I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 460: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [2] Sancta Vedeliaʼs Situation After A Month

”A month has passed since they invaded and we are already overwhelmed.” No one in the room contradicted Alectorʼs words, it was the truth after all.

Just a month prior, during the Exam of Trinity Eden, Vanadias had been invaded-a meticulously orchestrated strike that suggested an alliance between Utopia and Behemoth themselves. From that moment, the nations of Sancta Vedelia had plunged into war

preparations, fortifying defenses, and mobilizing armies.

”Theyʼve been planning this for years,” came a voice from the shadows of the chamber. It was Evan Indi Zestella, his face drawn and shadowed with exhaustion. ”I wouldnʼt be surprised if other Heads or important nobles were involved as well.” He added.

Evan seemed less lively than before. In his fatherʼs absence whose location and state were unknown, he had ascended to lead Zestella and command its army.

Reiner Dolphis glared across the table. ”What exactly are you insinuating, boy?”

How dare this child suggest conspiracies within their trusted alliance?

But Evanʼs gaze didnʼt waver. Inwardly, he carried a new weight-responsibility not just for his kingdom but also for his sister, Celeste, the Prophetess. Protecting her, as well as the Kingdom, drove him as much as fear.

”The time for trust is gone,” Evan replied coldly, meeting Reinerʼs scowl without a trace of submission.

”What did you say?”

”Lord Dolphis.” Jefer Moonfangʼs voice cut in.

”Are you going to let him say whatever he wants, Jefer?” Reiner groaned.

”Are you truly so surprised?” Jefer replied. ”The Raven House refused to join our alliance, just like the Olpheans. If either of them or both have aligned themselves with Utopia, would it truly be shocking?”

The revelation of the Raven Houseʼs stance had indeed been a blow to morale. The Ravens had pledged to defend only their own, much like the Olpheans, who would only engage when their own lands lay in imminent danger.

”Itʼs rather hypocritical to expect the Olpheansʼ aid, given that we refused to intervene in their Queenʼs situation,” a scoff rang from a woman.

The speaker was Priscilla Tepes. Duncan Tepesʼ daughter and Elizabethʼs aunt. She sat with her arms crossed, watching the gathering seriously as well. She represented the Tepes House here.

Priscillaʼs words silenced the room.

Despite their frustrations with the Ravensʼ refusal to cooperate with the other Kingdoms and Heads in resisting Utopia, none dared voice their complaints. After all, none had stood with the Olphean House when Lydia Alea Olphean was abducted.

”Letʼs set aside any unnecessary discussions,” Alector intervened with a weary sigh. ”Yes, the absence of the Olpheans and Ravens is a serious setback, but we must press on. Letʼs focus on the task at hand.”

”Understood.” Priscilla nodded, sweeping her hand over the projection before them. Multiple locations lit up, each depicting dire situations unfolding across the kingdoms. ”Moving past the struggles in the Elaryon Kingdom, Zestellaʼs borders are already under heavy siege. In truth, they arenʼt just threatened; theyʼve fallen...”

The room grew tense as Harvey observed the map silently. This had been inevitable. The defenses were unprepared for such a swift assault, especially given Zestellaʼs vulnerable western border shared with the Teraquin Kingdom.

”The Dolphian Kingdom faces an even graver crisis,” Jefer added with a grimace. ”Most of the border cities have already fallen.”

”My people have withdrawn,” Reiner spoke up, his face set. ”I ordered civilians and soldiers alike to abandon the outer cities and regroup within our strongholds.”

Several heads turned his way, brows furrowed.

”Donʼt give me that look,” Reiner snapped, voice tinged with anger. ”Our country was torn apart by Behemothʼs onslaught-weʼre still reeling from that devastation.”

”How long will you keep ordering retreats?” Jefer pressed, frowning. ”Youʼre practically paving a path for Utopia to reach your capital unopposed. Once theyʼre at your doorstep, itʼs over.”

”Iʼm aware of the risks!” Reiner shot back, punching the table. ”But we need time to gather our defenses. We canʼt afford another catastrophe.”

Namys placed a hand over her chest with a saddened face. ”Your choice was wise, Reiner. Iʼve heard reports... even human prisoners, innocent civilians, are being enslaved.”

”Those damn elves...” Reiner clenched his fists, furiously.

Tanya had always exhibited a subtle, simmering disdain for others, but at least sheʼd been tolerable. These elves from Utopia, however, embodied a different, far more terrifying breed of discrimination.

Evan also was boiling with anger but he could do nothing about it.

He hadnʼt had time to warn his people at the borders to retreat-or rather, he had, but the message hadnʼt reached them soon enough. The attack had taken them all by surprise. Now, thousands were confirmed captured by Utopian forces, and as they were humans, their fate was almost certainly grim.

