After Daniel rejected Faith’s request, he retired straight to bed. I wanted to follow after him, but I didn’t need to sleep. Especially not after the night before— I did not want to try sleeping again!
However, I almost regretted the decision when dinner continued, and no one said a word. Apparently, his answer was not what they were expecting. But I did not get why they were surprised.
Daniel was my companion, but he was also a [Hero]. He was obsessed with helping other Humans— in fact, he even helped me because I was a Demon. It was in his nature to try and do what he considered was ‘right’ in that weird Human way.
But what Faith was asking him to do was stupid. It would be like telling him to charge straight at Belzu and slay him, just because he had an army of monsters that was threatening the nearby countries.
As evinced by how he and I were not dead in the Brilsum Ruins, he would never do that.
undefinedStill, it had left everyone sitting around the fire in silence. I wanted to talk to someone, but they all seemed too deeply engrossed in their disgusting meals to talk. Zack especially. His head almost seemed buried in the bowl.
There was only one person who wasn’t busying themselves with their food. Only one person was available to talk. And that was…
I perked up and sidled over to Faith’s side.
“So, you’re a princess, right?”
The Human woman jerked as I curiously peered at her. She worked her jaw slowly, unsure of what to say until she finally found her words.
“...Yes. I am a princess. At least, that’s what I had been when I was in the Elutra Kingdom.”
“You’re not a princess anymore?”
“I’m… not sure. But even if I was, I wouldn’t be one for much longer. It seems my only hope for our country to survive has been crushed, and now I’ll have to return empty-handed and face my fate.”
I nodded along and followed Faith as she looked at the night sky. The wheeling stars above were scintillating, an undulating glow that almost seemed to fade before coming back into existence. Glancing back down at her, I saw a similar effect with the light from the flickering flames on her face.
Something was there. It had almost been snuffed out. But it still existed.
I cocked my head.
“Why do you need a [Hero] to save your country? Can’t you get a Level 100 adventurer or something to do the same thing?”
“Ms Salvos—”
“Just call me Salvos.”
“...Salvos. I don’t know how much you know about history. I’ve been told by your Gold Rank friends that you aren't the most… knowledgeable person on these kinds of subjects.”
“I am not!”
I happily concurred. She blinked but slowly continued.
“But Demons are the natural enemy to [Heroes]. Ever since Alexander’s reign ten thousand years ago. He had repelled the Kobold invasions, brokered a treaty with the Spirit Lord, and even conquered part of the Elven lands. But his thousand-year rule over the Human lands came to an end by a Demon.”
“A Demon killed a [Hero]?”
“Yes.”
Faith turned to face me.
“The one they call the Demon King slew him.”
Regnorex? I blinked, taking in this information.
“That’s right. And since then, [Heroes] have been summoned countless times to deal with Demon threats. While there are sometimes different circumstances that lead to summonings, like with Daniel or the Quisling, most have been brought to this world for that very reason. The Oracle of Light, Melissa, had been said to have killed over a hundred Archdemons on her own in single combat.”
“Woah.”
“We can hire adventurers— those willing to fight for us. And we have. But they’ve always died. We never know how they do. Just that they’re slain on the battlefield by some force the Inoria Empire has that we aren’t aware of.”
“And you think those are Demons?”
“They have to be. Otherwise, they would have approached Daniel sooner when he had fought with us.”
I frowned and raised a hand.
“Why wouldn’t they just face him?”
“Because he’s a [Hero]. He has powerful Skills— I’m sure you had to have seen them before. Even a Greater Demon would’ve fallen to him if they faced him when he was Level 10.”
I remembered the battle against Lucerna in Silvergrove. Then I remembered our fight meeting. Nope, I don’t think so.
“Plus, we always had him wear that necklace he has. It would show his level to be far higher than it actually was, and there’s no way the Inoria Empire would risk one of their key assets against an unknown threat.”
Faith finished her explanation. The moment she did, her face twisted. She bit her lower lip and spoke in a shaking voice.
