(Gram POV)

With a large sigh I walked down the hallway to the war council. It has been four days since I’ve come back and Lucius has refused to leave my side. Ever since he saw those injuries he has been watching me like a hawk refusing to let me out of his sight.

This is exactly what I was hoping to avoid. I thought sadly while walking into the tense meeting room. Twelve people sat at the only piece of furniture in the room with papers thrown all over the place. A world map that has just been updated is placed firmly in the middle. Lucius walked to a corner in the room and stood quietly.

Grabbing a paper from the floor I read over the contents.

[ 26 war ships

50 transport ships

8 legions of Soldiers

6 legions of Calvary

… ]

The list continued on about our military forces. “So why is a confidential paper like this thrown on the floor?” I questioned the room. Even though the information wasn’t entirely accurate it is still problematic if it falls into the hands of another Kingdom.

The problem with a war starting with the Imperium Church is that it leaves us open to attack from a far stronger nation. I frowned as the people continued completely ignoring my question. With a sigh I ran my hand through my hair and sat down in an open chair waiting for this meeting to start.

I have already given all the information I could to these people, but the King still wanted me in this meeting. Shifting my eyes to the map I thought back to the years spent exploring and each update I added. It was originally only a couple of islands around our land, but now it has filled out quite a bit. With each new land mass I found a new paper would be tacked on. This had created a patch work of paper claiming to be a map. However I bet this is also the most accurate map found in this world.

My Kingdom Zell is considered one of the five strongest on this land. That is the problem one of five. If we were to be attacked by Imperium then that would leave us open to any other attacks. Sure we could divide the forces and have some defend against Imperium and the rest stay here at the capital just in case, but that is only a botched plan at best. Plus their confidence in winning the war has me worried.

Despite having never sailed very far from land they are to sure. It makes me feel as if they have something up their sleeve. Thousands of possibilities ran through my head while I gazed down at the map. However none of them seemed to be right. Focusing my attention back on the advisers I sighed.

The royal door near the head of the table opened up signaling the king’s arrival. Everyone stood and kneeled in greeting. “Begin the meeting.” He demanded while taking a seat. His gaze falling on the messy table.

“Mr. Felan has provided some interesting information.” Begin a man on the other side of the table. “However I do not see how this is of any importance to us. A small under developed Kingdom is planing to attack us? This is beyond foolish. It is much better to keep our focus on our borders and ignore… Sol was it?”

I knew this would happen. Several of the other nobles agreed. I watched in silence. There was nothing I could say or do that will influence this conference in a good way. “I see, and what do you suggest Duke Dyerich?” The King asked while petting his beard. A bad habit he gained after he grew it. “Leave alone a Kingdom that has threatened us?”

A thin smile appeared on Duke Dyerich’s face. “Yes. Why should we worry over a small group of people that pose no threat. We should be more focused on the threat on our borders instead.”

A scoff came from my right. “Even if you do not see them as a threat Duke Dyerich, I do. They may be under developed and speak of foolish plans, but they still wish to attack a country mightier than there own. Stories like theirs are how ‘Heros’ are born.”

The Duke clicked his tongue. “Then what do you suggest Baron Eydu? That we leave our borders open to attack while we deal with what can be considered raids at most?”

“We destroy their fleet before it even leaves dock. Taking a few ships over to their port we can effectively nip the bud before it blooms. This will prevent the ‘raids’ and still leave us with ample troops for defending our borders.” Baron Edyu suggested.

“I do belive that you are severely underestimating the enemy.” Interjected someone from the left. Everyone turned to see who. “History has proven that ‘Heros’, Like the Baron said, rise from these kinds of situations. Take the Meborg Kingdom as an example. They used to be a small town under the United Wara Empire. However one day they rose up against the Wara Empire and won independence. In one of the battles a Hero was born and lead the Kingdom to many more victories.”

He turned his eyes to the King. “It would be better to take this threat more seriously, my King. History has shown that the foolish have extraordinary luck when it comes to war. Added on to that this Sol has an over zealous religion that controls its people I would say that the threat is actually quite large.”

“You worry to much Jaras.” Came a joking reply from someone near the end of the table. “You should relax more.”

Jaras smiled and bowed. “It is as you say Sir Rowle. However as the record keeper I have read many texts about this exact situation.”

The meeting continued some saying we should ignore the Sol Kingdom and others saying we should destroy it before it becomes more of a threat. At this point I have lost interest. No matter what is chosen we will end up fighting against Sol. My only hope is that we do not end up fighting a war on two or more fronts.