Commander Aldric Thorne burst through the doors of the emergency council chamber, his civilian disguise hastily removed and replaced with his military uniform. The late hour meant only the core military leadership was present, five generals, three colonels, and most importantly, Grand Marshal Viktor Ashford, the supreme commander of Clover City's military forces.

"This better be important, Commander," Marshal Ashford said, his weathered face showing annoyance at being dragged from his bed. "Your message said it was urgent regarding the southern forest situation."

"It is, sir," Aldric said, moving to the head of the table where a map of the southern territories was already spread out. "I've confirmed what happened to Hero Vegeta."

The room went silent. Every military leader present leaned forward.

"He's dead, sir," Aldric continued. "Killed in combat by the goblin leader, the one called Satou."

For a moment, nobody spoke. Then General Markus, the same officer who'd dismissed the goblin threat weeks ago, laughed. Not a pleasant laugh, but one filled with bitter vindication.

"Finally," Markus said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "That arrogant bastard finally got what was coming to him. How many times did we warn him? How many times did he dismiss our intelligence, ignore our advice, treat us like dirt beneath his boots?"

"Careful, General," Marshal Ashford warned, though his own expression showed he wasn't entirely displeased by the news. "He may have been difficult, but he was still a hero blessed by the gods."

"He was a liability," another general said, this one a woman named Helena with sharp features and sharper tactical mind. "His arrogance endangered missions. His cruelty created enemies where we needed allies. I won't celebrate his death, but I won't mourn it either."

"Regardless of our personal feelings about Vegeta," Colonel Thrace interrupted, his young face serious despite being the youngest officer present, "we have a much bigger problem. If a goblin managed to kill a hero, that changes everything. It means this threat is far more serious than we initially assessed."

"Agreed," Aldric said, pulling out the magical recording crystal. "I have evidence. A recording of the final battle. You need to see this."

He activated the crystal, and the image materialized above the table. The council watched in silence as the battle played out. Vegeta's initial dominance. The settlement burning. Then Satou's return and transformation. The crimson aura. The impossible speed and strength. The systematic destruction of every technique Vegeta employed.

And finally, the gruesome end, Vegeta begging for his life and Satou snapping his neck like a twig.

When the recording ended, the room remained silent for a long moment.

"Gods above," General Helena whispered. "What kind of transformation was that? That's not normal goblin evolution. Hobgoblins are stronger than regular goblins, but nothing like that."

"My source believes it's a unique ability," Aldric said. "Something specific to this Satou. The transformation seems to be triggered by extreme emotional states and grants incredible power at some cost, based on how he collapsed afterward."

Marshal Ashford stood, walking around the table to study the map more closely. "Show me exactly where this settlement is located."

Aldric pointed to a marked location in the southern forest. "Here, sir. Approximately sixty miles south of the city, near the Iron Fang orc territory. According to my information, the goblins and orcs have formed an alliance."

"An alliance between goblins and orcs," General Markus repeated. "That's unprecedented. Those species have been enemies for centuries."

"This entire situation is unprecedented," Colonel Thrace said. "A goblin with strategic intelligence. A settlement that survived and rebuilt after a hero's assault. An alliance between traditional enemies. And now this transformation ability that can apparently defeat blessed heroes."

He leaned back in his chair. "We're not dealing with a typical monster threat. This is something else entirely."

"Which brings us to the critical question," Marshal Ashford said, turning to face the council. "How do we respond? Commander Aldric, you've been tracking this situation longer than anyone. What's your assessment?"

Aldric took a deep breath. "The threat is significant and growing, sir. Based on my intelligence, the settlement is being rebuilt with surprising speed. They have skilled workers, resources, and apparently some level of outside support. If we allow them to continue consolidating, they could become a genuine military threat to the southern territories."

"Support from whom?" General Helena asked sharply.

"My source didn't have complete details," Aldric admitted, unwilling to reveal everything the Shadow Broker had told him without verification. "But there are indications of trade with other settlements, possibly even some contact with non-human factions."

It wasn't quite a lie, more of a strategic omission. He needed more evidence before claiming demon lord involvement to this council.

"The larger issue," Aldric continued, "is what Satou represents. A monster that can kill heroes. If word spreads, and it will, it could embolden other monster settlements. They'll see it as proof that humans can be beaten. That heroes aren't invincible. We could be looking at increased aggression across the board."

"Then we need to respond decisively," General Markus said. "Mobilize a full battalion. March on this settlement and eliminate every last one of them. Make an example that shows what happens to monsters who dare challenge human authority."

"With what forces?" Colonel Thrace asked pointedly. "In case you've forgotten, General, most of our heroes are currently on an expedition. They're clearing the Dungeon of Eternal Shadows with the newly summoned heroes, training them in actual combat situations. They won't be back for at least two months."

"Two months?" Aldric's face paled. "We don't have two months. If Satou consolidates his position, recruits more followers, trains his warriors, he could become exponentially more dangerous."

"Then we attack with conventional forces," General Markus insisted. "We have trained soldiers. Magic users. Siege equipment. We don't need heroes to deal with a goblin settlement."

"We tried that before," Aldric reminded him. "My battalion engaged them in that cave raid. Fifteen men dead, including three mages. And that was before Satou had whatever power he used to kill Vegeta. Are you volunteering your soldiers for what could be a suicide mission, General?"

Markus's face reddened, but he had no response.

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