Roy swept his gaze across each member present. "As the Presidroids who brought you here likely mentioned, our illusions made it seem the Nightshatter was sunk, buying us temporary peace. But we all know they'll realize the truth soon. Once they do, they'll head straight here. We need a plan."
Serenity's speaker clicked on gently as a Presidroid placed a monitor on the table. It silently displayed scene of the previous battle, cutting just before Sorrowclaw arrived. "We cannot fight head-on again. Our weapons failed against the primeval dragon and proved equally ineffective against that monstrous spider. Direct confrontation would likely result in catastrophic losses."
Eryndra punched her fists together angrily. "I could've annihilated that damn lizard on land. It's not like I could risk leaping off the ship and missing, only to land miles away in the ocean."
Siren chuckled as he shifted forward in his seat. "I don't think you know what that dragon is, young lady."
"I don't know what anything is," Eryndra responded bluntly, "but, what I do know is that you don't know what I am."
Roy nodded grimly. "It feels like we've hit our direct combat limit with our current gear. The battleship's advanced, but still not enough for something as legendary as a primeval dragon up close." He paused, letting the admission hang in the air. "So I've been considering something drastic, a show of force far greater than anything we've attempted before."
"A show of force?" Salaboar repeated nervously. "You mean like your legendary fireball in the sky of the Umbral Consortium?"
"Legendary?" Roy retorted with exasperation. "It was literally this year! Anyway, I mean a show of force that'll scare them off for good. But not a random shot above their heads this time. We pick a major Kaigun Dominion city, give them twenty-four hours to evacuate, then flatten it with our largest warhead if they refuse to back down."
An uneasy stir swept through the council chamber. Warrex's eyes glimmered darkly. "Sounds straightforward enough to me. Drop the bomb on the shogun's palace. No palace, no problem."
Alejandro flinched visibly, glancing uneasily toward Maelara. "That's... too far," he muttered quietly. "Roy, this isn't like you. You're sounding like Cali—"
Roy held up his hand sharply. "I know the risks. Innocent people might suffer if they don't evacuate. That's why we'd warn them first. We give them an entire day."
Siren stirred, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "A threat of this scale could unite the Kaigun Dominion's many independent factions against us. They might view it as a direct challenge to their entire empire."
Maelara sighed deeply, her shoulders flexing beneath the leather straps of her armor. "We aim to protect Otherrealm, not ignite a war that consumes half the continent."
Warrex shrugged. "Maybe they'll evacuate like you propose. It shows we care about civilian lives. But perhaps a harsher demonstration, one without mercy, would clearly communicate our resolve. A few deaths now might prevent countless more."
Lutrian reluctantly lifted a hand, speaking up carefully. "Warrex's approach is harsh, but he's not without a point. Sometimes darkness is what makes the light shine brightest. The northernmost quadrant of their capital city is filled mostly with prim, pampered officials, far removed from common folk. Targeting there would at least minimize innocent casualties."
As Lutrian finished, his eyes slid briefly toward Roy, expecting the usual immediate reprimand of Warrex's cold pragmatism. But when Roy remained quiet, his expression neutral, Lutrian felt a faint prickle of unease creep up his spine. Roy quietly added, "We can't hold them off forever," Lutrian's fingers began to drum just a little faster on the table, his brow tightening slightly as he turned his gaze downward.
Salaboar slammed his palm onto the table. "Any district, even one full of officials, has innocents caught in the crossfire. Slaves, housekeepers, nannies, artists, brothel workers, shop owners. Ordinary people who have no say in the Dominion's decisions." He shot Roy a pointed, challenging look. "How many families are we condemning by choosing such a target?"
Roy unfolded his arms slowly, voice measured and calm. "I still prefer forcing evacuation. No one has to die if they leave willingly. That's infinitely more merciful than allowing the Dominion to regroup and crush us later, forcing us to retaliate even more harshly." He paused again, and the room quieted, each breath audible in the tense silence. "But we must face reality. That damn spider could flatten Otherrealm by simply stumbling nearby. Warrex's suggestion, no matter how dark, may actually merit consideration."
The chamber fell into a heavy silence, punctuated only by the quiet tapping of Siren's fingers against his sword's hilt.
"Peace through terror?" Siren murmured cautiously, eyes narrowed in concern. "That sounds dangerously close to the philosophy of the Immortal Family when they ruled. They offered peace too, until boredom drove them to terrorize anew."
Warrex snorted derisively. "Call it whatever you like. Softness won't keep us safe now." His eyes locked onto Roy. "If we pursue a lethal show of force, strike the leader's personal city first. Take out their head, the rest will crumble."
"It is never that simple," Siren cautioned firmly. "As I said, the Dominion consists of numerous internal factions. Removing their leader merely allows the next largest faction head to assume control."
