A New World, an immersive game experience

"Which is?" Eldrian asked.

"The longer we need to stay in one place the more other places will be endangered. It is the same for us and our enemy. When either side knows the other's precise strength, that side can use that knowledge to their advantage. As such, it is often better to simply have our positions remain unknown."

"Yes, this is not always possible nor always ideal. However, it is essential that the enemy does not know the precise strength of a kingdom and especially of an empire. It is a similar reason why the orcs have not been rushing the fighting. While they might not be considering us as the hidden trump cards, the Tier 10's of this kingdom are just that."

"By not acting, even if it could save thousands of lives, they are saving hundreds of times more. Sadly, without their action, the enemy is stronger. Yet, they also can't act recklessly as they are in a similar situation, unaware of the enemy's true strength."

"If they carelessly take action, they could end up falling into a trap and end up being killed. Such an act will be a massive loss and is actually what happened with most kingdoms that were quickly defeated. As soon as the enemy confirmed their strength and where said strength was located, they capitalized, and defeat soon followed for the kingdoms."

Eldrian nodded while a number of the people in the room seemed enlightened. Obviously, Evale and Pelaros simply nodded in agreement, fully aware of this.

'I get it, I've considered it for a while now. It is kind of like how we look at nukes. Even if you have your own, if you are not certain that the enemy doesn't have any you would never dare attack them for fear that they might have one. It isn't about where they actually are, but if they might be there. It is the unknown that forces you to be careful.'

This was also the reason why he suspected the Chieftain, Kugbu, hadn't just rushed into Diades to end the siege. He couldn't take the risk. Obviously, the magic towers would focus on him, but say he could disable them if he managed to dodge their attack.

It would be all for naught if he risked it all and then found someone stronger waiting in the tower. In fact, it would immediately spell his death and the defeat of his army thereafter.

Contrary, you would have to remember that someone so strong did not need to stay there permanently. They could simply just teleport at the right time.

However, before Eldrian had arrived the city had been under the impression that the orcs had surrounded them in full force. Hence, it was far more likely that the city had been abandoned and considered lost considering how bad the intelligence of the defenders was.

Why did they do this? Eldrian wasn't sure. But he didn't think such an act could be done without good reason. He believed one of these reasons was that the kingdom simply did not have the forces to protect everywhere. Hence, they rather focused on select cities.

However, there was no doubt that teleportation certainly made this game that the strongest played with one another all the trickier. While it was an available option, the other side could not act recklessly. And teleportation through the magic towers was not the only way to teleport.

Eldrian wasn't sure of the other methods' details, but he was certain it was another thing that both sides had to be wary of.

[{Eldrian} - How did things move so quickly while I was out?] This was regarding the message Elizabeth had sent about the dwarves' helping the kingdom.

[{Elizabeth} - I am not sure, they might have been acting behind the scenes. If they did, I'm not sure how this all happened so quickly.]

Athtar smiled seeing the message but did not bring it up.

"Thank you for your explanation," Eldrian said, looking at Zamia and Agemamas before returning his sights to Athtar. "However, I too still need to be filled in on recent events. Considering I only woke from my coma less than an hour ago."

"Do not mind us," Athtar replied with a smile but Eldrian shook his head no.

"I'm afraid it is not that simple. I appreciate your help, but I'm afraid no one will be able to relax while you are present. You are after all existences above the king, and no one would dare act casually before a king." Eldrian said, trying to be tactful. An action he was not too used to.

Athtar did not mind being kicked out of the meeting, as he and the others left he smiled and mumbled that it was quite worth coming to see how Eldrian would handle the situation.

"Eldrian?" Pelaros turned to Eldrian after Ititreae had followed Athtar and left the room. Seeing the concern Eldrian smiled to try and dispel it.

"Don't worry, I know at least two of them and they aren't people who will be angry if you speak your mind. But I understand it isn't easy to do."

"Still, to ask them to leave... Wait, who were they even?"

Eldrian laughed when the question finally arose, "They are the so-called legends of myths. Well, Zamia and Agemams are Ceph's parents and aren't legends, but their power is about equal."

"Wa-" Turning to Ceph, everyone in the room looked at him in shock. Seeing the stares he quickly asked them to stop acting strange.

Of course, Eldrian had also apologized repeatedly telepathically, until Ceph literally shouted at him to stop. Both were still physically scarred from recent events, but they were able to walk and talk just fine.

Eldrian was greatly relieved that Ceph had already forgiven him, however, he could not do the same. Not yet, every time he looked at Ceph and saw the burn marks covering his friend's cheek and arms, it ate at him.

Each time Eldrian looked at Ceph he replayed those last moments and swore anew to himself that he must never lose control again. He had no idea how he was to keep this promise, but he would not do anything before he could find a way.

He knew this might not be up to him, but as long as it was he would not risk it.

The meeting finally continued after a few minutes, during which everyone had taken a few calming breaths as they tried to wrap their heads around who those four were.

When the meeting continued it started with filling Pelaros in on what all had happened. He was relieved to hear that the city had been saved and that things were actually progressing smoothly so far.

He was impressed to hear about the trade deals and shocked to hear about the support they had been able to give the other cities. And of course, he was distraught to hear about the fall of Diades. The details of which had been skipped over, yet the heavy atmosphere made it clear that things had turned terribly wrong for some unknown reason.

For now, Pelaros tactfully decided to not dig into the details. He had plenty to already focus on, he would catch up on this later.

"Silver is currently guiding them to Kynigo," Elizabeth continued on as she now reached more recent events. "However, it will take them some time to reach the city as they have to stop at each town and village to gather supplies."

""Wait! What!?" Eldrian and Pelaros shouted. Both were stunned by this turn of events, though for two distinctly different reasons.

AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support the story by simply reading on Web, voting for the story, or sharing comments.. It is all greatly appreciated.