Morgan replied, saying:
"Yes, sir."
The strategist spoke:
"But that's not all. The attacks on the northern duchy weren't just from wolves and cats—they also included ghouls, orcs, and goblins."
He paused for a moment, then continued in a serious tone:
"Therefore, there were major losses there. We must reinforce our defenses as much as possible, sir. Since the duchy is surrounded by dense forests, it's hard to predict when or from where any surprise attack might come."
Morgan nodded in agreement and said:
"I agree with Ingris. What he said makes sense. The attacks on the north might just be a distraction for an upcoming assault on us... Anything can be expected from the monsters; they're strong and numerous."
Vlad added in support:
"Yes, you're right. Everything must be prepared."
Then he turned to Luna and asked her:
"What do you think?"
A moment of silence passed, as everyone listened attentively—Luna was known for her sharp intuition.
Luna spoke with confidence:
"We must carry out what the vice commander said: reinforce our defenses to the maximum and establish permanent patrols along the borders to detect any movement."
Arthur added enthusiastically:
"I agree with my sister, and it's best if each patrol consists of only ten individuals so they can be more agile and mobile, and spread easily even in tight areas."
Morgan smiled and said:
"Your words make sense... Clearly, you're both very smart. It seems Mr. Vlad made the right choice in bringing you."
Vlad laughed proudly and replied:
"That's expected of my children."
The strategist said:
"Let's hope they play a major role in our family's future."
Victoria and Elena smiled with pride upon hearing the praise for their sons.
The strategist continued:
"We must also be ready to receive a delegation from the northern duchy—they will arrive soon."
Then he cast a strange side glance at Arthur, making him feel uneasy, as if something was approaching him.
He spoke firmly:
"The defense plan will be as follows: forming cavalry teams of 8 to 10 members working in shifts. The strongest will guard at night, as they're more capable of sensing mana, and the average ones during the day. We will not leave a single inch unmonitored."
He concluded:
"The final word is yours, sir."
Vlad replied:
"Yes, the plan is suitable."
Then Morgan said firmly:
"I officially assign you to this mission. Keep our duchy safe—this is a direct order. Use whatever resources, personnel, or weapons you need."
The commanders and knights stood up and shouted in unison:
"Yes, sir!"
They stood in strict military posture, showing full commitment.
As everyone began to leave, a soldier burst into the hall, shouting:
"Sir! I have an urgent report!"
Everyone suddenly stopped, and the atmosphere in the hall grew tense—some feared an attack had begun.
Vlad asked sharply:
"What's the matter? Why the panic?"
The soldier replied, voice shaky:
"One of our teams managed to capture four members of the Cat Tribe... and one of them is the famous warrior, Speed!"
Gasps filled the hall.
Speed? The King of Speed?
Even Arthur couldn't hide his excitement—he looked at Vlad eagerly.
Vlad asked:
"Are you sure of their identity?"
The soldier nodded:
"Yes, sir. He is here, restrained. Shall we bring him in?"
Vlad hesitated, but when he turned and saw Arthur's excitement, he smiled and thought to himself:
"How bold... While the name of the Cat Tribe terrifies our best warriors, he's thrilled just to meet them!"
Tension filled the room.
The pressure was palpable, as if the air had grown heavier.
Morgan thought:
"Did they really capture Speed? I fought him once, and he was so fast I could barely touch him!"
Ingris wondered:
"I also fought him, and I couldn't even track him with my eyes... How did they capture him? Is that even possible?"
Even Asta murmured to himself:
"The King of Speed? Just scratching him is an honor... How did they defeat him?"
Victoria and Elena showed no reaction—they weren't aware of how dangerous he was.
Arthur approached the soldier and asked with eyes gleaming with excitement:
"Was the fight intense? Did he fight fiercely? And what about the others with him—were they strong?"
Everyone waited for the moment "Speed" would enter...
Speed entered the hall, accompanied by his eldest daughter and two younger daughters, no more than ten years old.
Even though he was suppressing his powerful aura, his presence was overwhelming. It was as if the very air in the hall grew heavier and the energy in the place changed completely.
Victoria and Elena's eyes widened in shock, staring silently. Victoria whispered to herself, a chill running down her spine:
"My God... How powerful he is! Seems all the rumors we heard about him were true."
Morgan chuckled softly, eyes gleaming with amazement:
"I was wondering how you got caught, Speed, but now I understand... It seems you surrendered for your children."
Ingris added, folding his arms and leaning slightly forward:
"Why didn't you run? You could've escaped easily, couldn't you?"
Vlad laughed, shaking his head lightly as he sat on his heavy chair:
"I can hardly believe it... One of the most famous warriors on the continent is now a prisoner in my hall!"
