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 spoke

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

not the main

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

the moment is find a way to

face, one of

send assassins to kill him, 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

room fell

mouth to argue with what he said, and it was this reality that made the mood

what do we

An elf finally spoke.

leaders are up against the Demon King. We still know nothing about

elf never got to finish

moment, while he was still speaking, everyone's expression froze, and

that moment, everyone stood

everyone

"Retreat right now!"

the emergency portals

"Send the injured first!"

"The elders have lost!"

***

"Reporting, the―"

outside when their expression immediately froze. Not long after, their entire body trembled, and the demon prostrated itself

"Y,your highness."

look up at all. He even held his breath, afraid of somehow getting on his bad

"Continue."

his body and jerking

what had happened when he found himself standing a couple of meters away from the strategist, who was wearing a white mask and staring at

"What's the current situation?"

"Ah, right."

quickly recollected

Patriarchs of the Pride clan and Greed clan have both sustained injuries, but they aren't extremely serious. They will need a bit of time to

brows furrowed upon listening to

Patriarchs have

was outside

they'd have been able to get rid of them without suffering much, but he underestimated the tenacity of

forces of the three races are set to be retreating from the battlefield. They are barely holding on, and the war

"I see."

It was only after a couple of

"You can leave."

dismissed the messenger and proceeded to sit back down in his

the direction of Jezebeth, who was seated not so

had his eyes closed, and his lips were slightly curled

war is as good as

those words. Casting his

had been over ever

the three races had been