Roy nodded grimly. "If those are our options, then we vote. We have eight voices, nine, counting Eryndra."
From her spot near the wall, Eryndra lifted her head and briefly met Roy's eyes. "My vote goes to Warrex," she said curtly, voice tense. "I trust his combat instincts." She turned her gaze back downward, clearly still in a sour mood.
Siren's eyebrow twitched slightly. "If experience matters, recall I'm older than all of you combined, many times over. I was around before the first kingdom was born. I even remember when the Mourning Tyrant wed the Noonshade Empress, I was there, not willingly, of course, thousands of years ago."
Eryndra mockingly rolled her eyes. "Fine, I won't vote. I've existed less than a year anyway."
Roy frowned, clearing his throat. "I'll abstain to avoid a tie. Regarding the proposal to bomb without prior warning, let's begin the vote. Maelara?"
The muscular elf sighed, flexing slightly and tearing the tight leather strap over one shoulder. "This plan is barbaric. Yes, we're desperate, but I cannot condone it. There must be another way."
Salaboar nodded firmly. "Agreed. Innocent blood spilled crosses an unacceptable line. I vote no."
Serenity's speaker emitted a gentle beep. "I vote yes. Our enemy vastly outnumbers us. Allowing them to regroup guarantees our destruction. A single, terrible demonstration might spare countless lives later."
Warrex nodded firmly. "Yes. They declared war first. We'll end it decisively."
Alejandro slumped, eyes filled with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Roy. Even with evacuation, I cannot accept leveling an entire city. My answer is no."
Roy counted in his head: two yes, three no. He turned toward Siren. "What about you, old swordmaster?"
Siren bowed his head slightly. "Though I find this method distasteful, we have few realistic alternatives. The Dominion vastly outnumbers us, and your warship, powerful as it is, remains far from invincible. Perhaps it is the lesser evil. Reluctantly, I vote yes."
Roy let out a dry laugh. "All that jabbering just to say yes?"
"My role is to challenge your ideas," Siren said evenly, a faint smile curving his lips, "not merely nod along like a fool." He cast a pointed glance toward Eryndra.
That made it three yes, three no. Lutrian was now the deciding vote. Roy turned toward him. "Looks like it's all on you, Lutrian."
The young prince rubbed his temples, visibly conflicted. "Captain, this could backfire spectacularly. If the Dominion calls your bluff, or if they possess some secret countermeasure, Otherrealm could face an unimaginable backlash."
Roy grimaced but stayed quiet.
Lutrian took a slow breath, then added carefully, "I have another concern, too. Alejandro was right earlier, this isn't like you." He hesitated, then pushed forward gently but firmly. "You used to disable even the most vile of enemy ships, giving crews at least a chance at survival. Right or wrong, you offered mercy."
Roy's expression darkened. He clearly disliked where this conversation was heading.
Lutrian leaned back, maintaining steady eye contact. "Lately, especially in our last battle, that mercy has vanished. You nuked the traitors without a second thought—"
"Oh come on, Lute!" Roy interrupted sharply. "They were riding a mountain-sized spider! What was I supposed to do, offer them a hug?!"
"Your choice was correct," Lutrian acknowledged, "but you made it coldly. You barely reacted."
Warrex grinned broadly. "Personally, I prefer this new, decisive Roy."
Lutrian gestured toward Warrex with exasperation. "That proves my point, when even Warrex notices your ruthlessness, it's a concern." Warrex frowned, realizing he'd become part of Lutrian's argument.
"Maybe you've hardened to this world," Lutrian continued softly. "Or your fear of Caliban clouds your judgment. Perhaps your near-death at the ocean floor changed you more profoundly than any of us realized. But..."
"Lutria—" Roy began, a dangerous edge entering his voice.
Lutrian immediately raised his voice, cool and firm, cutting Roy off. "There's also the worst alternative. Perhaps 'they' truly have started secretly influencing you."
Instantly, a dense, storm-like mana erupted from Roy, plunging the chamber into a bitter chill. Roy's eyes blazed with a rage unlike anything anyone present had seen before. "Lutrian," Roy began coldly, enunciating each word with lethal clarity, "vote however you please, but choose your next words carefully. Suggesting my 'Family', the first to accept me in this world, is a threat... is unfair. That's not how you should make your point."
Most struggled simply to breathe, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere. Eryndra, Salaboar, and Siren alone maintained their composure, Siren watching with open fascination.
Yet despite the overwhelming pressure, Lutrian pressed on resolutely. "I'm your family too, Roy, and 'they' are mine as well. Even if what I suggested were true, I'd gladly stand by your side and die protecting them, even if I disagreed every step of the way!"
His words cut sharply through Roy's fury, dissolving the tension. Roy looked down, a mixture of shame and confusion crossing his features as the room gradually returned to normal. Takara entered quietly, choosing a seat beside Roy on the table, silently offering support.
