Count Elvis Rosson Werner sat at the head of the table, observing everyone with his piercing gaze that carried a mix of dignity and sternness.
Next to him sat his younger brother, Maurice, who was quieter than usual, while on the other side sat their elder sister, Leonore, in her elegant dress that reflected her noble status.
Her features carried a calm charm, and her blue eyes glowed under the torchlight, enhancing her aristocratic aura.
As for the second eldest brother, Morgan, he was absent from this meeting.
He had left on a political and commercial mission of great importance to the family, heading to the Avnad family, one of their oldest trading allies, with whom they shared marital and alliance ties that had lasted for generations.
His mission was not only to strengthen trade but also to negotiate new defense agreements for the benefit of both parties.
The name Avnad was not unfamiliar to the family, as their mother, Lady Iris, was one of them.
She had passed away five years ago due to a terminal illness, for which neither the resources nor the vast influence of the two families could find a cure.
The illness was no ordinary one; it slowly drained her health and forced both families to desperately search for any available treatment among the nobility and even beyond the kingdom's borders, but to no avail.
In the end, all that remained was pain, loss, and a thread of regret that has never faded over the years.
When Arthur entered the hall, Count Elvis Rosson Werner greeted him with a slight nod, motioning for him to sit beside him. His gaze was as sharp as ever, as if trying to pierce through his son and read his thoughts.
Count Elvis Rosson was a man of natural authority, his features bearing an unmistakable sternness, though not devoid of handsomeness.
His rugged face, with slightly protruding bones and deep eyes that radiated intelligence, gave him a presence that commanded respect.
His slightly long black hair and well-groomed beard added a touch of quiet charm, making him someone who left an impression on all who met him.
Both Maurice and Arthur had inherited his noble allure, enjoying harmonious, handsome features that bore the mark of their aristocratic family.
Leonore was also truly beautiful, closely resembling their late mother, making her somewhat spoiled compared to other noblewomen, as if she were a living shadow of a lost memory.
Once Arthur had sat down, Count Elvis Rosson Werner raised his hands and gestured for everyone to begin eating.
In front of Arthur was placed a plate consisting of a large cup of fresh milk, a warm piece of bread that emitted the fragrance of freshly baked dough, a strange fruit resembling a tomato, an assortment of sauces, and a carefully seasoned piece of roasted meat.
The dishes for the day were highly diverse and rich. The main dish was a stew of plains beasts cooked with sour fruits and potatoes.
The side dishes included roasted sea quail with special herbs, apple pie garnished with cinnamon, and a basket of fresh bread made from wheat flour harvested from the highlands.
The silverware was crafted from rare silver mined from the depths of the sea, engraved with ancient symbols representing naval combat and victory.
According to tradition, these utensils were spoils brought back by Count Werner from his naval conquests, in which he had participated since his youth.
Arthur was very hungry. After the poisoning from the failed dose he had taken, it was only natural for him to need to replenish the energy he had exhausted.
The injuries he had sustained days ago had not fully healed yet, leaving visible marks on his body.
He sat at the dining table, with a hearty meal of roasted meat and cooked vegetables in front of him, but he felt that the food would not bring him the comfort he so desperately needed.
As he chewed his food quickly, the atmosphere at breakfast remained heavy with silence.
There was no conversation, only the sound of chewing and the squeak of chairs on the wooden floor.
Even the servants moved cautiously, as if afraid of making any noise.
The silence enveloped the room like a thick fog, as if everyone was waiting for something.
Finally, when Arthur had finished his breakfast, Count Werner broke the silence.
"Arthur, Maurice, come to my office later."
He then rose slowly from his seat and left the room without looking back.
Count Werner's words were brief, but they carried an undertone of seriousness that made Arthur feel uneasy.
In this body's memory, it wasn't customary for him to summon them to his office in such a manner, especially after such a quiet breakfast.
Arthur looked at Maurice, who sat beside him, and noticed that his eyebrows were furrowed, as if he were carrying a heavy concern.
Maurice was usually more optimistic and confident, but today he seemed tense, as if he knew something Arthur didn't.
After a moment of silence, Arthur and Maurice stood up from the table while their sister remained silent, and they made their way toward Count Werner's office.
.....
The room was dimly lit, with faint light filtering through the heavy curtains, giving the space an atmosphere of mystery and awe.
On the walls, old paintings depicting historical battles fought by the family's ancestors hung, as if reminding them that war was an inseparable part of their history.
