Arthur left the meeting hall after all the work was finished, heading to his room to gather his belongings in preparation for moving to Layla's room.
As soon as he left, a slight smile appeared on Speed's face. He then turned to Victoria and said in a playful tone: "It seems like you really have a great boy."
Victoria smiled gently and calmly replied: "Yes, you're right."
Speed shifted his gaze to the others, specifically Vlad, and then said, laughing sarcastically: "Man, where did you get a boy like that in your later years? It seems humans still have great surprises to hide! Just imagine their reaction when they see him after he grows up!"
The attendees exchanged looks of surprise, and Vlad spoke up: "Who are these people you're talking about?"
Speed responded in a surprisingly serious tone: "You won't know them, even if I told you about them. And I advise you not to try to know them ever, as they might bring destruction to your duchy."
A heavy silence fell over the hall, and everyone's expressions changed. Shock was evident on their faces, as if Speed's words had slapped them.
"Who the hell are they?" That was a common question on their lips. "Are there people powerful enough to threaten a great duchy like Dragonith?"
Vlad said, astonished: "If those people are that strong, how will Arthur surprise them? He's not strong, in fact, some even call him the weakest person in the entire duchy."
Speed's expression suddenly changed, and his tone turned serious with a hint of mockery: "Hey Vlad, are you trying to play dumb with me? I'm saying this boy is a rare gem, and you're saying he's the weakest? Are you mocking me?"
Vlad defended himself: "I'm not the one saying this, everyone is. Even his mother would tell you the same thing if you asked her."
Speed fell silent for a moment, then whispered to himself: "Impossible... A person with such intelligence and pride can't be weak. My eyes never fail in assessment... He must be hiding his strength for some reason."
He then looked directly at Victoria and asked seriously: "Is what Vlad said true?"
Victoria responded calmly: "Yes, it's true."
Speed smiled with excitement and said: "Ah, my enthusiasm is already ignited! Arthur, grow up quickly so I can see your true strength... I hope I live to see that day."
But suddenly, his smile faded, replaced by a face as serious as stone. He sighed a little, then spoke in a tone that forewarned danger: "Since I'm here, and your safety means my safety, I'm going to tell you something very important."
Tension filled the air, and everyone looked at him expectantly.
Vlad thought to himself: "It seems like this is really serious. A man like Speed doesn't joke at times like this."
Morgan muttered internally: "I hope this news is worth it. Just having Speed on our side is a rare gain."
Ingris frowned slightly and thought: "The phrase he said... 'Your safety is my safety'... suggests he has something to defend himself with. This seems more dangerous than we think."
Asta was in peak excitement: "What a council! One of the greatest councils I've attended in my life. And now I'll listen to one of the greatest warriors of this generation. What an honor!"
As everyone got lost in their thoughts, Speed interrupted them with a firm voice: "Since your full attention is with me, listen well. I don't like repeating myself."
He paused for a moment, then said in a tense tone: "I'm going to give you some very important hints, and if you understand their meaning, you'll be able to avoid major future problems... problems that you'll regret deeply if you ignore them."
His words hit them like a thunderstrike. Their eyes widened, and they all replied in unison: "Yes, tell us."
Speed said: "You must have realized that the attack on the Northern Duchy was just a smokescreen... or more accurately, an attrition operation. The biggest loser is the Northern Duchy, but as for us, we are the attackers... our losses are very minimal."
He took a deep breath and continued: "When their losses pile up, they will ask for help from their closest ally... the Southern Duchy. And if you meet their request, that means you'll give them resources, soldiers, and perhaps weapons."
He paused, then said: "And that leads to a depletion in your reserves. After that, another nearby duchy will be attacked in the same way, with the goal of attrition. And if they ask for your help, the scenario will repeat. If you don't help them... you know the consequences."
He then added: "Simply put, the Southern Duchy will turn into a resource reservoir for two duchies, weakening both its economy and military strength. After that, the attack will be directed toward you, once you've become completely vulnerable."
He paused briefly, then said sharply: "This plan can't be random. It's clear it was planned with the involvement of human nobles, and the goal is not to destroy you, but just to weaken you."
Speed then raised an eyebrow and asked: "And now, who benefits from weakening you? Whose interest does this war serve? Who are the traitors that cooperated with the monsters? And which kingdom or faction has enough power to organize such a professional attrition attack?"
He then said calmly: "I just rushed to tell you something you would have known too late. Believe it or not... that's your choice. But I didn't do this for your sake. I did it for my daughters, because we'll stay here, and I want to keep this duchy safe."
A heavy silence prevailed, and no one dared to speak. Only Victoria remained unaffected, her focus solely on her son and no one else.
Vlad sensed an imminent danger and turned to Morgan, Ingris, and Esta, then said: "There is much truth in Speed's words, even if I did not understand all the details... but the essence is correct."
In a moment of realization, Vlad placed his hand on the table, his eyes shining: "I understand now... yes, it is her!"
He looked at Speed with eyes that confirmed his conclusion: "The royal family... yes, they are behind this. They feel threatened by the rise of Dragonith's power, and they fear an imminent coup. Who possesses that power? Who could organize an attrition war with such precision? Only those at the top of the pyramid."
