I do not own Odin Sphere or any of the characters depicted in this story (with few exceptions). That should be self-explanatory
Chapter 6: The Valentinian War Room
There was quite a bit of personal chatter that went on within the Valentinian war room moments before a meeting was called. The numerous military figures that populated the oval-shaped chamber would rant on and on about everything they found wrong with Ragnanival, and all the advantages Valentine had over them.
Virgil never really cared for such frivolous chatter, nor did he particularly approve of the war that Valentine had engulfed themselves in. As a result, very rarely did he speak up during any of these spontaneously held meetings, in which his grandfather and Valentine's warlords would discuss their next plan of attack against Ragnanival. Instead, he would sit quietly, indifferently listening in on the topics covered. King Valentine never seemed to mind, as he made all of the decisions anyway, paying very little attention to his grandson.
The Valentinian prince sat silently in one of the three decorative thrones that were placed at the front of the war room, with the warlords' tables and seats arranged opposite them in a horseshoe formation that spanned the entire length of the scarlet-walled chamber. He looked over to his left, where the two other royal thrones rested. The center one was occupied by King Valentine, idly looking over scrolls that chronicled the major events and turning points of the war thus far, while the throne on Valentine's left was empty; it had normally been filled by Ariel.
"It's about time we got down to the matters at hand," King Valentine announced, silencing the mumblings of the warlords present in the room. "Let's make this meeting quick and problem-free, and we can all return to our previous activities."
A soldier on the far left adorned in gold and silver armor rose from his chair to deliver an announcement, all heads turning toward him. After identifying himself as General Neus Cesora of the Eighth Valentinian Land-Borne Faction, King Valentine gave him his full attention.
"Your Majesty," he started, "our armies had been able to penetrate Ragnan territory for the past few weeks as you may already know. However as we draw closer to Odin's fortress we are met with exponentially larger forces of opposition. I fear we may suffer significant casualties if we continue to advance without the aid of Valentinian reinforcements."
Valentine was about to comment when another warlord from the opposite end of the room, Captain Gladius Obel of the Third Valentinian Sea-Borne Faction, quickly rose to his feet to counter Cesora's request.
"I think it is quite obvious that the need for reinforcements is unnecessary at this time," argued the broad-shouldered captain argued in a gruff tone. "Yes, flattening the Demon Lord's valkyries and berserkers has gradually become a more tasking endeavor, our losses are hardly noticeable! Why fix what has not been broken?"
"Gentlemen," Valentine interjected, "save your quarreling for the battlefield. As much as a speedy and overwhelming victory would be convenient for us, Valentine must also be wary of its own security. I will be declining to provide reinforcements at this time."
"Your Majesty," insisted Cesora urgently, "are you certain that this is-"
"If I wasn't, I would not have made the decision I have," Valentine shot back sharply. The two warlords took their seats, unwilling to push the envelope with their king's short temper. "Now, should casualties escalate in the coming days, I may reconsider my choice."
The meeting went on for over an hour, with members of the attending warlords proposing tactics or making requests, and King Valentine approving and rejecting as necessary. Virgil remained silent all the while, twiddling his thumbs disinterestedly. His only words were drawn out when Valentine had suddenly addressed him during the meeting.
"Virgil, my boy," the king spoke, catching the prince off guard. He could almost feel the eyes of every living being in the room burning holes into him – he had certainly not expected to have to speak on the subject of the raging war. Valentine had a proud grin on his face.
"I hear that you have been studying hard to find a way to guarantee Valentinian victory," he boasted to the crowd. "This 'ultimate weapon'?"
Virgil's head snapped toward his grandfather in bewilderment.
"Where on Erion did you hear that?" he whispered, his body suddenly tense.
"You should know better than to think you can hide anything from me, Virgil," cackled Valentine smugly. "Although I do regret having ruined some of the surprise."
"I see," came his grandson's quiet response. "Although I cannot say I am aware of what you are talking about... I have several projects in the works, most just for our blacksmith, Korel. He thinks I have a talent in the field."
Valentine frowned; he had hoped that his son may have had something to grant him that speedy and overwhelming victory a part of him desired.
"I think we've been here long enough," he concluded, his voice containing a tinge of disappointment. Virgil still did not care. Upon dismissing the warlords from the meeting, he caught up with Virgil before he was able to exit the war room.
"You certainly didn't provide much input in that meeting," King Valentine remarked. "Do you not hold concern for our kingdom's glory?"
"Our soldiers remain just as formidable as they began," Virgil asserted. "I need not speak on a matter which requires no redirection."
"So you share my train of thought," Valentine mused. "Perhaps as a ruler you will turn out just like myself."
The very notion of that made Virgil sick to his stomach. He grimaced as his grandfather left him in the deserted corridor, and the moment he was out of sight, he quickly began examining the statues of Valentinian kings and queens that lined the walls. Soon he found his destination, the empty pedestal that would hold the likeness of King Valentine's successor. Raising his right hand, Virgil removed the solid gold ring that he had kept with him since it was given to him when he was four years old. Despite being 15 years older now, he found it remarkable that the ring still fit him perfectly, the precious metal as smooth and flawless as if it were newly crafted.
Virgil placed the ring atop the empty pedestal which instantly reacted, producing a ring of sapphire light that surrounded the tiny piece of jewelry. Stepping back, he watched the section of wall on the right side of the pedestal to glow brightly and gradually fade away, leaving behind a pitch-black stairway that led deep underground. Virgil checked both ends of the hall before reclaiming his ring and cautiously treaded down into the depths of the secret passageway, beneath which rested a project he had been developing for several years.
None knew about it, not even King Valentine.