Chapter 609 - 608: Complicated Work

Chapter 609: Chapter 608: Complicated Work

Albert added, "The castle has a Church and a Mage Tower, so you’ll be able to find a place if you want to practice Divine Arts or Magic. The city next to the castle also has ample Magic Materials, but we won’t be staying here for more than a few days."

"We practiced Magic in Thousand Masts City as well, so this is just a change of scenery," Colin said with a nod.

"In that case, I won’t keep you from your lunch. The battle hasn’t started yet. After you’re finished... Mikhailo? Would you please arrange a room for them?"

As Albert finished speaking, Mikhailo bowed slightly and said, "As you wish, my lord."

"Actually, I..."

Colin was about to say he wasn’t that hungry, but when he turned his head, he saw Ale and Kase with their heads down, devouring their food as if they hadn’t eaten breakfast.

Orelia and Dorn, on the other hand, were stuffing bread into their mouths with pained expressions, likely because they didn’t want to waste food. It wasn’t surprising, as one was a follower of the Morninglord and the other had once lived in the food-scarce Underground.

Colin sighed, closed his eyes, and gulped down all the stew.

Seeing that the others hadn’t finished, he took a piece of bread and stood beside Albert, looking over the documents on the table.

The documents were filled with all sorts of costs and expenses, and Albert was busy calculating in a small notebook at his side. After watching for a moment, Colin said, "That one’s calculated wrong. It should be three hundred and twenty-two Gold Coins."

Albert took a closer look and muttered, "It seems you’re right..."

After correcting the figure on the paper, he glanced at Colin again. "Come to think of it, don’t Mages need strong calculation skills to design spell models?"

"Alright, let me help you with the math."

Colin pulled his chair over to sit beside him, and Albert promptly handed him several documents.

A while later, Mikhailo led the rest of them to see their rooms. Ale, however, brought over a chair and sat quietly beside Colin, reading a book. Occasionally, she would also help with some of the documents.

They worked like that for a while until, at some point, Mikhailo reappeared in the great hall.

He said to Albert, "It’s time for today’s strategy meeting. Everyone else is ready."

"Then let’s begin, right here." Albert looked up from the mountain of paperwork. He stretched and remarked, "Colin, you’re quite skilled at calculation. No wonder your progress in Magic is so fast."

"I have a special talent for counting Gold Coins," Colin joked with a smile. ’The math I learned in my past life makes short work of little problems like this.’

He then asked, "Should we excuse ourselves?"

"No need. You can listen from the side. Just sit here next to me. Are Dorn and the others interested? They’re welcome to join as well."

"I doubt they’d be very interested," Colin said as he pulled out a chair and sat next to the head of the table. Ale, as usual, sat beside him.

’To be honest, he was actually a little curious about this kind of war council. After all, he’d never seen anything like it in his past life.’

Albert clapped his hands and said to Mikhailo, "Alright, let’s begin. Show everyone in."

Mikhailo nodded and strode out of the great hall.

A few minutes later, the sound of footsteps approached from outside, mingled with the gruff voices and boisterous laughter typical of the men from the Northern Lands.

A moment later, a dozen or so people filed in.

Most of them wore heavy clothing and jewelry made of precious metals. They appeared to be nobles from the Northern Lands.

Among the crowd, there was a Mage in a Magic Robe and several Priests in long robes.

The Mage’s Magic Robe bore the emblem of the Mystery Study Association. The fellow’s expression was sullen; to put it politely, he didn’t look like one of the good guys.

As for the Priests, their robes were embroidered with Divine Emblems. Colin could recognize them as Priests of the Morninglord, the Deity of Justice, the Deity of Sacrifice, and the Deity of Suffering.

In addition, there was an Elf and a Dwarf.

These two must be the leaders of the Elven and Dwarven reinforcements.

The dozen or so people who entered found their seats with a practiced ease, as if they had rehearsed it hundreds of times.

Colin surmised that the three seated closest to the head of the table were the other Earls of the Northern Lands. These noble families were less powerful than the Weston Clan, but they were closely connected through marriage, making them indispensable allies.

Colin also saw Baron Peter, whom he had met not long ago. The Baron nodded at him in greeting.

The Baron sat at the foot of the long table, a clear indication that his status was not particularly high among the newcomers.

While Colin was sizing up the nobles, they were also sizing him up.

Albert cleared his throat and said, "This is Colin, the captain of the Foreigner Squad."

"That Dragon Slayer Squad?" An elderly nobleman beside Colin studied him more closely. "I never expected you to be so young."

Another nobleman, who seemed friendly with him, teased, "I believe I told you about this last time. You’re really getting old."

"I’m still in the prime of my life!" the old nobleman said with a laugh. "If you don’t believe me, feel free to challenge me on horseback!"

"Now, is everyone ready? Perhaps we should get down to business," Albert said.

Immediately after, the eldest of the Priests rose to his feet.

Everyone in the hall rose, standing straight and bowing their heads slightly. Colin and Ale followed suit and stood up as well.

The elderly Priest clasped his hands. A silver Holy Emblem, resting on the backs of his hands, shimmered with a faint glow.

He began, "My lords, before the council begins, we shall first pray to the Four Holy Deities for their blessing.

May the Morninglord, Lathander, scatter the shadows that blind us and grant us the clarity to perceive the truth of our situation. May the Deity of Justice, Tyr, true the scales within our hearts, that all our decisions may be just. May the Deity of Sacrifice, Ilmater, protect our soldiers on the battlefield, bear their pain, and comfort the dying. May the Deity of Suffering, Vankarrel, fortify our resolve, so that we shall never falter nor retreat, no matter how perilous the path ahead.

We beseech the gods to heal our divisions and unite our hearts, to grant us sound strategy, and to protect all the innocent. All decisions shall be made in the name of the Four Holy Deities. Now, let the council begin!"

As soon as the prayer concluded, Albert was the first to sit.

The others followed, taking their seats in descending order of rank.

"I’m sure you all learned why we’ve gathered here on your way over. Our scouts east of Wolf Castle have returned with accurate intelligence..."

After Albert gave a brief overview of the situation with the Orcs, the other nobles began to speak, launching into a wide-ranging discussion about the war.