William, ever the pragmatist, realized that the second and third options were, for the moment, unattainable. Magebloom was a fairy tale, and magical artifacts were beyond his reach. The first method, however, the path of constant practice, was within his grasp. And with EMMA, he had a unique advantage, a way to monitor his mana levels, to push himself to the brink of exhaustion without crossing the dangerous line into backlash. It would be a slow, arduous process, a test of his patience and his discipline, but he was determined to succeed. He would use EMMA to carefully, meticulously, track his mana expenditure, pushing himself just to the edge of his limits, then allowing his reserves to replenish, gradually expanding his capacity over time.

  His research into the elves and Lumenar also sparked a new line of inquiry. He learned that while Aver and Lumenar had a history of peaceful trade, exchanging goods and resources across the borders, their relationship was largely superficial. There were no formal diplomatic ties, no treaties of alliance, no history of mutual cooperation beyond the basic exchange of commodities. The elves, it seemed, preferred to keep to themselves, their borders tightly guarded, their secrets closely held. This isolationist stance, while understandable given their unique culture and their mastery of ancient magic, was a potential obstacle, a challenge that would need to be overcome if Aver hoped to secure their assistance in the war against the Dark Legion.

  As the scheduled meeting with Lord Marshal drew closer, and the preparations for Borin's meeting were finalized, William found himself feeling a strange mixture of anticipation and trepidation. The meeting with Lord Marshal Sir Gerald was finally scheduled, a crucial moment that could determine the fate of Oakenfall, and perhaps the entire kingdom.

  When the day finally arrived, Julia and William were on edge. Julia had been in a constant nervous state, but she was able to mostly keep her composure, whereas William felt like this would be his debut into something much bigger than he was ready for.

  William, not being privy to the meeting was waiting anxiously waiting for it to finish, concerned about the potential implications and outcomes. His mind was racing through hundreds of scenarios, trying to work out how best he and more importantly EMMA, could help. When the meeting had been concluded, William, found Julia sitting alone. He made his way to meet with Julia, hoping to find out the results. He found Julia in a small, sparsely furnished waiting room outside the Guildmaster's office, her face pale, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her body radiating exhaustion. She looked as though she'd aged ten years in the past few hours, the weight of responsibility, of difficult decisions, pressing down on her. She also looked completely drained, both mentally and physically.

  "Julia?" William asked gently, approaching her cautiously. "How did it go?"

  Julia looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of weariness and frustration. "It's... not good, William," she said, her voice hoarse. "The battle for Oakenfall has already begun."

  She recounted the details of the meeting, her words painting a grim picture of the unfolding events. The Goblin King, contrary to expectations, had not launched a full-scale assault on Oakenfall. Instead, he'd established a fortified base camp within the Tallenwood Forest, a staging ground for a protracted siege, a war of attrition designed to wear down the defenders, to drain their resources, to break their spirit.

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  "Lord Marshal Gerald believes it's a deliberate tactic," Julia explained, her voice laced with bitterness. "Neverus is playing the long game. He's not interested in a quick victory, in a glorious conquest. He wants to bleed us dry, to exhaust our resources, to force us to commit all our forces to Oakenfall, leaving the rest of the kingdom vulnerable."

  Borin, ever the astute strategist, had recognized the danger. He'd argued that a protracted siege was precisely what the Neverus and the Goblin King wanted, that it played into Neverus' hands. Goblins, while not renowned for their strategic brilliance, were known for their ferocity and their resilience, their ability to endure hardship and privation. A long, drawn-out conflict would favour the Dark Legion, with its seemingly endless supply of monstrous troops and undead soldiers.

  "Borin suspects a trap," Julia continued, her brow furrowed with worry. "He believes Neverus has another objective, a hidden agenda. He thinks the attack on Oakenfall is a feint, a distraction, designed to draw our attention away from his true target."

  And that target, they suspected, was Lumenar, the kingdom of the elves, located south of the Tallenwood Forest. Lumenar was a land of ancient magic, of powerful artifacts, of vast, untapped resources. It was a prize that Neverus would undoubtedly covet, a source of power that could significantly bolster his forces, that could tip the balance of the war in his favour.

  "If Neverus takes Lumenar," Julia said, her voice barely above a whisper, "if he gains access to their magical resources... it could be disastrous. He could become unstoppable. Their means of crafting magical artifacts, would provide an immediate supply route that we just cannot cope with"

  The options, Borin and the Lord Marshal had concluded, were limited, and all of them fraught with risk.

  They could launch a full-scale assault on the Goblin King's base camp, attempting to break the siege of Oakenfall and drive the Dark Legion back into the forest. But that would be a costly and dangerous undertaking, a bloody battle against a well-entrenched enemy, with no guarantee of success. And it would leave the rest of the kingdom vulnerable, potentially exposing the capital itself to attack.

  They could send spies into the Tallenwood, attempting to gather more intelligence, to confirm Neverus's true intentions, to identify his ultimate objective. But that would take time, time they might not have. And the forest was a dangerous place, teeming with monsters and patrolled by goblin scouts. The risk of discovery, of capture, of death, was high.

  Or, they could send a small, elite team to Lumenar, to warn the elves of the impending threat, to negotiate an alliance, to forge a united front against the common enemy. This was the most risky option, the most audacious, but potentially the most rewarding. If they could secure the support of the elves, with their legendary magical prowess and their ancient knowledge, it might just be enough to turn the tide of the war.

  Borin, ever the pragmatist, had volunteered the Adventurers Guild for this perilous mission. The thought process was that the Adventurers Guild, with all their varied skillsets would be best to handle this mission. He would begin assembling a team, selecting individuals with the skills, the courage, and the discretion necessary to undertake such a dangerous undertaking. He'd asked for Julia's input, seeking her recommendations, her insights into the personalities and capabilities of the Guild's members, and whether she herself would be interested in taking part in such a perilous mission.

  And the Lord Marshal, after much deliberation, had agreed to present the plan to King Bartam, seeking his approval, his blessing, for this desperate gamble. The fate of the kingdom, it seemed, rested on the shoulders of a small band of adventurers, tasked with a mission that seemed almost impossible.

  "It's a long shot," Julia admitted, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and despair. "But it's the best we've got. We have to try. We have to do something." She looked at William, her eyes searching his, a silent plea for understanding, for support. "I don't know what's going to happen, William. I don't know if we can win this war. But I know we have to fight. We have to resist. We have to protect what's left of our kingdom, of our world."