Zeke’s expression grew dark, and he was far from the only one. Among the representatives, not a single one looked pleased by the princess’s words.
Even if none of them had absorbed as many locals as Zeke, every force present had allied with Rukian natives to some degree. It was only natural. Where else could they find such a concentration of Life mages? Crops that would normally take weeks or even months to grow could be raised in days, enough to sustain entire armies. Losing access to that support would be disastrous.
Only one person seemed largely unbothered: Stella Eventide, representative of the First Branch. She alone had no real need for such assistance. That did not mean she viewed the princess favorably, though. Even in the most charitable interpretation, the woman was little more than an opportunist fishing in troubled waters.
Even after a long stretch of silence since the princess had introduced herself, no one spoke.
Instead, the gathered leaders communicated through glances, each hoping someone else would test the waters first. Many eyes drifted toward Zeke, who had taken the initiative last time.
This time, however, he would not be the one to act. He couldn't afford to.
The sudden appearance of the hidden princess was a scheme targeting him above all others. Not only because he likely harbored the largest number of Rukian natives, but also because he had been the one to plunder their hidden sanctuary of its Archmages.
That alone gave him a force substantial enough to grant this ambitious princess legitimacy, should she manage to claim them.
So, instead of addressing the princess’s presence at all, he spoke to the elven coordinator.
"...Now that everyone has introduced themselves, is it not time to reveal the plan you have prepared?"
The princess, having been completely ignored by everyone present, rose slowly from her bow. Her face showed no trace of anger at the slight as her calm eyes settled squarely on Zeke.
The elven representative, for her part, was naturally aware that Zeke was using her to sidestep the princess’s unspoken demand to hand over her countrymen. He had not even attempted to conceal that intent in the first place.
The elven representative, for her part, was fully aware that Zeke was using her to sidestep the princess’s unspoken demand to reclaim her countrymen. He had not even attempted to conceal that intent.
Even so, he was certain she would play along.
After all, refusing to act now would be tantamount to siding with the princess and, by extension, working against the interests of everyone else present.
Her decision came swiftly. "Step back, Miss Miriel. This is not a stage for you to do as you please."
The princess smiled politely, even as she was openly reprimanded.
“As you wish,” she said, stepping back to stand beside the throne of the Thornveil Mercenary Company. Her gaze never wavered. But her target had shifted, now fixed on Irisen.
It was clear she had no intention of giving up.
At that moment, the elven representative clapped her hands lightly, drawing everyone’s attention.
"There have been many unplanned... disruptions today," she said, her gaze moving first to Zeke and then to the princess. "But let us not lose sight of the true purpose of this meeting. The enemy has retreated, reducing the territory they must defend and, in doing so, concentrating their forces."
With those few words, she managed to fully recapture the room.
"In our assessment, not a single person present has the strength to break through their defensive line on its own." The statement struck at their pride, yet no one rose to dispute it. Even Zeke knew it to be true. It was the very reason they had all gathered here.
"And how does the revered Matriarchy intend to solve that problem?" The question came from Silas, one of the two mercenary leaders from Tradespire.
The elven representative answered smoothly, quickly finding her rhythm now that the meeting had returned to its proper course. “The plan is simple. I suggest pairing compatible forces and launching simultaneous attacks on the four main strongholds of the inner regions.”
Zeke began tapping the armrest as he listened, deep in thought, though his face revealed nothing.
"How would these pairings be decided?" Krazal Bloodletter asked. He did not seem especially fond of the plan, but neither did he outright refuse.
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The elven representative hesitated for a moment. "I was given clear instructions regarding the original pairings," she admitted. "But after everything I have learned today, I have lost confidence in the wisdom of that approach."
Her gaze slid over Zeke as she spoke.
"Too much has remained hidden from our sight. Therefore, I propose that we establish new pairings here and now. That way, everyone can be satisfied."
Zeke’s fingers stilled for an instant.
It was a remarkably open-minded suggestion, far more than he had expected. It meant the elves were willing to take a step back, allowing the assembled leaders to make their own decisions while the Matriarchy merely provided the framework of the plan.
Zeke thought it was a decent plan, but he remained silent.
Others were less reserved. Negotiations began immediately. Whether openly, through telepathy, gestures, glances, or hidden signals, everyone engaged in discussion. It seemed they all tacitly agreed with the proposal and were beginning to form alliances.
Zeke made no move to approach anyone.
Instead, he waited, resuming his slow drumming on the armrest.
