Kai sat in the room, feeling the thick tension in the air. They waited for Killian to arrive before beginning and as soon as the man appeared on the door after settling the others, the meeting started.

Francis, his expression gloomy, launched into the report.

“As I mentioned before, the beasts have become relentless,” Francis said, his fingers drumming on the table. “Our scouts report massing in the heart of Vasper Forest. We are doing our best to scale them and get information about their types and abilities, but it’s not been easy. Most of them are in big groups of a few dozen and seem to be biding their time before the eventual wave. A few species have also been moving on their own, aggressively attacking closer to the forest and even Veralt. Spiked monkeys you dealt with on the gate are a part of those species.”

He took out a few parchments and slid them towards Kai and Killian. They were the reports given by the scouts on the type of beast they had encountered and the ones moving on their own. He noticed quite a few Grade 1 and Grade 2 species and there were a few new names in them.

It seemed like the brood mother had managed to recruit more species in the time he had been away.

Kai’s mind raced, piecing together the information. The patterns weren’t anything common, but he had seen a few instances of individual attacks before the beast wave in the records he had read.

“It can be that the beasts are scouting up ahead to probe our strength, test the strength of the villages and Veralt,” Kai said, his voice steady. “It can also be a few species getting impatient and moving on their own, leading to early assaults. I don’t take the beast wave for intelligent creatures, so it should be the latter. How did the two villages fall?”

Francis frowned, his expression darkening. “The assault happened as soon as you left for Hermil. It was a decent group of kobolds, Grade 2 beasts. They attacked two villages on the fringes at the same time, Hagmoms Keep and Averous Village.”

Kai frowned at those names. He knew the hunters of those villages were working in the scouts and the necromancer attack had happened in the former. It seemed like the village was unlucky with troubles.

“We have already informed the heads of the village and a lot of people managed to run away, but more than enough died to the beasts. We sent a team led by Feroy later on to deal with the kobolds, but other places have been attacked too. Most of the villages in our territory are abandoned now and we have a great number of refugees due to that.”

“What happened to the hunters and capable men from those villages?”

“We got them into the scouting team as instructed and Gareth had been moving with them since the forest had been growing more dangerous by the day. They have stood well and are extremely helpful to gain information on the beast.”

Kai nodded with a smile. The scouting team getting more members was a welcome thing to happen amidst the gloomy news. They would need to think about rebuilding those villages once the wave was dealt with, but that was a problem for later.

Killian looked at Kai, looking as if he had something on his mind. Getting the gesture from him to speak, the knight began. “Lord Arzan, do you really think the beasts aren’t intelligent and are acting impatiently and instinctively? What if they are and this is all a plan from the brood mother?”

“I did consider that,” Kai said, looking over at him and then at the parchments. “But a Grade 6 monster is seldom intelligent enough as a human. They’re not mindless, but they’re not masterminds either. Their intelligence might be akin to that of a child, no more than five years old. The other beast would be controlled by it, but I doubt the ability of the brood mother to strategise.”

Francis nodded in agreement. “The scouts’ report does match that. If the brood mother was that intelligent, I doubt the scouts would be able to move around like this.”

“True,” Killian replied. “Then, are we planning to hold off the beast wave as Veralt is a centre? It would be easier to give up the villages and prepare to defend a single city.”

“Yes,” Kai said, knowing that they have no other way. Their forces weren’t big enough to protect the villages and even if they were important for the region, they had no defences to deal with a beast wave. Veralt with its walls was the only place which might be able to stand against them. “We will be fighting back from here. I don’t plan to just deep defend and have plans for counterattacks for the early assaults, but before that, I want to know how the city had been holding on with the attacks? Feroy said they are increasing in frequency.”

Francis nodded, sighing. “They are. In the last week, there had been two attacks. The walls are holding, just as Your Lordship planned. The construction is progressing well, and Feroy and the other Enforcers have been at the forefront, dealing with any beasts that breach our defences. They’ve been holding the line, but now that you’re here, I’m sure their morale will improve. Deaths have thankfully been low due to the archers seeing the beast approaching, but we have opened gates without verification to a lot of the refugees due to the attacks, so we would need to deal with any brigands that might pop up.”

“I will make sure the guards are keeping an eye out even inside the city,” Killian said, getting a smile from Francis.

Kai wanted to move the conversation to the defence and counter-attacking strategies he had planned. But before he could speak, Francis leaned forward, his tone curious. “What about the capital? Did you manage to secure reinforcements, Lord Arzan? We’ve already settled in the alchemist and the blacksmith you sent ahead, though there was a bit of a stir when a minotaur stepped out of one of the carriages. Some of the guards thought it was an enemy.”

Kai couldn’t help but chuckle at the image of the bewildered guards at the sight of Balen moving in. He was glad that no accidents had happened due to that.

“The capital was… eventful,” he replied. “I secured some reinforcements, though not as many as I’d hoped. The first prince sent five hundred men, which is less than ideal, but it’s something. He didn’t bother with Mages, though I didn’t expect him to. I took matters into my own hands and negotiated with the Archine Tower directly. They’ve agreed to send a dozen novice and apprentice Mages. They’re likely not the best, probably commoners or those who aren’t well-regarded, but it’s better than nothing. Also, they gave me a clean chit with the murder of Actra, but I did tell you about it in my letters.”

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Francis nodded. “You did. That’s great news, but…” His words trailed off as he frowned, clearly not reassured by Kai’s early words. “The reinforcements not be enough to hold off a full-scale assault.”

Kai nodded, acknowledging the concern but remaining confident. “Five hundred more will be coming from Duke Blackwood’s forces. We’ll also need to start recruiting again, but not just anyone this time. We need Enforcers if we plan to stand any chance against the beasts.”

