THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR-Chapter 366: CONSOLIDATION OF FORCES

As the others dispersed to their assigned tasks, David remained beside his improvised glass map, fingers tracing patterns that corresponded to streets and buildings across Valemir's complex urban layout.

The laboratory had grown quieter, but certainly not empty, Elara paced near the doorway, her earlier flames extinguished but tension still evident in every line of her body, while Litty methodically organized what remained of her mother's intact equipment, creating order from chaos with practiced efficiency.

Vespera had positioned herself near one of the high windows, her ethereal form partially translucent as sunlight passed through her, creating prismatic patterns on the floor beneath. Her gaze remained fixed on the world outside, though whether she was watching for physical threats or communing with powers beyond mortal perception remained unclear.

David straightened suddenly, decision crystallizing. "We need to consolidate our resources," he announced, his voice cutting through the preoccupied silence. All eyes turned toward him as he continued, "Operating from separate locations dilutes our effectiveness and creates unnecessary security vulnerabilities."

"What are you suggesting?" Elara asked, her arms crossed as she regarded him with careful assessment.

"The De Gror manor," David replied without hesitation. "My family's estate in the eastern district. It's defensively positioned, fully staffed with personnel I trust implicitly, and contains facilities we'll need for what comes next."

Litty paused in her organizational efforts, a delicate alchemical instrument balanced carefully between her fingers. "You want us all to relocate? With only twelve hours remaining?"

"Precisely because we have only twelve hours," David confirmed. "Every minute counts. Working in isolation costs us time in communication and coordination that we cannot afford to waste."

He turned to Elara, knowing her agreement would be both essential and the most difficult to secure. "The manor has secure areas where we can plan without fear of surveillance. Whatever strategy we develop will require immediate implementation—having everyone under one roof streamlines that process considerably."

Elara's expression remained guarded, though something in her posture suggested she was weighing the practical advantages against her instinctive caution. "And what of the injured elf? She's in no condition to be moved carelessly."

The mention of the mysterious elf they'd been sheltering caused a subtle shift in David's expression a flicker of something that might have been genuine concern before his tactical mask reasserted itself. He alone knew her true identity, the system's notification having revealed her as Princess Sylindra Elanthrial though he'd shared only that she was an elf requiring protection, not her royal lineage.

"The manor's eastern wing includes a private healing chamber," David explained. "Originally designed for my grandmother's declining years, it contains medical equipment and enchantments that would be beneficial for her recovery. Far superior to the limited resources at our current lodgings."

As he spoke, his mind briefly recalled a passage from "Trials of Valor" that described the De Gror family history how the previous David's grandmother had fallen ill with a wasting disease that required specialized treatment in the capital.

The eastern wing had been specifically constructed to accommodate her needs, combining conventional medicine with experimental magical treatments available only to noble houses. The detailed description in the novel had proven accurate, like so many other aspects of this world he now inhabited. It was another reminder of how the fictional story continued to provide him with practical knowledge of his current life.

He met Elara's gaze directly. "The facilities are well-equipped, and my staff has instructions to provide whatever care is needed regardless of race. Her condition would improve there rather than deteriorate."

Seraphina, who had been about to depart on her intelligence-gathering mission, paused at the laboratory doorway. "If we're consolidating at the manor, I should adjust our arrangements accordingly," she noted, her practical mind already shifting to implementation details.

David nodded, crossing to her position with purposeful strides. "Contact Vivian immediately. I want the east wing prepared for immediate occupation, with enhanced security protocols activated throughout the estate. The greenhouse laboratory should be equipped to accommodate Yue's requirements, and guest quarters arranged for everyone according to their status."

His instructions flowed with the precision of someone who had managed complex operations before, each detail considered and accounted for. "Additional household staff should be recalled from secondary duties, particularly those with specialized training. Transport should be arranged from multiple locations to avoid drawing attention—staggered departures, varied routes, all converging at the manor within the next two hours."

"I'll need arrangements for special transportation as well," David added, his tone subtly shifting to indicate this was a matter of some sensitivity. "There's an injured individual at the Moongate Inn who will be accompanying us."

Seraphina's eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise this was evidently new information to her—but her professional demeanor reasserted itself immediately. "What sort of accommodations will be required?"

