Garima let the silence settle once more. Then she spoke slowly.
"I know it's under wraps, but First Princess Danya Renaldin is away from home."
The room stilled and that was enough to shift the air.
" And she will meet the devil lord of Decay Mozgaroth." she continued " Your sister likes to travel with her close attendants without skilled guards, your sister will survive but those attendants won't" she closed her eyes.
She had forgotten. There were cannon fodders who died. There were people with unknown backgrounds never mentioned. Never written. They were background characters. But it's the real world now. She didn't want anyone to die.
Crown Prince Caelum expression hardened "It's not a matter of joke, if this is some conspi…"
Garima's fingers trembled faintly.
"Yes, little Crown Prince, it's not a joke. So send your people, you royal guards subtly, The Knight Captain Sir Rejilan will do." She paused. "Order him not to fight, they have to run away. It's too late now, they will come face to face. There is no other route, we can't change it now. So send forth your legion to prevent a bloody mess"
No one moved. Even Rowan's skepticism flattered for a second.
Elira's voice broke "Devil…General….we had heard about then in stories, you mean they were real"
Erva adjusted her glasses. Her expression stiffened.
"This is no small matter Saintess"
"Garima nodded "It is not"
Rowan leaned forward slightly " You expect us to believe this ?"
Garima met his gaze directly "yes"
Caelum spoke, his voice low. "You have my trust, I can't take any chances, not when my sister is involved" he took a deep breath "I don't trust you, but I am willing to help you. So please help me save my sister and her attendents"
Caelum rose from his seat and bowed. Something he had never done in his entire life. He was willing to do it for his sister's life.
Garima rose too. Unable to control her. "Please Crown Prince, I just wish to help. You don't need to bow to me, I will help you" she paused "In return I need your help too"
Her gaze moved across the room, meeting each pair of eyes in turn.
"Calamity will befall on this land, the cities will fall by not just war or devils but by plaque and sickness"
Garima lowered her gaze briefly, as though burdened by what she carried.
She had just written in pages about rot and disease destroying villages. It didn't matter then. But now she couldn't even think.
She looked up and smiled. "But I see hope" she paused "Heroes, they will come, different path, different lives…..drawn together a fixed path"
She straightened slightly and smiled again this time more reassuringly
"They will stand at the centre of it, and I will accompany them. Warn them. Guide them. To prepare the path they will walk on and ensure them that….they are not alone"
There was a subtle shift. "Goddess Cosmo chose to intervene, so she sent me here, and this is my relevation"
She looked at them again, calm, composed and unwavering
"I will help you, no matter what comes"
Garima let the words settle before she spoke again.
"But I cannot do this alone"
The admission was simple and honest.
Her gaze turned towards the Crown Prince " Your Highness, this land will look up to you, Power, Order, Protection- those will be yours to upload"
Then she turned towards Rowan " Guild Leader you adventurers will be the vanguard"
Then her eyes shifted to the two women.
"Lady Erva, Strategies are patterns of piled up knowledge. Please guide and take on the post of Strategists in this battle."
"And Lady Elira, you are the lifeline. We need food and provisions, it will be your duty to keep this land alive"
Her gaze sharpened
"I ask not for blind faith, nor loyalty without reason," she hesitated " Only this ... .watch and decide for yourselves if my words hold truth" she said and bowed.
Seeing the flustered faces of the people present she straightened herself.
"Prince let us discuss the princess in private," she asked, taking her seat.
The Crown Prince sat again. And his fingers tapped lightly against the arm rest.
" That's my only intention for now, but if you want me to wait I will wait" He said slowly.
Then a Pause.
"You can finish with the others"
"Thankyou" Garima nodded and looked at the others one by one.
Rowan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes still sharp with suspicion "...How convenient, you won over the Crown Prince" he muttered "You ask for cooperation, I can't trust you yet"
His gaze locked onto hers. "Anyone can spin fear into pretty words, those type of people are called manipulators"
Garima didn't flinch. But those words struck her heart.
She was a manipulator. It wasn't a lie. But she was doing it to save the world.
"Yes" she agreed calmly "That is why I asked you to observe this incident carefully"
Rowan looked away. That seemed to irritate him more.
Erva adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful.
"If even a fraction of what you say is true."she said "then dismissing it outright would be unwise"
Her eyes met Garima's
"But belief must be earned Your Holiness"
Garima inclined her head slightly
"That is fair"
Finally Elira exhaled softly.
"..Very well your Holiness, I trust you but as a leader it's not wise to act without proof" she said " so we will not act on your words yet"
After a brief pause she continued.
"We will not ignore them either"
Rowan clicked his tongue but didn't argue.
"For now" he added " We will just observe how you tackle the princess situation and be rest assured we will keep this conversation confidential"
Garima allowed herself a small quiet smile.
"That is all I ask"
Her fingers tightened slightly on her lap, unseen by others.
Good, she thought.
That was enough for now.