93 We are out of beta we releasing on time (2/2)
But now, everything changed. From the mouth of the envoy, an army composed of two liches, twenty ghouls and nearly 19 000 skeletons and 1 000 zombies would arrive at the last hour of the day, right before dusk. However, the number of monsters was already not the right amount, so what about the rest. What could have been an entire day of preparations could maybe be even less, there could be even more liches, more ghouls. And they were certain that no adventurers could match the efficiency at gathering information of the White Hand.
”No. We are dealing with something far more dangerous than expected. Not a single man will be wasted at chasing phantoms. Prepare the troops, without any additional news, the army will arrive at noon. We barely have six hours and I prefer to be pessimistic this time. Guild Master, we will have to increase the incentive. Double every reward but do not talk about the number of monsters present. That rule is applied to everyone here. Because so many people had to transmit the information, it is impossible to prevent it from spreading. But do your utmost at reducing the threat. For most, the difference between 60 000 and 40 000 isn't easy to see.”
The two men bowed and left without a word the room. They will both have a lot to do before the siege happened. Before leaving, the Guild Master couldn't help but look at Meridiana, not really knowing if he should bring the two out or not. But since the Mayor didn't say so, he didn't make any move.
”Now gentlemen, I know you are afraid. I know that you never thought that something like that will ever happen in your life. I know that all of you are probably thinking about two different things. However, I have to remind you that those two wishful thoughts will have all of us killed, you included.”
The Mayor was walking around the room, his speech only broken by the sounds of his steps. He could see what everyone was thinking, their faces already behaved like an open book. To be truthful, he felt the same as them. However, because he was far less free than anyone would think he was, he couldn't leave. He was bound to this city, and if the city was destroyed, he had no hope of ever surviving. Even if it was a Republic, no one would keep a failure like him afterward. Like the captain of a ship, he will have to sink with it.
”First of all, you think about leaving Archet, run as far as possible. The moment you step outside this room, you contact your servants, tell them to prepare all the wealth and artifacts you kept well hidden inside your manors. While the population is unaware of the threat, you use this opportunity to silently slip up and leave unnoticed. Even if I am certain that you would do such a thing reluctantly, leaving the city that let you grew, married, prospered, with your family around you, it would be better than death.”
Some couldn't help but nod at this idea. Even if they will end up as outsiders in another city, it was better to be alive and scorned than completely dead.
”But of course, that is if you survive. Not like the many citizens that tried to escape, only to vanish without a sound. And if previously, the merchants and adventurers were spared, I don't think that's necessarily the case anymore. As for last, the gates are already closed by now. Before the council even began, the orders were passed. No one leaves Archet anymore.”
The Mayor remained unperturbed by the bunch of elders that were screaming at him. They could curse him to die a thousand times, he wouldn't care either. Because they still had the other option.
”Next, you would behave like a turtle outside water. Hiding inside your shell, not daring to even let a single batch of skin outside of your fortress. With all those years, I know that a large amount of adventurers is secretly under your orders. Greed is inside the heart of every human. And in this dark time, instead of letting those experienced warriors fight side by side with the guards, you will ask them to protect you. There are still quite a few teams of grade N and M around here, easily capable of handling a few hundreds of undead with the protection of your manors.”
He still insisted on the word, hundreds, making those that were still silent shudder. It was at that time that they realized, they were facing an extremely important army. It was even more than half of the regular army of the Republic of Avenio. But the latter was currently spread around the three Gates of the desolate mountains and in the West. None were close enough to reinforce them before at least 2 days or so. Seeing that he had managed to convince everyone of how perilous the situation was, he dismissed the old bunch.
He had done everything he could, not even looking back, he grabbed a bottle of wine. It came from Genablum, and even if they were technically enemies, he managed to put his hand on it. Since it could be the last time he enjoyed such a thing, why not drink it. Remembering that the servant still hadn't left, he released him, without even looking at him.
”You can go now, Helmut.”
”Yes, my lord.” The latter couldn't help but look at the two strangers still in the room, but it was not up to him to know what someone else was thinking. Closing the doors behind him, only three beings still remained. Because they were completely silent while immobile, even with such strange armors, they could appreciate the little song the human in front of them was humming while pouring the expensive liquor in his glass. They couldn't recognize it without the lyrics, but it looked very solemn and sad. Maybe because he was drinking alone, but he raised a bit his voice, allowing the two strangers to barely hear it.
”… have come to kill me and my kin, to set this blessed lands to blaze.
Is it my fault? Am I this weak? Why no one can stand against them, even your pope?
Blessed Aria, what are our sins? For you to let your virtuous believers ...
Hum? What are you two still doing here?”