Before Ophra could even take off her cuirass, she, Uruk, and a few other leaders—still drenched in the enemy's blood—sat at the front of a long table . She appeared like the goddess of war as she sat there and looked on at the rather rowdy atmosphere . The seat next to her belonged to the Pope and it was now empty .
"The Pope has been martyred . " Cardinal Orben looked at the seat beside Ophra . His rune covered face was rather emotionless, but there was a tinge of dignified stiffness . "The Pope could not have possibly survivef that explosion . Plus, there was no trace of his spirit after that .
The meeting hall door was pushed open as a robed figure walked swiftly into the room . He was a cardinal, one of those who had to calm the nerves of the ordinary soldiers and believers with the a few other clergy . The clamour outside was obviously weighing on him . "Things are still a flux outside . The Pope's martyrdom shook the faith of many, plus the fact tha even with his sacrifice that the evil god had managed to escape without a scratch . We need to come up with an explanation for this . "
"What about the Goddess? Anything from her?" Ophra turned towards Big Beardy who was seated silently on the side of the table . From the moment the Pope had martyred, the pious ascetic was deep in thought, trying to communcate with the Goddess . She was hoping that with the ascetic's special mental ability to mend the connection with the Goddess and the long prayers would bear some fruit .
Big Beard open his eyes slightly as he looked at the marshal . "Her voice is blurry, but it is certain that the Pope had spoken with her before his martyrdom . His action is probably in line with her will . "
Cardinal Orben immediately nodded . "Alright, we can start from there at least . . . "
"The explaination can come later . The most pressing matter is how do we tell His Majesty . " Prince Hoffman suddenly interjected . His head was glistening from sweat but this time around, he did not bother wiping it off . "His Majesty needs to know if the kingdom is still safe . That black thing had escaped, unscathed I must add . You can spin it to say that it was the Goddess' wrath that scared it away, that will only work for the masses . His Majesty needs an even clearer answer . Will the thing come back? And if it does, how do we face it?"
The question Prince Hoffman asked was piercing, a stark contrast of the smiling bald guy character he is known for . This was however the way he operates, and as he finished his sentence Uruk spoke .
"It's a mess at our place as well . The collapse of the Sacred Mountain is a massive shock to the tribes, and we also need to explain how an evil god was hiding in the mountains all these while . So, for a time, the tribe nations will be recalling the mercenary companies in Holetta . "
Due to their fierce nature and martial talents, the werewolf tribes were able to export their fine troops and commanders as an important means of revenue . Their mercenaries can be found on all corners across the south of the continent . Furthermore, the tribal nation had excellent relations with the Kingdom of Holetta, even during the time of Kayton the Third's uprising, he had a loyal band of werewolf warriors with him . As such, even the Holettaen's standard army had many werewolf bands in it, some of them even hold office in the army .
Ophra frowned . "That'll affect Holetta's security, and goes against the previous accord . "
"We will not void the accord, but the situation demands it . " Uruk's expression stiffened, his voice stern . "We are only reassigning a part of the soldiers, to solve our urgent need for manpower . After the peak had collapsed many towns within the vicinty was affected, and many other places are at risk of avalanches and aftershocks . "
Uruk gave Ophra a glance as he left the last part out: Holetta is mighty kingdom, surely this won't affect you?
As Uruk finished the generals and cardinals present too started discussing the situation . Some was doubtful of morale, some was worried about doctrines, some was talking about diplomacy, or to amend the map and texts because there was a need to measure the highest peak of the southern continent again . . . When Lady Ophra heard the last part, she buried her face in her palm as she massaged her temple . If at all possible, she did not want to get involved in this as she only belatedly realised that she had gathered a rabble here at haste and in this situation, it was quite literally too many cooks spoils the broth .
"My word . . . I'm really b ad at this . " The Lady Marshal shook her head . "Even whe the king died it wasn't that chaotic . . . "
The sweatdrops from Prince Hoffman's bald head really streamed down this time . "Marshal . . . this . . . is not the time for that . . . "
"I know . " Ophra sighed as she looked up and slammed the time . "SILENCE!"
Perhaps the hall was too big and this was the first time her slamming the table was not effective . A few ministers were still having a heated discussion with their fellow generals . Seeing how it was, Lady Ophra took her longsword out, still sheathed as she slammed the table again . "SILE . . . "
Before she could finished, a crash followed and the table shattered into pieces .
A few of the ministers immediately followed the table and crashed to the ground: They were too engrossed with their arguments and were pretty much on the table already .