”How could Tanya let this happen?!” Reiner roared, in anger and disbelief.

They all knew that Tanya wasnʼt to blame for this betrayal; she herself had fallen victim to the machinations of her eldest son. Still, it was hard to accept just how easily her trust had been twisted against her.

”This isnʼt solely Tanyaʼs burden,” Alector said, seeking to restore calm. ”We all share responsibility over the safety of Sancta Vedelia.”

”Thatʼs easy for you to say, old man,” Priscilla muttered. ”Central Vedelia is practically untouchable.”

Central Vedelia, encircled by towering walls and fortified by each kingdomʼs borders, was nearly impenetrable. Reaching it required passing through every surrounding territory, a feat even harder now that all security measures had been raised to the highest levels.

”I have my own burdens to bear,” Alector replied. ”The enemyʼs main target is the Holy Tree

of Eden. If they manage to seize it, everything is lost.”

”Theyʼre also after the Prophetess,” Priscilla added.

”Claudia is safe,” Alector assured her.

”Iʼm not speaking of Claudia,” Priscilla said, casting a quick glance at Evan.

All eyes turned to him.

”Your sister should be confined to Central Vedelia,” Reiner said sternly.

But, to everyoneʼs surprise, Evan shook his head. Theyʼd expected him to agree readily, knowing Celeste would be safest within the fortified walls.

”Itʼs pointless,” Evan replied, shaking his head. ”Sheʼll break out. Iʼve tried keeping her in the castle more than once, but she escapes every time.”

He couldnʼt restrain her. Celeste refused to hide while her comrades fought and bled outside.

”Then make her understand whatʼs at stake!” Reiner shouted, slamming his fist on the table. ”Is she too foolish to see the danger?”

Evanʼs gaze sharpened. ”Maybe she is. But she has more heart than any of you.”

Evan knew letting his sister onto the battlefield was a gamble-a risky one at that. Yet, in weighing his options, he figured it was the safest way to keep her close. Better to have her under his eye, where he could at least exert some influence over her actions. Heʼd assigned August to stay by her side, which alleviated a bit of his anxiety, though not by much.

”You should force her,” Jefer said aligning himself with Reinerʼs perspective. ”We canʼt afford to lose another Prophetess.”

The loss of the last Prophetess, Sara, had left a lasting scar, and now Claudia, the current Prophetess, had diminished to a mere shadow of her former self, her abilities nearly stripped away. It was clear she couldnʼt bear the title much longer. In Jeferʼs eyes, it was time for

Celeste to take her rightful place.

Evanʼs expression darkened as he met Jeferʼs gaze. ”Go ahead and try if you think you can,” he said. Evan had already tried to force his sisterʼs compliance, he was unable as she always managed to escape. He couldnʼt hurt her by forcing her to remain in the end knowing how

stubborn she was.

”Before sheʼs the Prophetess, sheʼs my sister,” Evan continued. ”No one worries for her safety more than I do. Iʼve taken every possible measure to keep her out of harmʼs way.” ”If Melfinaʼs grandson says so, then weʼll trust his judgment,” Alector spoke for Evan much to everyoneʼs surprise.

Reiner cast a dubious look at Evan, clearly still not convinced. He hesitated, his jaw set as if he wanted to argue further, but eventually he let out a grudging sigh. ”Fine.”

With that issue at least temporarily settled, Alector turned his gaze toward Priscilla. ”Now, onto another matter,” he said sternly, ”why isnʼt Duncan Tepes here?”

The absence of the powerful Demigod did not sit well with Alector. Duncan Tepes was more than just a figurehead; he was their mightiest weapon. His refusal to attend their war councils bordered on arrogance, a pride that seemed to blind him to the pressing danger if that was the reason. They had already been attacked-how could Duncan ignore this? He wasnʼt entirely surprised by Lazarus Ravenʼs selfish choice by Duncan Tepes? Priscillaʼs face remained calm, though a flicker of discomfort betrayed her. ”My father... is

occupied,” she replied carefully, choosing her words. She knew full well that admitting any ignorance regarding her fatherʼs whereabouts would invite contempt, perhaps even scorn, toward her entire house. This was the safest answer she could give, and one she hoped would

satisfy them.

Alectorʼs scowl deepened. ”He needs to remember that heʼs our strongest weapon,” he

grumbled. The grim reality was that if Utopia had managed to enlist any Demigods to their side, Duncanʼs presence would be their only true advantage in the battle ahead. With the main points addressed, Alector shifted his focus back to the looming war, signaling to the others. ”Letʼs share what we know-and our next movements.”

The room grew serious as each member nodded in agreement. What followed was an intense exchange that stretched on for two long hours.