Unexpectedly, someone reached out to him despite his obvious disinterest. He felt the mental probe asking for permission to establish contact.
Curious as to who had acted so quickly, Zeke accepted the connection.
"Are you interested in forming an alliance?"
The words were as direct as they could be, surprising even him. He resisted the urge to look toward the speaker, unwilling to reveal anything.
The voice in his mind belonged to the only woman among the twelve leaders present, Stella Eventide. Zeke had not expected her to reach out to him, and certainly not so quickly. He must have been her first choice.
He hesitated for a moment, considering how to handle the unexpected proposal. Several thoughts crossed his mind, yet when he responded, only a second had passed.
"Thank you for the offer," Zeke sent, "but I do not intend to work with anyone."
"...What do you mean by that?"
Without explaining anything, Zeke severed the connection.
Through his Sphere of Awareness, he caught the expression that crossed her face without needing to look. Surprise. Naturally, he understood why she would be shocked by his refusal.
On paper, Stella Eventide would have been a good match to work with. If this plan truly came to fruition, partnering with her would not have put him at a disadvantage. But there were two problems. First, he could not fully trust her. Second, he had no intention of following this plan in the first place.
At that moment, the previously quiet princess made a move again. She stepped forward, immediately drawing every eye. She clearly had a talent for turning herself into a spectacle.
"...This is a truly brilliant plan, and I wholeheartedly support the Chosen of the Tree in carrying it out," she began, her voice heavy with reverence. "But I wonder if I might suggest something?"
The elven representative nodded. There was no reason for her to prevent the princess from making a suggestion, not when she asked so politely.
"It is certainly true that none of the forces present are currently strong enough to break into the inner regions on their own. As things stand right now, the same is true for us. However, there is a way this could change. For example..."
The princess swept her gaze across the room.
"...If the Rukia-born mages currently allied with you all were to unite under my banner, I believe I could launch an attack without the need to ally with any other force."$
Frowns spread immediately, but the princess was not finished.
"Before you dismiss my proposal outright, please listen to the rest of what I have to say," she continued before anyone could interrupt.
"If, as I suggest, I were placed in command of such a force, it would make me the greatest threat to the Legion. That would force the enemy to commit most of their manpower against me alone, reducing the pressure on the rest of you. On top of that, by holding an entire battlefront, more of you could unite."
The princess smiled. "Think carefully. Would such advantages not be worth the small sacrifice of relinquishing a portion of your forces and a measure of convenience? As I see it, it would be a good outcome for all of us."
This time, no one hurried to silence her. Zeke could see the assembled leaders sink into thought. For most of them, her proposal was not a bad one.
For Zeke, however, it would be catastrophic. He had spent the entire first phase of the war rushing from place to place to save and recruit as many natives as possible. It was no exaggeration to say that his entire strategy depended on them. If this proposal were accepted, his effective combat power would be cut in half.
"...Still undecided? Then allow me to make my offer even more appealing," the princess said after a moment. "Instead of handing over all the native mages currently allied with you, each of you may retain a small retinue. That would still allow you to maintain a basic level of healing and harvesting capability. What do you all say?"
Zeke could see it clearly. One by one, the opinions of the leaders were beginning to shift. Earlier, they had been reluctant, but the benefits the princess offered were starting to sway them.
Single-handedly taking responsibility for one of the main strongholds leading into the inner regions was already an enticing prospect. But now she was even promising that they would not need to relinquish all of their acquired forces. For most of them, what she was asking had become a minimal sacrifice.
Worse still, most had brought representatives of their allied forces with them, and Zeke could tell that many of those half-elves were thrilled by the idea of uniting under a single banner led by the princess.
Zeke turned his head slightly, looking toward Irisen. He could see the conflict in her eyes. The longer this continued, the more her resolve seemed to waver. It was hardly surprising. Standing against the princess could be seen as treason, especially for Irisen, who was none other than the princess’s own sister-in-law.
But before he could even open his mouth to protest, the princess spoke to him directly.
"What do you say, Lord Ezekiel?" she asked. "As the one who harbors the largest number of my people, would you be willing to make this sacrifice for the greater good of this war and everyone here?"
All eyes turned to him.
Zeke slowly swept his gaze across the room. As he met each expectant stare, he almost felt like applauding. The princess had played this expertly—framing it as a matter of the greater good. A small sacrifice.
If he refused now, he would immediately become a common enemy. If he agreed, he would cripple himself.
It was a perfect trap.
Something cold settled behind his eyes as his smile widened.
Truly. With allies like these, who still needed enemies?