Chapter 450 - Fresh minds, fresh ideas.

7 pm, the sun has sunk over the Horizon. The cold weather advances after this time passes, often dismotivating the Guards but nothing too serious. And with a new journey made certain, extra protection has to be set a base upon before Eric departs.

This Domain's options are limited and they are gambling against an entire Realm, this is where creativity has to emerge in order to fight the already set odds of impossibility. 

At this rate, King Michael doesn't even want to do much in terms of landing heavier attacks, he just wants to defend his Kingdom.

The people here are sick of losing family members over petty battles, soon enough even Gold won't be able to tame the masses.

With these facts considered, King Michael has gathered up minds, young and old. Planning to ask them about defense plans, every idea helps although it will likely need modifications.

Chances are, some might not pitch ideas at all but it's nice to have more minds around as the number of ideas will grow bigger.

You might be wondering who and who has been invited for Dinner in this delicate, quiet night.

Well, the number of people is quite large really. There aren't only three or four, but 17! That many brains, bright or dumb have been invited. With the King counting as the 18th in the Dining room.

These people are, Eric, Mogranius, Woldemir, Stefan, Arem, Kutuk, three acclaimed Goblin Demon Geniuses, Ada, Toto, Ladia, Alama, Saleem, Kaleem, Jim and Lia!

You might recognize most of these names, most have shown brilliant performances throughout time and the new ones are worth considering.

They all can sense that something is going on here, they understood something about a Demon and a Titanoboa but that's where their comprehension meets an end for most here.

So as food got served by the kind Maids skilled with their craft, mid way through Dinner, King Michael called for attention as he tapped his fork and spoon on his plate.

Standing up, he started narrating the complex situation. "People, friends and family. I have called all of you here tonight, as I request your ideas in terms of defending this Kingdom."

With their attention fairly captured, the King didn't fail to use this silence in order to continue with his citing. "Eric, our friend and the living Electus has been burdened with a quest neither of us could handle. A Destiny has been laid on his path, which can help fight this Demonic invasion but it requires his attention across Ignis. He won't be able to help us here for a while."

Half of the crowd gasped, although they aren't the most surprised since it does sound like the destiny of an Electus. Stories of people so powerful are often linked with big responsibility, and if books failed to pass this fact, story telling didn't.

Grabbing two Silver Goblets and clinking them against each other, demanding silence. The King rejoiced, "He will stay here until we get everything together, thankfully he agreed to that and we can have him in our Arsenal for a little while longer. But if he doesn't go soon, we will all eventually die from these Demonic attacks."

A blink after, Michael repeated his first point as Silence remained firm. "I called you here tonight to help with your precious minds, if there is a time to be creative and show yourself above average... more than you already have of course."

With the most battle experience, being a certified Grand Master in Swordsmanship, Woldemir dictated. "To fulfill what my son can do, we need a replacement of a thousand Guards. Ask that Zamerian King for help, would improve relations and even the newcomers would admire you."

Battered of such a mindset, across the table Toto scoffed. "My Villagers aren't a rag, they've traveled sea for life and are fighting for Gaster Kingdom like you are."

Seeing where he went wrong, ego rarely in his subconscious, Woldemir corrected his own words. "My apologies then, we are thinking about this battle-wise."

Although loving and respecting Woldemir as a person, this plan seems to have many holes in it. So Stefan corrected. "We don't really have space for 1,000 Guards, it's still cold outside."

Trying to find a solution and not minding his idea talked over or rejected, Woldemir reasoned. "Then ask King Zar for help, I'm sure he would be willing."

Calculating further risks, across the set of tables King Michael muttered. "We can't weaken King Zar's Army, we don't know when or if the Demons will attack his Kingdom as well. He has his own to protect, we can't deprive him of power."

To enhance the King's words, Eric stated. "The letter states that the Clawed Demons alone will need three of our worlds to fight them off, not to mention any other so neither of the friendly neighbouring Kingdoms should be weakened."

Perhaps that crown merged with his head is working over time right now, because the young Electus is making the firmest point in this dinner party. 

But going against his own word here, Eric also added. "10 Calidum Lutum Guards was a request too small, we need 100. They can handle their selves just fine, if anything they can just seal the new Lan Zhe with Volcanic rock."

Remaining to his previous point, King Michael needled. "They are close to the sea, they can easily get attacked so it's a bad idea to borrow more troops from them."

Focusing mostly on the fish in front of him, although he didn't completely shadow this battle conversation. Mogranius pitched an idea, one that no one can correct all while picking his teeth with a fish bone.

Tapping his plate with the same fish bone, urging attention, the Geezer asserted. "Just ask one of the Grand Masters to build a big Volcanic wall, it ain't pretty but it can slow down most attacks. Have them build the walls curled forward, half of the Clawed Demons would fail to climb that."

As a team of Spearfishermen, Saleem spoke for his brothers and sisters in work. "Wouldn't that kill our main food supply? The fish are bringing a good profit too."

"Make a lot holes, many many many. Fish will slip in." Ladia the Healer pitched this modification.

Instantly showing admiration, Kaleem weighed in. "That actually solves so many problems at once, of course we would need to make a passage for Lia's boat as well."

Considering this idea gold-wise since it opened as a topic, King Michael added. "We need a passage for the sh.i.p.s as well, the ones that come from Zameria and of course a passage on the other sides where Wagons can pass."

"This yells out that we will always need a Grand Master here, to operate every passage." Eric persisted, feeling guilty that he has to leave. Knowing that he can get a Grand Master here, he has the authority.

Seeing that his plan is plausible, King Michael decided to go with it. "Mogranius provided us with a grand idea, and if anyone else doesn't have more to add. All of you can continue enjoying your Dinner, a solution has dawned."

...

After the little Dinner party, they've spent an hour or two catching up because you know they live in the same Kingdom yet don't see each other enough due to different tasks demanding different attentions.

Stefan of course stuck with his original little group, asking Eric what progress he's gained with his Fire Blasting abilities and of course asking more about this big quest.

Ada and Ladia were trying to get Toto join in a conversation, asking her a ton of things after every opinion or question so she talks more, it annoyed the hell out of her but they did see progress.

Despite the constant attacks that Gaster Kingdom has been dragged towards, it was nice for everyone to meet, chat and laugh for a little while.

Such a gathering forced Mogranius to miss his time in the hidden Domain that's submerged in the high mountains, the warmth of family there burned the hottest with all those kids around.

But after 11pm, slowly but surely people started getting back to their homes. Most of them have responsibilities to fulfill tomorrow, and all Fire Controllers shouldn't even be here at the same time come to think of it.

Most left in that hour, except Eric and his oldest friends and family along with the two ladies, Toto and Ada.

With the opportunity given, Woldemir felt it best to fix the harshly destroyed relation with this young lady. Won't be any fun if they live in this small place and hate each other, not the wisest idea considering that they are both powerful in their own way.

So Woldemir tip toed towards her with a fresh warm plate of Striped Marlin Meat, fetched from the Kitchen and warmed up by the young Electus.

Sitting close to her, Woldemir handed it over and said. "This is fresh expensive fish meat, uhh... Sorry for offending you and your race, didn't mean too."

Although not the best with people, not used to forgiving either. Young lady Toto isn't quite used of seeing older people apologize, fairly uncommon.

So she accepted the meal, pulled it closer to herself and mumbled. "It's okay."

Now although not meant to, the Grand Master offended Ladia next. And she didn't fail to express her emotion, hollering. "I'm Zameria too! Where is my expensive fish?"