“So, we have one week to prepare for a battle.” I finished.


    We were once again in the planning room of my mansion, where I met with everyone and explained the situation. I didn’t just have the girls present, but the Mayor, Ruby and the Guild Leader, Lapis, and I even brought General Nova in. I didn’t like him, but Nova had a closer connection to the Osterians than Alysia did, and he was also once a top general. When it came to war, he knew what he was talking about. When it came to the foxkin, not that they had a say in this meeting, it was Miki who would speak for them.


    “How presumptuous! I saw we march out now and destroy him!” General Nova snarled.


    “Master... my... mother...”


    I made a face, and then pulled her wings out of the soul world and handed them to Celeste. She took them in her hands and looked over them. The other girls winced or looked away at the sight of the once beautiful black wings, now wrinkled and torn.


    “A fairy’s body is created by magic. We’re ultimately mana beings. Our wings represent our connection to the mana of the world, much like a foxkin’s spirit tail shows her connection to the spiritual world. Ripping off the wings shouldn’t kill her, but she will be weakened by this. I’m afraid the harm is more mental.” Celeste explained in one of her more serious moments.


    “My King, give me permission to ride out and-” Nova began again.


    “You can count the Tibults and the church out too.” Elaya declared.


    “What are you saying? Is Aberis abandoning us again?”


    Elaya sighed. “The Tibults were ordered on a mission to the southeast. There have been issues going on seaside. Something about the Knifefall Isles being under attack. It was Eliana who demanded their help.”


    I was just about to curse Prince Edward, but when I heard Eliana’s name, it faltered. “E-eliana... right, how is she?”


    “In the absence of the Osterian race, she’s been doing everything she can to keep the Ost Republic stable. She is all but their de facto ruler at this point. She needs the Aberis forces to maintain stability and keep it from falling to bandits as the west did. As for the church, they have a similar position to the adventuring guild. Demon Lords are a special case.”


    “They helped with the Ost Republic!”


    “That’s because they were opposed to the Ost Republic church. Dioshin’s church doesn’t specifically go against their teachings.”


    “Those freaking butt lovers!” I slammed my fist, causing the girls to all look behind them in confusion. “Ahem... your butts are fine.”