"Hesitation is a luxury that war does not afford. I need to choose, and bear the weight of my decision."
I let out a long sigh, allowing the silence to settle over the room for a moment before finally speaking.
"I'm sorry," my voice was steady, though a heavy weight accompanied my words. "I know your expectations are high, and I, too, want to save every territory in danger. But the reality is… Aarav is still new. He hasn't even had the chance to truly understand his power, let alone control it. If I force him into battle now, I would only be sending him to his death."
The nobles exchanged glances, some of them visibly dissatisfied, but none interrupted. I continued, firmer this time, ensuring they understood that this was not just an excuse.
"We will prioritize saving one territory first. For the others, I will dispatch our best battalions to hold the line until reinforcements arrive. Additionally, I will ensure the temple recovers as soon as possible so the next summoning ritual can proceed. We need more Astral Voyagers, and we cannot afford to wait any longer."
Tobias, his sharp demeanour unwavering, leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze was piercing, filled with scepticism.
"Your Highness, the temple itself has declared that the power of an Astral Voyager is extraordinary," he said, his tone almost challenging. "In fact, there are rumours that his power rivals that of the First Emperor. If that is true, then why should we hesitate? He should be able to fight—or, at the very least, prove his usefulness."
I tensed momentarily but quickly concealed it beneath a composed expression. So, has a word of Aarav's power already spread this far? I couldn't suppress a quiet sigh in my mind. I should have known that a secret like this wouldn't stay hidden for long, especially after the temple had spoken on the matter.
Meeting Tobias's gaze with my own sharp stare, I spoke carefully. "Aarav's power is indeed great," I admitted, choosing my words with precision. "But great power without control is not strength—it is disaster. I will not allow what happened at the temple a few days ago to happen again."
Silence filled the room once more. Some nobles exchanged glances as if weighing my words. Tobias narrowed his eyes but did not immediately respond. I pressed on before anyone could push further.
"Aarav is a valuable asset, but he is not a tool. Until he can control his power, sending him into a situation beyond his grasp will bring destruction, not victory." I exhaled, letting my words sink in before adding, "And I will not let that happen."
Another noble—Count Varell, a large man with a booming voice—grumbled before slamming his hand on the table. "Your Highness is coddling him too much!" he exclaimed, making several others in the room flinch. "Astral Voyagers are not children to be spoon-fed! They were summoned to save us, not to sit idly behind the palace walls!"
I resisted the urge to sigh. I had expected this kind of reaction.
"If we keep waiting until he is 'ready,' how many villages will be destroyed? How many of our people will die?" he continued, his eyes narrowing at me. "Or perhaps… Your Highness is simply afraid of the Astral Voyager's power?"
I stiffened but maintained my calm expression. Before I could respond, the sound of paper tearing echoed from the side of the room.
Aarav, who had remained silent all this time, was now folding a paper plane out of the documents on the table, his expression bored. He looked up and met Count Varell's gaze with a blank stare.
"So, you're saying I should just march straight into the battlefield right now?"
Finnian studied him for a moment before shrugging. "No. If you lose control and blow up an entire village, that would be troublesome."
Aarav narrowed his eyes. "So you're saying I'm some kind of walking disaster?"
Finnian smirked. "I never said that. But if you suddenly create a crater in the middle of the city, I wouldn't be surprised."
I took a deep breath and rose from my seat. Without saying a word, I stepped toward the long table in the centre of the room, where the empire's map was spread out. My fingers traced its surface, pointing north—Borelis, the destination of our expedition.
"After securing one territory, we will proceed with the original plan. The expedition to Borelis."
Finnian's smirk widened in triumph.
"However, this journey will not be just an ordinary expedition. Along the way, we will pass through several territories affected by the Abyss attacks. We will assist them as much as possible during our travels."
I glanced at the nobles, who still looked unsatisfied. "That means this expedition will serve a dual purpose."
Count Varell let out a disgruntled huff, still appearing unconvinced, but he did not immediately argue. I continued, my fingers now tracing the route we would take.
"The battalions will be deployed across various regions. I want our forces to be prioritized for the territories outside the route to Borelis. At the same time, the affected regions along the way will receive aid as best as possible—whether through reinforcements, fortifications, or evacuation if necessary."
I turned my gaze to Tavon. "I want a detailed report on the condition of every territory along this route before we depart for the expedition."
Tavon nodded. "I will have it prepared immediately."
I took another deep breath, steadying myself before speaking again.
"I know each of you wants to save your own territories first," my voice was softer this time, yet firm. "But I ask you to understand… The territory we prioritize before this expedition is not chosen out of personal interest but through careful consideration."
