The official summons took place before noon.
We were called again to the main hall, but this time the environment was more organized. It was not just an emergency meeting. It was formalization.
The captains of the elven divisions were present. Guild representatives. Rank A+ and S adventurers aligned in a semicircle around the central table.
Scarlet remained at my right. Liriel at my left. Elara, Vespera, Rai'kanna, and Lyannis behind me, in a natural position, but clearly as a core.
The Elven King was seated, posture firm, gaze attentive.
The princesses were also present.
The Elven Guild Master began.
"The demonic advance has reached the third contact point. The movement indicates an attempt to test resistance on multiple axes."
He made a gesture and the central map expanded into a luminous projection.
"The forces gathered here total two hundred high-ranking adventurers, in addition to twenty thousand mobilized elven soldiers."
The number was not small.
But against an active General, numbers alone did not guarantee victory.
The King stood.
"The Sacred Forest will not fall as long as we have the strength to defend it."
His voice was controlled. No theatrics.
"But defense requires more than bravery. It requires coordination."
The gazes slowly shifted toward me.
The Guild Master spoke again.
"The proposal presented by Takumi has been analyzed. Coordinated counterattacks to fragment the demonic line before the siege consolidates."
An elven captain stepped forward.
"And if this fails? If we provoke an immediate reaction from the General?"
I answered before the silence could turn into doubt.
"He will react either way. The difference is whether he reacts on his rhythm or ours."
The captain held my gaze for a few seconds before stepping back.
Scarlet crossed her arms, but remained silent.
The King walked to the edge of the table.
"For this strategy to work, unified command in external operations is necessary."
He paused briefly.
"Takumi."
I maintained my posture.
"Do you accept leading the Sacred Forest's counterattack forces?"
The weight of the question was not in the authority.
It was in the consequence.
Accepting leadership meant that any strategic mistake would result in casualties under my direct responsibility.
Liriel said nothing, but I felt her firm presence beside me.
Elara was already analyzing possible future scenarios.
Rai'kanna looked ready for action.
Lyannis waited for my decision with calm rationality.
Vespera remained still, like a constant shadow.
Scarlet watched with a neutral but attentive expression.
I answered without looking away.
"I accept."
There was no applause.
No celebration.
Only understanding.
The King nodded slowly.
"From this moment on, the units designated for external operations will respond to your orders."
A magical seal formed above the table, formally registering the decision.
It was not symbolic.
It was an official bond between royalty, guild, and field command.
The older princess stepped forward slightly.
"You will have direct access to the forest's internal routes. Full strategic information."
The younger spoke right after.
"And priority logistical support."
I inclined my head.
"I won't waste it."
The Guild Master began distributing assignments.
Five main detachments would be formed. Each composed of elven soldiers, A+ adventurers, and at least one Rank S.
Scarlet was assigned to my main detachment.
She raised an eyebrow when she heard.
"Looks like we'll be working together."
"You prefer another group?" I asked.
"No."
A direct answer.
Elara received tactical responsibility over lateral movement. Vespera would handle advanced reconnaissance and silent interception. Rai'kanna would lead the impact force in direct confrontations. Lyannis would coordinate communication and enemy pattern analysis. Liriel would sustain offensive and defensive magical support.
Clear structure.
Simple objective.
Fragment, pressure, force reaction.
When the formal meeting ended, the officers began to disperse to organize the troops.
I remained for a few moments in front of the now partially deactivated map.
Scarlet approached.
"Command suits you."
"I'm not here for position."
"I know."
She looked at the remaining map.
"You're thinking about the General."
"He won't stay still while we attack forward units."
"So you want to force him to expose himself."
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"Risky."
"Necessary."
Rai'kanna approached soon after.
"When do we start moving?"
"Tonight."
Lyannis nodded.
"Night movement reduces their numerical advantage."
Elara added.
"And breaks the expectation of linear advance."
Liriel looked at me with a calm expression.
"You're calm."
"I'm focused."
It wasn't overconfidence.
It was clarity.
The responsibility had been accepted.
We left the hall and went down to the military preparation level.
Soldiers were lining up to receive orders. Archers were checking their strings. Mages were testing seals. Adventurers were adjusting equipment.
When my presence was noticed, some of them instinctively straightened their posture.
Not out of reverence.
Out of expectation.
I stepped onto an improvised elevated platform to be heard clearly.
"We will not wait for the siege."
My voice carried without the need to shout.
"They advance with confidence. We're going to take that confidence away."
Some gazes sharpened.
"We won't face the full army. We will cut parts of it. Small constant victories create instability."
Rai'kanna smiled slightly.
Scarlet remained attentive.
"Fast movement. Precise attack. Coordinated retreat. No unnecessary pursuits."
Elara was already distributing reduced tactical maps.
Liriel was preparing support seals.
"Our goal is not isolated heroism."
I paused briefly.
"It is strategic victory."
The silence that followed was not doubt.
It was absorption.
I stepped down from the platform.
The plan was in motion.
The war had not yet exploded on a full scale, but it had ceased to be preparation.
Now there was defined command.
Established structure.
Accepted responsibility.
By the end of the afternoon, the detachments began positioning themselves along the designated routes.
The sun was beginning to descend between the giant forest canopies.
I observed the green horizon for a few seconds.
The Fourth General advanced with certainty of dominance.
But from that night onward, every step he took would be contested.
And each contest would bring us closer to the inevitable confrontation.
The elven hall had formalized my leadership.
Now it remained to prove that it was enough.