Chapter 136: The Strategic Council and Luna’s Plight

Meanwhile, deep within Dion’s territory, the newly established Kingdom of Xandor, Olga, Elrond, and Faramir held an urgent war council alongside the returning airship captain. Johan and Astrid were also present, sitting among them. As the captain detailed the full gravity of the situation in Northgard, the expressions of every leader in the room darkened.

"So that’s how it is... Northgard nearly fell to the undead, and it’s a miracle Lord Dion and his companions arrived in time," Faramir murmured.

"Indeed, Lord Faramir. Thanks to Lord Dion, the undead outbreak in the capital was stopped, but the royal palace and the upper district were utterly devastated. That is why Lord Dion requested our assistance to send aid and help rebuild the kingdom," the captain replied.

"I see... Since Lord Sion has returned to Eredor, we cannot consult him directly. We must act swiftly to provide Lord Dion with both security forces and reconstruction supplies," Elrond stated.

"I agree. Johan, please organize the relief supplies for the Kingdom of Northgard, and consider yourself appointed as the leader of this expedition," Olga said, turning her gaze toward Johan.

"Understood, Lady Olga," Johan bowed respectfully.

"Astrid, you will accompany him to support your husband. Take a full legion of spellcasters to assist Lady Cleo in maintaining the protective barrier there," Olga instructed, looking at Astrid.

"Understood, Lady Olga. I will head out immediately to begin preparations," Astrid bowed.

"Very well, please prepare at once," Olga concluded.

Johan and Astrid stood, bowing to Olga, Elrond, and Faramir before departing alongside the airship captain. Once the heavy doors clicked shut, silence filled the chamber. A moment later, a Shadow Hand operative materialized inside the room, dropping gracefully to one knee beside the table.

"Lady Olga, Lord Faramir, Lord Elrond, I have been dispatched by Lord Sion to deliver this missive," the Shadow Hand announced, holding up a sealed parchment scroll with both hands.

Faramir, seated closest to the operative, stood up and took the scroll. He broke the seal and began reading. As his eyes scanned the text, his expression morphed from grim to ashen, finally draining into a stark, ghostly pallor. Noticing the drastic shift, Elrond and Olga tensed up immediately.

"What is it, Faramir?" Elrond asked anxiously.

"Read it for yourself," Faramir answered with a trembling voice, sliding the parchment across the table.

Elrond and Olga scanned the letter together. Like Faramir, their faces drained of color, turning deathly pale. A suffocating silence settled over the three leaders as they slumped back into their chairs.

"Now the capital of Thetor as well... This is a catastrophe," Olga whispered.

"And Lutherias is barely holding out in the educational city of Phobos... The undead vanguard is already at the city gates," Faramir added grimly.

"In other words, Northgard, Lutherias, and Eredor cannot spare forces to help Thetor... We are the only ones in a position to send aid," Elrond pointed out.

"That’s right. Which means we must dispatch relief immediately. What are your thoughts, Lord Elrond, Lord Faramir?" Olga asked.

"It’s risky... We’ve already committed a large force to Northgard, leaving us stretched thin to intervene in Thetor as well... Everything happening simultaneously, this was clearly orchestrated by the undead forces," Elrond analyzed thoughtfully.

"We can manage a compromise. We can dispatch one hundred golem soldiers to Thetor... I can provide an airship capable of transporting them," Faramir offered.

"Hmm... That sounds viable. Let’s entrust that task to Lord Faramir, then," Olga agreed.

Before they could finalize the details, slam! The doors burst open. A city guard rushed inside, escorting a haggard, exhausted holy knight.

"Reporting, Lady Olga, Lord Faramir, Lord Elrond! A knight from the capital of Thetor has arrived bearing an urgent message from Princess Evelyn..." the guard announced.

"My apologies, my ladies and lords... I bring an urgent plea from Princess Evelyn to Lord Dion. The capital is barely holding against an undead outbreak originating from the grand cathedral. Princess Evelyn is deeply concerned for the safety of Princess Olivia in Millfrost, as all communication has ceased. She desperately requests Lord Dion’s assistance to travel to Millfrost and verify her safety," the knight explained breathlessly.

The room fell dead silent. Olga, Faramir, and Elrond fell deep into thought, the expanding crisis weighing down on them so heavily it felt impossible to breathe. But just as the tension reached its breaking point, knock... knock... Someone rapped on the door. The city guard opened it to reveal a barbarian commander and a swordsman bearing the distinct attire of a samurai. Both knelt on one knee before the table.

"Greetings, Lady Olga, Lord Faramir, Lord Elrond," they spoke in unison.

Noticing the samurai or rather, a figure resembling a masterless ronin, the Shadow Hand operative offered a respectful nod. Olga, Faramir, and Elrond stood up.