I returned my focus to the map, my fingers now resting on several key points.
"This decision is based on two main factors: Aarav's current capabilities and the strategic importance of the territory in the war against the Abyss."
I met each of their gazes, hoping they would grasp the weight of my words. "If you truly want to win this war, then you must accept that not every territory can be our top priority at the same time."
Tobias seemed to be deep in thought while Count Varell clenched his jaw tightly. I could feel their discontent, but I continued before anyone could interrupt.
"If we choose territories based solely on personal interest, we will lose our balance. And without balance, we will only fall faster into destruction." I met their gazes once more, my expression now more serious. "So I ask you to accept this decision, even if it's not your territory. Because this is the best path for all of us."
The room fell silent again. Some people exchanged glances as if weighing my words.
But before they could protest again, Tavon's aide returned.
Once the aide delivered several sheets of documents, Tavon immediately handed them over to me. I read through them carefully for a moment.
Tavon spoke in a more serious tone.
"The Savaranth region is in the most critical condition. The Abyss forces aren't just attacking villages; they're also starting to build fortifications within the forest, turning it into their base of operations. This means they aren't simply raiding; they plan to settle there permanently."
I felt my throat dry. If the Abyss managed to take control of Savaranth, they could expand their power from within the empire without needing to directly assault the capital.
"Moreover," Tavon continued, "the Beasts are fighting with little external support. They're known as fierce warriors, but their strength is limited without proper supplies and strategy. If we don't act quickly, they'll be overwhelmed and eventually perish."
Duke Thalgar said nothing, but his expression made it clear he understood how serious the situation was.
I glanced at the next report. "Thalassia is facing a sea threat from Abyss forces who can control ocean currents. Supply ships are starting to sink, and if this continues, we will lose a crucial logistics route."
Nymbrasia nodded, her expression tense.
"Solaraine is being systematically attacked. The Abyss forces are targeting trade centres and supply warehouses, clearly aiming to cripple our economy."
Tobias appeared impatient, but this time, he held himself back from interrupting.
"Lastly, Magmora." I turned to Mordrik. "The attack there is still in its early stages, but there are signs that the Abyss is targeting the iron mines. If they take control, we will lose a vital source of weaponry."
I placed the documents on the table, pressing my fingers to my temples. All the territories were in danger, but the severity varied.
I lifted my head, meeting the eyes of everyone in the room. "We can't save everything at once," I said finally. "Savaranth must be our first priority. If we lose that forest, we not only lose the territory, but we also give the Abyss a strong foothold within the empire."
I took a deep breath. "After that, Thalassia and Solaraine. Without stable supply routes and a functioning economy, we'll run out of resources to continue the fight."
My eyes shifted to Mordrik. "Magmora still has time, but we must not overlook it. We will monitor enemy movements there and prepare before it's too late."
The room remained silent, everyone absorbing my decision. I knew this wouldn't please everyone, but it was the best course of action until the temple could recover and perform the next Astral Voyager summoning ritual.
I flipped through the pages of the report, weighing every available option. I knew Savaranth was in the most critical condition, but throwing Aarav into battle against one of the Oaths of Ruin with his unstable powers would be reckless.
My gaze finally landed on a smaller report than the others. I picked it up and held it before everyone.
"Greenreach," I said, reading the name of the village aloud.
Duke Thalgar raised an eyebrow. "A small village along the eastern path of Savaranth. Why choose that?"
I placed the report on the table so the others could see it. "Greenreach isn't just a remote village. It's the main route for the Beasts to deliver herbs to the Tirnaval region, where they're processed into medicines and potions by the elves. If we lose Greenreach, we don't just lose the village—we lose the medical supplies for the entire region."
Some of the nobles fell silent, perhaps just realizing the importance of this place. In contrast, others threw me cynical glances as if displeased with my decision. Several reports mentioned that three territories were currently occupied by one of the 13 Oaths of Ruin, with Greenreach not included. Perhaps the demon generals considered this small region insignificant, but that was precisely why we had to act now. If I allowed Greenreach to fall, Midgaria would lose its herbal supply route.
Tavon nodded slowly. "A sensible decision. Greenreach could serve as an initial foothold before we push further into Savaranth."
Some nobles from Solaraine began whispering among themselves, their expressions clearly showing discontent. Tobias, who had questioned my decision from the start, snorted loudly before speaking.
"As humans, wouldn't it make more sense for His Highness to prioritize Solaraine? Our region is also in danger, and unlike the Beasts or the Elves, our people don't have the natural power to protect themselves."
A few other nobles nodded in agreement, some even speaking louder.