Lady Ophra blinked, as she shuffled awkwardly . "The table sure is fragile?"
The old werewolf Elson rolled his eyes . "Oh stop with your excuses . This is not the first time . "
"Well that's that . " Ophra waved it off . "It doesn't affect anything anyway, and at least will stop you lot from continuing your crap . Do I need to even remind you lot? This is Hodeceus! The kingdom's most powerful floating fortress . Even the lowliest of soldiers here are the elites of the country! Elites, hah! Just look at you lot . Panicking over something like this? And you deemed yourself worthy to step foot on here?"
After having their ego bruised by the Lady Marshal's terse words, the hall fell silent . Lady Ophra gave a nod of satisfaction . "That's more like it . Lets lay things out, and solve it one by one . We'll do what we can, what we must and I frankly don't give two hoots about who's losing what . Everything won't matter when that Black Fortress comes back again . "
Having said her piece, she tuirned towards Uruk and Cardinal Orben . "My apologies . I may have overstepped my boundries . I have no control over the church or other nations but let me remind you lot . Before that Black Fortress, your religion or nationality does not matter . "
Cardinal Orben's expression changed immediately the moment the missing Black Fortress was mentioned . "The key problem is still that evil god's weapon . It is an awesome weapon, and even the Pope's martyrdom could not destroy it, only to drive it away . If it was to make a comeback, our efforts are in vain . "
"Didn't you say that the outsiders have gone to solve this?" Prince Hoffman looked that Ophra . "Why are there no news till now?"
"This . . . " Ophra was at a loss of words to explain . "They'll probably be in touch soon . If anyone could do it, it is them . After all, they were the one who took out the First Born . "
Even as she said that, Ophra was not fully confident . She only have a vague knowledge of Hao Ren and his crew's powers and background, and she had no idea how the ' Black Fortress' even came about . She only relied on her experience with them solving issues in the past to trust them with the job of destroying that monstrosity . She wondered if she should call for Becky, that silly mercenary had spent the most time with the outsiders, and knew more about them than Big Beardy . As she pondered on the idea a flash of light appeared in the middle of the hall .
"Don't worry about the Black Spaceship . " Hao Ren led his crew out of the white light . "I've more important things to tell you all . "
Hodeceus floated silently by the side of the crystal mine, which faced the now drastically changed Sacred Mountain . The seismic remodelling had since died down, yet the real chaos was just about to begin . The knights and werewolf cavalry who successfully retreated under Marshal Ophras lead had returned to the main camp in Hodeceus . They rendezvoused with the other generals and cardinals who were manning the floating fortress . But as they sought to finalise their next course of action, the various factions fell victim to infighting . Before Ophra could even take off her cuirass, she, Uruk, and a few other leaders—still drenched in the enemys blood—sat at the front of a long table . She appeared like the goddess of war as she sat there and looked on at the rather rowdy atmosphere . The seat next to her belonged to the Pope and it was now empty . The Pope has been martyred . Cardinal Orben looked at the seat beside Ophra . His rune covered face was rather emotionless, but there was a tinge of dignified stiffness . The Pope could not have possibly survivef that explosion . Plus, there was no trace of his spirit after that . The meeting hall door was pushed open as a robed figure walked swiftly into the room . He was a cardinal, one of those who had to calm the nerves of the ordinary soldiers and believers with the a few other clergy . The clamour outside was obviously weighing on him . Things are still a flux outside . The Popes martyrdom shook the faith of many, plus the fact tha even with his sacrifice that the evil god had managed to escape without a scratch . We need to come up with an explanation for this . What about the Goddess? Anything from her? Ophra turned towards Big Beardy who was seated silently on the side of the table . From the moment the Pope had martyred, the pious ascetic was deep in thought, trying to communcate with the Goddess . She was hoping that with the ascetics special mental ability to mend the connection with the Goddess and the long prayers would bear some fruit . Big Beard open his eyes slightly as he looked at the marshal . Her voice is blurry, but it is certain that the Pope had spoken with her before his martyrdom . His action is probably in line with her will . Cardinal Orben immediately nodded . Alright, we can start from there at least . The explaination can come later . The most pressing matter is how do we tell His Majesty . Prince Hoffman suddenly interjected . His head was glistening from sweat but this time around, he did not bother wiping it off . His Majesty needs to know if the kingdom is still safe . That black thing had escaped, unscathed I must add . You can spin it to say that it was the Goddess wrath that scared it away, that will only work for the masses . His Majesty needs an even clearer answer . Will the thing come back? And if it does, how do we face it? The question Prince Hoffman asked was piercing, a stark contrast of the smiling bald guy