Chapter 84 Meeting The Lieutenants Before The War
-- POV Freya --
I had an hour to meet with the Lieutenants of my Commanders. After that, we planned to have our second war council with them to put our ideas into a comprehensive and worked out plan. Luna had to take care of Alayna and had left for her office while I walked to mine. Gaya, who had not participated at all, was taking care of Vig and had gone to the hospital to rest without revealing his existence. The family of elves who had arrived with the two humans were taken care of by the other section leaders, which left me time to take care of the army.
[Are you going to let Gaya fight ?]
*No way ! She's pregnant and I need someone to stay in the Empire to lead in my absence*
[But don't you think she'll refuse to stay on the sidelines this time, too ?]
*I don't know..*
I had not yet discussed this with my wife. The announcement of the arrival of the adventurers had been sudden and we had to prepare our army first. It was obviously out of the question for me to let her participate in any way, but knowing her, it would not be easy to convince her.
*Sigh..I won't give her a choice*
I may have sounded horrible but if anything happened to her I would never forgive myself. Now that the dragoness was pregnant, I would rather have her safe with our daughter watching over Elysium as Queen than on the battlefield. I knew she was strong, but if she was hurt I also knew I would go into a rage. I wanted to avoid that.
While I was thinking about how to tell Gaya, I had already arrived in front of my Imperial office. Two soldiers from Ralph's section were guarding the door today and as I arrived they straightened up before bowing.
"Your Highness !"
With a nod, I walked through the door bearing the symbol of our Empire. It was the largest office in the Imperial manor with many bookcases still empty on the walls. To the left was an area with couches to rest on, to the right was an extra table that wasn't being used yet, my desk in the back and a huge empty space in the middle covered with a large soft gray carpet.
*You can't tell I really like the peace and quiet*
[I agree and then I don't know about you but I really like this place]
My office was always quiet because not many people besides my wife, my daughter and the two butlers came to see me. As I walked behind my large desk, I enjoyed this brief moment of peace before I had to return to my duties as Empress. I sat in my seat to close my eyes and clear my mind. I didn't have time to think that a few knocks on the door sounded. I sat up disgruntled as Lia's voice was heard from the other side.
"Empress ? The Commanders and their Lieutenants have arrived."
*Sigh...it feels like my wedding was months ago..*
[At the same time you haven't stopped since ! After this whole thing, we should be spending time with my sister-in-law and my little niece hehe~]
I was more excited about this idea than anything else and as I allowed the visitors to enter, I made a note in my mind to give everyone a few days off. The 9 Commanders entered the room first, followed by one person each. Nixia and NaÏa who were in the same group had only one person, as well as Ynir and Persea. Without saying a word, everyone in my office bowed respectfully waiting for me to say something.
"Well, I see you got here fast."
I decided to speak as I carefully observed each Lieutenant I had not yet met. There were seven of them there were exactly three men and four women of totally different races. They all had their heads down and as usual, none of them dared to look me in the eye, too busy staying calm. Including Ash, Luna's second in command, there were exactly four men and four women.
"Lieutenants, introduce yourself !"
I didn't want to use my Analysis skill because I also liked to figure things out on my own. For this first meeting I wanted to at least let them introduce themselves. The Commanders stepped back to let their seconds face me, who each in turn awkwardly stepped forward to speak.
"Lieutenant Kurumi, second-in-command of Commander Nixia's and Vice-Commander Naia's "Rear combat with weapons and magic" section. I use the stone element and am currently at level 13. I...I am delighted to meet her Highness."
The first to step forward was an elf woman with pink hair and blue eyes. Kurumi looked oddly weak at first glance, but I knew that if Nixia had chosen her it was because she had potential. The elf was rather small, her face was almost childlike and it was hard for me to imagine her fighting. As I looked into her eyes, I could see a great assurance reflected in them despite the small tremors that my presence caused.