"This is a strange decision," said a noble sitting not far from Tobias. "Not to belittle anyone, but how can a human crown prince care more about a Beast territory than his own people?"
The words caused the room to grow tense. Those who had been silent before now began to watch, their eyes filled with consideration.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my expression calm even though their words cut deeper than they realized. "This decision is not about which race deserves to be saved first. It's about strategy. If Greenreach falls, the herbal supply route will be severed, and that will affect all territories, including Solaraine."
Tobias was still dissatisfied. "But still, this cannot be overlooked, Your Highness. The human people are the backbone of this empire. If we lose them, there will be nothing left to protect."
I was about to respond when another noble suddenly murmured, his voice low but loud enough for many to hear.
"If it's true that the Crown Prince is the rightful heir to the Emperor… he should be more aligned with his own people."
Dorian Aeneas, a Marquess serving under Tobias, was a landowner in the Solaraine region. He was the one who had nearly been executed by the Emperor in a previous meeting. He was the one who had most strongly opposed my position and had nearly been executed by Grandpa at that very meeting.
Everyone's gaze shifted to him. I could feel the cynical stares that had been faint before now focused directly on me.
Dorian continued, his tone sharper. "Or perhaps… there's another reason why His Highness does not side with his own kind?"
The room felt heavier. This was no longer just about my decision—it touched on something much deeper: my origins.
My heart raced. Everyone had always avoided discussing my past, and everyone knew that my Grandpa, the Emperor, was reluctant to discuss my parents. I knew why.
Tobias crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "Speaking of the Crown Prince's background…" His voice filled the silence. "The nobles have long wondered. Prince Arcanis was always worshipped as the rightful heir. Then, suddenly, ten years ago, the Emperor introduced a child who claimed to be his grandson. This child not only lacked significant Mana but was also devoid of the Arcana Codex. It was as if he defied the very bloodline of the imperial family and the common laws of Midgaria. And shortly after, this child, with unclear origins, was crowned Crown Prince."
A soft murmur rippled through the nobles. I clenched my fists in my lap. I could defend my decision, but what about this question?
Tavon took a step forward, his gaze sharp as it pierced through Tobias and the others. "Enough," his voice was low but carried a clear threat. "If you question the Crown Prince's status, you are also questioning the Emperor's decision. Do you truly wish to go against his command?"
The room fell silent once more. Some of the nobles tensed, while others seemed reluctant to meet Tavon's gaze directly.
Tavon continued, his voice now filled with authority. "We are here to discuss the salvation of endangered territories, not to indulge in personal egos simply because the Crown Prince's decisions do not align with your wishes."
His eyes swept across the room. "If any of you still wish to debate irrelevant matters, you'd better leave now."
The tense atmosphere hung heavy in the air until, suddenly, Aarav nudged Finnian with his elbow. His voice was slightly muffled but loud enough for those nearby to hear.
"So, does this mean Elenio is… an adopted child?" Aarav whispered, his tone as though he had just uncovered the world's greatest conspiracy theory.
Finnian rolled his eyes, his expression weary. "For the love of the gods, no one said that."
"But you heard it, right? They aren't sure he's the Emperor's grandson!" Aarav glanced at me for a moment, then whispered again, "What if he's actually the son of a fallen noble found by the Emperor on the streets, adopted as a political move?"
Finnian clicked his tongue in annoyance. "If you don't shut up, I will literally throw you out the window."
Aarav merely shrugged. "I'm just saying, imagine the twist—what if Elenio turns out to be the secret child of one of the Oaths of Ruin? Now, that would be a story."
I, who had been pretending not to hear, stiffened at Aarav's joke but finally turned to them with a blank expression. "I'm still here, you know?"
Aarav blinked. "Oh, you heard that?"
Finnian sighed heavily. "Of course, he heard. You're such an idiot."
The room was once again filled with murmurs of dissent from some of the nobles. Despite Tavon's firm stance on my position, there were still those who regarded me with undisguised doubt. Their gazes were sharp, as though they were still searching for a crack through which they could challenge my presence here.
"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" One of the nobles from Solaraine, an elderly man with a thin beard, spoke with a sharp tone. "The human territories are far more crucial. Is Greenreach really worth prioritizing over the lands of your ancestors?"
I bit my lip, my fingers clenching on the table. Their gazes were so familiar. Cold, filled with suspicion, as if I were something that shouldn't belong here.
I remembered this feeling.
Those same looks had been aimed at me before—looks that made me feel small and worthless. Looks I had always tried to avoid.
Suddenly, the room felt suffocating. Their voices echoed in my mind, mingling with the shadow of a past I should have long forgotten. I took a deep breath, trying to push away the tremor in my fingers.
