their motto: this world is our gold.
Giyard stared at Kurt for a moment, clearly disgusted by the orc's crudeness, but he knew the orc was a far more useful tool than a nuisance. He gripped his large sword with both hands and looked toward the horizon.
— "Humans won't survive more than three days," he declared with icy certainty. "Victory will be ours."
A sinister smile stretched his lips. He was already thinking about the end of the kingdom of Ednia, its submission, and their absolute power. He turned to his demon generals, signaling the end of the conversation.
— "The royal family of Ednia should have accepted submission. Stupid humans." He burst into a malicious laugh.