After the King finished speaking, the General raised his head and stepped forward.
His voice was firm.
"We need to strengthen our military presence immediately, before another attack begins. I suggest fortifying the villages near the capital and constructing a defensive wall around another strategically important village."
One of the ministers immediately objected.
"That carries a certain risk. Moving troops from the capital to the villages would weaken our primary defense here. We don't know whether the enemy intends to attack the capital directly later."
The argument between the General and the minister quickly intensified.
Each defended his position stubbornly.
Their voices grew louder as they exchanged sharp looks, and the tension inside the chamber continued to rise.
Then the Captain of the Royal Guard, a tall, broad-shouldered man, intervened in a confident voice:
"Let's not forget that the Kingdom's geography provides us with natural protection. We are surrounded by towering mountain ranges, making it extremely difficult for any army to climb them or launch a direct assault through them."
The General nodded in agreement.
"That's true... The Kingdom is well-defended."
His expression hardened.
"But relying on that alone would be a grave mistake. The Dark Kingdom's attack on a village like Canria, carried out with such speed and precision, is proof that they have returned with plans and strategies far greater than anything we faced twenty years ago."
A heavy silence settled over the chamber for a moment.
Then the King broke the silence.
"Their objective doesn't appear to be mere conquest..."
He looked around the room.
"It's destruction."
The King paused.
"They began with Canria. No one knows where they will strike next."
His expression became resolute.
"Therefore, our priority now is to protect our lands... and then reclaim Canria."
He turned toward the General, Sirvan, and Eyria.
His voice became commanding.
"I want the three of you to prepare yourselves. Reclaiming Canria will be our first step."
He paused.
"Even if it has been reduced to ruins, we will take it back."
His eyes hardened.
"And we will prove that darkness will never rule this land again."
The three bowed respectfully.
Together, they answered:
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The meeting ended, and everyone began leaving the chamber.
Later...
Sirvan made his way toward the medical wing, where Mark and his children were staying.
Mark was awake now.
His body was exhausted, but he was alive.
Nero sat beside him.
In the corner of the room, Aether and Kartithia sat in silence, as though they were still trying to comprehend everything that had happened.
Sirvan approached them with quiet steps...
Then smiled.