"I beg you all to relax."
As Hulan's firm voice echoed, the room quieted, though their cautious stares remained on Atticus like he was a ticking time bomb.
"It is an unfavorable situation," Hulan said, "but as the Saint herself stated, he is an ally. We cannot simply abandon him."
"But he's too big a risk!" the veteran snapped. "They could use him to find us! Mathias! Why are you quiet? Aren't you the one who claims everything is about survival?"
Mathias glanced at Atticus, who was calm and unmoved, and gulped.
"…I… I…"
He couldn't form a word. And it wasn't just him. Even the council members who had fought in Asterra didn't dare speak in Atticus' presence.
The veteran frowned. "What are yo—"
"But we're going to fight the Redflames, are we not?" Hulan interjected smoothly. "What message would it send if we abandon an ally right before war?"
The veteran fell silent. Hulan had used his own argument against him.
