The communication orb slowly dimmed before going completely dark.
Silence.
A heavy silence settled over the strategy room.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The image of Prime Minister Joshua had vanished, yet the tension he left behind remained hanging in the air like a dark cloud.
Several knight captains exchanged uneasy glances.
Others lowered their heads and stared at the reports spread across the table.
They had just witnessed Roman Crowell directly cut off communication with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom.
Not many people in the world would dare do such a thing.
Yet Roman looked completely unbothered.
He simply sat in his chair with his eyes closed.
Then Selena cleared her throat.
The sound immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Let's discuss what we can do right now."
Her voice broke the uncomfortable silence.
Jacob nodded slowly.
"Your sister is right."
The Duke stood from his chair and placed both hands on the large map spread across the table.
"Our highest priority is the safety of our people."
His voice was firm.
"There must be no negligence in that matter."
Everyone straightened their backs.
Jacob's gaze shifted toward Head Knight Captain Zion.
"Increase the number of healers stationed near civilian shelters."
"If casualties continue to rise, immediate treatment must be available."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Keep every knight division prepared for battle at any moment."
"No one lowers their guard."
"Understood."
Jacob continued issuing orders.
"Increase surveillance around every village."
"Monitor all unusual movements."
"Especially near the forests and the Solara River."
The mention of the river immediately drew serious expressions from several captains.
The Solara River supplied countless settlements.
If corruption spread there, the consequences would be disastrous.
"We cannot allow another incident like today."
Jacob's expression darkened.
"Contact Tower Master Velkan and brief him about everything."
Before Zion could respond
Roman opened his eyes.
"He is already on his way."
The room turned toward him.
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"You informed him already?"
Roman nodded.
"The moment the outbreak started."
Several captains exchanged glances.
Sometimes they forgot just how quickly Roman acted.
While most people were still reacting to a problem
Roman was already preparing solutions.
The meeting continued.
Suggestions were thrown across the table.
More patrol routes.
Additional shelters.
Stronger defenses.
Extra healers.
Yet despite all the discussion, Roman remained unusually quiet.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the casualty reports.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
The bunkers were working.
The barriers were working.
The evacuation plans were working.
Then why were people still dying?
Roman stared at the reports.
Slowly, a realization began forming inside his mind.
The problem wasn't protection.
The problem was movement.
People were dying before reaching safety.
They were getting caught between the shelters and the monsters.
Roman suddenly sat upright.
"We're missing something."
Everyone immediately looked toward him.
Selena frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Roman tapped the casualty reports.
"The bunkers are doing their job."
"The barriers are doing their job."
"But people still need to run to those locations."
Understanding slowly appeared on several faces.
"The majority of casualties happen during evacuation."
The room fell silent.
Because Roman was right.
Zion crossed his arms.
"So what do you suggest?"
Roman didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he leaned back in his chair.
A memory surfaced from another world.
His previous world.
Earth.
Transportation.
Instant movement.
Rapid deployment.
Emergency relocation.
His thoughts rapidly connected one idea after another.
Then
Teleportation.
Roman's eyes widened slightly.
Compared to my previous world , this world possessed something unique.
Mana.
An abundant source of energy.
Far greater than anything his previous world had ever possessed.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
What had once been impossible could become reality here.
Roman began thinking faster.
Teleportation magic.
Spatial movement.
Instant evacuation.
The concept was possible.
The issue wasn't the magic itself.
The issue was creating something stable enough for ordinary civilians to use.
Some kind of device.
Some kind of anchor.
A framework capable of handling large-scale transportation.
Then suddenly
A familiar name appeared in his mind.
Roman immediately stood up.
The sudden movement startled everyone.
"Where is Jeremiah?"
The room froze.
Selena blinked.
Jacob frowned.
Even Zion looked confused.
Roman ignored their reactions.
"Call him."
"Immediately."
"Bring him here."
Zion quickly gestured toward a nearby knight.
The knight saluted and rushed out of the room.
Minutes later, he arrived at the Presia Magic Tower.
After speaking with the stationed mages, he quickly learned that Jeremiah wasn't there.
He was currently in Ephor.
Helping strengthen defensive formations and assisting civilians.
The knight's expression darkened.
However, one of the mages stepped forward.
"We can contact him through the communication orb."
The message was immediately sent.
Far away in Ephor, Jeremiah was standing among a group of exhausted civilians while helping reinforce protective barriers.
A communication orb beside him suddenly lit up.
After hearing the urgent message, his expression changed.
Roman was calling for him.
Without wasting a second, Jeremiah raised his hand.
Mana surged around him.
A spatial portal opened before his eyes.
The civilians watched in surprise as he stepped forward and disappeared.
Moments later, another portal opened outside Duke Jacob's office.
Jeremiah stepped out.
Several guards immediately recognized him.
Without delay, he walked toward the office door.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
A knight opened the door.
The moment Jeremiah entered the room, every gaze turned toward him.
His eyes immediately found Roman.
Roman slowly rose from his chair.
For the first time since the meeting began, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"We need your help."
The room fell silent.
Because everyone present could tell
Roman had just thought of something.
Something important.
And whatever it was...
It might become the kingdom's next weapon against the coming disaster.