Chapter 43: Pre-War Meeting

Eps had always been at ease regarding the Temple in his Territory. Without saying too much, he looked toward the next person, whose tone he used was far more casual, and naturally, much closer: "Beierjiate, how is the situation with the Adventurers?"

Although this Beierjiate appeared unremarkable, he was a veteran Adventurer; of course, he had now become a follower of the Lord.

Seeing the Lord inquire, he stood up immediately, appearing particularly conspicuous in this Town Hall conference room, so much so that even the merchants who had just been complaining to the Lord could not help but glance at him.

"My Lord," Beierjiate said, "The situation with the Adventurers is stable enough, though a few squads may have discovered that the Orcs are about to attack. I have already passed the intelligence to Keyaan, and he has already led men to bring these people under control."

"Mm."

Eps nodded. Adventurers had to leave town almost every day, either to gather materials and meat, or to hunt Goblins and beasts. If anyone were most likely to be the first to discover news of an impending Orc Tide, it would certainly be the Adventurers.

Their sensitivity to crises and the wilderness far exceeded that of ordinary people.

But they were indeed an uncertain factor. The news of this Orc Tide was originally discovered by an Adventurer squad, but it had been intercepted by the Territory's Scouts, which was why it had not triggered chaos in the Territory.

"Keyaan, what is the situation with the Territory's Army?"

"My Lord, the news of the Orc attack has already been disseminated on a small scale, and low-intensity pre-war training has been arranged, but there are two problems—"

"What problems? Speak!"

"Yes!" Keyaan swept an imperceptible glance at the expressionless Saier on his right and said, "Town Mayor Saier has not allocated military supplies in a timely manner."

"My Lord."

Before Lord Eps could ask, Saier hurriedly stood up and replied respectfully: "It is not that I do not allocate supplies in a timely manner, but that the Army's increased training consumes too much. Last year, the Territory's grain production was insufficient; if not for the relief from the Mage Tower, the Territory would not have lasted until this year's Harvest Festival. As for winter combat equipment, the Territory began preparing last year to deal with the potential Orc Tide, but the first winter snow has yet to fall, so this Orc attack might not require it."

According to past experience, Orc Tides usually only appeared in the dead of winter, when Orcs would descend from the mountains in large numbers due to a lack of food, striking any area that might have supplies.

This Orc Tide was indeed a bit early. Lord Eps felt a faint worry in his heart, but in front of subordinates and outsiders, he did not want to show his weak side.

"Keyaan, I will have someone transfer a batch of grain from the Mage Tower. Training cannot stop, but you need to maintain a state of readiness for combat at all times. What is the other problem you mentioned?"

"My Lord, when can the Mage Tower's Apprentices be assigned here?"

Keyaan did not mention Official Mages; he knew very well that in large-scale warfare, a few low-level Mages might not be as useful as having more Apprentices.

"Send out Scouts to monitor the Orcs' movements at all times! The Apprentices will be handed over to you next week."

"Yes!"

There were no impassioned slogans shouted; loyalty to the Lord and hatred for the Orcs meant Keyaan's conviction was second to none among those present.

The last person to the right of Lord Eps was Town Mayor Saier. Nominally, he was only the Town Mayor of Savile Town, but in reality, he could manage all matters of the Territory, large and small.

This was the steward personally chosen by the old Lord for Eps Saville—loyal and reliable, having served the Saville Family since Saier's grandfather's time.

As a Mage, Eps devoted the vast majority of his time and energy to Magic; if not for this Town Mayor Saier, the Savile Territory would have fallen into decline long ago.

The great reputation Eps enjoyed for managing the Territory was largely due to Saier. Therefore, Eps respected Saier considerably, both from the perspective of a generational vassal and from a practical standpoint.

"Saier, I am very at ease leaving the Territory's affairs to you."

Stopping Saier's attempt to stand, Eps looked coldly at the merchant representatives on the left side of the conference table, "Gentlemen, is this your final decision?"

"My Lord, it is truly—" Before the representative of the Eagle Chamber of Commerce, Asaer, who was wearing silk Elf robes and a Constant Temperature Amulet, could finish his sentence, he vanished in a flash of white light.

Seeing this, the other merchants thought Lord Eps had flown into a rage and immediately acted as if facing a great enemy; one even activated a Teleportation Scroll on the spot.

Thousands of Gold Coins, thrown away just like that. It was a pity that they were within the control range of the Mage Tower; Lord Eps easily prevented this teleportation, but before the terrified merchant could speak, another white light made him disappear.

The remaining merchants looked at one another, but not a single one spoke again. They had also realized that Lord Eps had not harmed the two who had disappeared earlier.

Eps did not get the answer he wanted, which was somewhat disappointing, but it also firmed his resolve. With a wave of his left hand, he teleported all these merchants to the entrance of the Town Hall.

The pre-war meeting thus came to an end. In truth, this pre-war meeting had been held for these merchants; the Savile Territory would always obey the Lord's orders.

The Divine Office, including the clergy of the Temple, also owed their allegiance to the Lord, provided the Lord's orders did not violate their Faith.

Only these foreign merchants, because the forces behind each of them were almost all stronger than the Savile Territory, showed quite strong resistance when faced with Lord Eps Saville's demand to take over command of their armed forces during the Orc War.

But Eps had long since made up his mind; he would no longer tolerate these merchants operating outside of order.

……

On the other side, just as Asaer, the branch head of the Eagle Chamber of Commerce for the Savile region, was teleported to the entrance of the Town Hall, another arrived in the blink of an eye. Afterward, all the merchant representatives who had attended the pre-war meeting appeared at the entrance of the Town Hall.

"Branch Head Asaer, I'm glad you're alright. I thought—"

"Thought what? That I was killed by Lord Saville?" Asaer looked disdainful, "A branch head of the Eagle Chamber of Commerce would never be treated like this, even in the Elf Kingdom."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Several merchant representatives chimed in with flattery.

Territories have sizes and Lords have varying strengths; naturally, the chambers of commerce under them would also differ.

The Eagle Chamber of Commerce was famous throughout the Empire and even the Elf Kingdom, and the Lord behind it was a powerful Arcanist with the potential to become Legendary.

The other chambers of commerce also had their own backgrounds.

Compared to them, Eps Saville was nothing at all, yet he actually wanted to take over their armed forces while taking advantage of the Orc Tide—he had truly miscalculated.

These merchants chatted and laughed as they departed. Some headed toward the Villa District north of the Town Hall, while others headed toward their residences in the East District.

Surrounded by several merchants, Asaer arrived at his villa. Just as he was about to enter, he suddenly thought of something, touched his wrist, and activated the Mind Amulet on it.

The memories that had gradually faded became clear in an instant.

"Archmage Olong?!"

An Archmage with a Spellcasting Level as high as 17 was famous throughout the Empire; Asaer had completely failed to notice this just now.

Thinking of it now, Asaer broke out in a cold sweat.

Ignoring the merchant representatives beside him, Asaer grabbed the hem of his Elf robes and trotted back toward the Town Hall.

The remaining merchants looked at each other, but then followed him in unison.

There is one more chapter to be posted this afternoon.

Trembling as I beg for recommendation votes~~

(End of chapter)