Speed raised his head with pride, his eyes full of defiance, and smirked sarcastically:
"You couldn't beat me in battle, so you resorted to dirty, cowardly tricks to trap me. You humans are the weakest creatures on this continent... Cowards, treacherous, without honor or mercy. No one rivals us in filth!"
The attendees' expressions changed instantly, faces burning with rage. Some involuntarily gripped their swords or fists.
Vlad spoke in a calm yet threatening voice:
"Don't forget you're a prisoner now. Don't say what shouldn't be said."
Speed laughed again, his gaze igniting a fire of challenge in the hall:
"So you speak of 'what shouldn't be said' after you ambush a man and threaten his children? Is this the chivalry you boast of?"
Flames of anger burned in Vlad's eyes, and his body trembled for a moment before releasing a powerful aura that swept across the hall, making the walls tremble lightly and the wall-mounted torches flare with greater intensity.
The two young girls trembled in fear, rushing to hide behind their father, while the metal chains made painful screeching sounds with every move.
It was a harsh sight... A large, powerful father unable to defend himself, and two little girls trembling like birds, shackled hand and foot.
Speed spoke with a choked, bitter voice:
"You release your aura to scare two little girls? Aren't you ashamed? Is this your manhood? You chain two children as if they're monsters—don't you have a shred of mercy?"
Vlad looked at the girls, and his aura gradually faded. A subtle disturbance flickered in his eyes, quickly masked by a feigned coldness.
Arthur noticed Speed's gaze, and stepped forward, eyes fixed on him. Their eyes met in a tense silence.
Speed mocked him, raising an eyebrow and speaking with charged tone:
"Why don't you speak? Are you afraid of me, boy?"
Arthur replied calmly, his tone heavy with sadness:
"If I were afraid of you, that would be better than these feelings... of disgust, sorrow, and betrayal filling me."
Speed's expression shifted quickly, anger rising in his voice:
"Do you dare insult me? Do you think I'm lesser than you just because I'm of the beast race?!"
Arthur paused for a few seconds, took a deep breath, then said seriously, his gaze unshaken:
"You misunderstand me, Sir Speed. I respect you greatly. I see you as a great man who chose to sacrifice himself to save his children, even though he could have escaped."
"What disgusted me was the cowardly way used to capture you, and what angered me even more was whoever put chains on these two little girls."
A deadly silence fell.
Eyes exchanged glances, and every heart awaited what Speed would say next, who looked truly shocked.
He opened his eyes wide and said:
"Is what I'm hearing real? Or am I imagining things?"
Vlad asked slowly, filled with doubt:
"Do you realize what you're saying?"
Arthur turned to the attendees, scanning them with a sharp gaze:
"Who ordered the girls to be chained?"
A soldier raised his hand and stepped forward, saying:
"I did, sir."
Arthur approached slowly, his breath heavy, anger radiating from his eyes:
"Why did you do this? Two weak, scared little girls who know nothing of life... What right do you have to chain them?"
The soldier replied with clear tension in his voice and posture:
"Because they are beasts, and we must not underestimate them."
Speed shouted, his voice echoing through the hall:
"And you think two little girls could hurt someone?!"
Arthur let out a bitter, short laugh and said:
"Did you really say 'beasts'? You're not treating them as prisoners—you treat them like garbage... What have they done to you? Did they kill anyone? Steal? Insult anyone?"
The soldier replied in shame, eyes on the floor:
"No... they did nothing."
Arthur spoke softly, as if drawing a sharp sword slowly:
"Then why do you hate them?"
The soldier shrank in place, and no one could respond.
Even Vlad, Morgan, and Ingris fell silent, as if the words had paralyzed their tongues.
Arthur approached the soldier, his tone firm, his fist trembling with restrained rage:
"You chained two little girls... That's a disgrace to our duchy, and the penalty for disgrace is righteous punishment."
Then he grabbed the soldier's hand, used his aura, and struck him so hard his body hit the ground unconscious.
Morgan shouted in panic:
"How dare you do that?!"
Arthur turned to him, eyes blazing like burning embers:
"Why wouldn't I dare? If you think chaining two little girls is acceptable, then you're a disgrace to our army. Only those without honor would do that."
He added, voice iron-strong:
"This knight does not represent the honor of our soldiers... he represents the lowest of the low."
Ingris tried to justify, saying:
"But... wasn't hitting him a breach of the rules? Isn't that an abuse of your authority?"
Arthur stared directly at him, as if his eyes were piercing him:
"I'd rather be accused of harshness than be a man who chained two little girls. That would make me worse than scum."
Victoria burst out laughing, then clutched her stomach and said:
"Oh my God... my belly, what have you birthed? You've birthed a real man."
Morgan and Ingris were completely silent.
They had nothing left to say. Arthur's words had cornered them completely.
And the tension in the hall kept rising...