Point of View: Eldrin
The atmosphere was already tense before anyone spoke.
Even so, I tried to ease it… even if only slightly.
I gently placed my cup on the table, letting the soft sound break the silence.
"I know this is a delicate matter…" I said calmly, sweeping my gaze across each of them, "…but I need clear opinions."
No one responded immediately.
It was understandable.
This wasn't just politics.
It was our future.
Finally, Sophia spoke.
Her posture was firm, but her expression carried something deeper.
"As for me… I support the alliance."
Some lifted their heads. Others simply watched her in silence.
Before anyone could interrupt, she continued:
"The Atlanteans are our biggest economic rivals in Dalaran… and, to be completely honest, the only ones who can truly compete with us in infrastructure and organization."
She paused briefly.
"If we ally with them, we won't just ease tensions… we could dominate the market together."
Merlin rested his elbow on the table, thoughtful.
"I see…" he murmured. "Resource exchange, knowledge… even cooperation between academies."
Sophia nodded slowly.
But when she spoke again, her voice turned colder.
"Besides… we need resources. And we need them now."
The silence that followed was heavier.
We all knew what she meant.
The abominations.
The tension rose again.
Thistram couldn't hold back.
He slammed his fist against the table.
"Those damned creatures don't give us a moment to breathe!"
His voice echoed through the room.
"Every night they attack our walls. Every night we have wounded soldiers. This is neither sustainable nor acceptable."
Lyriana, who had remained silent until now, spoke.
Her tone was softer—but no less serious.
"I'm also in favor of the alliance."
All eyes turned to her.
"The number of injured has increased significantly," she continued. "And not only that… we are constantly sending medical supplies to Sylvanas so she can maintain the conquest."
She frowned slightly.
"Our resources are being split. It's only a matter of time before we run out."
Morgath nodded gravely.
"And that brings us to another problem."
He leaned forward slightly.
"The dungeons."
No one interrupted him.
"If we don't clear them regularly, overflow is inevitable," he explained. "The walls have been reinforced, yes… but that doesn't mean we can hold indefinitely."
He paused, as if weighing his own words.
"And at this rate… we're running out of materials."
The weight of that statement settled over everyone.
It wasn't a possibility.
It was a warning.
I placed my cup down again—this time with a bit more force.
The sound drew everyone's attention.
"Then…" I said slowly, "aside from Thistram, everyone is in favor of the alliance."
One by one, they nodded.
Even Thistram said nothing.
But his silence wasn't agreement.
It was restraint.
I took a breath.
It was my turn.
"Now… I will share my stance. And that of the First Pillar, Sylvanas."
Several gazes sharpened at the mention of her name.
I continued:
"Sylvanas wanted to return to Arcadia after learning about the current situation."
A quiet murmur spread across the table.
"But I stopped her," I added firmly. "Her conquest is too important. And for now… the situation here remains under control."
Sophia was the first to respond.
"You did the right thing."
The others nodded.
"We need that world conquered as soon as possible," she added. "We can't afford to lose that source of resources."
I waited for the murmurs to settle before continuing.
But this time, my voice changed.
It became colder.
Heavier.
"However… there is something else you need to know."
Silence fell instantly.
I could feel all attention focus on me.
"During our encounter in Dalaran… we met the leader of the abominations."
Reactions came immediately.
"What…?"
"Wasn't she on another planet?"
I raised my hand.
Silence returned.
"Baroness Lysera."
The name dropped like a stone into still water.
The temperature in the room seemed to fall.
I could see the shift in their expressions.
Anger.
Hatred.
Tension.
Thistram reacted first.
He clenched his jaw so tightly his muscles stood out.
"And… did you ask why?"
His voice was low.
But filled with restrained fury.
I nodded slowly.
"Sylvanas found her first. When I arrived… I had to stop her."
Several eyes widened.
"Stop her…?" Merlin repeated quietly.
"She was about to attack her inside Dalaran."
The silence that followed was absolute.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
I continued, my expression dark.
"At first… I didn't understand."
My fingers tightened slightly on the table.
"But Lysera didn't try to hide it."
Thistram leaned forward.
"Then speak," he said, almost whispering. "What was her reason?"
I swallowed.
Even for me, saying it out loud was difficult.
But I had to.
I clenched my teeth slightly.
"According to her own words…"
I paused.
Briefly.
But long enough.
"She did it because she was bored."
The world seemed to stop.
No one breathed.
No one reacted… at first.
And then—
"…Hah…"
The explosion wasn't immediate.
It was worse.
It was slow.
Heavy.
Killing intent filled the room like an invisible fog.
Thistram was the first to break.
"Hahaha…"
His laughter was low.
Dark.
Terrifying.
His hand slowly moved to the hilt of his sword.
"Am I hearing this correctly…?" he said, still smiling. "That woman controls the abominations… attacks multiple cities… and it's all because she's… bored?"
No one answered.
There was no need.
"…!"
He slammed the table.
"Is that all?!"
His voice thundered.
Lyriana closed her eyes for a moment.
Morgath looked away.
Even Sophia pressed her lips tightly.
I could barely contain my own anger.
"She mocks us with her actions," I continued. "She mocked Sylvanas… right in front of her, while explaining her reason."
Silence returned.
But this time, it was different.
Heavier.
More dangerous.
Minutes passed before anyone spoke again.
And by then…
It was no longer a discussion.
It was a decision.
"Sylvanas supports the alliance," I said finally. "And if Lysera decides to intervene directly…"
My eyes swept across the table.
"She is more than willing to face her."
No one doubted.
No one questioned.
I nodded as well.
"And so am I."
I slowly rose from my seat.
The sound of the chair echoed in the silence.
"This may create conflict with Rangar… or with Xyra…"
I paused.
"But we need allies."
I looked at all of them.
"And the Atlanteans are the only ones who qualify… the only ones at our level."
One by one, they stood.
"As for Lysera…" I continued, my voice firm, "we have always been enemies."
My gaze hardened.
"And if she wants war…"
The silence tightened.
"She will have it."
No one sat.
No one hesitated.
Thistram smiled.
A dangerous smile.
Morgath nodded slowly.
Lyriana clenched her fists.
The decision had already been made.
"We conquered this continent with our strength and intelligence," I continued. "We never avoided war out of fear… only because there was no need."
I glanced at the papers on the table.
"But this…"
I paused briefly.
"…cannot be avoided."
The weight of my words lingered in the air.
I checked the time.
We had gone far beyond schedule.
And yet…
It felt like we had only just begun.
"We'll continue tomorrow."
My voice softened again.
"It's been a long day for all of us."
One by one, they nodded.
The tension didn't disappear.
But it changed.
We parted with few words.
None were needed.
As I left the room…
I knew one thing for certain.
The war had already begun.