Chapter 64: Chapter 64: System's Dilemma

"Essentially, yes," Elio confirmed. "And we're dangerously close to that limit. We've barely reached a million."

Micah intervened, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But that doesn't make sense. Why would the Creator put such a limit?"

"It wasn't the Creator," Elio explained, his voice heavy with the weight of this revelation. "It was the Goddess, his counterpart. It's a limitation imposed as part of their conflict."

Kriz let out a nervous laugh, his usual humor tinged with fear. "Great, so we're pawns in a divine squabble. What else?"

Brok elbowed him to shut up, but the tension in the room was still palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.

Ren, always analytical, spoke up. "With the current dynamics of the harems, the big majority of the population being women, and the belief that we should have as many children as possible, about 50,000 children are born each year, correct?"

Lucien nodded gravely. "And to keep the population stable, that same number of people must... die each year."

Horror reflected on the faces of all present, the implications of this truth sinking in.

"That's why the elders have been allowing so many soldiers to die," Varick said, his voice tense with the realization. "To maintain the balance."

Zara punched the wall in frustration, her knuckles whitening from the impact. "This is madness! How can they play with our lives like this?"

"It's not that simple," Varick replied, his usual arrogance replaced by a grim understanding. "If the alternative is for all of us to die..."

"Are you defending them?" Brok growled, his fists clenched at his sides.

Varick raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying I can understand why the elders have kept it secret. The panic it would cause if this were known..."

"But we can't go on like this," Elio insisted. "There has to be another way."

"The book mentioned something about expanding the city," Kriz said, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Conquering and purifying the mana deposits. Is that possible?"

Lucien shook his head, his expression grim. "It's more than unlikely. Never, in all our history, have we attempted to leave the city. And with the millions of monsters outside our walls, when we can barely deal with dozens in a day..."

"So, what options do we have left?" Ren asked, his usual calm faltering.

"Exactly," Elio said. "Because the elders have been limiting our progress. But if we work together, if we share knowledge and resources..."

"The cores," Micah murmured, his mind working at full speed. "If we allow people to use the cores they obtain to become summoners. Many will surely want to try..."

"We could create an army like never before," Lucien completed, nodding slowly.

"I volunteer for the vanguard," Elio declared, his voice firm. "I'll overcome the challenges, one by one, and share all the information I obtain. Even if..." he paused, swallowing hard, "even if I end up dying in the attempt."

Zara looked at Elio with a mixture of admiration and concern. "I always knew you were a suicidal maniac, but this... this is another level. We're not going to let you do this alone. I'm with you, idiot. If we're going to die, at least let it be fighting."

"He's right," Brok agreed. "If we're going to do this, we'll do it together."

One by one, the others joined. Even Varick, after a moment of hesitation, stepped forward. "I never thought I'd say this," he said with an ironic smile, "but I'm with you."

Lucien observed them, feeling a mixture of pride and concern. "This won't be easy," he warned. "We'll be challenging centuries of tradition. Many will oppose, others will be afraid."

"But it's our only chance," Elio said. "If we do nothing, thousands of innocents will die anyway."

Lucien nodded slowly. "Very well. Then this is the plan: we're going to talk to the soldiers. We'll tell them the truth, the whole truth, and offer them this opportunity."

He paused, his thoughts flying to Selene and Raelar. "Right now," he continued, "Selene and Raelar's fight is probably over. They had an advantage; they've trained almost as much as I have. The others... Well, I've never seen them practice much. Lotar and Varen are good, but they were somewhat tired from our previous confrontation."

"Do you think they'd win?" Elio asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Lucien remained silent for a moment, considering. "In the best-case scenario, yes. They could have eliminated all the others. But..."

Lucien nodded. "Mordred... he's cunning. I don't think he'd let things go that far if he could avoid it. And then there's..."

He interrupted himself, his eyes meeting Varick's. Both shared a moment of silent understanding.

"What? What?" Kriz pressed. "The suspense is killing me! What aren't you telling us?"

It was Varick who responded. "Our founder, the father of the families," he said, his voice low. "My great-grandfather Fathoran."