“That’s why we needed him… and he said no.”
I looked at her. The princess was clearly upset. I barely knew her, but it was normal Human social convention to cheer others up when they were upset, right? So, I shrugged.
“I don’t think Daniel would make much of a difference. He probably would just die.”
She stared up at me in surprise.
“You think a [Hero] who was able to take out dozens of assassins at his level— or higher than his level— wouldn’t be able to even do a little thing to change the course of the war? If a high leveled general were to face him, he would surely win the fight.”
“Not surely. He can win. But he can also die. And if you put him in that situation a hundred times over, what do you think his chances are of surviving?”
“I…”
Faith trailed off as I gave her a firm look.
“Daniel would die. He wouldn’t change anything. So don’t worry about it!”
Sighing, she hugged her knees.
“I don’t think that makes me feel any better, but thanks for trying.”
“No problem!”
I sat next to her as she grew quiet. I just looked at her the entire time. Until finally, she eyed me.
“Is there something else you need? You’ve already made me feel even worse than before.”
“Yep! I was wondering…”
I leaned closer, right until my face was next to hers.
“What is it like to be a princess?”
Faith furrowed her brows. She must have thought something about my intentions before changing her mind. Slowly, she smiled.
“There’s a lot of things about it. A lot of things I loved and hated. Would you like to hear about it?”
“Sure!”
When Daniel went to bed, he felt guilty. Ashamed of his cowardice. But not only did he not trust Faith, but he also valued his own life. More than that?
He had seen tragedy once. The act of a real hero. However, death had consequences. And those consequences resulted in those who knew the hero being hurt.
Daniel had been hurt. He understood what that pain felt like. So, he was not going to impart that suffering to Salvos or Rachel.
Pushing open the tent’s flap and exiting into the light of day, Daniel couldn’t help but rub at his eyes. He did not get a good night’s sleep, even if he had lain in his bedroll for the last twelve hours. It was noon when he awoke. And he wasted more time by hiding, refusing to go out to meet the judging looks.
The nasty gaze of those who saw his actions as selfish.
That was what Daniel expected to meet when he went outside. What he did not expect to see was a princess excitedly chatting with a Demon.
“—and he actually did that for you?”
“Well, yes. And I would’ve felt bad if not for the fact that viscount Blaz was just trying to cozy up with my brother. Honestly, being the fifth and second-last in line for the throne sucked.”
Faith spoke in a casual cadence. She had dropped almost all pretext of being a princess, her diction sounding almost like that of a regular young woman. Huffing, the young woman crossed her arms.
“So many people try to use you, and not even for the power or influence you can give them, but to climb further up that ladder of politics.”
“That’s rude! You’re not a thing, you’re Faith! A princess.”
Salvos pointed out. Faith chuckled.
“That I am.”
The two women paused as Daniel approached them. He lifted a suspicious eyebrow at the princess.
“I hope you’re not still thinking of trying to use Salvos to convince me to help you. Because I won’t.”
Standing up, Faith dusted off her dress and replied.
“I am unfortunately not as shrewd as you seem to think of me, Daniel. No— Salvos and I were just conversing.”
A small smile appeared on her face as she cast a glance at the Demon.
“As friends.”
“Yep!”
Daniel frowned, looking down at Salvos. She just opened her palms and shrugged.
“She’s a princess. I’ve always wanted to meet a princess.”
Two months is not ‘always’, Daniel almost retorted. However, he held it back in and shook his head.
“Well, I’m glad that the two of you are getting along, but Salvos and I have places to be.”
“You’re the one who slept for so long!”
Salvos argued, raising an accusing finger at him.
“Faith went to bed and woke up in half the time you took to sleep!”
“And how about you?”
Daniel grinned back at her. She hesitated.
“Uh… I slept too. Just for a bit, though!”
“A General Skill then?”
The princess knowingly touched her chin.
“I’d love to get one of those. My father has one called [Morning Grace], and it lets him work for most of the day without stopping. It almost lets him be like one of those machines from Daniel’s world.”
