"Chomp, chomp, gulp... Pwah! Sylpha, you've improved your skills again! This is delicious!"
"...Umu. Exquisite."
"I am honored, my lady."
Cruse was devouring her food with terrifying momentum. Shneider was quiet, but his pace was easily a match for hers.
"My, they certainly have quite the appetite," I remarked.
"Sylpha and the other maids are working just as hard," Albert added. "Look at the speed those dishes are being finished."
By the door, Sylpha and her fellow maids were moving in a frantic blur of efficiency.
"That’s some insane eating," Grimo muttered. "Those two are putting away as much food as the entire regiment of soldiers downstairs."
"They have a Magic-Housed Constitution," Jiriel explained. "Born with powerful mana but choosing the path of the warrior, that unused energy permeates their entire bodies instead of being cast as spells. It grants them extraordinary physical capabilities, but because the energy demand is so high, they require an enormous amount of calories."
Now that he mentioned it, I remembered hearing about that. It was an exceptionally rare constitution; this was the first time I'd seen it in person. Observing them closely, I couldn't feel even a trace of mana leaking from them. Perhaps I would have ended up like that too if I hadn't learned magic.
"A buff Master Lloyd... that's a terrifying thought," Grimo said, looking visibly disturbed.
Personally, I thought it might have looked cool. But I'd hate to lose my magic, so I'll pass.
"Now then, older brother, older sister... would it be alright if we began our discussion?" Albert spoke up once he saw the two of them start on their desserts.
"Umu. My belly is sufficiently satisfied," Cruse said.
"...Speak," Shneider added.
Albert gave a respectful bow, and a group of men entered the room. The Knight Commander, the Civil Affairs Chief, and the generals of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Armies—all figures usually busy advising the King or preparing for campaign. Each carried maps, blueprints, and ledgers detailing food stores, troop counts, and unit compositions.
"As you are aware, our kingdom is currently facing a massive Stampede. We have confirmed seven distinct swarms. Each cluster contains roughly a hundred thousand monsters, with the largest exceeding two hundred thousand. In total, approximately one million monsters are converging on Saloom."
A million, huh? The number was so abstract I couldn't quite wrap my head around it.
"A million?! That's historic! This is seriously bad news, Master Lloyd!" Grimo squealed.
"Yes, even I have never seen a swarm of this magnitude," Jiriel added.
The two familiars were panicking. I see, so it really was a lot. Wiping them all out with my magic alone might actually be a bit of a chore.
"How many troops can we muster?" Shneider asked, his voice steady.
"...Thirty thousand, if we push ourselves to the limit," the Civil Affairs Chief replied.
"Kakkakka! So we're outnumbered three to one? That's no laughing matter!" Cruse laughed, though she was busy mashing her pudding with a spoon.
"Typically, a monster's strength is calculated as equal to three soldiers," Albert noted. "Which means the actual power disparity is ninefold. I’ve made what preparations I could before your return... I have the detailed reports here. You."
"At once, your highness."
At Albert’s signal, the Civil Affairs Chief spread maps and markers across the table. They showed the terrain surrounding the capital and the current positions of the monsters. Accompanying documents detailed food stockpiles and specific unit strengths. Shneider and Cruse pored over them, humming in thought.
"Hoh, you did well to gather this much intel and so many men in such a short time," Cruse noted. "Focusing on amassing troops instead of maneuvering them aimlessly was a sharp call. Knowing your own limits is one of your best qualities, Albert."
"I simply lacked the confidence to move a large army with my meager skills," Albert replied with a humble shake of his head and a wry smile. He really was excellent at delegating tasks to the right people without overestimating himself.
"..."
Shneider stared at the board and the documents, silently eating the puddings that were being served in a steady stream. Cruse, too, was practically drinking her parfait, her eyes never leaving the maps. Their concentration was immense. For a long while, the only sound in the room was the rhythmic clinking of spoons.
"...It’ll be close."
"Umu. We were lucky to spot them this early. We can still make use of the gate."
"The gate... You mean the Continental Gate?" Albert asked.
The Continental Gate—to the north of Saloom lay a range of mountains so steep they acted as a natural barrier. Built into those peaks was a massive fortress known as the Continental Gate. Since its construction, it had survived countless sieges and had never once been breached. It was an impregnable bastion.
"Geez, Master Lloyd, you're surprisingly interested in this stuff today," Grimo whispered. "Usually, if a conversation isn't about magic, you tune out immediately."
"Indeed. I thought you had no interest in anything else," Jiriel agreed.
"What are you talking about? War and magic are inseparable."
Since ancient times, conflict has been the catalyst for technological evolution. Magic was no exception. It wasn't just about Large-scale Magic with massive blast zones; spells had been developed to slow marches, create food and water, or even induce sickness in enemy camps.
Shneider was a master of the military application of magic. I had been deeply impressed by his unique methods, which he called War Magic. Even in the skirmish earlier, he had utilized mages with subtle brilliance. Using "Light Canopy," a low-cost barrier anyone could maintain, and "Heavy Foot" to slow the enemy's advance, he had forcibly channeled the monster flow into a pincer attack for an instant kill. Using a handful of mages and minor spells to dictate the flow of battle—it was a subtle yet fascinating use of magic.
I wondered how Shneider intended to apply those principles against a million monsters. Just thinking about it made my heart race.
"Well, if we're going to make our stand at the Continental Gate, we have no time to lose. Let the council begin. Everyone below the rank of general, leave us."
"Yes, sir!"
The room cleared, leaving only a few high-ranking officers.
"Now then, Lloyd. You should go outside as well." Cruse’s hand landed on my shoulder as I tried to blend into the background.
"What?! But I want to listen!"
"What are you saying? This isn't something for a child's ears. Here, Sylpha, take him away."
"...Master Lloyd, come along," Sylpha said.
"Aww..." I looked at Albert for help, but he just gave me an apologetic look and mouthed a silent "sorry."
Darn, no good. If it comes to this, I'll just have to plant a Magic Sigil and eavesdrop—
"Stay."
The word was short but possessed an undeniable weight. It was Shneider. Everyone froze, Cruse included.
"H-Hey, Shneider. Lloyd's a child. Even if you let him listen..."
"I do not mind."
Cruse sighed as Shneider refused to even look at her. His gaze was fixed on my eyes, unmoving.
...Wow, the pressure coming off him is incredible.
"Hey, Albert, what's this about?"
"I-I don't know. Maybe he noticed Lloyd's potential for military strategy...?"
"That's a bit of a stretch... but Shneider never does anything without a reason. He must have a plan."
The two of them whispered to each other as they watched Shneider stand with his arms crossed. I didn't quite get what was happening, but it looked like I didn't have to leave. Lucky me!
"Fine... your whims are as troublesome as ever. No matter. Let the council begin!"
At Cruse's command, the strategy meeting for the defense of the Continental Gate commenced.