"Pardon us, but who might you two be?" Olga asked.

"My name is Regor Bearland. I am General Dhorga’s right-hand man and the newly appointed commander of the barbarian forces in his stead. My warriors and I stand ready to offer our aid as a token of gratitude to Lord Dion, who avenged our general and saved the people of Northgard," Regor stated, stepping forward to hand a formal letter to Olga.

Olga scanned the parchment. It turned out to be a dispatch sent to Regor by Nala, who had used one of her summon beasts to deliver a firsthand account of the events in Northgard, detailing Dion’s heroic efforts and the subsequent regime change she had witnessed with her own eyes. Olga rolled the letter back up and returned it with a nod.

"Thank you, Lord Regor, for coming to our aid. Your support is deeply appreciated," Olga smiled.

"The pleasure is ours, Lady Olga," Regor replied.

"And you?" Faramir asked, turning to the swordsman.

"I am Makoto Takeshi, though you may simply call me Takeshi. I was dispatched by His Majesty King Araki to assist Lord Dion in facing this escalating global threat. I have brought ten thousand elite samurai warriors from Eredor," Takeshi answered, bowing deeply.

"Ah... Lord Takeshi, I have heard tales of your exploits in Eredor. Welcome to our territory," Elrond welcomed him.

"And you gentlemen are...?" Takeshi inquired.

"I am Elrond, and beside me is Faramir. We hail from Treevalley, situated deep within the western domains of Eredor," Elrond introduced.

"Ah... The legendary city hidden beneath the spirit tree... I never expected the legends to be true," Takeshi remarked.

"Very well... Since circumstances have escalated, please recall Johan and Astrid so we can restructure our operational strategy," Olga instructed the city guard.

"At once, Lady Olga," the guard bowed.

The guard sprinted out of the room. Regor and Takeshi took their seats at the table, and the council resumed their urgent strategic planning to deploy forces and aid across the troubled world.

***

Meanwhile, back in the capital of Northgard, Dion, Aria, and Sheila, who was carrying the sleeping Greta, finished inspecting the upper residential district on the right side of the city. They descended toward the lower commercial tiers, home to the blacksmith quarters, artisan workshops, craft guilds, and the adventurer’s guild. Though this secondary tier had suffered moderate structural damage, many surviving artisans and adventurers were already rolling up their sleeves, working together to clear rubble and patch up damaged homes.

The heavy doors of the adventurer’s guild stood wide open, with receptionists, guild staff, and mercenaries hard at work clearing out the interior.

"Things still look lively down here. I don’t think there are any serious issues left," Dion observed.

"You’re right. Let’s head across to catch up with the others," Aria suggested.

"Um... Greta fell asleep. Would it be all right if I head back to the palace? Poor kid looks like she hasn’t slept a wink all night," Sheila said softly, gently patting Greta, who rested her head heavily against Sheila’s shoulder.

"Go ahead, head back to the palace," Dion agreed.

"Alright. Aria, want to walk back with me?" Sheila asked.

"Sure... I also need to check on the progress of the golem workforce," Aria replied.

"Okay, you two head back first. I’ll cross over and meet up with the others," Dion told them.

With that, Sheila, carrying Greta and Aria turned back toward the palace. Dion walked toward the main stone bridge leading across the deep gorge to the central city district. Glancing down over the railing, he saw the dark, winding river running far below in the abyss. The dizzying height made him shiver slightly, prompting him to quicken his pace to reach the other side. But just as he stepped off the bridge,

"Kyuu... kyuu... kyuu!"

"Huh?"

Dion rushed toward a sudden commotion drawing a crowd near the bridgehead. Pushing his way through the cluster of onlookers, his eyes went wide. The townspeople were gathered in a circle around Gina, who sat cowering on the cobblestones, trembling in fear. Seeing Dion approach, the baby dragon’s terrified expression melted into sheer relief as fat tears welled up in her eyes.

"Papa... Papa... Mama Luna went down below... and then she fell straight into a well! I came out looking for help, but Mama Cleo was busy, Mama Mei wasn’t around, and Mama Sheila and Aria were with you... I didn’t know what to do, so I just waited here while everyone stared at me... Huaaaaaa!" a frantic child’s voice cried directly inside Dion’s head.

Dion stood frozen for a second before snapping into action. He scooped the sobbing baby dragon into his arms, then pulled her back to look her dead in the eye.

"Wait... Did you just say Mama Luna fell into a well?" Dion pressed.

"Yes, Papa!" Gina sniffled.

"Show me where, Gina... Right now!" Dion ordered.

"Okay, Papa... Follow my directions!" Gina replied.

Dion hoisted Gina back atop his head. Without another word, he sprinted straight into the alleyways ahead, leaving the bewildered crowd of townspeople staring in utter confusion.