"Arenthel and Viremont are steadily gathering allies and increasing their forces," briefed Stone. This development is not something I wanted to hear, but this is the latest intelligence.
It didn't matter whether I liked it or not.
"I thought with the battles they are fighting on the front line, they would have a problem gathering allies this fast, but they are not." Said Hiren and sighed.
"Don't underestimate them, General; they are nobles. Managing these opportunities is where they shine," replied Robin.
I am holding my weekly national security meeting. Included are key people from the military, intelligence, and foreign office, along with Valentina.
"We assess they will gather the required allies and forces within six to nine months," stated Shaun, turning the mood in the conference room sombre.
"When do you think they will come to the region?" asked Valentina, with worry appearing on her face.
"It's hard to say, but it will be as soon as they can."
"Maintaining such forces is expensive; the allies will also push them to move sooner. I am sure they had already given a window to the Imperials when they would leave for the region," Shaun replied.
"I thought we could grow in peace for at least a year," said Valentina, and sighed.
I had wished for the same, but it is unlikely to happen.
"Keep monitoring their progress and cultivate the sources inside. We will need more accurate information." I ordered, and he nodded, and I turned to Robin and Stone.
"What are Zanav and Summerfield doing about it?" I asked.
I will not be the only one affected by this. Zanav and Summerfield as well. More than, since their territory comes before mine and is not as protected.
Especially Summerfields.
Our relationship with them is still testy, but there has been military and diplomatic contact. It increased more, especially since the news of those coming to the region became clear.
"They are fearful; they know they will be the target," replied Robin.
Grimvale is powerful; they wouldn't go after him until they established a firm foothold in the region. They will also not attack the undead for the same reason.
"It wasn't long ago that we were the weakest of them all," said Valentina, before shaking her head. "The strength will not stop them from attacking us," I replied, and she smiled.
"The legacy, they want it. If they get it, it could change everything for them," she said.
I understand that very well.
It is the reason we have grown so strong, so quickly. We are very strong, just behind Grimvale in strength. Even he wouldn't be a threat if we continued to grow for a few more years.
The time, the enemies will not give us.
It isn't just the two, but also the undead, Grimvale, and others; they will attack us.
They aren't the only threat.
There is also the mine in Panar, and not to mention that dense cluster of malevolent emotion, which is near Norke. I didn't even talk about monsters and Navr in the north.
"We have to be prepared and deal with them firmly. If they got even a single victory against us, it would encourage the other nobles," said Stone, and the entire table nodded.
These two might be the only ones gathering the forces right now, but they aren't the only ones out there.
The other nobles are interested as well. If they see these two attaining victory, they wouldn't hesitate to gather forces and come to the region.
"That we do," replied Robin.
The preparations have never stopped, even when recruitment was slowed.
We are still buying weapons and training our men. Every month, we would rotate the forces in the Nakar Forest. So, everyone would get experience and levels.
We are also refining their training methods to suit the challenges we face here and recruiting healers and experienced officers. Every month, the army of Greltheaven is getting stronger and stronger.
"What is the progress of the mine?" I asked.
"They have cleared another hive. Now the miners are digging further," replied Stone.
The decision had been made on what to do about it, which was to deal with it now. The other option we have is to wait around, which we can't afford to do.
We have to solve the problem when we are in control of things. If whatever could be in the mine had came out, when we are dealing with other threats. The consequences could be disastrous.
"How deep is that thing?" asked Senar. "We can't tell," replied Valentina with a sigh.
She had gone to Panar for a short day inspection. She is a Geomancer and a very good one at that. She looked at it and, like Aldridge, she couldn't tell how far and deep whatever it is, could be.
"It is an ancient, extremely complex formation. We wouldn't have been able to see the traces of it if not for Mage Aldridge's rare skill," she added.
Half an hour later, the meeting ended, and everyone left except for Robin.
"I hope it's not something bad?" I asked, turning to him. I could tell he wants to say something. "Positive signs are emerging from the undead around the negotiations," he replied.
Ah, the negotiations.
We want those poor people they have in Norke and Ashton Harbor. In the past few months, we have negotiated twice, but both times it failed.
"The conditions must remain the same. We would not give them any Lv. 30s," I stated.
"I had told them about our red lines," he replied.
Robin had invested a lot in this effort. I am also trying, but the undead wanted too much. We are willing to give them those below Lv. 30, but not any of those above it.
Even below Lv. 30 is a dangerous price for us, as they will be used against us, but we can't leave people with the undead.
I have seen their state in Panar and even Gailhorn. That is a fate worse than death.
"Keep in contact, but this time, we will negotiate if they are willing not to talk about Lv. 30 and above," I said. There is no use in wasting time; I will not have it.
Our time is too precious; there are a lot of other things we could do other than waste time on them.
"Have you made the preparations for Mahal?" I asked. He is leaving for the kingdom; things are simmering there and could explode after the abdication.
The ripple effect will spread across the kingdoms.
Robin is going to attend the grand birthday of the King, which is the last birthday of his reign. The real purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of things happening there.
Currently, Mahal is our main route to Baxzar Dominion and Archmage City.
We are increasing trade through our port in Gailhorn, but it will take time. Until then, we have to do everything to keep that route as stable as possible for us.
"Yes, I had even received invitations from Count Wathal, Viscount Luran, and many other nobles to visit their territories," he replied.
Because of the Velvet Garden, our diplomatic weight is increasing. A year ago, we wouldn't have received an invitation to the King of Mahal's birthday party.
Now we do, and also many nobles are inviting Robin to their estates and territories.
"Be careful about that," I cautioned.
His thirty years are nearly over; next year, the king will have to abdicate, and a council of nobles will choose a prince as the next king. There are already two powerful factions fighting for it.
So far, there had been a few assassinations of important people, and as the time of abdication drew closer, they would increase further.
"I will," he replied.
"By the time you leave, the special order of Ringmaster Tezir will be ready," I said.
There is another week before he leaves for Mahal, which is enough time to finish the last few pieces that had remained.
It is an order from the whimsical wonderland for costumes, but also for slack lines, tightropes, hoops, and tens of other things.
It is a really massive order of mist goods, and if not for something important, he had promised me. I wouldn't have agreed to make them so fast.
"His people had been asking about it," he replied, and I smiled.
A few minutes later, I walked out of the conference room and stepped into my office.
"The bank had informed that Namdar had released this month's tranche," said Argis. Hearing that, a smile appeared on my face.
They had paused the loan when the undead attacked. Since then, they have never done so, and thanks to that, we have been able to continue the massive construction of the second ring.
It is because of this help that I am selling so much essence to Namdar and opening the store.
I have to keep them happy.
"That's good," I replied and opened the file in front of me.
"There is also a message from the office of the ambassador of Kalgha Dominion. They are asking you to up your donation," he informed.
They are in a war and need massive resources, and we are giving them a lot. In exchange, they are providing us with the intelligence about the undead and their battle strategies.
"Tell them, maintaining the current contribution is hard enough with the legacy close."
"As for increasing it. We will only think about that after the Velvet Garden opens," I replied.
"I had told them as much," he stated.
It is not an excuse; there is barely any essence produced by the Velvet Garden outside of its current needs, and what Twilight Hall is producing is not enough. We have to conserve the essence to last for a year.
We cannot do that if we give them to anyone who asks.