The [Hero] from Earth was taken aback. How did— Then he remembered all the secrets he told her. All the times he thought that the two of them could…
“Let’s go, Salvos. We should leave as soon as possible.”
The Demon tried to object. However, Daniel had already turned and was walking away.
“Aw, but can’t we stay with them for at least another day! Helen and the others are here too!”
Faith placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s fine. I’ll let them go with you if you really want. I had hired them as my escorts as they were the ones who told me about Daniel and his general vicinity. Knowing that let me use a scrying artifact I had to find the two of you. But now…”
Daniel had paused and was waiting for Salvos to follow. Faith eyed him with a sidelong glance.
“It seems like there’s no need for that or their services any longer.”
Salvos brightened, then instantly deflated.
“Does that mean you’re going back to your country?”
“I have to. It’s my duty as a princess.”
The pretty words did little to convince Daniel. Salvos didn’t care as much as he did and just believed it.
“Princesses are amazing! A little bit stupid but amazing!”
“I do agree with that.”
Faith laughed. She got up and walked with Salvos as the two approached Daniel, just talking. Like real friends. And Daniel did not think to say anything until the conversation shifted when they stopped right by him.
“Where are you headed, by the way? I don’t believe I remembered to ask.”
“We’re—”
“We’re reporting a very important piece of information to the Adventurers Guild.”
Daniel spoke for Salvos, giving her a look. She pouted but let him continue.
“It’s none of your concern, so please don’t follow after us.”
“I won’t. But if it’s really something important that you have to report, I can help you with that.”
Offering him a friendly smile, Faith called for one of her servants. They returned with what was a rolled-up piece of parchment and an almost translucent quill. She unfurled it on a wooden crate and frowned.
“Hmm, seems like there’s a bit of news for me today.”
“What’s that?”
Salvos asked, leaning over the shoulder of the princess.
“It’s a Messaging Scroll. A High Grade artifact. My contacts send me any intel or even just news that might be noteworthy with it. That’s how I first found out that the Inoria Empire placed a bounty on Daniel, and that they hired the Harrowed Vindicators to take him out. Look— as you can see, after what you two did to them last night, they’ve raised the price.”
Daniel’s eyes grew wide at the sum displayed. The number of zeroes there could not be right, could it? But it had to be.
Whatever the Inoria Empire had placed on his head before only attracted Level 60 assassins. Not the Platinums or Diamonds he expected. The reward showed here— now that was what a Level 80, 90… or even 100 bounty hunter would accept.
Salvos ‘oo-ed’ at the magical item. Her voice was filled with alacrity, as usual, ignoring the fact that Daniel was probably a walking dead man right now if assassins at Level 100 came after him.
“What else can it do? What else does it say?”
“I mostly use it to receive information, but it’s a two-way street. So, I can inform my contact of this… report you want to make to the Adventurers Guild.”
“Oh, alright then. Tell them—”
“Why should we trust you?”
Daniel snapped at Faith. She rolled her eyes.
“Unless you think this Messaging Scroll doesn’t actually work, I don’t see what’s not to trust.”
“I—”
This time, Salvos spoke over him.
“It’s fine, Daniel. We can always go to an Adventurers Guild later and check if the message has been sent.”
He acquiesced.
“Fine.”
“Alright, so tell them this—”
Salvos explained the situation in the Motharis to the princess. Faith’s face grew grim as she heard the story, and she picked up the quill as it glowed with magic.
“...and I’ll write that this Archdemon is using some kind of illusion and curse magic to do this.”
Salvos nodded. Faith scribbled on the magical board easily, and the words shone. They vanished moments after, as whatever magic sent it far somewhere else.
“Wait, it just disappears?”
“The recipient will have about a day to read the message before it disappears. And I’ve sent it to quite a few of them, so I’m sure one of them will be around to see it and spread word of what I said. Usually, I have one of my servants watching over the Messaging Scroll. The messages sent are encrypted in code, so they won’t know what it is. I just have them trace it and jot it down to show it to me if I’m busy.”
