A few delegates shifted in their seats.
"So I'm asking for full disclosure," Ervin continued. "Not summaries. Not legends. Names. Numbers. Readiness."
A Solaran councilor frowned. "You're asking us to expose military assets in a public forum."
"This is not a public forum," Ervin replied. "This is survival planning."
A pause.
Then a quieter voice from the Ventaran side. "Once we say it out loud, we can't take it back."
Ervin nodded. "I know."
The room stayed silent for several seconds. Long enough that people outside would later say this was when the calamity truly began.
Commander Ilyas stood first.
"Solara Eastern Watch," he said. No flourish. "Five active battalions. Three thousand trained fighters. Two hundred high-tier elemental casters. Command structure intact. Reserves can mobilize in four days."
A clerk recorded every word.
"Our weaknesses," Ilyas added. "Urban defense. Long-duration sieges."
Next was Ventara.
