Chapter 14: Glory to the Round Table (2)
"We apologise, King Markus," The two representatives bow their heads at once, expressing their humiliation and regret.
With a single gesture, The King of Joker forgives his subordinates' actions and dispels the arcane enveloping both of his hands. Relieving a suspire, he restarts the meeting whilst linking a temporary magic stone to fix the round table. The elf in the background lowers his face as a sign of sympathy to his three friends. Despite their rickety relationships, they have each other's back, especially when one party needs something the most.
"As I have said, the Kingdom of Spades and the rest of the supporting Empires will launch an attack on our city."
With Markus' words, their petrified expression remains the same, and it only worsens the more they think about it.
"We have two months to prepare and draft a strategy, especially with the winter drawing near."
The rest of the elders mumbles on the side, conversing for the next course of plan that the Kingdom should make. The triad deputies also request their attendants to bring out their olden scrolls and documents which may help for the flow of the summit.
I, who is listening alongside the audience, could not help but keep myself silent and wait for my turn to speak. Beside me is the princess, Therese, who is hearkening any information that she can pick up. Despite her young age, she also has a significant influence over her assigned army and the townspeople.
Markus glances over to our direction, keeping tabs as if we were still solicitous over to the discussion. With a faint smile moulding on our mouth, Markus' concerns left his mind.
The elves' official raises his hand, wanting to manifest his thoughts to the rest of the people.
"You may speak, Elanor Leef," Markus utters and gives the floor over to the long-eared elf. The King also encourages everyone to pay attention to what the elf was about to say.
"What happened to the treaty?" Elanor asks. "Was it supposed to be perpetual?"
Everyone's eyes share the same intention of the query that Elanor spoke. Even the Queen and King grunt upon hearing the question, but they still need to provide an answer.
"They broke it," Markus spoke evenly without changing his vexed guise.
Not a single person could defile the quietness in the chamber. It was too much for the officials to handle, and for the rest of the elders and the audience; excluding my goblin friends.
"I see," Elanor drops his hand and returns it to the table, gripping the stretched scroll. Written on the paper were the names of the scouts murdered outside of their borders. Their hunch was that the neighbouring Kingdoms were behind these massacres. Their job does not involve observing the actions of the Empires, yet they still met their unfortunate fate.
"They even sent out a spy," Markus throws a mist to the air, forming a cloud of some sort. Eventually, the gas shows an image of the spy running towards the territory of Kingdom Spades. It was like what we had seen before when Markus stated someone was tailing our moves.
The dwarf could not help wanting to slam his hammer again, but unable to do so because of the tense atmosphere.
"They furthermore offered a gift to my family; herbs with toxins mixed with our morning tea," Markus added while pushing me to the front so the people below would recognise my name.
"If it were not for my friend, then we wouldn't be standing here with you."
Everyone stares at my appearance, showing a hint of shock and interest on their faces. Some exhibit disgust to my sight, while others reveal their intrigue by what the King finds inside of me.
"A mere goblin?" The dwarf scowls while attempting to point his hammer towards me. "A pest to the community helped you?"
Markus inclines his head, giving the dwarven his absolute answer.
The fibrous dwarf cannot retort afterwards, knowing that the King is the most talented and powerful person around here. He was also responsible for freeing the demi-humans from the suppression of the other Kingdoms.
The majestic crimson fox purrs to herself while leering at my shivering body. Although her eyes may wonder at it seems, I can feel from her looks that she is studying every cell living in my body. An ominous glare suffocates my mind, charming my libido and lust. However, because of the passive skill I have, the effects worms out, reverting me to my normal senses.
The fox implies with a shock, unsure what had happened from her concealed spell. She knew she activated her arcane, but it was not enough to affect a single goblin. He tried it on one of her subordinates close by, and in an instant, the woman rushed to her side and rubbed her breast on her thick arms.
"It is working," She mumbles to herself and shifts her gaze back to me.
"Interesting,"
Markus pulled me back and welcomed the platoon of elite knights. They were the ones that I have seen during our raid when rescuing the Queen and the princess.
"I also want to address that this goblin, sir Lake White, will join the royals and will have his own title as the viscount of the Windsor's house," Markus said while extracting a grin carved on his face. "He is a distinctive and intellectual goblin, with the rest of his two sprites by his side." He also bumps Izz and Grer to the fore, allowing them to present themselves in the crowd.
After showing off his new comrades, the topic resumes back to the components of war. Most of the races do not know what to do from here and out, only relying on Markus' plan of action. The fox lady, however, notices that the wintertide would bring disadvantages to the enemies rather than their triumph. Our foes will take into consideration about the foods that can withstand and bring them with the cold, their troops' temperature, and the magic they can conjure. They cannot use most elements, such as fire and water during the fight.
"There is also a possibility that the King of Spades, Snow, will nurture their art, Arcane of Shadow, one of the wicked spells among the thirteen Empires." The Animania representative utters while glancing her globes at me.
"But they can only exploit the arcane during the night, not when the sun is above the sky." The elf states while passing the enchanted scroll to the officials.
"The fundamental problem that we have is our set of numbers inferior to their troops," I added while glimpsing at the ancient words scribbled on the hazel paper.
"Indeed," Elanor, without looking, replies while continuing to search for a clue for us to win among the spread files.
The dwarf, although lending his ear, grunts to my suggestion.
"So what do you think we should do to slow them down," He said in a sarcastic tone, without even flinching to his words. "Or even better-stop them."
"Draven! Would you mind?" The scarlet fox interrupts the dwarf's sentence.
Draven went silent and forced himself to cover his mouth, still wanting to vocalise his hate to me. It was the only way to stop himself from blabbering, since Markus had already warned him about his previous actions.
"Thank you, Cece." The King remarks, proposing to me to continue the advice I wish to say.
I can discern the fox woman winking at me in a seductive manner as if she has a spot for me; a nauseating goblin.
"Continuing my decree, I believe we need to include crops such as potatoes, lettuces, peas, and spinach in the menu for the soldiers and portable burners that can cook their meals. We must also add extreme cold and wet jackets and trousers protection for our knights."
All of their curious eyes fixate unto me, surprised and even wondering whether I was the real thing. Markus, who already knew what I am capable of, beams to himself while contemplating my recommendations. One of his squires jots down everything I had said while vigorously nodding in acknowledgement.
Dwarven, who seems shocked the most out of the races, gradually releases his blocking hands from his rigid mouth. He then scratches his hand over his head, confused on what to say about the scene.
"I guess you are right," The representing dwarf retracts his words, and it was, according to Markus and the others, the first time he had agreed to someone else other than the three prominent people.
With few instructions, Markus and the others immediately start their initial preparations and will inform the town about the latest news.
After concluding the assembly, everyone bid their farewell and went to their stations; everyone except the eminent representatives and their helpers.
"Markus!" The gaunt dwarf motions his hands and calls the attention of his friend in a friendly manner. His gestures were not more suspicious than what I had thought after witnessing his two-sided personalities.
"Draven, it has been a long time since we have last met," Markus replies while returning his enthusiasm. "You're still irksome as ever!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone