Chapter 531
"To be clear," Rattan continued, his voice softening slightly, though his resolve remained iron-clad, "this is not an act of blind defiance. This is a strategic necessity. The empire has proven, time and again, their unwillingness to protect their own, to truly equip those on the front lines. They sacrifice the ratmen, and in doing so, they endanger us all. The Abyss cares nothing for their petty politics or their hierarchical arrogance. It simply consumes."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper, yet carrying immense weight. "When the citizens of the empire witness the true scale of the demonic threat, not through sanitized reports, but through the raw, unfiltered images of battle, and see it being fought by those they’ve been taught to scorn, their perception will shift. And when they see the Abyss pushed back, not by the empire’s might, but by the very mages they’ve suppressed... that, my friends, is when true change begins."
He paused, allowing his words to settle. "The risk is immense, yes. But the alternative is far graver: a slow, agonizing slide into oblivion, ruled by an indifferent empire, and consumed by an ever-advancing darkness. Which future do you choose?"
Rattan let his words hang in the air, the weight of their implications pressing down on every mage in the room. He could see the calculations in their eyes, the rapid weighing of risk against reward, fear against conviction. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken questions and burgeoning resolves.
Finally, a goblin with intricate magical tattoos swirling around his arms, known for his meticulous spell-crafting, stepped forward. His voice was steady, though a tremor of raw emotion underscored it. "Arch-Mage, I’ve seen what the Abyss does to the borderlands. My family... they’re still there. If this gamble offers even a chance to push back that tide, to show the empire what true defense looks like, then I’m in. We can’t sit by and watch them fall."
Nods of agreement rippled through a significant portion of the room. The lanky mage with spectacles adjusted them on his nose, a determined glint in his eye. "The empire takes our research, suppresses our findings, and squanders our potential," he stated, his voice ringing with newfound confidence. "Let them see what that ’squandered potential’ can truly achieve when wielded with purpose."
Yet, the dissenters remained. The stocky, scarred goblin mage spoke again, his voice strained. "But what about our families within the imperial capital? They’ll be vulnerable. The empire’s reach is long, and their retribution... it’s legendary." His gaze was fixed on Rattan, pleading for reassurance, for a plan that accounted for the inevitable fallout.
Rattan acknowledged their fear with a solemn nod. "I understand your concerns, and they are valid. But you all seem to forget, we are not fighting alone. We have some truly significant backing from the capital city. The safety of your families is nothing to worry about with this figure watching closely."
A ripple of renewed curiosity, mixed with a hint of awe, spread through the room. One of the mages, his eyes flickering with an ambitious light, stepped forward. "Rattan," he said, his voice firm, "I think it’s time you tell us about this important sponsor we’ve been hearing about for years. We’ve come this far; we deserve to know."
Rattan’s gaze held the young mage’s, unwavering. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips, a knowing glint in his eyes. He had anticipated this question, for it was the natural progression of their trust and commitment.
"Patience, my friends," Rattan replied, his voice calm but firm. "Some truths are best revealed not through words, but through action. The identity of our patron is a powerful card, one that must be played at the precise moment to achieve its maximum effect. Revealing it prematurely would only put them, and by extension, all of us, at unnecessary risk."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "What I can tell you is this: this individual holds a position of immense influence within the very heart of the empire. Their resources are vast, their reach extensive, and their dedication to our cause is absolute. They are playing a long game, a dangerous game, one that requires absolute discretion."