The Author's POV

The situation in Idonea was anything but favorable for the three races.

The demons were relentless in their pursuit, and although those of the three races did their best to hold on, the situation started to deteriorate for them quickly, and their side began to suffer an increasing number of casualties as the war continued.

"Retreat!"

The situation got so bad that the three races were forced into a retreat.

Although the demons' numerical strength was not superior to theirs... They were significantly less well organized than them, and each of their strategies appeared to be easily seen through by them.

In the main camp of the three races.

The dimly lit hall was filled with the sounds of heated discussion as representatives of the three factions gathered to discuss the ongoing war with the demons.

"We can't go on like this."

The elves, with their lithe frames and pointed ears, stood alongside the orcs, their muscular builds and fearsome visages contrasting sharply with the elegant elves.

"Khh… I agree. We can't go on like this."

The dwarves, short and stout with thick beards, sat at the head of the table, their stone faces betraying nothing of their thoughts. They quietly listened to the conversation between the elven and orcen representatives.

One of them abruptly stood up and smacked the table.

Smack!

"Of course, we can't go on like this! All you brutes focus on is individual battles, and don't think about the greater picture!"

"Khh...Khh... We are not cowards like you, dwarves. We don't retreat the first moment something goes wrong."

"That's exactly why we're losing!"

"Calm down; that's only a small part of the problem. Reality is that the demons are stronger than us."

One of the elves said, finally intervening in the discussion.

"Blaming our individual shortcomings at the moment will bring nothing good to the war. We have to change the discussion to a more productive one."

"Even so..."

The discussion was tense, with each faction accusing the others of failing to do their part in the war effort.

"As things stand, what we need to do at the moment is minimize our losses."

As the debate wore on, it became clear to the three races that the current situation couldn't go on.

With each passing second that they spent here discussing, more and more casualties were starting to pile up, and every second mattered.

"It's not about minimizing the losses."

elven representatives

silky silver hair that contained streaks of gold. She was the calmest of them all, and her eyes scanned those in

that's not the

bell. Her next words brought the entire room into a state

do at the moment is

a grim look on his face, one of the dwarven

but whoever this strategist is, they have multiple Duke ranked, and even a Prince ranked demon protecting them… It's not something that we can achieve

fell

mouth to argue with what he said, and it was

do

An elf finally spoke.

up against the Demon King. We

elf never got to

speaking, everyone's expression froze, and

everyone stood up from their

Tell everyone

"Retreat right now!"

everyone evacuate to the

"Send the injured first!"

"The elders have lost!"

***

"Reporting, the―"

the situation outside when their expression immediately froze.

"Y,your highness."

daring to look up at all. He even held his breath,

"Continue."

part of his body and jerking his body up from the

himself standing a couple of meters away from the strategist, who was wearing a white mask and staring at him with his deep green

"What's the current situation?"

"Ah, right."

messenger quickly recollected himself and

Greed clan have both sustained injuries, but they aren't extremely serious. They

furrowed upon listening to the

Patriarchs have sustained

this… This was outside of

of them without suffering

are set to be retreating from the battlefield. They are barely holding on, and the war is as good as

"I see."

only after a

"You can leave."

dismissed the messenger and proceeded to

small glance in the direction of Jezebeth,

closed, and his lips were slightly curled at its

as good as

thoughts about those words. Casting his gaze away

be honest, the war had been over ever since

moment that Jezebeth was back, he knew that the most powerful members of the three races had been