Francis seemed puzzled for a moment. “Didn’t we already check everyone in Veralt? At least those that willingly came forward to join the guards.”

Kai shook his head, clarifying, “Not just from Veralt. We didn’t check the other villages thoroughly last time. Now that more refugees are pouring in, we need to search every corner of our territory. We need every capable hand we can find, especially those who can be trained as Enforcers. There’s not enough time truly to make them into anything proper, but we don’t have an option to complain.”

Seeing the determination in Kai’s eyes, Francis nodded in agreement. “You’re right. We can’t afford to miss any opportunities.”

For the next hour or so, they discussed more on the assaults, the nature of the beast and counter strategies Kai had prepared in his time in the capital. Francis had an idea of the mana cannons, but they would only come as their trump card in the eventual battle.

Before that, he had a few ideas and after discussing them with his trusted advisor and knight, Kai decided to implement them as soon as possible.

Once the meeting was done, he stood up. “We need to head to the public square. My arrival will spread, but it’s better if I’m seen in the heart of the city. I guess it’s time for me to make a speech and rally the people so that there won’t be any hesitation when we need their help.”

Francis quickly agreed, and the three of them moved out, heading to the carriage that would take them to the square.

It was a short, quick and silent ride— everyone in their own thoughts. Throughout the ride, Kai thought about what to say. He wasn’t one for speeches, but it was the best to get the fearmongers out of the job.

***

They arrived.

Kai took in the sight before him— a sea of people, some living in makeshift tents around the square, their faces marked by a mix of desperation and tiredness. Francis had told him that they had been keeping community kitchens alive, but it was hard to give out food more than one time a day since the population of the city had increased by a lot.

Kai stepped out of the carriage, the weight of the crowd’s eyes pressing on him. He waited for the crowd to gather around. The murmurs and whispers that spread around settled into a heavy silence.

Then he raised his voice, strong and clear.

“Citizens of Veralt, and those who have sought refuge here from the villages,” he began, his tone carrying the authority of a leader but with a certain amount of warmth in it. “I know there are rumours— whispers that I’ve abandoned you in this time of crisis. But as you can see, I haven’t run away, nor will I ever turn my back on anyone who considers me their lord.”

The crowd shifted, a mix of doubt and hope rippling through them. Kai continued, his voice unwavering. “Veralt faces the threat of a beast wave, a danger that looms closer every day. I’ve returned from the capital with reinforcements, not only to fight these beasts but to stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, when the time comes. When the beasts arrive, I’ll be on the walls, with all of you, ready to defend our city to the last breath.”

A murmur of approval began to spread as the people started to believe in his words.

Kai looked around, catching the eyes of the people. A grizzled old man with deep-set wrinkles furrowing his brow looked up at him, his expression a hardened mask of scepticism, yet his eyes carried a flicker of hope as if daring to believe in the impossible.

He continued sweeping his gaze over the crowd as he spoke with renewed intensity. “We’re starting recruitment for special guards— fighters who will stand at the front lines. I won’t force anyone to fight; the decision is yours. But remember this: if the beasts breach our walls, none of us will be spared. We all have a stake in this fight.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. “Even if you choose not to fight, there are many ways you can help. From constructing walls to building barracks, from scouting to aiding in logistics— there’s a role for everyone. Our survival depends on us coming together, each contributing in whatever way we can. Whoever helps would be fed at least two times a day.”

In the last part of his words, discussion seems to erupt. They have been going around the community kitchens, but getting fed once was barely enough and no refugee had a lot of coins on them.

Some spoke with eyes while others whispered among themselves. Kai saw a teenage boy, barely old enough to wield a weapon, standing with a mixture of pride and fear in his face. He nodded his head fiercely at Kai as if he had made a decision.

That almost made him smile.

A voice broke through the crowd, sharp with fear and doubt. “But what if, despite everything, we still die? These beasts are lethal. They’ve already taken so many lives. I ran away from my village before they could arrive, but I heard about a few who stayed behind and were killed brutally.”

The question hung in the air, the weight of it pressing on everyone.

Kai met the man’s eyes, his expression firm yet understanding. “Death is a reality of mortal life,” he began, his voice steady. “But I’ll tell you this— it won’t come to that while I’m here. I know the odds are grim, but ask yourself this; do you want to die waiting for a beast to tear you apart, or do you want to face it head-on, with a fair chance of survival?”

The crowd was silent, the man’s fear was reflected in many of their faces. But Kai’s words carried a conviction that cut through the dread. “I’m not here to promise you immortality. I’m here to give you a fighting chance. I don’t know who among you will stand with me, but I do know this— I’m not running away. This is my responsibility and conviction as your lord, but no man could do things alone.”

The tension in the square cracked, replaced by a growing wave of resolve as he repeated his stance.

“I will join you. My legs and arms work well enough for me to hold a spear.”

“Yes! I will join too.”

“I don’t want to let the beast come near my family.”

Someone in the crowd shouted in agreement, and then another. As if making a chain, more people joined them as the thick tension began to dissipate. He could still see faces who looked like they weren’t sure, but more and more people seemed ready to help out in the defence.

That was more than enough.

He wasn’t sure about the speech, but it seemed like he had done its job.

Kai glanced at Francis, leaning in to whisper as the crowd’s voices echoed around them. “With me at the forefront of the defences, morale will rise. We just need to keep it up.”

Francis nodded, his face set with the same resolve. “I’ll do my best.”

“We have to,” Kai replied, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the people who had placed their trust in him. “Because if we don’t, no one will survive. Also, I need you to send out a letter to someone.”

“Who?” Francis tilted his head.

“Have you heard of barbarians? I heard they are warriors that are losing their honour for banditry. I have an offer for them to gain it back,” he said, thinking back to the faces he had met along his journey to Hermil.

He wondered how they would react to seeing him so soon.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep