Shocking News
Will sat in his office reading what felt like his 400th document that day. Every day Will read through the gold and cash flow forecast, how the objectives and key results were doing, the risks report, the sales forecast or pipeline, the balance sheet, and the historic cash flow report.
The work was tedious. He much rather prefers his father-in-law's executive position to his. Still, his position was honorable and highly respected. Better still, he had inside information he used to his corporate advantage.
Had this been the modern world, he be sentenced to 20 years and paid a fine of 5 million dollars for insider trading.
In the last month, there had been an explosion of financial activity in the kingdom.
Many scholars marked the move mercantilism and the World Economic Forum as the seminal events that ushered the Kingdom of Fermion into a renaissance period.
The world leaders that attended the Economic Forum, brought with them their food, clothing, and ideas. That was enough to spark Fermion's societal and philosophic change.
Will was reviewing the latest cash flow forecast when Bryson entered his office.
"Hello Bryson, how may I help you?" asked Will, assuming the king wanted a financial summary of some kind.
"His majesty urgently requests your presence Deputy Minister vont Ballard?" Bryson said.
"Go, I'll follow you," replied Will getting up from his seat.
Will wondered what was so important, that he was summoned immediately, outside his weekly meeting with King Roland.
However, Will realized something was wrong when Bryson led him to the War Council room instead of the king's office.
"Bryson what's this about?" asked Will worriedly.
All Bryson said was "his majesty is waiting for you."
When Will entered the War Council room, he saw the royal adviser and several government officials, but what struck him was King Roland's panicked face.
"Here," is all King Roland could muster as he handed him an envelope from the Great Eastern Empire.
Will quickly read the letter, the demons invaded the Rhaziesian Empire and captured the empire in a matter of weeks. It was too extreme to believe, no human army was capable of such a feat.
The letter when on to say, Emperor Kaiser request the Kingdom of Fermion muster its troops and join the imperial fleet. The secret plan was met in the Dukedom of Kro in six months. There the global forces would combine for a frontal assault.
"Your majesty is this true?" asked Will curiously.
"I'm afraid it is," said a despondent King Roland.
"Your majesty, how do you want to proceed?" General Jing vont Smith asked impatiently.
"Jing, draft soldiers, summon the armies, call the nobility to arm.
Will, I've written letters to Elven Queen, Dwarf King, and the Tribal Council. Act as my envoy and make sure these letters reach their destination. Also, publish this letter in the Tirana Times and Fermion Guardian," King Roland decreed.
"My the gods protect us," Duke Francis prayed.
"Dismissed," ordered King Roland.
Outside the War Council room, Will cast [Gate] and quickly delivered the letters.
With that done, Will rushed back to Tirana.
"Diego, stop the press!" Will shouted urgently as he flew into his newspaper company.
"Earl vont Ballard, is something wrong?" Diego said with a worriedly looked. He was afraid he was in trouble.
"The king's received news from Emperor Kaiser von Wilhelm II, the demons have invaded Terra. The Third Great Schism is upon us," Will explained.
Hearing those words, doom etched on Diego's face, as panic gripped his body, and he visible shook in fear.
"I…can't…breath," Diego said grabbing his heart.
"Breath Diego," Will called out grabbing his shoulders trying to relax his employee.
After several minutes of heavy breathing, Diego finally calmed down.
"There now, do you feel better?" Will asked doing his best to comfort his editor-in-chief.
"Yes, thank you," Diego said his olive skin tone returning to him.
"Now, I want a new headline and main story!" Will stated.
"I can think of a few headlines: 'The World Declares War,' 'Demons Capture Rhaziesian Empire,' or 'Third Great Schism Arrives,'" said Diego rattling off a few suggestions.
"Use all three, I like them all. Use one for the Tirana Times, one for our domestic circulation, and another for our coastal circulation. Give me an hour and I'll write the article.
The next morning the world learned the truth. One empire had fallen and two more declared war.
"Is it true," James asked rushing into the dining hall.
"Is what true father?" Edward asked.
"Yes, it's true. Edward the world has gone to war against the demon armies," said Will before crunching into his toast.
"My lord, a large group of nobles have come to see you," Micheal announced in a calm tone.
"Ms. Park please prepare tea and snacks in the ballroom, Will shall receive his guests there," Elizabeth instructed.
"Micheal, please lead our guests to the ballroom," directed Will.
Hundreds of people streamed into the ballroom demanding Will tell them everything he knew. He saw fear in their eyes. The idea of a global offensive war was cognitively hard to wrap their heads around. Yet, Will did his best to comfort them and assuage their fears.
In Tirana, the response was nearly identical. Nobles and commoners alike flocked to the palace for answers. Everyone wanted more details.
King Roland stressed the details were being safeguarded in the likelihood of demonic spies and hidden allies.
Since Emperor Kaiser's letter arrived, Will attended a daily security briefing. By now the War Council room was the most utilized in the palace, other than the lavatory.
Today's meeting was to address the kingdom's response to the migrant crisis. Fermion just learned of war, and already refugees from across the sea had arrived. At first, it was a couple hundred a day, but the numbers were steadily climbing.
"Your majesty do you know the reason for the recent influx of refugees," General vont Smith asked curiously.
"We were too late!" King Roland said downing his entire glass of brandy.
"What do you mean too late?" demanded Duke Francis.
"The Dukedom of Kro and Kingdom of Zhekid have fallen. The Kingdom of Icer is under attack. The Qhosnir Empire is demanding we hasten to their aid.
People are fleeing the south for the security of the east and north. According to Emperor Kaiser's letter, The Great Eastern Empire has already sheltered thousands of refugees, and now they're asking us to also take up the burden," said a depressed King Roland.
