CHAPTER 313: CH 313: PREPARE FOR WAR - PART 2

As Kyle finished checking the last of the maps laid out on his desk, he felt the faintest shift in the air—a presence slipping into his office like a whisper.

He didn’t look up. Instead, he continued moving pieces across the map, his fingers brushing over miniature models of camps and supply lines.

The soundless step approached him from behind, soft, deliberate.

When the figure was close enough, Kyle struck.

In a blink, he turned and caught the approaching person by the wrist, twisted their arm, and swept their legs, pinning them to the floor in a single, fluid motion.

His eyes scanned the figure quickly—and then widened slightly in recognition.

"...Silvy?"

The silver-haired elf girl, now pinned under him, gave him a sheepish, almost pained wave.

"Hi, Kyle. Nice to see you too."

He blinked again before sighing and letting go of her wrist. Silvy sat up, rubbing her arm, and muttered.

"Still sharp as ever."

Kyle returned to his seat and gave her a long look.

"What are you doing here?"

Silvy got to her feet, brushing dust off her robes.

"I heard about the war. I got worried. I thought you might... need help."

She said, her tone losing its playfulness.

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"So you snuck into my office and nearly got your arm broken just to tell me that?"

"There’s more. The elves have decided to support their savior. Since the battlefield will be close to our lands, the council agreed to assist you."

Silvy admitted, pulling a scroll from inside her robe and setting it on his desk.

Kyle stared at the scroll for a moment.

"I didn’t ask for this."

"You didn’t need to. This is our choice. The elf clans remember what you did for us. You saved our tree. Our people. Our pride. If we do nothing while you march to war, then we have no right to call ourselves your allies."

Silvy’s expression turned serious.

Kyle leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"You understand this isn’t just some local skirmish, right? This is a war against divine influence. A war that will stain the land. If the elves get involved, you’ll be pulled into the center of it."

Silvy stepped forward, eyes glowing with conviction.

"We know. And we’re not backing away. The High Council voted unanimously. They all agreed that to repay our debt to you, we must stand by your side in this war."

Kyle’s gaze softened, though his expression remained unreadable.

"This isn’t a debt that needs repaying, Silvy."

"But it is to us. We were lost. The tree was dying. You gave us a future. Our children can grow again because of you. We won’t let the one who gave us that hope face the storm alone."

She insisted.

Kyle ran a hand down his face.

"You’re too stubborn for your own good."

Silvy grinned.

"I learned from the best."

He gave a soft chuckle despite himself, the sound rare and fleeting. Then he grew serious again.

"Very well. But if the elves are going to participate, they follow my commands on the battlefield. No exceptions."

"Of course. I’ll inform the council. They’ll send two detachments of their best. Scouts, archers, and battle mages. They’ll be under your command by tomorrow evening."

Silvy nodded without hesitation.

Kyle looked at the scroll she had delivered and gently unrolled it. The seal of the elven high council shimmered at the top, followed by elegantly scripted text affirming their allegiance.

He let the scroll roll back up with a sigh.

"This war will change the continent. And not everyone will survive it."

He murmured.

Silvy’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"Then let’s make sure those who do... survive with pride."

He looked at her again, this time less as a warrior, more as a girl who had once wept beneath a withering tree and now stood with fire in her eyes.

He nodded once before turning his attention back to the maps.

"Let’s make preparations, then. We march in three days."

Silvy stepped beside him, her silver hair catching the light as she looked over the battle plans. For the first time in a long while, Kyle allowed himself to feel the weight of solidarity.

The war was coming—but he would not face it alone.

______

The dining hall was alive with chatter and clinking cutlery when Silvy arrived, trailing just behind Bruce.

As soon as she stepped in, all eyes drifted to her and then—immediately—to Kyle. She was radiant with energy, practically bouncing on her heels, her silver hair catching the torchlight with every step.

She waved at Kyle with both hands, a bright smile on her face.

"Kyle~!"

She called out, voice ringing through the room with playful familiarity.

Kyle gave her a short nod, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t protest when she rushed up to him and clung to his arm with obvious enthusiasm.

Her proximity drew more than a few glances and whispers from the soldiers and staff.

At one of the longer tables, Bruce glanced at Melissa, whose jaw had stiffened as she watched the scene unfold.

"Don’t let her get to you. You’re not the only one seeing that mess."

Bruce muttered, nudging Melissa gently with his elbow.

Melissa didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes remained locked on Silvy and Kyle, her grip tightening slightly around the edge of her bowl.

"If I could turn off my feelings that easily. I would have done it a long time ago."

She said quietly.

Bruce sighed but didn’t argue.

Kyle approached their table with Silvy still attached to his side. She gave Bruce a polite nod but barely spared Melissa more than a glance before settling beside Kyle, closer than necessary.

"Silvy will be joining us for the war."

Kyle said as he sat down, his tone straightforward and lacking any flourish.

Bruce nodded.

"We’ll make space in the formations."

Melissa gave a tight nod in return, not trusting herself to speak. Her gaze flicked up briefly—only to meet Silvy’s.

The elf girl smiled sweetly, but there was a glint of smug superiority in her eyes as she leaned just a bit more against Kyle.

Melissa looked away, forcing her hand to stay still even as her chest tightened. Silvy didn’t need to say a word to make her point clear.

She was here.

She was close.

And she wasn’t planning on leaving Kyle’s side anytime soon.

Melissa kept her head down, poking at her food without much appetite. Every soft laugh Silvy made, every casual brush of her hand against Kyle’s arm, grated on her nerves.

She wanted to look away, but her eyes kept drifting back, drawn by something she couldn’t control.

Bruce leaned in slightly and murmured.

"She’s trying to get a rise out of you."

"I know. And I’m trying not to give her what she wants."

Melissa replied, her voice tight.

Across the table, Kyle seemed unaware of—or perhaps indifferent to—the silent war waging beside him.

He listened to Silvy’s words, occasionally nodding, but his expression never softened. It was the same cool mask he wore when planning tactics, distant and unreadable.

Still, Silvy didn’t relent.

Eventually, Melissa forced herself to stand.

"I’ll go check the supply manifest again."

She said.

Kyle glanced at her, a flicker of concern in his gaze.

"You’ve already—"

"I just need the distraction."

She said, then turned and walked away.