B8 - Chapter 35: Terms of Allegiance

"That is a blatant lie!" an elderly woman exclaimed. "I have seen what you can do. With the forces gathered here, it would be a piece of cake to take Thalebrook, maybe even Gwyrel Ford."

"...To what end?" Linus asked. "They have no strategic value."

Zeke listened quietly. He had called several key figures among his allies to his study to discuss their next steps. But ever since the leaders of the newly rescued half-elves had arrived, the arguing had not stopped.

"To save lives!" the same woman said, her outrage unmistakable. "Or is that not something that matters to you, human?"

Linus bit his tongue. Not because he lacked arguments, but because he likely would have regretted saying what came to mind.

In war, hard choices often had to be made. Especially when resources were scarce, and you were already behind. That usually meant not being weighed down by sentimentality. Logic and cunning won battles, not heartfelt wishes.

Even so, it was rarely wise to tell a civilian that outright.

And that was what these people were. Though they called themselves the Resistance, they were little more than farmers forced to defend themselves against a force they could never hope to match. Their peaceful pasts were written plainly across their faces. Not a single hard line between them.

"Calm yourself, Lady Rowael," Leo interjected. "Let us not make hasty accusations against the people who came to save us, yes?"

Leo's voice seemed to steady the half-elf leader. Clearly, she had developed a certain level of fondness for him.

"...I have been patient," she said, her tone more controlled. "We all have. But it has been days since the battle, and there has been no effort to further intervene in the war. Do you expect us to stand by while our people are slaughtered?"

Lady Rowael turned to Raileh, who stood in the corner with her arms crossed. "Your Excellency, please. Speak some sense to these humans. They do not seem to hear our pleas."

Raileh met the elderly woman's gaze for a brief moment before simply closing her eyes.

Zeke inwardly shook his head. Out of everyone here, Raileh was the least likely to speak on behalf of her distant cousins. And even if she did, her word would carry no weight. She had not come here willingly; she was a bartered piece he had won. Whether she agreed or disagreed with his choices meant nothing, and her opinion would never sway him. Even so, the half-elf clearly assumed she held influence here.

"Lord David," Lady Rowael asked hopefully. "You must see the need to act quickly, do you not?"

David shook his head. "...It is not my decision to make."

His gaze shifted slightly to his left, clearly indicating where she should direct her concerns.

Lady Rowael followed his eyes. However, she did not settle on the figure David meant, but instead on the person standing two steps behind.

"Lady Zelkara..." Rowael tried next. "Surely you support a swift battle?"

Zeke nearly winced. Out of everyone she could have asked... Not only would Zelkara refuse anything he had not ordered, but addressing her while bypassing him was already a considerable insult.

As expected, Zelkara's indifferent eyes turned sharp. Instead of answering, she stared the woman down with a murderous glare.

"W-who?" Lady Rowael stammered, quickly looking away. Her eyes slid over Zeke once more. "Who am I to address?"

Zeke sighed. He had deliberately stayed out of the discussion to gauge the nature of his newfound allies. But now, he had seen all he needed to see.

"You address me," he said calmly, not even rising from his chair.

Lady Rowael's gaze fixed on him, weighing him. A faint frown formed on her face, likely because of his age and perceived weakness. "Young human... Why have we kept hiding these past few days? Do you not care that our people are dying?"

Zeke met her eyes evenly. "I do not."

Her mouth opened, yet no words followed. 

"As for why we have been hiding: WE, meaning my people and I, have remained out of sight to measure the Legion's response, assess the situation, and establish contact with our allies. Why have YOU been hiding?"

"I..." Her words faltered. "What could we even have done alone?!"

Zeke nodded. "Not much. Your people lack the basic requirements to function as an effective force. Cohesion, training, discipline, and most importantly, a competent leader."

Lady Rowael bristled. "What do you know about my qualities as a leader? I have guided my people through darker times than you can imagine, you insolent brat...!"

Zeke raised his hand. 

Zelkara's spear, which had shot forward like lightning, stopped less than a hand's breadth from the half-elf's throat. Lady Rowael looked down at the blade. A bead of sweat formed as she realized just how narrowly she had escaped death.

"You speak without thought, Lady Rowael," Zeke said calmly. "But that is the least of your failings."

This time, the woman kept silent. She clearly did not dare to speak with a blade at her neck.

"First, you did not bother to question your standing here. Seeing Raileh, an elf, you assumed we were allies. A misstep that could have gotten you killed."

Zeke turned to the elven healer. "You are dismissed. Your presence does more harm than good here."

Raileh opened her eyes at his command. "As you wish." With those simple words, she left the room.

Lady Rowael's gaze followed her all the way, disbelief growing with each step until the door finally closed behind her.