In the War Council room, the royal advisors, several government officials, and nobles were stunned by the king's announcement.
"How is possible the dukedom has already fallen?" asked an official in disbelief.
"Keep in mind this information is already a week old," Adviser Chen reminded everyone.
"Yes, that's right! As far as we know the Qhosnir Empire could have already fallen," said another government official.
"Maybe there's a way we can reason with the demons?" a third official questioned.
"You fool! How can you reason with beasts? The demons only want to enslave us and destroy our lives!" shouted Adviser Chen angrily.
"Yes, I agree with the general. Let's move onto today's topic: what to do about the immigrants," Chancellor Earl Francis II vont Whitby announced, ending the earlier tangent.
Will listen silently as the advisers and government officials discussed their varied opinions regarding the refugees.
"Your Majesty, we should close off the port cities! Who knows what will happen to us if we keep accepting all of these refugees!" argued an adviser.
"Are you out of your mind? If we don't take them in, all of those people will die eventually!" retorted Adviser Chen.
"Then tell me, how do you plan on feeding all of those people?" the early adviser asked angrily.
"He is correct your majesty, the kingdom only has enough food reserves to feed their current population until harvest," announced Chancellor vont Whitby.
"Could we buy more?" Adviser Chen asked.
"I'm not sure. I've heard rumors the demons burn crops and towns indiscriminately. The price of grain is surely going to skyrocket," Finance Minister vont Whitby explained.
Taking in thousands of refugees from various towns and villages across the south seemed out of the question.
"If we can't buy it, we shall grow it. Tell the farmers to plan an abundant crop, a size never dreamt of before. Every fertile ground should be covered in crops. There should be no limit to what we plant!" Adviser Chen argued passionately.
"Who shall buy it? Surely, the refugees won't be able to?" asked a curious adviser.
"Adviser Chen, that much supply would kill the market. Farmers would make half a copper on their crops," another adviser shot back.
Deputy Minister vont Ballard, cousin, what do you think? Your counsel has never been wrong before," said King Roland, his calm voice was in stark contrast to the agitated officials'.
The bickering in the throne room died out hearing the king's voice. Others were curious to learn Will's opinion as well.
"I agree with Adviser Chen. If our territories have a somewhat abundant harvest this year, I believe it should be possible for us to supply our military and feed the kingdom with grain."
The king looked so tired, despite his calm voice. Dark spots encircled his eyes, as though he had not slept all night.
"Then we shall continue accepting refugees—" said King Roland.
"Wait, your majesty!" called out an official.
"You dare interrupt the king," General vont Smith asked murderously, ordering the guards stationed at the door to flog him.
"Wait, general! Let's hear what was so important first," stated King Roland.
"Your majesty, please forgive this one impatience!" the official begged.
"You insolent worm!" General vont Smith yelled.
"Jing, that's enough!" King Roland said calmly.
"Please your majesty, I beg you! Please ask the Deputy Commerce Minister how he'll ensure the price of grains remains stable?" the crying arrested official asked.
"Easy, the kingdom shall purchase 90% of the crops. With a guaranteed buyer, the farmers shall feel secure following the king's writ," Will explain dispassionately.
"There are you satisfied?" the king asked the officials in the room.
Everyone was aware of Will's financial prowess. Citizens often referred to him as the God of Wealth. His advice had helped the kingdom whither several storms. And if Will said it could be done, the advisers and officials took his word on face value.
"Yes, your majesty," the man cried. He wanted to ask more questions, but the guards dragged him away.
"Now that we are all agreed, Fermion shall serve as a haven for everyone fleeing from the war" King Roland declared.
Everyone in the War Council room knew the repercussions of letting in too many people.
"Your majesty might, I suggest we send the refugees eastward. I believe, Viscount vont Claybaugh would welcome an influx of people,"
Chancellor vont Whitby suggested.
"That's a marvelous idea, Bryson send him a letter and tell him to expect hundreds of new people to arrive within the month. Have him send wagons to transport them to his fiefdom," agreed King Roland.
"Your majesty, knowing my wife. She'll probably offer the free food during their stopover in Gadreel," Will advised.
"Magnificent! Yes, Elizabeth does have a heart of gold, and your bank account to spend," the king laughed, and the others joined in his laughter.
"Chancellor, see if others are willing to donate as well?" King Roland ordered.
"Your Majesty," said General vont Smith said, "Disorder is bound to arise with so many people gathering together, necessary measures need to be to keep security in check."
"General do what you must. If someone is causing trouble, I'm permitting you to kick them out of the kingdom," King Roland ordered.
"Please leave it to me, your majesty," said General vont Smith with a salute.
Realizing that they had not discussed any plans on retaking the southern empire from the demons, Will said, "Your Majesty, how much longer until we send our army to reinforce our allies?"
"A month at minimum two months at most," General vont Smith said frustratedly.
…
After the meeting and before heading home, Will checked in on Diego. The poor man was sweating over a printing press.
"Are you okay," Will asked remembering the man's panic attack yesterday.
Will knew the demon invasion had put almost everyone in a state of frenzied. Even in the palace he saw triggered expressions of grief and fear on the people's faces.
It seemed like the entire world was walking on a tightrope and a slight thing could send the kingdom spinning out of control.
"We keep selling out of newspapers and people keep demanding we print more. And now we're behind on tomorrow's paper! My staff and I are ready to collapse," Diego said lethargically.
"Tell Mei to hire more people if you need to, tell your men to work in shifts, and give yourselves periodic breaks," Will advised.
"Thank you, Boss Will, we shall heed your advice," Diego acknowledged.
"I'm glad you are feeling better, here's tomorrow's feature article," said Will. He patted Diego on the shoulders, before casting a spell and leaving in a flash.