Chapter 1161: Looming Dangers

With the court quickly falling under the Queen's control, she was quick to direct the meeting back on track.

Whatever personal grievances the nobles harboured, whatever suspicions they held towards their guests, those matters would have to wait.

There were far more pressing concerns demanding their attention, and unlike the matter of etiquette, these were not problems that could be resolved with a stern reprimand.

There were four main issues that needed their immediate attention.

First, the most pressing issue of the Void falling into Nyer's control.

When she mentioned this, a couple of the Nobles already let out sighs while others looked a little worried.

It was hard to blame them as the Void was one of the Realms connected to the world tree and losing this into enemy hands meant that there is now one extra way for them to invade.

A method that can't be stopped unless they were willing to injure the World Tree but the consequences of doing so…

They dare not imagine.

Especially as citizens under its protection for many generations by this point.

A few were still confused, not being up to date with the latest information but the Queen's next words shattered this confusion.

"The Void has now fallen under enemy control. It is only a matter of time before the entire realm is converted into the Nightmare Realm."

Chaos immediately erupted as the ignorant nobles now learned of such a pressing matter.

The Void was never a matter that could be treated lightly. A topic that demanded so much vigilance and observation and yet the enemy could seize the realm from beneath their notice!?

Questions demanding answers as well as confusion as to how this was even allowed to come to pass were throw towards the Queen and the guards.

Accusations and frustration mixed into one.

*BANG!!!

Slamming her staff down, the hall quietened down.

"If we have time and leisure to point our fingers and figure out who's at fault, let us instead use that time to discuss a solution and counter measures. Only once the danger has passed will we have the peace needed to shift our blame."

Alice was impressed. The Queen was taking control of this court despite the severity of the situation. Her points were clear and if anyone had issues with it, it'll give her legitimate reason to have them escorted out.

Naturally, the Nobles understood this as well. They'd rather be here for the full meeting rather than be in the dark.

With the court now under control, she established the full scope of what had happened.

The Void authority has been usurped. While it is a pressing matter, it will still take time for the enemy to gain full unrestricted control. This time period is their safest moment.

However, once they have gained control, the barrier around the world tree is essentially useless when it comes to stopping them.

As the host of the Void, like Feris in the past, they can travel to the World Tree as they please.

Contingency plans must be prepared for that event. With so many of their lives being tied to this realm, finding a method to recreate an environment suitable for them or perhaps even a tool to help them survive elsewhere would be needed.

In essence, to deal with the Void falling into enemy hands, they had to be prepared to abandon this realm at a moment's notice.

"All research departments will focus their efforts in researching the World Tree and how a stable environment can be established for our survival. Not only that, but we must find a method to 'replant' the World Tree if necessary. When the conflict is over, depending on what may happen, the World Tree could take significant damage.

"Even when the threat is over, we must consider potential dangers to ensure the safety of everyone living in this realm."

Next, the Nobles took turns in discussing what was possible, what wasn't. How much manpower they could allocate and the budget they would need to compensate for the time of the researchers.

After all, not everyone was afflicted by the realm. They could survive elsewhere without much issue so compensation was needed for their time and efforts.

But this didn't mean they should neglect to compensate those working with the affliction. Just because they are 'stuck' in this realm didn't mean they don't deserve to be paid for their efforts.

As the Queen listened to all of the points that the Nobles raised, she was quick to devise a method of allocating manpower as well as funding. If anything is lacking, she was happy to open the treasury as this was no time to be stingy.

Not only that, but if there are people who wanted to evacuate elsewhere ahead of time, she placed no restrictions on their actions.

Those who wanted to leave may leave. But know that whatever happens to them afterwards, she will not take responsibility.

The dangers the world is facing is not something everyone in the world knows about.

In fact, some even see the Nightmare as a blessing, granting them strength that the Abyss refuses to bestow.

The world had grown chaotic and it is no safer out there than it was here.

Even so, she didn't stop those who wanted to leave.

If they want to leave then so be it.

Which brought them to the second issue.

The Nightmare Realm.

Within this court, there were also representatives sent by Extalia. None of them were on the level of Lord however.

With so much chaos happening in the continent, Lords were needed on the battlefield.

Solana was given the exception since she was akin to an 'observer' for Alice's party. Even if she may not think herself as such.

"Although the matter falls outside our borders, the Nightmare Realm plagues Extalia, threatening the stability of the Kingdom and the lives of its people. While this is not a simple conflict that can be resolved as it is the demons of the heart that corrupts the mind, we still have a responsibility to ensure the physical threats are dealt with.

"We will allocate the Lords at our disposal, the ones who can move freely around the surface to each of the cities. They will act as guards for the onslaught of Nightmare beasts." The Queen glanced towards the representatives before sweeping her gaze towards the expressions of the Lords.

Some of them were reluctant but others didn't mind.

"Once again, this is not mandatory. Volunteer where you must. But if you decide to undertake the task of defending a city, see it to the end." She narrowed her eyes. In this moment, there was a chilling air around the Queen.

"If I discover that you have abandoned your post, despite promising to protect the city and preventing another from taking the job, your life will be forfeit and marked as betrayal towards your race."

It wasn't a very stern warning. Especially from outside perspective. But those who knew the Queen for long swallowed nervously.

This reaction naturally caused Alice's eyebrows to raise. The Queen wasn't even a Lord. Even if she had some authority, to make the Lords this nervous…

Could she be like herself? Someone who could kill Lords despite not being one?

But she didn't feel like it at the bar.

Regardless, this was something that Alice wanted to figure out at a later date.

Meanwhile, the Queen ordered the representatives to construct a map of Extalia detailing all of the cities still holding on against the onslaught of beasts. Which city needed the most help, which cities have already fallen.

She'll compare it to the gateways they can open to ensure support is given as soon as possible.

With the second topic dealt with, she naturally moved onto the third topic.

Movement of the Zenia family.

The Queen immediately felt a set of cold eyes towards her.

Not directly at her but rather the topic she was discussing.

With the recent events, the Zenia family had also gone through extensive efforts to capture elves to act as test subjects. They have long discarded their mask and had now made themselves an enemy of the Royals and the Elves.

But amidst the cold stares of the nobles, there was one more.

Cold couldn't even come close to describing it. A frigid glare that almost cause her to flinch in fear in front of everyone in this court.

However, by biting the inside of her cheeks, the Queen composed herself.

"Reports have been arriving from across the continent. The Zenia family has been gathering resources, mobilising forces, and making preparations on a scale that far exceeds everything they have done thus far.

"The one as the Doctor has been making exceedingly bold moves as of late. His actions are particularly concerning as he is responsible for some of the Zenia family's most heinous creations.

"Whatever he is planning, it appears he has no intention of limiting himself to a single region. Forces have been sighted across the world, especially in the east." The Queen's eyes narrowed.

"Though the north remains the sole exception, we cannot fully eliminate the possibility that he may still desire something from that land of the dead."

After Verona's failed ascension, the North was practically destroyed overnight.

"But setting aside the matter of the North, in the East, the doctor has been gathering a wide variety of medicinal ingredients and resources. Some are rare, some are common. Yet he gathers all of them in large batches."

Just buying medicinal supplies wasn't a cause for concern.

But when the person doing it was the doctor…

They had to ask one question.

What did he want with them?