"Your Highness, Archmage Sandor, you've arrived?"
Dathrohan, the highest-ranking person present, had been studying a map. Seeing Ye Ting, who had called the meeting, and their princess arrive, he immediately stood to greet them.
Behind him, everyone else rose as well.
"No need for formalities. Please, everyone, sit." Calia nodded to them all, signaling that they could dispense with ceremony.
Under the pressure of the Scourge, all of Hearthglen remained on constant war footing, so there was naturally far less etiquette than usual. Everyone returned to their seats.
As the highest-ranking person present, Calia naturally took the seat of honor, while Ye Ting sat beside her.
The princess picked up the wineglass before her and raised it high. "Before the meeting begins, let us drain a cup to celebrate Archmage Sandor's safe return!"
"Welcome back, Archmage Sandor!" The generals raised their cups together and drained them in one gulp.
Having spent so long in the military camp, Calia had become increasingly efficient in her conduct. She set down her cup, and the welcoming ceremony was declared over. Turning to Ye Ting, she said, "Archmage, since you called for this emergency meeting, please brief us on the current situation."
The others pricked up their ears as well.
They were all deeply concerned about the Battle of Dalaran.
Everyone began listening as Ye Ting recounted what had happened.
After casting an [Amplification Spell] on himself, Ye Ting began speaking at length:
"Though I would dearly like to announce Dalaran's victory to you, to declare that humanity has finally defeated the Scourge, I regret that I must tell you this: we failed.
"I must say, Dalaran had been well prepared from the beginning. They had set up magical barriers designed specifically against the undead, making it impossible for those skull-faced creatures to even