[Bonus chapter] Forcing Their Hands

Bloom said what he needed to say to them and stood his place motionless for a few moments.

Yet this silence didn't last long before one of the mayor said in rude way:

"You don't expect us to follow you after this useless speech. Our towns are in danger! We won't help, we will retreat."

"Good," Bloom didn't seem to be surprised by that scared mayor's words, "but I have to warn you... Warn you all... After I come back from this war, and believe me when I say I will return victorious, I will reward my allies and punish my enemies."

"What does that even supposed to mean?" one mayor asked in a burst of rage. "Are you threatening us? A mere useless player like you thinks himself high and mighty!"

"You won't be the first town mayor I kill in this game," yet Bloom didn't show any sign of weakness or even retreat. He advanced a couple of steps to stand just in front of that mayor, "and you won't be the last."