“Did you receive anything important today?”
Faith shrugged as her eyes scanned through the long scroll.
“Not really. Let’s see…”
She began reading out what sounded like news article titles to Daniel as Salvos attentively listened.
“Fear of possible Kobold invasion grows as the Forsaken Company wanes in strength. Elven diplomats arrive in Dwarf lands, marking a possible end to Dwarven neutrality. These are the two big news stories of today. There are a few smaller things of note like the Valiant Dreamers declaring war with the Iron Champions Company or the typical squabbling with the city-states in the Helbir Plains—”
Salvos had been listening with keen interest while Daniel was off to the side with his arms crossed. But the moment she started listing out the minor news stories, the two of them jerked.
“Wait, what did you say?”
Daniel asked the question hurriedly. Faith glanced up, blinking.
“Oh, uh, the Helbir Plains—”
“No, not that!”
Salvos placed both hands on the scroll and spoke worriedly.
“What’s happening between the Valiant Dreamers and Iron Champions?”
Faith fumbled at the scroll and reread the part from before.
“The two companies, the Valiant Dreamers and the Iron Champions, are now officially at war after what is allegedly an assassination attempt by the latter company against the former. There are also accusations of sabotage and even murder instigated by the Iron Champions Company, which is why the Valiant Dreamers made the declaration of war. It was made this morning, and—”
Daniel felt his heart racing as the words were read out. But he wasn’t prepared for the last part. The part which made Salvos burst into action.
“Since the declaration has been made, the headquarters of the Valiant Dreamers Company in Viechester has been in lockdown. The Iron Champions Company have begun their siege, and the entire city has been thrown into chaos.”
The first hours of war were uneventful. Nothing happened apart from a group of hooded individuals taking away the dead assassins from the morning. Apparently, this group cared about the casualties they suffered enough to remove their bodies. Or perhaps they were looking to retrieve any kind of artifact that might have been kept by the dead.
A few Valiant Dreamers had wanted to loot the corpses, but Baris forbade them from doing so. It could have been a trap. Maybe the bodies were rigged to explode. There was a plethora of possibilities, and it was only by erring on the side of caution during war would victory be best assured.
Edithe had a summoning circle prepared, to summon Druma as soon as it was necessary. Mistshard was already by her side— which was only slightly draining to her mana pool. Having two Spirits with her at the same time was a little more difficult to maintain, but Edithe believed she could manage it for a week— with some mana potions— if necessary.
There was no reason for that, however. So instead, she spoke with Mistshard who was flapping her wings slowly, almost like it had some kind of [Slowness] effect on them.
“Your contract is ending soon, Mistshard. In a month, if memory serves me right.”
“You are almost correct, master. The contract ends in just over two weeks. Do you wish to renew it?”
The [Elemental] replied simply. She was not at all concerned with the same things Edithe was; all that mattered to her was fulfilling her duties and carrying out her job as a servant of the Spirit Lord.
Edithe shook her head.
“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that you only have less than a month left with me and our company is caught up in a war. What could be potentially a very deadly war. One where either of us dies.”
“If it comes to that, I will fight to ensure you do not die.”
“But that’s my point exactly.”
Sitting down on a chair with her gaze fixed to a nearby window, Edithe felt words coming from her mouth— words that carried all the fear and uncertainty within her.
“You could die, Mistshard. So close to the end of your contract, you could lose your life. All because of stupid Human things. Wouldn’t you prefer to end the contract now?”
Mistshard turned a sidelong glance to Edithe. Her head did not move, although her eyes were wholly focused on her master— almost like a hawk staring at its prey.
“You are starting to sound like Salvos, master.”
“What?”
Edithe was taken aback, not expecting that reply. She realized her word choice… might have been slightly influenced by the Demon there. But the point stood.
“It’s true though. You have no involvement in this. It would be better if you just returned now. Let me summon another Spirit which doesn’t have as much to lose as you do. You’re almost Level 50, Mistshard. Most Spirits are 10 Levels below their masters. You are not.”
“Ending the contract now would be a violation of my duty as your summon.”
The cool voice of Mistshard left her beaked mouth, no noticeable inflection to indicate if she was lying. Edithe stared up at her summon, still floating there.
“But—”
“Master, if I may speak.”
“...of course.”
“I understand you are concerned about my wellbeing, especially since my contract is drawing to a close. However, it is my duty to fight for you, and if necessary, die for you. This is the deal we forged the moment I agreed to be your summon. There is no greater honor among Spirits to die carrying out their duty. Remember that.”
Trying to work her jaw, Edithe couldn’t find any words to speak. Slowly, she nodded her head in shame.
“Right.”
She had been once again trying to apply her Human morals to a different Species. It was like how she was with Salvos at first. She eventually learned— the hard way— how growing up in another plane affected how one turned out. So, there was no use in her trying to convince Mistshard to break her contract now.
Shaking her head, Edithe glanced over at Mistshard.
“If you die in battle… will you be memorialized by the Spirit Lord or something?”
“Yes. Our names will forever be engraved on the Spirit Throne. Remembered for our obligation to our cause.”
“And what is that cause?”
Edithe raised an eyebrow as an uncharacteristic chuckle came from the [Elemental]’s mouth.
“That’s a secret.”
—--
Throughout the rest of the day, there were some minor skirmishes. Quick battles fought between members of the Iron Champions Company who now surrounded the building and the Valiant Dreamers keeping watch. Spells were exchanged— hails of fire, bolts of lightning, and bullets of earth came from both sides— while arrows were loosed in large volleys. The Gold Rank dreamers managed to down a few of the opposing force, suffering few casualties from their advantageous position.
The barrier surrounding the headquarters was broken and repaired numerous times. But never once did the Iron Champions try to breach the gates. They were trying to fortify their own position first— it was clear from the way those stationed here were not assassins but regular adventurers.
Where could the assassins be? was the fearful thought that crossed Edithe’s head. Are they sieging the training grounds? But no— communication was maintained between both locations. Short-range messages exchanged through artifacts and Skills assured Edithe that there was no major attempt to assault the training grounds just yet.
Those keeping watch were swapped out routinely. Edithe spent an hour standing guard with Mistshard. A few [Warriors] from the Iron Champions Company tried taunting them and were sent fleeing back by a blast of ice by the [Elemental].
A few [Mages] returned, trying to take potshots at her. However, her own magic was more than enough to protect herself. She erected a barrier rather than countering, letting a group of [Archers] fire back instead. It was another brushing battle— and once again, the Iron Champions Company suffered more casualties.
Edithe returned indoors after; things were looking good to her. The siege had begun, but the Valiant Dreamers had only been winning. However, the enemy was an unknown. How many assassins did the Iron Champions have in their pockets? How many adventurers were they willing to waste on this useless war? She wasn’t sure.
She only got her answer later. Only when evening came did the Iron Champions Company commit a significant attack against the headquarters. A brilliant, white ball of fire came blasting at the barrier. It struck the very top of the dome, ripping it down in an instant. Almost like a curtain being ripped off a window.
The explosion resounded as an alarm went off in Edithe’s head. That was how the barrier was designed— to alert everyone within its perimeter that it had been breached. Instantly, Hadrian snapped an order to a nearby [Mage] with his fingers pressed against his temples.
“Inform Gabriel that the Iron Champions Company are attempting an assault at our location.”
“Got it.”
The [Mage] activated a Skill, and ethereal words formed in the air. They blurred and vanished, probably appearing in front of Gabriel at that exact moment. Then, Hadrian drew his sword and stepped outside. Edithe followed after him with a handful of other Golds and Platinums he ordered to follow.
The metal gates out front were being bashed open by a group of [Warriors] as they were pelted by spells and arrows from the Valiant Dreamers. Many of them were blasted mid-air by returning fire from the opposing side, although a few went through and brought down some enemies.
