The message arrived in the morning, but its weight settled in even before it was opened.
A royal messenger, accompanied by two guards, stopped in front of the mansion with a firm posture and a serious expression. This kind of visit wasn't common, and that alone said enough. As soon as I opened the door, he didn't waste time.
"Official summons from the King of Vailor."
I took the scroll without responding immediately. The seal was clear, unmistakable. As I broke it, I felt something strange—not fear, but confirmation. This was already expected.
Behind me, the group watched in silence.
Liriel was the first to speak.
"It's about the war, isn't it?"
"Yes," I replied, still reading.
The content was direct. No frills. No softening.
All guilds, high-rank leaders, and representatives of the races were being summoned for an emergency meeting. The demonic advance in the north had reached a critical point. It was no longer about containment.
It was about response.
I closed the scroll slowly.
"So it's begun," Lyannis said, leaning against the wall with a faint smile that didn't hide the tension.
"It had already begun," Elara corrected, her gaze steady.
Scarlett crossed her arms, visibly more serious than usual.
"And now it can't be ignored anymore."
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"It was only a matter of time."
I looked at all of them.
There was no doubt.
Only understanding.
"Let's get ready," I said.
No one questioned it.
The atmosphere in the mansion shifted immediately. What had been routine—even with the growing tension—now had a clear direction. Every movement had purpose.
As I equipped myself, I felt the constant presence of the sword. Unlike before, it wasn't unstable. It was controlled. I responded to it in silence, as if it were already part of me.
Liriel quickly organized the essential items, as efficient as always.
"We don't know how long we'll be out," she said.
"Then we take what's necessary and leave the rest ready."
"Exactly."
Elara checked the equipment carefully.
"If this is a general summons, it's not just strategy."
"It's mobilization," I added.
Scarlett adjusted her sword with calm movements.
"Then after the meeting… it really begins."
"Yes."
Lyannis spun a dagger between her fingers.
"Finally something interesting."
"This isn't a game," Liriel said without looking at her.
"I know," Lyannis replied, still smiling.
Rai'kanna was already ready.
"Then let's go."
We left the mansion without delay.
The streets were more crowded than usual. It wasn't chaos, but there was a noticeable shift. The presence of armed adventurers, organized groups, and messengers running back and forth made it clear that something was happening.
The news had already begun to spread.
"Fast," Scarlett murmured.
"Yes," I replied.
"They didn't hide it."
"There's no way to hide this."
We headed toward the castle without stopping. The closer we got, the more evident the concentration of forces became. High-rank adventurers, guild leaders, representatives of different races.
Elves.
Dwarves.
Demihumans.
All there.
United for a single reason.
War.
"This is bigger than I thought," Lyannis said, this time without joking.
"Yes," Elara replied.
"This isn't just territorial defense."
Liriel kept her gaze forward.
"It's global containment."
Rai'kanna completed:
"And if it fails…"
No one finished the sentence.
They didn't need to.
We entered the castle after identification. The internal environment was completely different from any other occasion. Soldiers positioned, constant movement, and a heavy atmosphere that left no room for distraction.
We were guided to the main hall.
When the doors opened, the scene revealed itself.
Maps spread across the entire space.
Markers indicating positions.
Advance lines.
Areas already lost.
And at the center…
The King of Vailor.
Beside him, representatives of various races and well-known leaders.
The silence in the hall was dense.
It wasn't fear.
It was focus.
As we entered, some gazes turned toward me. It didn't take long to understand why. It wasn't new.
But now…
It was different.
The king gave a slight signal.
"Takumi."
I stepped forward, with the group right behind me.
"You've arrived."
"Yes."
He nodded.
"We need to begin."
There was no unnecessary formality.
He turned to the hall.
"The situation in the north has worsened."
His voice echoed clearly.
"The demonic forces continue to advance. Even with partial containment by adventurers and mercenaries, we have not been able to completely stop the advance."
One of the elven leaders spoke next.
"The borders are under constant pressure."
Another, from the dwarves, added:
"And our defensive lines are already close to their limit."
The king continued.
"This is no longer an isolated conflict."
He paused briefly.
"It is a war."
The weight of the word spread through the hall.
No surprise.
No exaggerated reaction.
Just acceptance.
"We need to act in a coordinated way," he continued.
"Divide forces, protect strategic regions, and advance where possible."
The maps were quickly updated.
Positions being marked.
Routes defined.
I watched everything in silence.
Analyzing.
Absorbing.
"Takumi," the king called again.
I looked at him.
"You will be responsible for one of the main fronts."
Direct.
No detours.
"You will lead a group of high-rank adventurers and operate in the most critical regions."
I felt the gazes return.
More intense now.
But I didn't look away.
"Understood."
"This is not a common mission," he continued.
"You have faced enemy generals before."
"Yes."
"Then you know what is at stake."
"I do."
He nodded.
"We need to contain the advance and, if possible… eliminate the enemy command."
Silence.
Everyone understood what that meant.
The third general.
Liriel took a small step forward.
"So the final objective is clear."
Elara added:
"Eliminating the general ends the offensive."
"Or at least breaks the structure," Scarlett said.
Rai'kanna kept her gaze firm.
"And opens space for a counterattack."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Easy to say."
I ignored the comment.
I turned my gaze back to the map.
Marked regions.
Possible routes.
Critical points.
Everything was there.
"We'll advance in stages," I said.
The king nodded.
"Exactly."
I took a deep breath.
The war was no longer a possibility.
It was reality.
And now…
It had direction.
I looked at the group.
All ready.
Without hesitation.
I turned my gaze back to the map once more.
And then I understood.
It wasn't just about winning.
It was about sustaining.
"Then we begin now," I said.
No one disagreed.
Because everyone there knew…
The war had already begun.