The night in the elven capital was short.
We slept on one of the intermediate levels of the central tree, in rooms prepared for war guests. There was no excessive luxury. Only what was necessary. A firm bed. A simple table. A soft crystal lighting the room.
I woke before dawn.
The feeling of distant pressure was still there. It wasn't imagination. The demonic advance was altering the natural flow of mana in the forest. Still subtle, but constant.
I left the room and found Liriel already awake in the corridor.
"You felt it too?" I asked.
She nodded.
"They're getting closer."
We went down together to an open balcony. The city was still quiet, but there was already movement among the soldiers. Shifts were being changed. Mages were reinforcing strategic points.
Elara appeared shortly after, carrying reports she had obtained from elven officers.
"Confirmed. The first demonic units have reached the test line. It's not the main army yet."
"They're measuring the response," Lyannis commented as she approached.
"Or forcing attrition," Vespera added.
Before we could continue the discussion, I heard firm footsteps coming down the corridor behind us.
They weren't light like the elves'.
They were decisive.
Rai'kanna turned her head first.
"I know that rhythm."
I recognized it too.
Scarlet appeared on the balcony as if that place were common ground for her. Light red armor fitted to her body. Sword strapped to her back. Hair loose, slightly disheveled by the wind of travel.
She stopped a few meters from me.
"So you really came."
"You too," I replied.
She crossed her arms.
"Rank S summons. I figured you wouldn't miss it."
"You're here for the reward," I said.
She gave a slight smile.
"Part of it."
Rai'kanna let out a quiet laugh.
"Of course."
Scarlet ignored the comment.
"What's the plan?"
"Under evaluation," Elara answered before I could speak. "The council decides at dawn."
Scarlet walked to the edge of the balcony and looked out over the forest below.
"The Fourth General in person. That doesn't happen without a reason."
"He wants the core," I said.
She looked at me from the side.
"And you want him."
I didn't deny it.
The silence that formed wasn't uncomfortable, but it carried an implicit tension.
Liriel broke it calmly.
"If you're here, I assume you intend to fight on the main line."
Scarlet tilted her head.
"I didn't come to watch."
Elara analyzed every exchange of words. Lyannis maintained a neutral but attentive posture. Vespera remained silent, observing as always. Rai'kanna seemed almost amused by the atmosphere.
"Do you still fight alone?" I asked.
Scarlet uncrossed her arms.
"Depends on the situation."
"This isn't a situation for solo play."
She stepped closer.
"Are you inviting me to integrate into your strategy?"
"I'm saying that isolated attacks here can compromise everything."
She stared at me for a few seconds before answering.
"Then show me that your 'everything' is worth more than my freedom of movement."
Direct.
As always.
Before I could respond, an elven messenger appeared at the entrance of the balcony.
"The council requests the immediate presence of commanders and Rank S adventurers."
It was the official summons.
We moved together through the inner corridors of the central tree. Scarlet walked beside me now, no longer keeping distance.
Some elves' gazes followed our group. They recognized the ranks. They recognized the risks.
When we entered the main hall again, the atmosphere was different from the night before. More officers present. Maps updated with recent markings. The tension had increased.
The Elven King was standing.
Beside him, the princesses maintained firm posture.
Scarlet stopped slightly behind me, but close enough to participate.
The King began without formalities.
"The demonic army is advancing faster than expected. Test units have already engaged in three points."
He gestured, and the central map highlighted the affected regions.
"We need to define the command structure before the confrontation becomes total."
Eyes turned toward me.
Not by imposition.
But by expectation.
The Elven Guild Master stepped forward.
"The proposal presented last night requires centralized coordination."
Scarlet crossed her arms again, but did not interrupt.
The King walked toward the table.
"Takumi."
I raised my gaze.
"Do you accept direct responsibility for external offensive operations?"
The question was clear.
It wasn't just about fighting.
It was about leading decisive movements.
I felt the real weight of the decision in that moment.
Liriel was to my left. Elara slightly behind. Vespera still. Rai'kanna now with a serious expression. Lyannis attentive.
Scarlet waited for my answer.
I didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The silence that followed wasn't surprise.
It was confirmation.
The King nodded slowly.
"Then, from this moment on, the counterattack units will respond to your orders."
Scarlet tilted her head slightly, almost imperceptibly.
The older princess spoke.
"The forest will trust your strategy."
The younger added, her voice still soft but firm.
"And we will ensure internal support."
The decision was made.
It wasn't symbolic formality.
It was a real transfer of responsibility.
The hall began to move again. Officers distributing orders. Messengers departing.
Scarlet approached me as the meeting began to disperse.
"So now you're in command."
"In external operations."
She smiled faintly.
"This is going to be interesting."
Rai'kanna approached as well.
"When do we start?"
"Today," I replied. "Before they consolidate position."
Elara was already analyzing the highlighted points on the map.
"We have three contact areas. We need to choose the first intervention."
Lyannis added.
"And we need to do it fast."
I looked at the map one last time.
The demonic advance wasn't disorganized.
But it wasn't invincible either.
Now we weren't just reinforcements.
We were the initial response.
I turned my gaze to Scarlet.
"If you're going to fight with us, you'll follow strategy."
She held my gaze.
"As long as the strategy leads to him."
I took a few seconds before answering.
"It does."
She nodded.
We left the hall with a clear direction.
The war hadn't yet exploded on a full scale.
But the first offensive would be ours.
And when we advanced, it wouldn't be just to contain.
It would be to start applying pressure.
The Fourth General wanted to dominate the forest.
But from that moment on, he would have to react.
And that shift in pace started now.