*Interesting, I particularly want to see her in combat. I feel like I shouldn't rely on her looks. Cases like this are always the most exciting kufufu~*
Kurumi stepped back, lowering her head as a half-tiger woman stepped forward in palpable stress.
"Lieutenant Liz, second in command of Commander Ralph's hand-to-hand combat based on strength and magic. I...I don't use magic but I'm currently at level 11. It is an honor to meet you."
The second was also a half-human woman who had a tiger tail and ears and her yellow fur covered forearms were dotted with black stripes. Liz was rather muscular and like Ralph she seemed powerful and made for hand-to-hand combat. I could also see some scars on her arms that were uncovered indicating a difficult past. On the other hand, she seemed to fight only with the strength of her fists and claws in addition to the whip wrapped around her waist.
[A second Ralph haha~]
*Indeed, Ralph has as a second, an equally imposing woman who seems to be able to lead*
The third lieutenant to advance was this time a bear. It had no human form but still managed to get in through the doors which were usually larger for this kind of situation.
"Empress...well..hello. I...I am Lieutenant Zak, second in command of Commander Emilia's "Front warriors without elements" section. I'm level 12, I don't use magic but I'm in charge of taking care of the beasts in this section."
Zak the bear had red fur dotted with brown spots and was totally different from the bears I knew from my old world. His size was smaller than mine in my original form, but he was still imposing.
*With soldiers like him in the army, the intimidation effect is guaranteed !*
Having an entire section of fearsome beasts was a dream for me and in front of me stood Lieutenant Zak, making that dream a reality. I was still silent as there were still four people but I was already very satisfied with my Commanders choices.
It was the turn of a dryad to step forward, she was graceful and unlike the others didn't seem to be too afraid of my natural aura.
"Lieutenant Nina, second in command of Commander Caipy's medical and poison section. I don't use magic either and I'm not the head of the hospital but I excel at handling poison needles. I am level 10 and now that I finally meet you your Highness, I would like to thank you for all you have done and the construction of our home."
The dryad bowed very respectfully with a smile on her lips. Like Persea, she was blonde but her hair was curly and her face also had freckles making her green eyes soft. Nina didn't have a flower crown like Persea but her hair fell down her back in a beautiful, unique and perfect braid.
Faced with what she had told me, I couldn't stay silent. As she stepped back to make room for the next person, I spoke up in general amazement.
"Lieutenant Nina, I thank you but all this was possible thanks to you all. I was not the only one and without everyone, our Empire would never have been born. Don't forget that this place is called Elysium and just as I said at my coronation, you are the lights that make this Empire shine !"
My voice was calm but this time instead of being only cold, pride could be heard in my words. I was sincere and I didn't want to take all the credit for this beautiful place that could only be created with the help of everyone.
Without giving them time to answer, I signaled the next one to continue as we had very little time before the second council.
"Lieutenant Leon, second in command of Commander Thorunn's Fight with magic weapons in distance and close combat section. I use the wind element and like Lieutenant Kurumi I am at level 13. Thank you to your highness for agreeing to receive us."
The one who had stepped forward was a kobold with dark green scales. He said his name was Leon and he mastered the same element as Thorunn which was also very interesting. Like the others, I was eager to see them train, but unfortunately the timing was bad. The kobold's eyes were deep black and the marks on his body proved that he was training hard. In addition to being a mage he must have been a very good warrior.
[There are only two left !]
As my little sister spoke these words, the second to last Lieutenant was already beginning to introduce herself.
"Lieutenant Nella, second-in-command of Commander Trioa's air combat section. I use the water element and I...I'm at level 11..."
The harpy who had stepped forward had spoken very softly and was looking at the ground shyly. Somewhat like her commander, she seemed gentle and kind. Like Kurumi, Nella was quite small and her large brown and white wings stood out tremendously on her small body. Her hair was also brown and was combed into two small pigtails on each side of her head.
