He gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on Murphy for a mont. His eyes, a cool gray-blue, swept over the immaculate, dark-blue Knight’s Armor, a flash of surprise within them. "I heard you were ambushed by Earth Rock Worms and Scorching Beasts at Silent Pass, and that Sir Ernest was gravely wounded. My scouts reported that Lord lfield intervened with decisive force. You’ve been through a great deal."
Murphy placed his right hand over his heart in a standard noble’s salute, addressing each of the three figures on the dais in turn. His movents were steady and strong. "Your Grace, the Ironspine Duke. Your Excellencies. I am Governor lfield of the Monte Territory, reporting as commanded by the Cardinal Decree. Her Highness Princess Elizabeth is here on behalf of the Royal Family to assess the war effort."
Elizabeth also stepped forward and curtsied in accordance with royal protocol. She fought to keep her voice steady. "Your Grace, the Duke. Your Excellencies. My father, the King, sent to understand the true situation here, and to do all in my power to help fend off the threat from the Otherworld and bolster the morale of our people."
"Hmph." A soft, yet clearly audible, cold snort escaped from the Valkendu tropolitan Bishop.
His cold, hard gaze fell upon Elizabeth, filled with undisguised contempt. "William IV is certainly trusting, isn’t he? This hellish place is no spot for a hothouse flower from the Royal Capital."
Saint Cyril Bishop slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes were deep and calm, yet they seed to hold a sharpness that could pierce the soul and the very fire of judgnt. Despite his pale complexion, those eyes still carried an undeniable, oppressive weight.
His gaze swept past Elizabeth without lingering, finally coming to rest on Murphy.
"Governor lfield," his voice was low, even a little faint, yet it possessed a peculiar, piercing quality. Each word seed to land like a hamr blow on the listener’s heart. "You’ve arrived sooner than anticipated. Good. The Cardinal Decree from the College of Cardinals has been given its due respect. Those Energy Fluctuations of yours... are quite interesting. Rumor has it you’ve touched the Peak of Mortality, perhaps even surpassed it. I hope your sword is as swift as your journey."
Murphy’s expression remained unchanged as he t the gaze of Saint Cyril Bishop. "I am bound by duty; I will give nothing less than my all. As for the sharpness of my sword, the battlefield will provide the answer."
Ironspine Duke Hakon spoke up at the opportune mont, his tone grave. "Their Excellencies the Bishops were gravely wounded at Eagle’s Beak Peak while reinforcing the seal and repelling a surprise attack. They have no choice but to recuperate here. The pressure on Blackstone Fortress and its outer defenses is far greater than we estimated. The monsters are growing in number, variety, and coordination."
"Multiple Garrison Fortresses on the eastern front are in dire straits. We need every ounce of strength we can muster, especially from a top-tier fighter like Lord lfield. Resource allocation, troop deploynt, treating the wounded, rotating the lines... the problems are piling up. Her Highness Elizabeth, your presence here can at least help stabilize morale and coordinate so of the affairs in the rear."
"What is the exact situation at the front?" Murphy asked directly.
"Dire," the Ironspine Duke’s reply was equally blunt. "Since the passage expanded, the monsters erging are no longer scattered individuals, but organized hordes. They seem to be adapting to our tactics. We’ve even seen variants using crude weapons and coordinating with simple strategies. We are falling back slowly, using the terrain and our fortifications to our advantage, but casualties have been imnse."
"The biggest problem is our severe lack of elite fighters. In the battle of Eagle’s Beak Peak and the subsequent breaking of the passage’s seal, we managed to kill several Official Wizards, but we also lost many of our own Temple Knights, Great Knights, and a Grand Archbishop of the Church..."
He didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.
"So," the Valkendu tropolitan Bishop’s cold, hard voice cut in again, his eyes fixed on Murphy, "the Cardinal Decree didn’t bring you here to spectate from the rear. Blackstone Fortress needs a blade sharp enough to tear through the monster ranks and eliminate key threats. Governor lfield, I trust you will not disappoint the College of Cardinals, nor squander the faith the Ironspine Duke has placed in you by welcoming you here."
Murphy gave a calm nod. "I will fulfill my duty. However, before I commit to battle, I need more detailed intelligence on enemy dispositions, a map of our own defensive layout, and... an update on the logistics and supply situation, specifically the reserves and procurent channels for specialized tal materials."
He looked to the Ironspine Duke. "Reinforcents and supplies from the Monte Territory, led by my wife, Aurora, will be arriving in the coming days. Until then, I personally require specific materials for my own preparations before battle."
A flicker of movent in Ironspine Duke Hakon’s gray-blue eyes was the only sign as his gaze t Murphy’s. "As for supplies, my quartermaster will discuss the details with you after this briefing."
He said in a heavy voice, "Blackstone Fortress welcos all sincere offers of aid. For now, please get so rest. Your specific mission will be assigned shortly. A secure residence has been prepared for Her Highness Elizabeth in the Inner Castle, near the quarters where their Excellencies the Bishops are recuperating."
Saint Cyril Bishop closed his eyes again, as though the preceding conversation had drained him of considerable energy.
The Valkendu tropolitan Bishop, however, remained bolt upright, but his slightly trembling hands and frigid glare revealed he was battling his pain with a will of steel.
And with that, the brief eting concluded.
Guided by a Knight assigned by the Ironspine Duke, Murphy and Elizabeth turned and departed from the oppressive inner hall.
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