No. I wasn't that child anymore. At least, I didn't want them to doubt Grandpa's decision.
Zura, standing slightly behind me, stepped forward, her face resolute as she prepared to speak. "The Crown Prince made this decision for good reason!" she said, her voice clear and full of courage. "Greenreach may seem small to you, but that village is key to the herbal trade route needed to care for your soldiers on the battlefield. Do you think those medicines just fall from the sky?"
But instead of calming them, Zura's words only provoked more anger.
"Quiet, you former slave!" Baron Crestfall, a large man draped in a luxurious cloak, sneered. "What makes you think you have the right to speak before us? You're just a cheap gift given by His Highness!"
Zura remained calm, unshaken by the insult. She looked at Baron Crestfall with a cold yet compassionate gaze, like a mother scolding a misbehaving child. "Lord Crestfall," she said softly, "where do the herbs used to treat your soldiers' wounds come from? Perhaps you've forgotten, but those medicines are harvested by the Beasts and sent to Greenreach, where the Elves of Tirnafal process them into healing remedies. Without that small village, how would we treat our soldiers? The herbs and potions we all rely on don't just fall from the sky."
The room fell silent. Her words cut through the air like a blade, making some of the nobles visibly uncomfortable. However, Tobias responded, though his tone was more restrained. "You speak as though that little village is more important than Velorith, the heart of the Empire's trade. Don't grow arrogant just because you have a place by His Highness's side."
Zura gave a small, almost tender smile, but it was laced with sarcasm. "I'm not being arrogant, Lord Tobias. I'm simply stating the facts. And those facts won't change, no matter how much you continue to mock me."
I watched Zura with a mix of admiration and guilt. She stood there, defending my decision in her gentle yet piercing manner. But I knew her words carried a message for me as well, a message I couldn't just ignore.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my trembling hands. Finnian's gaze remained sharp and critical, while Zura and Tavon stood firm beside me, like shields protecting me from the verbal attacks of the nobles. I had to prove that I could make decisions, even if it meant going against the majority.
"I stand by my decision," I said, my voice slightly trembling but loud enough for all to hear. I straightened my back, even though my knees felt like they could hardly hold me up. "Greenreach is our priority right now."
The room erupted in murmurs of dissent. Tobias Klutz even shot me a sharp glare, but I raised my hand, trying to quell the uproar.
"Greenreach is a strategic region for the herbal trade route we need to produce medicines. Additionally, the information we have indicates that the area has not yet been captured by any of the Demon King's Generals. That means the risk there is much lower compared to other regions directly under the control of the Oaths of Ruin." I continued before they could interrupt.
I turned to Finnian, though his expression remained cold and filled with criticism of my plan. "I know you've sacrificed the expedition plan, Finnian. But I'm asking for this sacrifice for a reason. At the very least, before starting the expedition, I must ensure that our territories hold strong until we find the next solution in the expedition to come."
"And I will still send a selected battalion along with some of the remaining Astral Voyagers to hold the line in your territories. The Empire won't abandon your lands. I just need you to wait a little longer. Once Aarav can control his powers, we'll retake the territory. The expedition we've planned will lead us to the gate toward the freedom we've longed for for 700 years. Therefore, I will not cancel the expedition and will still prioritize your regions."
Finnian snorted but said nothing more. Tobias Klutz seemed ready to argue, but this time, Tavon stepped forward. "His Highness has already explained his reasoning," he said firmly, leaving no room for rebuttal. "If you're still dissatisfied, perhaps you should lead a force to the territory you deem more important and see if that decision truly fares better."
The man didn't speak much, as if testing me on my ability to lead Midgaria, whether it was Grandpa's command or his own initiative. Still, in the end, I remained reliant on him and Zura.
Some of the nobles fell silent, their faces turning red with either embarrassment or anger. I could feel the pressure in the room easing slightly, though there was still lingering discontent.
"Prepare the troops to move toward Greenreach," I said, trying to maintain a firm tone. "I'm not asking you to agree with me, but I am asking you to trust that this is the best course of action for Midgaria right now."
Slowly, silence settled over the room. One by one, the nobles began to sit back down, their expressions still filled with dissatisfaction. Finnian remained seated, his gaze fixed on me with an unreadable look before he gave a small nod and leaned back in his chair.
I exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of relief even though I knew this was only the beginning of even greater challenges. Zura turned to me, offering a soft smile that calmed me just a little.
"Thank you," I whispered quietly. She merely nodded, her hand brushing my arm as if to say that she would always be by my side, no matter what happened.
I could only hope that this wasn't the wrong choice.