Chapter 385: Defend the Frostgrave Fortress (5)

It couldn’t be helped.

Even knowing that challenging Lord Evrard’s decision would draw every eye at the table, Ruvian still had to speak before matters worsened.

"Firstly, my Lord, I would respectfully suggest that we refrain from requesting aid from the Royal Army. The capital is far too distant for reinforcements to reach Frostgrave before nightfall, and sending an urgent appeal now may only waste valuable time and manpower that could be better spent contacting forces closer to the northern frontier." (+500PP)

He kept his reasoning measured, though even he knew the argument was hardly airtight. Once he said that, Captain Zarrick had already narrowed his eyes at him with visible skepticism.

"And what exactly are you suggesting, boy? That we simply ignore the largest military force in the kingdom because the journey is inconvenient?"

Hearing the man’s derisive tone, Ruvian did not back away. Instead, he turned toward him and met his gaze with complete composure.

People like him really needed a little bluntness before the point finally sank in.

"It’s not about ignoring the largest military force in the kingdom. It’s about what good they would be if they arrived after the battle was already over. What I’m suggesting is that we prioritize reinforcements capable of actually reaching Frostgrave before nightfall. So yes, Captain. That is precisely my suggestion." (+500PP)

Having said his piece, Ruvian simply turned back toward Lord Evrard, leaving Captain Zarrick staring at him with a momentary look of incredulity.

"To be exact, my Lord, I suggest requesting assistance from the Golden Fortune Corporation—"

’Previously, she went with The Cleansing Flame without even telling me, and after I told her to tone down the theatrics, she went and chose that name instead?’

Ruvian paused briefly. Granted, it wasn’t even a terrible name, but it still sounded like something a bunch of edgelords would come up with.

Who the hell named their guild Golden?

Suppressing the thought, he continued:

"—They possess a considerable private force, and from what I know, their people are both capable and reliable. More importantly, unlike the Royal Army, they have personnel and resources spread across several territories, including routes much closer to the northern frontier.

"I also have a means of contacting someone within the Corporation directly. If they agree to assist us, I believe they could mobilize reinforcements far quicker than any force dispatched from the capital."

His expression turned slightly more serious.

"I cannot guarantee exactly how many they will send, but I can guarantee that our request will reach the right person without passing through layers of military bureaucracy. Under our current circumstances, my Lord, I believe they are the fastest reinforcement Frostgrave can realistically obtain."

Everyone within the room had fallen deathly silent. His eloquent tone was not the only thing that unsettled them — the sheer composure with which the young man carried himself was equally striking.

Lord Evrard regarded him for several seconds before giving a slow nod. "Very well. I like the sound of it. We’ll proceed with your proposal."

Setting aside his age, it was indeed an astute suggestion. Without wasting any time, Lord Evrard straightened in his seat and issued his orders.

"Then I shall leave that matter in your hands, Ruvian Castelor. Frostgrave will cooperate with your plan. However, I will still send word to the Royal Army and request reinforcements. We cannot afford to stake the fortress on a single measure." (+1,000PP)

"What!?" Captain Zarrick exclaimed, his eyes twitching.

While the rest officers simply nodded in agreement.

Ruvian, meanwhile, was quietly pleased that his proposal had been accepted, but the mention of the Royal Army still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

There were several reasons he did not want Frostgrave Fortress relying on the Royal Army, and the most damning was that he could swear that a considerable portion of their ranks had already been infiltrated, perhaps even supplanted, by demons wearing human skin.

Accepting them as reinforcements would be like ushering wolves into an already besieged sheepfold. Why invite another calamity through the gates when they were already neck-deep in one?

’Haa... looks like I’ll have to make sure that message never reaches the Royal Army.’ Ruvian buried the thought behind an impassive expression and gave a measured nod.

After that, the meeting dragged on for a while longer before they finally settled on several decisions.

In one hour, Frostgrave would launch a preemptive strike before nightfall.

According to the scouts, there were roughly 15 Nightbloom Spawners scattered across the northern region. It wasn’t exactly a complicated plan. All they had to do was whittle their numbers down as drastically as possible before the sun disappeared.

But reducing their numbers before nightfall was far easier said than done. Ruvian doubted it would go off without a hitch.

In any case, the order had already been given. Captain Zarrick and Scoutmaster Givard would lead the strike force.

Meanwhile, several fortress artificers and alchemists were ordered to search through the armory, storage vaults, and military reserves for anything capable of mitigating the creatures’ mental attacks, whether artifacts, potions, enchanted equipment, or whatever else they could scrape together.

Even so, Ruvian wasn’t expecting those measures to fix anything. At best, those measures would only buy the soldiers time.

The mental hex itself would never truly disappear while its source remained alive. If they wanted to stop it completely, there was only one real solution — they had to eliminate the perpetrators.

Every last Nightbloom Spawner they could find.

Meanwhile, the other officers were told to handle the worst scenario:evacuation routes, civilian shelters, and fallback positions in case the preemptive strike failed to thin the approaching horde enough before nightfall.

Ruvian listened quietly as each order was given.

They were preparing for the worst.

*****

After a while, the meeting had concluded.

Leaving the war council behind, Commander Fajarn led Ruvian and Calyra into a small dispatch chamber further down the corridor.

"Alright, here we are."

He handed Ruvian an emergency requisition writ bearing the Arcanis crest and Frostgrave’s military seal, then pointed toward a writing desk near the far wall.

Ruvian followed his gesture. The desk was broad and sturdy, furnished with a cushioned wooden chair.

Then, Ruvian gave a small nod before accepting the writ from him.

"Once you’ve finished writing it, come find me at the western command yard," Commander Fajarn said. "Lady Calyra knows where it is, so she can guide you there."

He paused for a moment instead of immediately leaving, his gaze lingering on Ruvian with an odd trace of interest.

Was he taking an interest in him?

His eyes certainly looked more appraising than before. Then, unexpectedly, the commander gave a faint grin.

"You did well in there, lad. Not many youngsters your age would have the nerve to speak their mind in front of that many senior officers." His grin widened slightly. "And I’ll admit, it was rather satisfying watching someone half Captain Zarrick’s age put the stubborn bastard in his place."

He let out a rough chuckle.

"Anyway, I’m not particularly fond of relying on the Royal Army either. Those bastards take forever to respond. By the time they receive a request, pass it through command, gather their men, and finally start moving, half the damn problem is usually already over."

With that, the man turned around and casually waved one hand without looking back.

"Anyway, I hope those reinforcements you mentioned are worth counting on. We’re going to need more than a handful of men scraped together from the northern territories."

The door closed behind him, leaving Ruvian and Calyra alone inside the room.

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[Chapter 385: Defend the Frostgrave Fortress (5)

Plot Points = 305,500