[She looks so...harmless]
*Aaww she looks like a little loli haha~*
I found little Nella absolutely adorable and while I continued to observe her wondering about her fighting style, the last one came forward. He was an elf who was part of Ynir and Persea's section. He was also carrying a bow behind his back that appeared to be self-made.
"Lieutenant Itham, second-in-command of Commander Persea and Ynir's forest protection section. I am level 12 and have mastered the element of wood like many in our ranks. It is also an honor to meet you dear Empress."
The short blond haired elf made a graceful bow as he finished introducing himself. Without responding, I nodded my head before watching them all with interest.
*The girls have found some very good seconds it seems, haven't they ?*
[I agree. They will also be better able to explain the other potentials of each section because they are more often among the soldiers than the busy commanders]
I agreed with Kira and as I continued to wander my purple gaze, the female Commanders stood in front of their Lieutenants again in silence. As I thought about this, two faces popped into my mind.
*Now that I think about it, they are not there...*
I was surprised not to see the minotaur Yorr and the elf Elyon among the lieutenants, but they had joined the army later than the others and were probably still improving.
*Maybe we'll run into each other later*
While I was lost in my thoughts, Lia approached my desk to put down several cards regrouping in more detail their skills, their specialties and everything else that was useful. I quickly flipped through the papers that had just been added to the pile already present and while silence still reigned in the room, I stood up before speaking to those I had just met.
"You who are the second in command, I expect you to behave as well as your superiors ! I congratulate you, on having been able to reach this position thanks to your hard work and I have nothing to say about the choice of lieutenants."
Turning to their superiors, a small mischievous smile appeared on my face revealing one of my fangs I continued.
"I also congratulate you for having chosen people worthy of assuming this position, I was not mistaken when I trusted you !"
Everyone in the room had eyes that glowed and all without exception solemnly knelt down.
"Thank you your Highness, we will make sure to represent our Empire properly !"
The Commanders and their Lieutenants were officially appointed and now we had much more to do. As I watched them kneel before me with unwavering determination, my voice echoed through the large office.
"Rise ! We must now begin our second council which will take place in the meeting room with the new lieutenants present. You may all leave, we will meet there in a few minutes."
As my 17 subordinates, including Lia, left the room, leaving me alone, I sank into my seat and looked at the cards scattered on my desk.
*The coming war will be tough...we must do everything to prevent a tragedy from happening. I...I will stop at nothing Kira...*
[I know onee-san..I know]
I wasn't terrified of the situation, but a worry kept growing in my heart. A worry that I couldn't explain, like the foreshadowing of an unexpected event.
[N/A: Army chart updated on discord]
____
FULL STATUS
Name : Freya
Age: 0 years / Mentally: 25 years
Sex : Female
Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult
Race : Major Demon
Titles : Blessed by Titania, Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.
Dragon tamer
Ruthless slayer
Level : 33/70
Exp required for next level: 100 / 34 000
HP : 90 000 / 90 000 MP : 45 000 / 45 000
Strength : 425
Defense : 421
Agility : 435
Stamina : 428
Speed : 427
Intelligence : 425
Charisma : 410 (imperial she-wolf)
Attribute points to allocate : 0
Married to: Gaya
Daughter : Shiro
Empire (menu)
Subordinates : 387
Humans killed : 148
Elements: Ice / Chaos
Skills (all):
Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)
- Bite of hell (Lvl 5)
- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)
- Fighting techniques (lvl max)
- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)
- Demonic aura of the empress (lvl 5)
Defense - Ice demon wall (lvl 6)
- Demonic cloak (lvl 5)
Pain Resistance (lvl 3)
Attack/Defense - Domain of the Ice Empress "frozen wrath" (lvl 1) - (under condition)
Others - Humanoid form
- Ice creation (Lvl 5)
- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)
- Devouring chaos (Lvl 5)
- Analysis
- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique
- Telepathy
Mana detection (lvl 1)
Passives - Commander (lvl max)
- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]