"Well, that was dramatic," Siren remarked dryly, breaking the silence. "If you two are done exchanging vague nouns and pronouns, perhaps our young prince can finally cast his vote."
Lutrian exhaled deeply, collecting his thoughts. "Fine. But if I vote yes, Roy, promise we'll help any innocent families we displace. Provide medicine, resources, whatever they need to survive after their city falls."
Serenity immediately objected through the speaker. "That approach encourages future provocations. They'll think, 'Attack the battleship, surrender, receive aid, no real consequences.' It's a dangerous precedent."
Lutrian's eyes flashed sharply. "Then we make it explicitly clear it's a one-time offer. The next time they challenge us, total annihilation awaits. We maintain at least some moral integrity."
Roy considered the proposal carefully, silently weighing the consequences before finally nodding. "All right, agreed. A one-time aid package for innocent survivors or collateral victims afterward, but explicitly one-time only. No more second chances if they provoke us again."
Lutrian nodded slowly, still visibly troubled but resolved. "Then... I vote yes." He lifted his head, addressing the entire council. "Does anyone object to the outcome of this vote?" No hand was raised, the chamber solemnly silent.
Serenity emitted a small, confirming hum. Roy stood slowly, looking around the table. "Then it's decided. We'll announce our intentions clearly and prepare the aid package." He rubbed his eyes wearily. "I already have a dozen drafts of threats, send the drones we need, prep the helicopter and aid distribution crew. FDR and other base models can help if they accept peace." He paused briefly. "Contact the dwarves too, I want a solid backup plan. I've got an idea."
Maelara tightened her jaw, though she remained quiet. Alejandro looked miserable, while Salaboar's heavy breathing betrayed his lingering unease. Siren merely nodded, acknowledging the decision. Warrex scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Once we deliver the threat, they'll quickly realize the Nightshatter isn't really at the bottom of the ocean."
Roy nodded. "Exactly. Plus, we don't know how much control the Dominion truly has over Caliban. He might come straight here for revenge. We need an edge,something capable of effective long-range fighting so we aren't reliant solely on battleship weaponry."
"So we're going to... talk to Zehrina, I'm guessing?" Lutrian asked hesitantly. "She handled that one dragon easily enough."
Roy shook his head slowly, expression darkening. "Zehrina isn't someone we can simply talk with. Keeper controls her through the contract, down to every thought and action. Negotiation is pointless as long as he holds that document."
Warrex folded his arms, scowling. "Then force him to hand it over. Threaten or intimidate him if needed. Or, simply kill him, I'll do i—"
"No," Roy quickly interrupted, glancing at each council member carefully. "We can't kill Keeper. Items requested during our initial summoning are directly tied to the one who requested them. If Keeper dies, Zehrina could vanish along with him."
Maelara frowned deeply, clearly uncomfortable. Lutrian leaned forward thoughtfully. "So, Keeper must remain alive, but no longer in control. Somehow, we must force him to transfer ownership without him panicking and fleeing."
Warrex grunted. "He'll likely attempt escape, especially when confronted by our overwhelming power. If he seeks refuge in another kingdom and spills our secrets, half the world's armies might end up at our doorstep to claim our technology."
Roy folded his arms, voice firm. "Then we must compel Keeper to relinquish Zehrina's contract quietly. Once freed, Zehrina decides for herself whether to help us."
He paused, scanning each face carefully. "Anyone have issues with this?"
Maelara spoke first, voice flat. "The whole city despises Keeper. Do as you please."
Alejandro sighed heavily, nodding slowly. "I wouldn't be that harsh, but yes, I agree."
"All right, it's settled then," Roy announced. "He knows the people of our crew and the rest of the city for the most part, so we need an outsider to distract him while we get the contract. Preferably a woman considering he is a massive creep. And I got the perfect candidate."
"So, we're done here?" Alejandro asked through a weary yawn.
"Ye—" Roy started, only to be cut short by Siren's sudden interruption.
"You may be finished, but I am not," Siren declared calmly as he rose, his aged yet powerful frame emanating authority.
"Oh, great," Roy groaned, rubbing his temples. "What's this about now?"
Siren turned slowly, eyes sparkling with excitement as he locked his gaze onto Eryndra. A wide, challenging grin spread across his face. "This brat of yours," he began softly, before vanishing in a blur of silver motion and reappearing directly in front of her, his expression turning fierce, "I'd like to test her strength firsthand—and perhaps teach her a lesson or two."
Eryndra didn't flinch, didn't even shift her eyes toward him. Instead, a small, defiant smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. "You don't need his permission," she said evenly, finally sliding her sharp gaze to meet his. "I decide who I fight. And right now, you're the perfect candidate for me to vent some frustration."