"Second, you failed to gauge the power structure of your new allies. Yes, David and Raileh are Archmages, but did you not question why I am the only one seated while even they remain standing? Clearly, you lack even the most basic grasp of power dynamics. Yet another misstep that could have gotten you killed."

Lady Rowael's eyes widened. For the first time, she seemed to truly see him.

"...You complained about your saviors, gave unwanted strategic input, and tried to use guilt and responsibility as weapons. Do I need to go on? Because I can," Zeke said, his voice still calm.

Lady Rowael shook her head.

"Good."

With a small gesture, he ordered Zelkara to withdraw her spear. She obeyed immediately, returning to her place behind him.

"If..." Lady Rowael stuttered, "If I am so useless, why even call me to this meeting?"

Zeke smiled. At last, a sensible question. "You are not prisoners. You and your people are free to leave my fortress at any time. However, if your goal is to stay with us, that comes with obligations. That is why I called you here. As crude as it sounds, we cannot afford to house any freeloaders right now."

"What... what obligations?"

"Before I get to that, I want you to clearly understand the situation you find yourself in. Will you listen?"

Lady Rowael nodded.

"Then let me introduce myself formally. I am Ezekiel von Hohenheim, leader of the Hohenheim Mercenary Company. I have been hired by Matriarch Goldleaf to drive the Empire from Rukia. That is the only mission I was officially entrusted with. Do you understand?"

"I..." Lady Rowael began, then paused. She took a moment, thinking through his words. It was a promising sign. "You were not asked to save us."

Zeke nodded. "I was not."

"Then... why did you?"

Zeke smiled. "Because I believed that under the right circumstances, you and your people could become an important factor in this war."

"...as disposable pawns?"

Zeke shook his head. "No offense, lady, but your people do not make for great soldiers. Not even as disposable pawns."

"Speak clearly... please. What is it that you want us to do?"

"Very well," Zeke said. "I want everyone with a Life affinity to report to Raileh. No matter her strength, she cannot handle everything alone."

"...What about the rest?"

Zeke pointed at the floor. "This fortress is powered by Mana. I brought a few Mages with me, but they are far from enough to activate its full capabilities. I want your people to provide the Mana needed to power all systems."

He met her eyes. "If you truly want to strike fear into the Legion and save as many of your people as possible, there is no better way."

"What... what about those who do not know how to wield Mana? What about the children?"

Zeke shook his head, and he saw her heart sink.

"Do you take me for a monster? I would not let the children participate even if they begged me. They are, naturally, excluded from these provisions. As for the adults, I'll find ways for them to contribute that will not put them into harm's way.

He saw the relief flash through Lady Rowael's eyes, though she hid it quickly. Good. It seemed she was learning.

"What... what can we expect in return?" she asked.

Another sensible question. Maybe there was hope for her yet.

"Protection, safety, three good meals a day, and the opportunity to strike fear into the heart of those Legion bastards."

A vicious light flared behind her old eyes, and Zeke knew she had already made her decision. Still, there was one more sentiment he wanted to plant in her mind.

"Remember: The better you perform, the more incentive to save as many of your people as possible. I can never have too many capable helpers, after all."

That was the final nail. Lady Rowael nodded decisively. "I will talk to them. But I can already tell you that most will take you up on this offer."

Zeke smiled. This unreliable woman had transformed in such a short time. It was clear she was not wholly incapable, only hopelessly out of her depth. With just a bit of guidance, she had changed drastically.

"Find me an answer before tonight. At that time, we will place anyone unwilling to agree in a safe location before commencing our next attack."

"Where will we attack?" she asked, her eyes shining slightly.

Zeke grinned. "I will tell you once you have officially joined us. Now go."

"I will do my part, Lord Hohenheim," Lady Rowael said, raising her fist to her chest in a clumsy imitation of an Alliance salute.

Zeke stood and returned the salute.

Satisfied, Lady Rowael departed, leaving him alone with his people.

"That... she... did you use Mind Magic?" Leo asked from his spot near the door. Out of everyone present, he seemed the most shocked by the transformation he had witnessed.

Zeke chuckled. "Mind Magic? That is such an inefficient way to convince people. Why use Magic when a few words can do the job just as well?"

"A few words, he says..." Leo muttered, shaking his head. "Do you even know she was called Granny Granite because of her stubbornness?"

Zeke grinned. "It does have a nice ring to it."

His expression slowly turned somber. "That being said, I did not call you here just to witness that." He met the eyes of his people one by one. "I have decided on our next target."

The mood in the room shifted. The joking, relaxed expressions vanished, replaced by focus and tension. Many had already speculated about their next objective. It was a decision that could mean life or death. This would be their first true test against the Legion. Now, without the element of surprise, they would face a foe who had taken the time to prepare a response.

In a sense, this next strike would determine how far they could push in this war.

That was also the reason Zeke had taken his time with the decision. 

"Our next target will be..."