Help! I Think We Summoned A Demon King-Chapter 32: Emergency

Inside the vast throne room. On both sides of the grand space stood ministers of the royal court, all in their official robes, looking tense and weary.

The large luxurious throne seat on the raised dias was currently empty, while to the sides of the throne, standing like the rest of ministers, was the princess and the grand vizier.

A few ways back from the princess, positioned stoically by the sharp edge of the space, was the only royal knight present, the knight commander Azaria.

The large double doors to the left side of the grand throne soon sprang open and Saintess Sylvara walked through in her flowing golden garment that sinfully highlighted her lethal curves and bountiful mounds.

On her entrance, all ministers bowed lightly, and only the princess and grand vizier remained unmoving. The Saintess with enchanting poise, took up the only other seat in the grand space; an ornately designed chair to the left side of the space.

It was over ten more minutes before the large double doors on the right side swung wide open and King Helion Starfall strode in as all present bowed in respect. Only the Saintess remained motionless.

Once the king had taken up his position on the grand throne, a minister closest to the throne stepped forward with some parchment in hand as he began the briefing for their emergency meeting.

"An hour ago, a messenger arrived from the border regions.... And he has reported an increase in the number of demonic forces pressing our borders... described to be triple their previous numbers."

This caused a symphony of gasps and wide mouth shocks to spread through the gathered audience as they mumbled amongst themselves of the implications of such a development.

"Our men are being pushed back, Your Majesty.... And we’ve also suffered tremendous losses in both lost land and lost lives."

"An urgent request has been made by general Garax that we send reinforcements to replenish their forces at the borders... post haste." The minister finished detailing the news before bowing respectfully and stepping back into position.

The throne room erupted in fits of murmurs and shocked reactions. This went on for some time until the king slowly raised his right hand and the space descended into a commanding quiet.

"Grand vizier." King Helion uttered calmly.

"Your Majesty." Victor Malverin responded on cue as he stepped forward bowing a little.

"Your Majesty; the kingdom currently has no reserve troops to spare at the moment...."

"...Our best course of action would be to mobilize the newly summoned heroes, and let them gain hands-on experience by battling these demons at the border." The ministers affiliated with the grand vizier all nodded in agreement at the sound idea.

"And lead them to their deaths, you mean ?." Suddenly the Saintess uttered in interruption from the side in an almost impassive tone.

"I am not ushering them to their demise, Saintess. Just granting them a more expedient growth opportunity..."

"Besides. Our kingdom is currently in dire straits, and we don’t have nearly enough men to deploy for such a grave situation"

"We don’t have the men you say, grand vizier..." Princess Elowen began speaking this time, in an accusatory tone.

"However, I clearly recall that in the beginning of this lunar calendar; you were allocated several millions of imperial coins to manage such matters and more..."

"Does this budget not include military affairs ?.... Or am I missing something here" she added as the ministers on her own team murmured and nodded in agreement.

"Of course they do ... But as the overseer of these duties, I would know best where and how these resources are managed.... Your highness the princess is quite young and inexperienced to properly understand these matters" The grand vizier retorted, looking almost endearingly at the princess as he pulled on his single moustache with his right hand, while the left hung behind his back.

The ministers on the grand vizier’s team who were more than double that of the princess, all nodded as if the man had just dolled out the wisest words, while the princess’s face and those on her team contorted in barely controlled infuriation.

The tension was growing, until the Saintess’s calming voice resonated again. This time, in a manner that broached no reproach.

"Grand vizier.... "

"You are free to make other suggestions. But.... the heroes will be given the required time to grow.... As it has always been." Then she went back into silence.

No one spoke for a while again, clearly the Siantess’s words carried quite the authority. But soon, the grand vizier again made another statement that seemed to only enrage princess Elowen even more. "Your Majesty... I know it’s unusual.... But what if the royal enforcers were to take action?" he said in the most concerning voice.

"Be careful with your next words, grand vizier..." the princess bellowed, while the ministers on her side glared with obvious distaste at the grand vizier and his ministers.

"The royal enforcers are not tools for war... They are here to enforce justice and order." Elowen added indignantly, and even the ministers on the grand vizier’s team have now all gone quiet, because the king now had a slight frown on his weathered face.

The royal enforcers...

Just like the princess had said, are a group of elite forces, whose strengths are rumored to be even on par with the king and Saintess.

They are in the shadows to enforce law and order, that’s true, but most importantly, their main purpose is protecting the royal family and securing the palace.

Basically; this shadow force is the only real power behind the king at the moment. Though general Garax who controls and orders the military is a loyal man to the throne; still, he couldn’t be fully relied on.

The king is also aware that the logistics of the soldiers’ wellbeing was being overseen by the grand vizier. And that it might also be possible that more than half of the kingdom’s soldiers have been compromised.

King Helion has always been aware of the grand vizier’s schemes and machinations, but the man has grown to become so powerful and also have a lot of loyal forces behind him, that there was Zero evidence of any of his wrong doing.

He could kill the grand vizier if he really wanted to. it wont be easy, but he could. But that will defeat the entire purpose of a kingdom with a cabinet of ministers.

He would immediately lose the support of the ministers supporting the grand vizier, and even those on his side if he makes such a rash move without a clearly defined and unquestionable proof.

He knows the man has eyes for his throne, and his current suggestion was yet another scheme to force out the final backing of the royal family.

Seeing as there’s not many people on his side; even the Saintess does not belong to their kingdom. The king had to be selfish to keep his remaining family safe, and since he can’t be everywhere at once, the royal enforcers who guard his family and the royal treasury, are the only forces he could depend on fully.

He had tried to keep it a secret, but king Helion was quite certain the grand vizier had somehow gotten to know his current physical state. His sustained injury from battle with the kingdom’s demon lord in his youth has been festering for all these years, and only himself, the princess and Saintess know of the fact of his dwindled strength.

Seeing as how the grand vizier was pushing this agenda. King Helion knew he was definitely planning something. He sighed as he decided to meet everyone in the middle, and also protect his people.

"Hasten the Heroes training...Knight commander" the king ordered as Azaria in the corner bowed low, but a devilish grin marred her expression from view.

"...And. Grand vizier."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Employ some free mercenaries to assist at the borders for now..... That is all." The king concluded and stood up without bordering to hear any more discussion.

"It shall be done, your Majesty." Victor Malverin responded simply as he bowed. He showed zero outward reaction.

All present bowed in acknowledgement of the given orders as the King exited through the large double doors on the right.

The emergency meeting had come to an end.