I've never liked large rooms filled with important people. There's always too much air, too much silence, and too many expectations. The meeting hall of the Vailor guild managed to gather all of that at once. I was seated at the central table, my hands resting on the ancient wood, feeling the flame inside me stir in an uncomfortable way. It wasn't ordinary anxiety. It was as if something distant were watching me, evaluating every decision I hadn't even made yet.
Elara was to my left, visibly exhausted. Even sitting down, it was easy to see that her mana was at its limit. She took deep breaths from time to time, like someone trying not to draw attention to her own condition. Vespera occupied the other side, fidgeting with her fingers and staring at a map as if it had personally offended her honor. Liriel stood a little behind us, hands clasped in front of her body, with a strangely solemn expression for someone who, in practice, could only use light magic at very specific levels.
On the other side of the table were representatives from several smaller guilds, two captains of the Vailor guard, and, seated with an almost offensive calmness, Aelthryn Silvarion.
The elf seemed out of place there, as if the room itself were too small for him. Long silver hair tied back simply, deep green eyes that seemed to see far beyond what was being said. He wore no heavy armor, only reinforced elven garments, yet the pressure emanating from him was absurd. Not in an aggressive sense, but… stable. Like a mountain that didn't need to prove itself.
He was the one who broke the silence.
"I've already lost three squads exploring that dungeon," he said calmly. "None of them died due to recklessness. They died because the enemy was prepared."
One of the captains cleared his throat. "We're talking about a Demon General. That was to be expected."
Aelthryn inclined his head slightly. "No. What wasn't expected was discipline. Patrol routes. Containment units. That isn't a nest. It's a military base."
I felt a chill run down my spine. The flame reacted immediately, as if agreeing with every word.
I took a deep breath before speaking. "So we're not dealing with just an isolated General. He's gathering forces."
All eyes turned to me.
"Exactly," Aelthryn replied. "And he's doing it far too quickly."
Vespera crossed her arms. "Great. An organized demonic army. Just when our finances barely cover buying new arrows. Some of them… wrong ones, even." She shot me a sideways glance, clearly remembering recent missions.
Elara sighed. "If we attack head-on now, I won't last even half of a prolonged fight. My mana hasn't recovered since the last incursion."
Liriel raised her hand carefully. "My light magic can help with containment and support, but don't expect miracles. Not against a General."
Aelthryn observed each of them with genuine attention, without judgment. Then he turned his gaze back to me.
"And you, Takumi. Your flame is the reason he hasn't advanced with full force yet. He's waiting."
That made the air grow heavy.
"Waiting for what?" I asked.
"You," he replied without hesitation. "Or what you might become."
The room fell silent once more.
It was the Guild Master who moved first. "So what's the plan?"
Aelthryn placed his hands on the table and, with a simple gesture, caused a detailed map of the dungeon to be projected above the wood. It wasn't extravagant magic—just absolute control.
"We will form a temporary alliance," he explained. "Human guilds, elves, and local forces. Not to destroy the General. Not yet. Our initial objective is deep reconnaissance, elimination of intermediate commanders, and the rescue of survivors."
"That sounds like a planned retreat," commented a veteran adventurer.
"Because it is," Aelthryn replied. "Those who try to kill a General without being ready die. Those who accept that they aren't ready yet… live long enough to try again."
I felt a strange weight in my chest. Part of me wanted to disagree. Another part knew he was right.
Elara moved a little closer to me. "Takumi… you don't have to carry this alone."
Vespera nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Even if I miss half my shots, I'm still here."
Liriel smiled faintly. "And light, even weak, is still light."
Aelthryn watched the scene with a faint, curious gleam in his eyes. "Your group is… interesting."
"It's problematic," I replied. "But it works."
He nodded. "Then you will lead one of the forward teams. Not because you're the strongest, but because the General is focused on you. Wherever you are, he will look."
I didn't like the idea at all.
"Great," Vespera muttered. "Being bait is part of the package now."
"Not bait," Aelthryn corrected. "A pivot."
The plan took shape over the following hours. Routes, retreat signals, meeting points. No promises of victory—only strategic survival. When everything ended, the feeling wasn't excitement. It was gravity.
When we left the room, the sun was already low.
Elara nearly stumbled, and I caught her instinctively. She blushed slightly. "Sorry. Just… tired."
Vespera narrowed her eyes. "Funny how your mana runs out faster around him."
"That has nothing to do with it!" Elara shot back.
Liriel looked away, clearly uncomfortable, but said nothing.
I sighed. "Let's rest. Tomorrow the hard part begins."
As we walked, I felt that distant pressure again. The Sixth General still hadn't appeared… but I knew.
He knew we were coming.
And this time, it wasn't a warning.
It was a silent invitation to a war we still couldn't win.