Then he muttered to himself: "We will face threats from within and without. The coming years will be hell. We must prepare well."
He turned to the strategist and asked: "What do you think now of Speed's words?"
The latter answered: "Sir, it seems that my thinking and yours are on the same track."
Vlad smiled and said: "As expected from my genius strategist."
Then he turned to Morgan and Ingris and commanded: "From now on, tighten security, and begin stockpiling as many military and food resources as possible."
He added, addressing Ingris: "Personally take charge of cleansing the duchy of any internal threats. I grant you full authority."
Both of them responded: "Yes, we hear and obey."
Vlad finally looked at the strategist and said: "I give you full authority to negotiate with the inner nobles, and take all necessary measures to avoid any upcoming losses."
He eagerly answered: "Yes, Sir!"
Then Vlad looked at Esta and said seriously: "Listen, my son, the time for games is over. It's time for serious work. You must increase your training, battles are coming, and you must be prepared for them."
He replied: "Okay, Father."
Speed smiled and said: "It seems they understood everything just from their enemy's words. Had they been other nobles, they would have either grown arrogant about my words or refused to listen altogether... but they listened, and immediately took the necessary measures. What a truly remarkable duchy."
Vlad looked at Speed and said gratefully: "Thank you for this valuable information."
He added firmly: "And with that, I promise you that your daughters will be treated very well, as if they were in their own home."
Speed replied calmly: "Thank you very much."
---
Meanwhile, sadness was evident on Victoria's face after hearing Vlad say that Arthur was the weakest in the duchy. She recalled those days... as if an old wound had opened anew.
Speed noticed her sorrow and approached her, saying: "I don't know what happened between you and your son, but it seems that your relationship isn't good, and that was very clear. Yet, your son looked at you with great confidence, and spoke boldly even in front of his father. All of this is because of you, because he knows he has a mother who will protect him. He may not show you love now, but he certainly doesn't hate you, he trusts you. So, be his support."
He paused for a moment, then continued: "He really has a brilliant mind, but the mind alone isn't enough in these corrupted times. He will face many difficulties in the future, so you need to train quickly and increase your strength. You have no time to rest... and of course, you will do this if you love your son."
As he spoke, Victoria's expression changed, and she seemed pleased. It was as if Speed's words had touched the heart of a mother who was weak in the face of her love for her son, despite her immense strength.
She shyly asked: "Did he really... show signs of confidence in me?"
Speed responded confidently: "Your son, as it seems to me, has a high pride, and will never show you love or things like that. But since I am a man, I can assure you that he trusts you. Don't worry, with time, your relationship will improve."
She replied with a smile and tearful eyes: "Thank you so much..."
Speed smiled and said calmly: "No need to thank me, I just wanted to clarify things for you."
Speed looked at his daughter, who was rubbing her foot and showing signs of fatigue from standing. They had walked a long distance before the meeting, and the meeting had lasted for two hours without anyone feeling the passage of time due to the tension.
Speed turned to Vlad and said: "Well, it seems our meeting has ended... please, take me to my cell."
His daughters' expressions changed immediately, and they looked sad. They said together: "Father... are you really going to be imprisoned?"
Misha cried and said: "Father, are you going far away?"
He answered gently: "Don't worry, Daddy won't go far. It's just a short trip, and when I return, I will bring you a gift."
The little girls were too young to understand the meaning of "cell."
Misha replied innocently: "Okay... bring me a gift, and don't forget."
Then she asked worriedly: "But... where will we stay? I don't want to stay with humans, they're scary."
Zila added: "Yes, Father, I don't want to stay with them."
Speed sighed and said: "Don't forget, my daughter, we were captured. Even the freedom we are speaking of now is not usually granted to us. We are not allowed to speak, or even ask for anything. They show us some respect, and that's why we shouldn't ask for more than what's been given to us. They've shown us much leniency, even though they don't know us."
Zila understood her father's words, felt sad, and then asked: "Where will we stay? Will we be alone?"
Victoria responded: "Don't worry, you will stay with me, and nothing will be lacking."
Zila looked at her with a cautious, distrustful gaze and said to herself: "Damn... how will I be hosted by humans? Evil humans... I will never allow this."
Signs of rebellion were clear on her face, and dissatisfaction was evident.
Victoria noticed that and said calmly: "I didn't ask you to love me or treat me kindly. I will only provide you with what you need, so don't worry."
Speed leaned in towards Zila's ear and whispered to her, trying to calm her down and reassure her heart. Everyone watched her angry and tense expressions, but as she listened to her father, her features began to change gradually, and everyone noticed it. Even Victoria thought to herself: "What's happening? Why is she changing like this?"
And when Speed finished his whisper, Zila's expression completely changed. She became happy, and her cheeks flushed, as if she had met someone she deeply respected. She said softly while looking at Victoria: "I didn't expect this... how wonderful... this is really great."
Everyone was surprised, even Victoria, who said: "It seems you've calmed down... well, that's good."
Zila replied respectfully – contrary to expectations – and said: "Yes... and I also apologize for the disrespect I showed you."
Speed smiled and said: "This is my daughter." Then he gently stroked her head.
At that moment, Vlad's suspicions grew even more about the secret Speed was hiding, as well as the secret concerning Victoria...