The review was well underway, although, with how handily I won the battle, it was hard for any of them to have complaints. That isn't to say they didn't have any… Like how attacking the enemy from behind was dirty… Or how I didn't lead the troops from the front, and instead waited in the back. Although seeing as how I still beat the enemy commander in single combat… I'm not sure it really mattered in the end…
In total, I passed with a vote of 4 to 1. Then, much to my surprise, Tabernath started a new vote on whether or not to advance me from temporary commander to full commander and graduate me early… At first, everyone, myself included, was a little shocked. Although, under the grounds that I thoroughly destroyed him and incapacitated him in single combat, as well as dispatched all his guild leaders without losing any of my own, the argument did make sense, even if he was "Going easy" on me. Which admittedly might have been true.
After explaining his reasoning, Phily agreed. However, Elianara voted no because of my age, and Al was worried I was still inexperienced, hadn't dealt with real war conflicts, and had never even lost a soldier. I was untested. In the end, the decision came down to Bhaltair, who stared at me so long in silence that I almost had to ask if he was even still alive. To be honest… I wasn't sure which way he'd vote. Aside from his intense passion for toughening the body… I really didn't care to know anything more about him…
"No…" He finally said. I wasn't terribly disappointed or surprised. Honestly, I'm not sure it made a difference… I would have been activated when we went to war anyway… Although, for better or for worse, it did seem to surprise the others.
"Will you really hold back your own sister's career just because you're worried for her safety?" Tabernath asked.
'Yeah… That's not the reason.'
He stared back for a long time before finally turning around, and after a short pause, he simply walked away.
'Alright then…' "So… Meeting adjourned?" I asked.
Tabernath simply sighed. "It would appear so… At any rate, that was all we were going to discuss. You passed the exam, so tomorrow will start the next phase of your training. You will be working closely with the students and helping us evaluate who is ready for war, and who will be sent home. Starting with the 50 you fought with today. You should sort out your thoughts on the matter before tomorrow. You're free to leave."
"Right… Will do, Commander." I soluted before exiting, but just as I opened the door, I ran into a man with light leather armor marred by beast claws and tightly tied back purple hair. "Commander, Urgent report from General Ulf. Empire troops have crossed through the Black Gate and are currently marching in mass towards the capital."
'Fairy dust…' I slowly walked back into the room and leaned back against the wall next to the door. "You said marching, right? It should take them around three days to travel that distance in mass…" I looked back at the commanders. "So… How about now? Am I still holding a temporary rank?"
Tabernath sighed, ignoring the question. "How did they breach the black gate? And general Ulf, what of him?"
"General Ulf's commanders were all slain in battle; he was likely as well, or taken hostage… Although it wouldn't surprise me if he was still fighting them either… The Black Gate was opened from the inside. We managed to close it again in time and put down the traitors, but that prompted them to take it by force. Powerful magic blew the walls apart, and they marched through the gaping hole.
"By powerful magic… I'm assuming you mean…"
"We have confirmed sightings of the siege mage Hara, as well as the empire's fourth star, Kilian."
"Both of them!"
"If that's all, I must continue to report to the capital."
He raised his hand and shooed him away. "Be fast." He said, and sure enough, the man ran like the wind as all four of them suddenly took on grim expressions.
'Well, that happened…' "So we're at war then…" I said slowly as I peeked my head out the door just in time to catch one of Bhaltair's men and send them to go bring him back.
After we all gathered again, I stepped up to the main board and we went over my original strategy one more time.
"Of course… If we receive orders from the general, that changes things… But he has never been the type to be very hands-on… Defend Kasesh will likely remain as our standing orders." Tabernath moved the board pieces, setting up a massive number of enemies at the black gate.
"They are attacking with overwhelming force. It's likely they will move as a single unit to the Skorth, and from there they will lay siege and take the capital before coming here."
I paused, staring for a moment. 'That doesn't make any sense… Why would they do that?' "Do you really think so? I mean… That's where we are strongest. Wouldn't it be a gamble to take on all our strongest troops at once? And then we could pincer them by marching from Kasesh, but it leaves them too exposed. They may have overwhelming force, but they aren't stupid."
Once again, dead silence.
"WHY IS SHE EVEN HERE?" Elianara yelled before quickly calming himself. "War… Is no place for a child… Let her fulfill her role and lead the children away. We will fortify the city as ordered…"
"Well… I mean. We're going to lose this city eventually anyway, so we might as well leave now. It's not a bad option… Although if we are going to hold out and stall the war later on, it would be better to make them suffer as much as possible while they make their way south."
Elianara slammed his fist into the table before Al put a hand in front of him to hold him back. "Any plan that assumes we are going to lose doesn't seem like a good one." He said calmly. "Stay quiet, the grown-ups are talking."
I let out a small growl. "So what… Do you want to fight me? I'd like to see you try."
Bhaltair slowly moved between us. "You may be the best fighter in the room… But that doesn't mean you know anything about commanding soldiers. You aren't a graduate or a full commander. And what you're trying to do is the job of a general… Commanders don't plan the war, they plan battles that are brought about by the generals planning the war… Do you understand?"
I sighed… "Yes… That makes sense… But in that respect… You five can't order me to leave either… Even if my rank is only temporary, I am also a commander… None of you outrank me, and no one here can beat me in a fight… If you want me to follow your orders, then go get the general…"
Elianara almost ripped his hair out, while Al sighed. Philly was too shocked to say anything, and Bhaltair of all people laughed for the first time I could remember. "Alright then. How about you watch and listen first? Then, at the end of this meeting, you can share your thoughts. Is anyone opposed?" He took out his sword and placed the tip on the ground, casually leaning on it. No one dared say another word on the matter. After a pause, he turned back to me. "Siya?"
"No, I mean. Yeah, that's fine. I can wait my turn… So long as I get one." 'But of all people… Why… Why are you the one that's sticking up for me… Or is he like Keigan and just suddenly flipped the moment I proved myself…'