In warfare, speed was paramount. Military operations were unlike certain noble conferences where one could host a banquet while discussing the future; once a crisis erupted, a discussion of war could begin anywhere at any moment. Thus, early on the second morning after Punk joined the "Faerun Plane Guardian Alliance," a meeting requiring the attendance of every guardian arrived alongside news that seven or eight brand-new Abyssal Rifts had opened.
This time, there were a great many Legendary professionals in attendance. Including Punk himself, a full fifteen Legends had gathered in the royal hall of Mithril Royal City, either as projections or in person. In fact, when the Morningstar Mage calmly pushed open his door and descended the stairs, he saw ten distinct humanoid projections with their faces completely uncovered, along with four professionals who had arrived in person, gathered around a three-dimensional map and discussing matters among themselves.
Without question, the four people attending in person were Anthony, the priest who had visited Punk the night before; Ibefil, who was seriously analyzing tactics; and Karan and Hajones from the Mage Guild. The projections standing in two clearly divided camps beside Anthony and Ibefil were naturally the Legendary Priests sent by the Pantheon to "support" the Mage Guild, as well as the "volunteers" who had willingly entered the Karamus Empire to save innocent lives.
However, the "meeting" had not officially begun yet. Even though Punk had already walked unhurriedly over to the three-dimensional map displaying the entire territory of the Karamus Empire, one nominal "temporary supreme decision-maker" of the Guardian Alliance had yet to arrive.
Yes, it was that unreliable "Star Wolf," Donnila.
It was said that this fellow being late for meetings had become an entirely unsurprising routine. At first, some people had assumed he was merely putting on