Count Werner stood by the window, looking outside with a mysterious expression. When Arthur and Maurice entered, he turned to them and spoke in a calm but firm voice:
"In the assembly of the high nobles in the capital, Duke Kriman has called this year for a campaign against the northern orcs."
Maurice asked, while Arthur remained silent: "That's strange. Why would he request that? Aren't the defensive arrangements usually enough?"
Count Werner looked at Maurice coldly before continuing: "No, this year is different. In the far north, the orc tribes have started to gather and unite. These creatures live separately in the Rithmor mountains, in tribes and groups. When they feel hunger or as the harsh winter seasons approach, they begin to attack the southern regions in search of food and resources, each group acting independently."
He paused for a moment before adding, his tone heavy with the weight of history: "Only decades ago, a change occurred, and the united orc army launched a large-scale invasion against our kingdom. They ravaged the northern cities, slaughtered the villagers, and took control of several regions. It took the kingdom years of planning, an army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and countless wars to stop their advance. The cost was tens of thousands of soldiers' lives and countless civilian casualties."
Maurice interrupted, cutting off his father's speech: "But the kingdom is much stronger now than it was back then.This time, we won't let them reach that point! The royal army and the nobles in the nearby northern provinces have learned their lesson."
Count Werner gave his eldest son a stern look before continuing seriously: "A few days ago, King Yoros III sent a message to Consul Gerard, requesting all the nobles in the northern regions to prepare to recruit their forces and join in this campaign. This time, the kingdom has decided not only to protect the north, but to find an opportunity to defeat the orcs before they become an even greater threat. And if possible, we may attempt to reclaim the territories we lost in their previous campaign."
A faint smile appeared on Maurice's face as he said: "The orcs are not enemies that are hard to defeat. True, they are brutal, but they don't have the tactics we do, nor the alliances we've built."
This time, Arthur asked: "Then, this should be the perfect opportunity! If we crush them now, we can secure our northern borders for years to come, and perhaps even expand our influence!"
Count Werner slowly shook his head and replied coldly: "It's not that simple, Maurice. This campaign is different from the previous ones. Decades ago, we were able to repel their attacks because the kingdom was united, and the royal army was at its peak. But the situation now is different. The kingdom is facing internal turmoil, and there are tensions between the nobles. Every lord is moving according to his own interests, not for the kingdom's benefit."
Maurice narrowed his eyes slightly and asked thoughtfully:"So, the campaign isn't just about defending the north, but also part of a political game."
Count Werner smiled faintly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Good observation. There are two main factions in this war: the first is led by King Yoros III and Duke of the North Kriman, calling for a united campaign to reclaim the lands we lost and discipline the orcs. The other faction includes some nobles who see this war as nothing but unnecessary exhaustion, and they prefer to negotiate rather than fight."
Arthur furrowed his brows and said skeptically: "Negotiate with orcs? This is a joke, right? These monsters only understand the language of power!"
From his memories and the information he knew, the orc campaigns were usually aimed at raiding food, which included humans.
Orcs didn't see humans merely as enemies; they considered them prey, a rich source of survival. Some orc tribes even didn't hesitate to devour each other during famines, where the stronger would prey on the weaker.
In his previous world, there were wars and conflicts among humans over resources, ideologies, and land, but there was always a basic level of morality, even in the worst wars.
Here, in a world with multiple races, where no rules govern wars, the body of your dead enemy could become a feast on the victor's table.
Count Werner answered coldly, as though reminding him of a harsh truth: "Don't underestimate them. With every invasion, they become more organized, and with every campaign we fight against them, they learn from their mistakes. This time, reports indicate that their tribes have united under a new leader. We don't know much about him yet, but it seems his influence on the tribes is significant enough to make them put aside their internal disputes and work together."
The Viscount took a breath and said slowly, as if wanting to ensure every word reached their ears clearly:
"These beasts do not have an organized state like us, but they are not savages as some believe. They have warlords, alliances, and plans. They don't launch attacks aimlessly; they move according to their needs for survival. The coming winter will be harsh, and they need resources to stay alive... resources they can take from our lands."
His tone was calm, but it carried a subtle warning.
The Viscount sighed and said:
"And don't forget, the nobles think about their gains before anything else. War is expensive, and the consequences could be severe if we lose more than we can afford to bear."
In that moment, Maurice realized something important.
"If the kingdom is divided over the war, that means the army heading north won't be cohesive. It will be a mix of feudal armies, mercenaries, and maybe even adventurers seeking wealth."