"Did I hear that right, there’s no way she just said that!" Alleus asked as she stood back up.

Helping Vertere stand back up, I nodded.

"Thing’s are going to be much difficult aren’t they partner?"

With a sigh that carried the weight of the unknown future, I replied to Alleus:

"That only means that we must get stronger, Kanium’s last lackey was evidence of that."

"Captain, I think it’s time that we began mass recruiting for new members to our party." Lieur away her bow.

"I second that..!" Vertere strained to stand up.

"It’s too risky, what if they weren’t as gullible as you guys?"

After my remark, their eyes threw daggers at me.

"Fine, we’ll recruit one more person... just not a noble, we got lucky with Vertere."

"The next person should be a tank..!" Alleus commented.

However the other two had other ideas, Vertere wanted another mage while Lieur wanted another ranger.

Interrupting our conversation, Incus stepped on top of a table and gave a speech:

"As the crowned king, I shall unite the kingdoms. The biggest weakness we face is that we are segregated, I will not allow another situation like Rechine to happen again... but I have grown stronger since then! Not only have I defeated multiple demon raids but the demon general Dragonborn had fallen to my sword. Do not be wary, for I will not rule as a king but work with the others as a coalition of humanity."

A single clap then echoed in the air, followed by another until everyone was clapping.

Looking at my hands with a disgusted face, I found myself unable to stop until the author wrote then next scene.

"Gees, that was strange... my body just moved on it’s own." Said Alleus.

"What will happen now?" A servant asked.

"I want all the representatives to come with me."

The representatives then followed Incus and Steinen with a bit of hesitancy.

After a while, we arrived at the king’s chamber.

We stood in the corner of the room, making sure that there was a good distance between us. For some odd reason, there wasn’t any guards... except for Steinen.

Walking up the stairs which leads to the throne, Incus sat down and rested her head on a hand.

"S-so what is it that you wanted to tell us, hero Incus?"

With an eerie looking smile, she replied:

"Please, call me ’Hero king, Incus’. As you know, all but one general remains, and I need the forces of other kingdoms for my plan."

"Pardon my rudeness Hero King, Incus... but what exactly is your plan?" A representative asked.

"We will raid the demon king. Whenever a demon raid happens, there’s a moment at the very beginning where a rift appears, that rift is our way to entering their domain and taking the battle to them. We can’t keep waiting for them to hammer us, the demon general Rechine was a powerful and If I had arrived a day late at the kingdom of Neidebville, they would have been annihilated off the face of the map."

She stood up and gestured something at the servants that were writing before continuing:

"Your kingdom’s army doesn’t have to march their way here, they can just set up a large teleportation circle to arrive. I will compensate them for their efforts, I know that the process isn’t exactly cheap, not only that but they can keep the resources scavenged."

Stepping forwards towards the representatives, the servants handed over scroll to them.

"All I’ve said has already been written down, so you can just hand the paper to your king."

Extending her hand, Incus commanded:

"You may now go, your carriages are already ready to go."

As the representatives scurried, she looked at the servants.

"Go get me Radeius Wordkeeper."

Nodding, the servants quickly disapeared from sight.

"My lady—No, my liege. Are you sure that this is wise?" Steinen asked.

"Why, is there something wrong with my plan? Are you going to leave?"

Shaking his head, Steinen continued:

"No, it isn’t that. I just feel that I’m not strong enough to stand by you."

"You’re strong enough."

"Enough isn’t enough, I don’t believe these recent battles have shown me that I’ve neglected my training... if you permit it, I would like to go into secluded training, just until the raid on the demon lord happens."

Crushing the hand rest, a visible vein appeared on her face.

"You dare to suggest such a thing, don’t forget you belong to me!"

"Of course, I wouldn’t dare to ask such a thing but if I’m to be a sword worthy to stand by you... I must get stronger." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

With a sigh, Incus looked out the window.

"Fine, don’t waste your time and get out of here already."

Listening to her command, Steinen walked out.

With a strand of hair wiggling furiously, Alleus pointed.

"Did you see that! Incus loves Steinen, why else would she say that he belongs to her!"

Looking at the strand of hair on the top of her head, I slowly reached for it then grabbed it.

But it wiggled out of my grasp.

"Captain, I don’t know if this is the right time but I need more arrows." Lieur rubbed her bracelet.

"Entering the demon’s domain, has her mind gone rotten? This is nothing but a suicide mission, even if we get enough people to join the battle, it will be pure carnage!" Vertere spat.

After a while, a student had arrived followed by a bunch of servants entered the throne room.

"I see that you’ve been busy, but just because that you’re king doesn’t mean that we aren’t rivals anymore."

"It’s good to see you have changed a bit, fat-eius."

"Y’know, I’m glad that someone finally put that corrupt king to his grave, do you know how much a simple meal costs nowadays—Stop calling me fat-eius! So... what did you call me here for anyways, it’s not to execute me right?"

"Of course not, I just need someone intellectually capable for the future. You’ve excelled in strategical studies, no one can compete with you in that aspect. So, what do you thing? Will you join me?"

"The servants filled me in, and have you even thought this through? This plan of yours has so many holes, what about the kingdom’s financial condition? I’ve heard that our army’s enlisting rate has fallen because of the constant lives being lost. Not only that but I still have a whole two months left before my graduation! I’m sorry but I have plans after the academy."

Rubbing her temple, Incus pondered for a few moments.

"I can setup a mock test for you, and if you pass, I’ll let you take the finals early."

"You think it’s just that simple? Well you’re right, set it up by the end of the week. Now if you don’t have anything else to say, I’ll be taking my leave."

Walking down the throne, she looked at the servants.

"I want you to wipe the old king’s room completely clean, I don’t want a single scent of him to remain, I plan on sleeping there tomorrow. Also set up a meeting with the major nobles and merchants."