"Everyone! If I may," Jeanny spoke up.
Everybody turned to her.
"This world has a well-defined division between each country," Jeanny said. "Each of the seven main countries is governed by different main races. I don't think any country should become anyone's puppet country. If we defeat Aurebor, the throne should be given to someone from the elven race."
"Hmph," Kabaka grunted. Here he was hoping to get something out of this campaign.
"Do you have an elf in mind whom you want to entrust the Aurebor's throne to?" Horatio asked.
A middle-aged but beautiful elven woman walked out. "I will take up that responsibility."
This elven woman was Nova, Jeanny's mother. She was among the various guilds that Jeanny had invited to join this meeting.
Jeanny didn't cover the fact that she was related to Nova.
"She is my mother," Jeanny informed everyone. "I chose her not because she is my mother. It's because I trust her to steer Aurebor into being our ally. If anyone here has a better candidate from the elven race, you are open to nominating them. We can do an election to decide who is the best nominee."
"Which will take time," John added. "So, in the meantime, Nova will take the throne as a temporary sovereign when we take down Aurebor. We can decide on a more permanent solution once Liguriturum is defeated."
"If I take the throne, I will give each of you 5% of Aurebor's resources for the first five years," Nova announced. She had dealt with many guild leaders in the past. She understood that incentives always help when you try to get people on your side.
"What about Liguritudum?" Horatio asked.
"If we defeat that country, we will be celebrating. We can then slowly argue between ourselves during the celebration," John said sarcastically. "When Aurebor is defeated, Nova will take temporary charge and help use Aurebor's army and resources to help us continue our campaign. After we defeat Liguritudum, we can convene and decide the best move for those two countries. It's just a waste of time to talk about them now."
"I think we should decide everything so that we don't have disputes in the future, but all right, let's prioritize defeating our enemies first," Horatio said. He then asked, "Are you truly not going to share with us where you will send the Themisphere army?"
"The Themisphere army will be the hammer of our alliance. We have to first see how the enemies react," John answered. "Whether the enemies focus their forces in one place or spread them out, the Themisphere army will adjust accordingly. If they decide to concentrate their forces and sacrifice one of their territories to defeat the army we send to where their force is concentrated, the Themisphere army will be a counter to that. We will go to where they are most concentrated and keep them at bay until reinforcements can arrive!"
Horatio nodded.
"Now, on the next important matter. How soon can everyone start moving your army?" John asked.
"I can move right away," Aldryth proclaimed. Her soldiers were eager to go back to their home country. They could pack up and leave at a moment's notice.
"Me too," Thelgrun said. His army was already gathered due to the war that had just ended. They were still hanging near the border after chasing the Liguritudum army out.
"I have already sent out the call for my army to gather," Kabaka said. "But as mentioned, before this morning, I didn't plan to mobilize as many troops as I have declared. So, I will need some time to a.s.semble more troops. I believe I should be able to have all 1,400,000 troops at the border of the Dorwin region in five days."
"My situation is the same," Horatio said. "I can have my 1,600,000 troops start crossing the Jagara region in one week."
"Hm… Not optimal, but okay," John said. "Have your gathered troops start moving toward the target I have a.s.signed earlier. But once you cross the border, do not engage until you receive our command. Timing will be essential. We want to hit them at the same time so the enemies have difficulty adapting. My estimate will have us entering the enemy's territories around two weeks from now. The one who will need more time to arrive will be Verremor. The Dorwin region has the largest area size."
"That's right," Kabaka agreed. "I think my army will need ten days to pa.s.s through that region."
"Will you be leading your army?" John asked.
"I will," Kabaka replied. "This old bone has stayed behind for far too long. It's time to experience the thrill of war again."
"That's good," John responded. He turned to Horatio, "What about you?"
"I've already told everyone about the situation involving Archibald. Ezekiel and I need to stay in Sangrod to resolve the matter," Horatio answered.
"A pity," John said. This meant that they only had two country guardians at play. The Themisphere and Verremor's one. Palgrost had already lost theirs. Aldryth was not a proper sovereign. The last time, Eoranth came because of his own volition, not because Aldryth called him. John had a feeling the lord of dragons wouldn't do that again this time.
On the enemy side, only the Liguritudum had a country guardian, so they should still be at an advantage. However, he couldn't be certain. Mistress should have the same knowledge as Master. If Master could gain a country guardian, she might as well. Aurebor had been quiet during the war in Palgrost. They could be focusing their attention on getting a country guardian.
"One more thing before we wrap this meeting up," John said. "Everyone should activate your war summon quest. Outworlders will play a heavier role in this coming war. We will want every outworlder in your country to join your march."
"What about that convention the Liguritudum ruler announced last night?" Aldryth asked. "Won't the outworlders support him if he convinces them he can give them back their past lives?"
"Don't worry about that convention," John said. "We will deal with that."