“Mistshard, stay back and assist. Do not engage.”
Edithe ordered her summon as she stood amongst the other [Mages], forming a line behind a wide earthen wall. The [Barrier Mage] maintained its form, repairing it as bits of the wall were ripped apart by incoming blades of wind and spikes of ice.
Casting spells from the relative safety of her location, Edithe watched as Hadrian led a charge against the rushing Iron Champions. Their ranks were instantly shredded by the leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company.
Hadrian swung his sword once, and three Gold Ranks fell. Then he spun around and ran through a large man wielding a giant axe. He moved so simply, barely any Skills needed to take out enemies who were close to Edithe’s level.
A group of well-armored [Warriors] and [Rogues] approached Hadrian. A Gold Rank from the Valiant Dreamers rushed them and was cut down in an instant. They were Platinums. And they were challenging Hadrian.
Edithe tried flinging fireballs and lightning bolts at them, but her attacks were intercepted. The [Rogue] blurred and sliced the spells up in mid-air. Then appearing behind Hadrian, they lashed out with two jagged daggers.
Hadrian parried the attack just in time for two [Warriors] to reach his flank. They swung a maul and a longsword. He ducked under it and kicked the maulwielder, sending them crashing back towards a wall.
More dreamers tried to aid their leader— Celine’s team rushed forward but were cut off by the remaining [Rogue] and [Warrior]. Ice rained down on them too— a [Mage] from the Iron Champions was casting powerful spells. Spells that would have destroyed Edithe in a duel.
Edithe felt that sensation again. One of hopelessness. As she could do nothing but look on as Hadrian was surrounded and assaulted by Platinums.
He exchanged blows. He blocked their barrage of strikes. They came at him, unrelenting. Skills that let them whip through the air, away from his swinging blade. The ground shook as Edithe’s hand trembled with fear. The maulwielder had just barely missed a powerful blow against Hadrian, crushing the earth and sending bricks flying through the air.
The leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company took a single step. A single pace to his left. Then the [Rogue] appeared behind him once again. Edithe wanted to scream for someone to help him. But—
A whirlwind of blades exploded around him. The Diamond Rank adventurer used his first Skill, and the [Rogue] fell.
The two [Warriors] staggered away, both cut up and bleeding. The maulwielder wiped at his face. However, he found himself staring straight at the ground. Hadrian sliced off his arm with a single vertical swing, and the stab that came after finished him off.
The last of the Platinums saw this. He tried to flee, but Hadrian was on him in an instant. He frantically brought his weapon up, a blur overcoming his entire figure. He struck out, three translucent figures slashing at Hadrian from all sides.
Plunging his sword to the ground, Hadrian created a shockwave. A blast of red. An aura attack. It wasn’t magic, but rather the physical [Strength] of a [Warrior] turned corporeal. It interrupted the attacking Platinum’s Skill, letting Hadrian finish him off.
It was a crushing victory. A team of Platinums engaged with Hadrian. Dozens of Golds and Silvers. And they were all slaughtered. Edithe had never seen anything like it. She had thought she knew the man and how strong he was. But this was—
A scream.
Celine roared and flailed in a frenzy against the other Platinums attacking her. One of her teammates had been killed. She charged the [Warrior] and [Rogue] but was cut off by a wall of ice.
The two fled, retreating back out of the gates, the remainder of the strike force from the Iron Champions Company following after them. Some of the dreamers tried to follow. They wanted to press forward. This was a victory!
A rout!
But Hadrian shouted out an order.
“Don’t go any further!”
His words caught them where they stood. Edithe’s eyes widened as she watched the Iron Champions Company regroup. And surrounding them suddenly appeared hooded individuals. Assassins. It had been a trap.
And the Golds and even some of the Platinums would have been massacred if they left the gates. The moment they stepped out, they would have died.
“Smart call.”
A familiar voice broke Edithe out of her stupor. She stared as a person walked out from amongst the group of assassins. Someone she recognized. Who she had met once before.
