"Gerald is trying to evolve his Warg into a Bloodhound," Razor stated as he sat back down.

The war room was plunged into silence as dozens of pairs of eyes turned to him. It made him slightly uncomfortable, so he pretended to be aloof and closed his eyes.

Various nobles looked at each other while frowning, high-ranking mages communicated with their eyes and facial expressions, while the other three Guardians glanced from Razor to The King and back, waiting for an explanation.

Nobody seemed to want to break the silence. The pressure in the room was palpable.

"Who is this… Gerald?" A young man, probably from a less known noble family was the first to break the silence.

"Hmph! To not even know that much, ridiculous!" Another quickly took action and harrumphed despite being clueless himself. As the young man turned to him with a questioning gaze, the man quickly pretended to not see anything and turned around.

"That's right!"

"Exactly, you tell him!"

The rest quickly mimicked his actions, acting knowledgeable and wise. Nobody said anything intelligent though.

"Wait, wait, wait…" An old man suddenly came to a realization. "Are we talking about the guy that is harassing the populace with his pet Warg?"

"Well… I wouldn't say it like that, but yes." Razor spoke towards Robart III as he shrugged his shoulders, "He wants to take a look in the Royal library, so I thought it might be something I should mention to Your Majesty."

His words received little response from the Kingdom's ruler, however, everybody else suddenly seemed to have something to say despite already staying silent for hours.

"What?!"

"This is outrageous!"

"The Royal library? Who does he think he is?!"

"Evolving a Warg into a Bloodhound? Why don't we just open the gates and let the Orcs in while we are at it!"

"Your Majesty, you can't possibly be considering this, right?"

"That's right! We have to make an example out of him!"

"Demanding such… unreasonable… things! Does he think himself a god?!"

"Heresy!"

"Treachery!

"He is working with the beasts, I bet!"

"I suggest a public whipping! 100 lashes in the city square ought to do the work!"

"Cover him with tar and feathers!"

"Throw him in prison and toss away the key!"

"…"

The nobles were shouting over each other, one more outrageous than the other. The man to whom they were expressing their protest didn't even say a single word and they were already throwing a tantrum like little babies.

It was true that the Royal library was only accessible to those of Royal blood, but The King could of course make exceptions. However, that didn't mean he would. It was just an option.

"Silence!" King Robart III got tired of the noise and slapped the table, shouting everybody into submission. He looked over his subjects and said with a heavy voice, "Nobody is entering the Royal library!"

The people immediately cheered, praising his wisdom and intelligence.

"… Not until the war is over at least," The King finished his statement.

Everybody immediately became bitter and begrudging. And by everybody, I mean the majority of lower nobility. The rest simply didn't care or they were expertly hiding their true thoughts.

They secretly snickered at the inability of the lower ones to keep their emotions in check.

"Oh, I wouldn't actually mind if Your Majesty decided to let him take a look," general Ulrich Aust expressed his opinion. "He lent us a hand when we got trapped by the damn Orcs while trying to enter the city. Speaking up for him is the least I can do."

"Hm…" The King took his words to heart and gave a small nod.

"He seemed like an honest fellow, even if his actions were a bit unusual, haha!" general Ulrich added.

Robart III looked at the other three of his generals, expecting their opinion.

"I am against it," general Ewart Holt was first to speak. Somehow this whole thing came to a vote. "We don't know much about him, but even if we did, breaking tradition is not something I would support."

The King took note of his thoughts and turned to the rest.

"Hmm…" Crag Carre took an exaggerated thinking pose. "I am against it… for now," he said. "But that could change after the battle. Depending on how useful he will be, I might change my mind!"

He was basically still undecided. However, that was probably the most logical position to take. After all, traditions weren't always set in stone. Why not change it a little if someone deserved it?

"Razor?"

Now only the Guardian of the South remained.

Considering he dealt with Gerald in the past, and his own son was his friend, the decision should be easy, and yet he wasn't sure what to pick.

"I agree with general Crag! We should wait until after the battle to assess any possible rewards such as this exception," he eventually said. "Actually, I think we should offer rewards to everyone. If our warriors are to accomplish extraordinary deeds, they should be rewarded handsomely, what do you think?"

"It's not a bad idea, actually!" General Ulrich agreed with a grin. "But you should give up on the first place for it will certainly be taken by my boy!"

"You wish!" General Crag Carre scoffed. "My Ron is by far the best fighter of the younger generation!"

"You two…" Ewat Holt made a bitter expression and the two laughing Guardians. His oldest son was left at home to defend it and keep it running smoothly. Who knew there would be a surprise competition developing?!

"So, in the end, it's one for and one against, with two undecided?" King Robart III said. Then he continued, "Then let's go with this idea! Whoever proves themselves in this battle will get a wish granted from me!"

He turned to a servant, "Go, announce my words! Let the entire city of Auralba know! A competition of feats!"

"But Your Majesty!" Someone immediately protested.

"Enough! I have decided! As for the question of a vanguard… Everybody will participate!"

*Annoyed groans across the room*