"Send Shay with a carriage," David instructed, referring to another of his shadow maidens. "Basic medicinal supplies should suffice. She should arrive at the Moongate Inn through the service entrance, avoiding the main thoroughfare entirely."

He paused, considering additional precautions. "Disguise the carriage as a wine merchant's delivery vehicle the inn's reputation for acquiring exotic vintages will provide adequate cover. Shay should wear standard merchant's attire with the appropriate documentation.

Seraphina nodded, each detail registering with perfect clarity. "And for the others? Where shall I place Lady Elara?"

"My chambers will be sufficient," David replied without hesitation. "I want to keep her close given the sensitivity of our situation. The connecting room can be prepared for Litty." A slight pause. "It's more practical for coordination, and security concerns outweigh protocol at this point."

Seraphina's expression revealed nothing, though something flickered briefly in her eyes before she nodded. "As you wish. I'll handle the arrangements personally."

Her expression betraying a hint of anticipation beneath her professional demeanor. "Though I should note that several of the shadow sisters have been stationed throughout the city for weeks. Recalling them all simultaneously might attract unwanted attention."

"Leave the surveillance network intact," David instructed. "Angelica continues her observation of the Castle, Katrina maintains her cover in the merchant district, and the others remain at their posts. Only essential personnel should return to the manor those directly involved in today's operations."

With a nod of understanding, Seraphina departed, her movements so precisely controlled and graceful that she seemed to glide rather than walk through the doorway.

David turned back to find Elara studying him with newfound intensity. "Shadow Sisters," she repeated, the term clearly unfamiliar to her. "And who exactly are these women you and Seraphina keep referring to?"

"You'll meet them soon enough," David replied with a cryptic half-smile. "Let's just say they're uniquely talented individuals who've proven invaluable to my... various endeavors."

Elara's eyes narrowed slightly. "You grow more mysterious by the hour, David."

"A trait we share, Lady Archon," he countered smoothly, redirecting the conversation. "The manor will provide secure communications with your sister in Lysora as well. We can establish a direct mage-link rather than relying on potentially compromised imperial channels."

The mention of communication with Mariana softened Elara's expression slightly. "That would be... appreciated. I haven't been able to contact her directly since we reached the capital."

David nodded, understanding the significance of this concession. Family connections represented a vulnerability among those in power—a truth Elara rarely acknowledged openly. Her willingness to admit concern for her sister revealed the depth of trust gradually forming between them, despite their earlier clash of strategies.

"I still don't understand why you insisted on bringing that elf with us from the market district," Elara noted, her tone suggesting genuine curiosity rather than criticism. "Not that I object to rescuing anyone from slavery, but your interest seemed... specific."

David kept his expression carefully neutral, aware that revealing Sylindra's true identity would create significant complications. "Let's just say I recognized her value," he replied, deliberately ambiguous.

Turning toward Yue and Litty, who had been observing this exchange with scholarly interest, David extended his proposal. "Your participation would be invaluable as well. The greenhouse laboratory contains equipment and resources that would accelerate our work on the translocation array significantly."

Yue's ancient eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "This greenhouse of yours sounds increasingly intriguing. You cultivate exotic plants, conduct dimensional research, and maintain medical facilities all while operating a network of 'shadows' throughout the capital." She tapped one childlike finger against her chin thoughtfully. "You have multiple enterprises running simultaneously, it seems. More complexity than meets the eye."

David's lips curved in a slight smile that neither confirmed nor denied her assessment. "I have diverse interests," he replied diplomatically. "More importantly, we have specialized equipment that would benefit your dimensional research significantly."

"Such as?" Yue prompted, professional curiosity clearly piqued.

"A Calatian harmonic resonator," David revealed, naming a device so rare that even the Imperial Academy possessed only a theoretical blueprint rather than a functioning model. "Seventh generation, with modifications to the tertiary stabilization array."

Yue's expression transformed instantly, childlike features rearranging into intense scientific focus. "That's impossible," she declared. "The crystalline matrix required for such a device hasn't been successfully cultivated since the Fall of Meridian."

"My grandmother had unusual connections," David stated simply, offering no further explanation for the impossibility residing in his greenhouse laboratory. "It's currently calibrated for botanical acceleration, but could be adjusted for dimensional research with minimal modifications."