The meeting had already moved beyond the organizational phase. Strategies had been defined, routes distributed, and responsibilities assigned. What had once been uncertainty now had form, direction, and purpose. Even so, something was missing.
It was noticeable.
Not in the maps, nor in the technical discussions.
But in the structure.
The central point was missing.
"Now comes the hard part," Lyannis murmured.
"Which?" I asked.
"Choosing who's going to command all of this."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"That should have already been decided."
"Or it already has," said Elara.
Scarlett kept her eyes on the platform.
"And they just haven't said it yet."
Rai'kanna didn't comment, but her focus sharpened.
At that moment, one of the central guild leaders stepped forward again. Silence settled effortlessly.
"All positions have been assigned."
His voice was firm, controlled.
"The containment lines have been established. The defense regions are under the responsibility of specific groups."
He paused briefly.
"Now we must define the central command of the main force."
The weight of the statement was immediate.
It was no longer about strategy.
It was about leadership.
The hall remained silent, but the tension clearly increased. Eyes began to shift more frequently. Small groups exchanged discreet impressions.
"It was inevitable," said Elara.
"Yes," I replied.
Lyannis tilted her head slightly.
"This is going to cause reactions."
"Depends on who they choose," said Liriel.
Scarlett took a deep breath.
"If they choose wrong… everything collapses."
Rai'kanna spoke for the first time since the announcement.
"If they choose right… everything holds."
On the platform, another representative stepped forward. An elf this time.
"The commander of the main force will not be just a tactical leader."
He looked out over the hall.
"He will be the point of convergence for all forces."
The definition was clear.
Strength alone wasn't enough.
Strategy alone wasn't enough.
It had to be someone capable of holding everything together.
"That narrows the options a lot," Lyannis commented.
"Yes," I replied.
"Few have that profile."
Liriel added,
"And even fewer have real experience against the enemy."
Scarlett kept her gaze steady.
"And results."
Rai'kanna didn't look away.
"Consistent results."
Silence stretched for a few seconds.
Then, the name was suggested.
It wasn't immediately announced as a decision.
But as a proposal.
Even so…
It was enough.
"Takumi."
The hall reacted.
Not with chaos.
But with movement.
Glances.
Whispers.
Recognition.
Doubt.
All at once.
Lyannis let out a small laugh.
"Of course."
Liriel showed no surprise.
"It made sense."
Elara observed the surroundings.
"The reaction is divided."
Scarlett looked at me for a moment.
Rai'kanna remained firm.
On the platform, the speech continued.
"The record is clear."
Another leader spoke.
"Faced enemy generals."
"Survived."
"Won."
Each word reinforced the proposal.
It wasn't exaggeration.
It was fact.
The hall absorbed it.
Some nodded.
Others remained silent.
Some clearly disagreed.
"There's going to be resistance," said Lyannis.
"Normal," I replied.
"This isn't a light decision."
Liriel crossed her arms more firmly.
"But it's the most logical one."
Scarlett spoke in a low tone.
"Even so… it's heavy."
Rai'kanna completed,
"And not just for those choosing."
Focus returned to the platform.
"This is not a unilateral decision."
The central guild representative made it clear.
"It will be a collective choice among the leaders present."
It was fair.
And at the same time…
Risky.
Discussions began.
Not openly to the entire hall, but among the leaders on the platform.
Exchanged glances.
Short conversations.
Evaluations.
Time seemed to slow down.
I remained silent.
It wasn't a surprise.
But it wasn't something I had sought either.
Lyannis leaned slightly toward me.
"So?"
"What?"
"Are you going to accept?"
"I don't even know if it's been decided yet."
"It will be."
I ignored the comment.
Elara observed every detail.
"They're evaluating more than strength."
"Yes," said Liriel.
"They're evaluating stability."
Scarlett kept her gaze steady.
"And trust."
Rai'kanna added,
"And the ability to lead different forces."
Time passed.
Until finally…
The decision was made.
The central guild representative stepped forward once more.
Silence returned.
Complete.
"After joint deliberation…"
He paused briefly.
"The command of the main force will be assigned to Takumi."
This time, there was no doubt.
It was official.
The hall reacted more clearly.
Some nodded.
Others remained neutral.
A few showed visible disagreement.
But no one openly contested.
The decision was made.
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Congratulations."
Liriel looked directly at me.
"Now it's real."
Elara remained calm.
"This changes everything."
Scarlett didn't speak immediately.
Rai'kanna was direct.
"You're going to accept."
I looked at her.
"They've already decided."
"You can still refuse."
Silence settled for a moment.
She wasn't wrong.
But…
I looked around again.
At the hall.
At the maps.
At the people.
At what was being built.
And at what was coming.
I took a deep breath.
"It doesn't make sense to refuse," I said.
Scarlett nodded slowly.
"I figured."
Liriel held her gaze steady.
"Then accept it."
Lyannis smirked slightly.
"That's how it should be."
Elara simply confirmed with a slight nod.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Then it starts now."
I turned my gaze back to the platform.
The weight wasn't light.
But it was clear.
It wasn't just about strength.
It was about responsibility.
And for the first time…
There was no space to avoid it.
"I accept," I said, firmly.
The statement wasn't loud.
But it was enough.
The leaders on the platform nodded.
The decision was complete.
The command defined.
And the structure…
Finally sealed.
The silence that followed wasn't doubt.
It was understanding.
The war was organized.
And now…
It had a leader.