I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1392  The War Room

Immediately after Ryuganʼs unexpected victory, Northern found himself once again in the war room. This time, though, things were a bit different. The atmosphere was far more uplifted than it had been several days ago.

King Ruger was seated on his throne, his son seated towards the left side of the war table, at the edge, directly opposite Northern. The nobles were mumbling and saying all sorts of things that mixed and dispersed into the room as unintelligible conversations. But these conversations warranted them to glance at Northern, with radiant lights shining in their eyes as they looked at him.

It was a light that Northern recognized all too well. And he hated to see it.

Whether he would come to terms with it or not, he was a savior to these people, a hero to them, and that light which he hated to be a recipient of so much... that was the light of hope in the eyes of people. Not that he didnʼt know. Northern just happened to consider himself a very problematic person, and burdening him with the expectations of humanity... he didnʼt see that going too well.

There were only a few people Northern cared about, and everything else that came, he had a cause for, something to gain. So although these people may not inherently understand him yet, when they found out who he was and what exactly he was trying to do, Northern knew they would most likely change their opinion and look at him with darkness and hatred in their eyes.

So he did not let the light impress him at all.

King Ruger raised a hand and the room fell silent almost immediately. The mumbling died in stages, some voices cutting off quicker than others, until the only sound was the faint draft leaking in from the carved stone vents near the ceiling.

”We are here because we survived.”

The Kingʼs voice was measured. But there was something underneath it now, something that hadnʼt been there before the battle…. Conviction.

”Four hundred and twelve of our soldiers gave their lives at the gate. Let us begin by honoring them with a moment.”

Silence fell. The kind that pressed against the chest.

Northern watched the room. Some of the nobles bowed their heads. Others simply stared at the table. Lord Eryx, the Earl who had argued so fervently for surrender before the war began, closed his eyes with an expression that was either grief or performance. Northern couldnʼt quite tell.

ʼBoth, probably.ʼ

The moment passed. Ruger continued.

”The Empireʼs Seventh Legion, the Nightblood, was sent to crush us. They expected a quick conquest. A nation too small and too weak to resist.” He paused and let his gaze sweep the room. ”They were wrong.”

Prince Rieran sat straighter at that. His jaw was set and his eyes burned with something fierce and proud. He had been at the wall. He had fought. That alone gave him more right to sit at this table than half the nobles present, and the way his chin lifted said he knew it.

”General Sethran.” The King turned to the Duke. ”Your assessment.”

Duke Sethran Yuen rose from his seat. He did not look at Northern, not immediately. Instead, he addressed the room with the same professional discipline he had always shown.

”The Seventh Legion committed approximately eight thousand soldiers to the frontal assault on the gate. Of those, we estimate over six thousand casualties, with the remainder in full retreat. Their support units and reserve forces pulled back before engaging.” He placed his hands on the table. ”Our fortifications held, but barely. The left section of the wall will need significant repairs before it can withstand another assault of that magnitude. The runic array is intact but weakened.”

He paused.

”As for the rear assault...” Now he glanced at Northern. Just for a moment. ”Captain Colakʼs Fourth Legion infiltration force was neutralized almost entirely. We are still counting their dead. The estimate is in the thousands.”

The room stirred. Several of the Marquises exchanged glances. That was the part of the battle that nobody in this room fully understood, and Northern could feel the questions hanging in the air like fog.

ʼThey want to ask how. They want to know what exactly happened in the forest. But none of them will ask me directly.ʼ

”Lord Northern.” King Rugerʼs voice drew the roomʼs attention. ”Would you care to elaborate on the details of the rear engagement?”

Northern leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling for a moment, as if considering whether this was worth the effort.

”Captain Colak led approximately three thousand soldiers through the southern forest using a concealment dome. They intended to bypass the gate and infiltrate the palace directly.” He brought his gaze back down and spoke casually, the same way someone might describe what they had for breakfast. ”I dealt with them.”

Silence.

”You... dealt with them,” one of the Marquises repeated, as though tasting the words for poison.

”Dealt with them,” Northern confirmed.

He offered nothing else.

Prince Rieranʼs lips twitched, just barely. It could have been amusement. It could have been something else entirely.

Duke Sethran studied Northern for a long beat, then turned back to the room.

”Regardless of the specifics, the outcome is clear. The Empire committed two legions to this engagement and both were repelled. This is the first significant military defeat that any of the Empireʼs Legion has suffered in over eighty years.”

That statement settled over the room with real weight. Some of the nobles sat taller. Others shifted in their seats as though the weight was uncomfortable.

And then Lord Eryx spoke.

”A tremendous victory. No one in this room would deny that.” His voice was smooth, almost warm. He even inclined his head towards Northern in what appeared to be genuine respect. ”Lord Northernʼs contribution was... extraordinary.”

ʼHere it comes.ʼ

Northern didnʼt move. Didnʼt change his expression. But he noticed the way Eryx had paused before ʼextraordinary,ʼ the way his fingers had laced together on the table, how he had not looked at Northern when he said it but at the other nobles instead.

ʼHeʼs not praising me. Heʼs preparing them for what comes next.ʼ

”However.” Eryx straightened in his chair. ”We must be cautious about what this victory actually means. The Seventh Legion is one of nine. The Fourth, which attempted the rear assault, is said to be stronger still. And beyond the legions, the Empire possesses military forces that dwarf anything we have encountered.”

He turned to King Ruger with an expression of grave concern.

”Your Majesty, I urge temperance. One battle won is not a war won. The Empire will not take this lightly. They will return with greater force, greater preparation, and...” he hesitated, just long enough for it to feel deliberate, ”...potentially forces that even Lord Northern may find challenging.”