The atmosphere in the council hall was heavy and oppressive.
Dominic’s gaze swept over everyone present.
"I propose that, effective immediately, we draw elite personnel from the Garrison Legion to form a dedicated Extermination Corps."
"Ideally, we can dispatch the army into the swamp during the few days just after the summer demon tide ends, before the area has fully recovered, and completely wipe out those Swamp Demons."
His gaze fell upon Levin and the man beside him—Simo, a stocky Half-dwarf legion commander with a thick beard.
"Levin, Simo, do you have any objections?"
Alice’s heart sank.
If their family’s Knights were forcibly requisitioned at a time like this to form a so-called Extermination Corps, it would undoubtedly interfere with their upcoming secret operation.
But if they refused outright, it would give Dominic the perfect excuse to seize the opportunity and launch a public attack.
She unconsciously clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on the steady back of the man before her.
She wanted to know how her father, Raven Arevalo, would respond to this proposal, which was so clearly a test.
Levin’s gaze grew profound. He remained silent for several seconds, as if carefully weighing the pros and cons, before finally speaking in a slow, deliberate voice.
"Requisitioning men to form a temporary legion... That’s no small matter. As I recall, conducting a military operation of this scale typically requires a formal writ from His Majesty the King, does it not?"
Hearing this, Dominic smiled faintly, as if he had been expecting it.
He beckoned to the adjutant behind him.
Soon, a document bearing a wax seal with the royal crest was passed into Levin’s hands.
"This is a draft of a temporary commission, signed by His Majesty himself. It clearly states that in light of the Swamp Demons’ unusual movements and the potential threat they pose to the border, the formation of a temporary Extermination Corps is absolutely necessary."
Levin took the document and scanned it quickly. He raised an eyebrow and replied in a flat tone, "So, in other words, this isn’t a formal writ to campaign, merely a draft."
This time, it was the Half-dwarf Simo across from him who grew angry. He forcefully banged on the solid oak tabletop, producing a dull THUD THUD. With a dark expression, he said in a rumbling voice:
"Levin, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to obstruct the campaign against the swamp, just like that traitor, Princess Louisa?"
"If those damned demons break out of the swamp and threaten the safety of Storm Fortress, none of us can bear that responsibility."
"That’s enough," Dominic cut in at the opportune moment, interrupting Simo’s agitated speech and playing the part of a "mediator."
But his gaze remained fixed on Levin as he said in a cool voice, "Levin, this isn’t the first time you’ve publicly shown resistance to forming a temporary Extermination Corps."
He leaned his body forward slightly. "I recall that just this spring, the Legion dispatched a scouting party to investigate the situation in the swamp. And yet, they were forcibly stopped by Miss Alice here, standing behind you."
"And the conclusion of your investigation was that you found... nothing unusual?"
"It seems your Arevalo Clan is deliberately obstructing the Legion’s investigation and campaign in the swamp."
He spoke, enunciating each word, "Levin, we all need a reasonable explanation."
Faced with this question, which was practically an accusation, Levin suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
"Heh..." His laugh echoed with particular clarity in the silent council hall, but its meaning was impossible to discern.
Dominic narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
"Was I not clear enough?"
Levin’s smile vanished. He shot to his feet, his aura instantly overwhelming everyone else in the council hall.
He stared directly at Dominic, his voice dripping with mockery. "Then let me repeat myself for you, Dominic. You are a fool!"
"What?!" Dominic’s face turned livid, and Simo shot to his feet as well.
The council hall erupted in an uproar.
But Levin paid them no mind, pointing a finger at Dominic and demanding, "You know damn well the summer demon tide is upon us, yet you still dare to pull away our precious defensive forces to form some bullshit Extermination Corps!"
"If their numbers were small, like in previous years, that would be one thing. But now? Those demons have broken through the Graystone Bulwark—a feat even the Kingdom’s army couldn’t accomplish!"
"How can you guarantee they won’t take advantage of the coming demon tide, when the fortress’s defenses are weakened, to launch an attack on Storm Fortress?!"
"Can you guarantee that?!"
"And when the surging demon tide carries those terrifying monsters past the border and into the Golden Grain Plain, when vast swaths of farmland on the verge of harvest are ruined, countless villages destroyed, leaving behind an unholy mess, who is going to clean it up?"
"Will it be that Extermination Corps of yours?!"
Levin’s words struck Dominic like a hammer blow. His expression shifted uncertainly, and he ultimately fell silent.
The council hall fell eerily silent, the only sound being the breathing of those present.
After a long moment, Simo couldn’t resist asking, "So this is no good, and that’s no good. What exactly is it you want, Levin?"
"Are we supposed to just let those demons take over the Dark Land completely, growing stronger right under our very noses?"
Levin slowly sat back down, a trace of weariness on his face. He rubbed his temples, then beckoned gently to Alice, who was standing behind him.
"Alice, you tell them."