"And what of Tackeros?" Benjamin pressed, his voice rising. "You sit here debating over crumbs while the wolf at our doorstep grows stronger. The kingdom of Tackeros has been swallowing realms for years." Now he looked around.
"Do you think they will hesitate to come for us once Fooleria falls? We need to gather forces now—fortify our defenses and prepare for the inevitable."
Mumbles broke out among the council. Several men exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier confidence faltering.
"Tackeros is no ordinary threat," one general muttered. "Their soldiers are relentless, their strategy unmatched. We cannot defeat them with brute force alone."
"Then what do you suggest?" another snapped. "Surrender? Diplomacy won't save us when they come marching on our gates."
"We cannot afford to appear weak," Benjamin said sharply. "This is not just about Fooleria or Tackeros—it's about Wyfn-Garde's survival. If we do not show strength now, we will invite ruin."