character he is known for . This was however the way he operates, and as he finished his sentence Uruk spoke . Its a mess at our place as well . The collapse of the Sacred Mountain is a massive shock to the tribes, and we also need to explain how an evil god was hiding in the mountains all these while . So, for a time, the tribe nations will be recalling the mercenary companies in Holetta . Due to their fierce nature and martial talents, the werewolf tribes were able to export their fine troops and commanders as an important means of revenue . Their mercenaries can be found on all corners across the south of the continent . Furthermore, the tribal nation had excellent relations with the Kingdom of Holetta, even during the time of Kayton the Thirds uprising, he had a loyal band of werewolf warriors with him . As such, even the Holettaens standard army had many werewolf bands in it, some of them even hold office in the army . Ophra frowned . Thatll affect Holettas security, and goes against the previous accord . We will not void the accord, but the situation demands it . Uruks expression stiffened, his voice stern . We are only reassigning a part of the soldiers, to solve our urgent need for manpower . After the peak had collapsed many towns within the vicinty was affected, and many other places are at risk of avalanches and aftershocks . Uruk gave Ophra a glance as he left the last part out: Holetta is mighty kingdom, surely this wont affect you? As Uruk finished the generals and cardinals present too started discussing the situation . Some was doubtful of morale, some was worried about doctrines, some was talking about diplomacy, or to amend the map and texts because there was a need to measure the highest peak of the southern continent again . When Lady Ophra heard the last part, she buried her face in her palm as she massaged her temple . If at all possible, she did not want to get involved in this as she only belatedly realised that she had gathered a rabble here at haste and in this situation, it was quite literally too many cooks spoils the broth . My word . Im really b ad at this . The Lady Marshal shook her head . Even whe the king died it wasnt that chaotic . The sweatdrops from Prince Hoffmans bald head really streamed down this time . Marshal . this . is not the time for that . I know . Ophra sighed as she looked up and slammed the time . SILENCE! Perhaps the hall was too big and this was the first time her slamming the table was not effective . A few ministers were still having a heated discussion with their fellow generals . Seeing how it was, Lady Ophra took her longsword out, still sheathed as she slammed the table again . SILE . Before she could finished, a crash followed and the table shattered into pieces . A few of the ministers immediately followed the table and crashed to the ground: They were too engrossed with their arguments and were pretty much on the table already . Lady Ophra blinked, as she shuffled awkwardly . The table sure is fragile? The old werewolf Elson rolled his eyes . Oh stop with your excuses . This is not the first time . Well thats that . Ophra waved it off . It doesnt affect anything anyway, and at least will stop you lot from continuing your crap . Do I need to even remind you lot? This is Hodeceus! The kingdoms most powerful floating fortress . Even the lowliest of soldiers here are the elites of the country! Elites, hah! Just look at you lot . Panicking over something like this? And you deemed yourself worthy to step foot on here? After having their ego bruised by the Lady Marshals terse words, the hall fell silent . Lady Ophra gave a nod of satisfaction . Thats more like it . Lets lay things out, and solve it one by one . Well do what we can, what we must and I frankly dont give two hoots about whos losing what . Everything wont matter when that Black Fortress comes back again . Having said her piece, she tuirned towards Uruk and Cardinal Orben . My apologies . I may have overstepped my boundries . I have no control over the church or other nations but let me remind you lot . Before that Black Fortress, your religion or nationality does not matter . Cardinal Orbens expression changed immediately the moment the missing Black Fortress was mentioned . The key problem is still that evil gods weapon . It is an awesome weapon, and even the Popes martyrdom could not destroy it, only to drive it away . If it was to make a comeback, our efforts are in vain . Didnt you say that the outsiders have gone to solve this? Prince Hoffman looked that Ophra . Why are there no news till now? This . Ophra was at a loss of words to explain . Theyll probably be in touch soon . If anyone could do it, it is them . After all, they were the one who took out the First Born . Even as she said that, Ophra was not fully confident . She only have a vague knowledge of Hao Ren and his crews powers and background, and she had no idea how the Black Fortress even came about . She only relied on her experience with them solving issues in the past to trust them with the job of destroying that monstrosity . She wondered if she should call for Becky, that silly mercenary had spent the most time with the outsiders, and knew more about them than Big Beardy . As she pondered on the idea a flash of light appeared in the middle of the hall . Dont worry about the Black Spaceship . Hao Ren led his crew out of the white light . Ive more important things to tell you all .
Chapter end
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