Stephen.
The Platinum Rank who offered Salvos the chance to join the Iron Champions Company. He stood at the head of the adventurers surrounding the headquarters that had been cut off from the rest of the world.
He spread his arms out wide, a sneer on his face.
“Good job you saw through our trap. But that was quite the risk, wasn’t it? You could’ve stayed back, but instead, you charged you at the front lines. What would you have done if an assassin got to you?”
“No assassin would get to me.”
Hadrian replied simply, his sword at his side in a loose grip. Edithe thought Hadrian would have tried something. She assumed he would have had a Skill to cut Stephen down, even from this distance. And yet, he just watched as Stephen paced just beyond the broken gates.
“That kind of arrogance gets Diamonds killed on the battlefield, Mr Hadrian.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Ah, then how may I address you?”
Stephen clasped his hands behind his back, stopping and facing down Hadrian. The two adventurers stood a dozen paces apart. Again, Edithe thought Hadrian would have tried something. Again, he did not.
Why isn’t he— the thought cut itself off as Edithe realized what that meant. Are they really that close in level?
She took a step back involuntarily as Hadrian did not respond. Stephen sighed, rubbing at his temples.
“I expected more from the great Hadrian. I’ve heard a lot about you. How you reached Diamond before the age of 30. And yet, look at you. Just standing there, like a coward. Even as your allies weep for their dead behind you.”
His gaze fixed on Celine. The Platinum Rank was cradling a man in her arms. Tears were streaming out of her face as she snapped back at Stephen.
“Fuck you!”
He turned around.
“Honestly, what a disappoint—”
Edithe caught a glimpse of a fissure in the air. The world itself contorted as the ground underneath Stephen broke apart. The Platinum Rank’s eyes widened. The air twisted, tearing into itself along with the earth and his body.
Then Stephen appeared panting behind his assassins. The space where he stood continued to spin, until suddenly it burst out. The earth and the air broke into collapsed crumbs of space. The powerful spell released, missing its mark just barely.
“Who—”
“Tsk.”
Baris clicked his tongue, suddenly appearing beside his son.
“He used a Skill to escape.”
“[Flash Step]. Not a typical [Rogue]’s Skill. Some kind of [Rogue]-[Mage] hybrid Class?”
“Perhaps. But let’s not jump to conclusions too quickly. We’ll have to see more of his abilities before we can decide.”
“Right, dad.”
The duo stared down Stephen and the dozens of assassins and hundreds of adventurers just beyond the gates. The younger man turned to Baris.
“Think we can take them?”
“Don’t be foolish. We would die— and there could still be more hiding in the shadows.”
“Assassins?”
“Perhaps. Or those like Stephen. Regardless, we’ll repair the barrier for now. Don’t let him draw you out, got it?”
“Yes, father.”
Stephen slowly stepped forward, eyeing the [Mage] as he walked up to the nearest wall. Placing a hand onto it, Baris began to chant while the apparent speaker of the Iron Champions Company began to shout.
“You think you defeat us? Don’t underestimate the might of the Iron Champions Company! We’ll kill every single one of you right now unless you surrender—”
The barrier shot up, once again encapsulating the headquarters. And for whatever reason now, it silenced the voice from the other side.
Baris snorted as he returned, the angrily shouting figure of Stephen visible behind him.
“I added a Silence spell too. Just so we don’t have to keep hearing him speak.”
—--
Once she was back inside, Edithe collapsed onto a chair, melting into a puddle of sweat. She had been so nervous throughout. Especially when she realized how outmatched she was when the Platinums first showed up. And when they killed Celine’s teammate…
Edithe shuddered. Why am I so…
“Are you alright?”
A voice broke her out of her thoughts. Edithe glanced up, not recognizing the female voice. She blinked when she saw who it was.
“Sophia?”
“Hello, Edithe. May I have a seat?”
The young woman gestured at the empty chair next to her. Edithe hurriedly scootched her chair aside and nodded.
“Of course. There’s no one sitting there… I think.”
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