— Third Person POV —
"DAMN IT!"
Crash!
A vase was smashed against the wall as Jasmine tried to vent part of her frustration. The men and women near her kept their eyes down, trying to minimize their presence so she wouldn't unleash her anger on them.
"How is it possible that none of you can find anything?! Dozens of my people are dead, and others are disappearing! Does that seem normal to you?!"
One of them, brave enough, raised his hand and said: "W-We're searching everywhere, especially at night, but every morning..."
Jasmine glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and the next moment, the man's head was cut off.
"All I hear are excuses from an incompetent." She shook the blood from her fan. "And I don't recall giving you permission to speak, you dirty ant."
The others turned pale and lowered their heads even more.
Knock-knock.
"Miss, Anthony is at the entrance, he wants to see you."
Hearing the voice outside the door, Jasmine gestured to the people in the room.
"Leave, and take that trash with you."
No one hesitated. They quickly left, and shortly after, Anthony stepped inside with the same stressed expression as Jasmine.
"Aye, looks like I ain't the only one wrestlin' with troubles, eh?" Anthony joked, looking at the state of the room.
"Just tell me what the hell you want."
Anthony sighed. "Aargh, we can't be sailin' on like this, matey. I've lost too many good hands to that gruesome fate, an' more souls be vanishin' each day. No one's got the guts t'leave their bunks fer work, not even under threat, specially with that cursed rumor spreadin' like rot on a hull..."
"So, even on your side?"
On both islands, rumors were spreading that the Explorers were conducting a heretical ritual, which by itself didn't concern them directly. The problem was that whispers claimed their factions were also helping, offering sacrifices, supposedly the reason for the disappearances.
If the Inquisition from the continent ever heard about it, none of them would survive. Their modus operandi was to destroy first, then ask questions.
"Aye, lad, an' what be the word from them Merchants, eh?" asked Anthony.
"They'll attack the day after tomorrow at sunset, with or without us. And judging by the movements of their men, they didn't look like they were joking." Jasmine said seriously.
The day after tomorrow would be the night of the full moon, the last element needed for the ritual, if what Erik had said was true.
At first, the two had been suspicious, but now they were almost convinced. Too many things lined up, and Paul's behavior was far too suspicious, not even bothering to defend himself.
Running away was an option, but doing so meant losing the power they held there. And once the Inquisition investigated, their sudden disappearance would make them suspects, turning them into wanted fugitives.
In short, staying passive was no longer an option.
****
Inside the Merchants' meeting hall, the atmosphere was more serious than ever.
Erik and Alfred faced Jasmine and Anthony, who had arrived that evening.
"Your presence here must mean you've reached your limit as well," Alfred said.
"Aye, I reckoned ye were the most doubtful o' the lot. What's makin' ye change yer course so sudden, eh?" Anthony asked suspiciously.
"Because there are no other possibilities. Who else has the abilities needed to keep it hidden? And Paul's behavior before was far too suspicious." Alfred replied.
"How sure are you about this?" Jasmine asked Erik.
"As sure as the fact that the number of deaths and disappearances has risen too sharply as the full moon approaches."
"Then what's your great plan, since you're preparing to fight?" Jasmine asked.
Erik and Alfred exchanged bitter looks. As they had arranged with Adel, the clash with the Explorers was their business, while he would only play a supporting role. Neither of them objected, since that was the original agreement, but the truth was that on their own it wouldn't be possible... except they weren't alone.
"We had several plans, but they would've involved too many common people. And when the Inquisition arrives, because they will arrive, explaining all those deaths won't be easy." Alfred sighed, forcing his reasoning as the only possible option. "So all we can do is strike directly at the citadel."
"So ye reckon ye've a fair shot at winnin', eh?" Anthony asked with strong interest.
"I wish." Alfred laughed. "If we go alone, the only thing waiting for us is death. But it's still better than being a victim of a heretical ritual, or surviving only to be judged by the Inquisition."
Anthony and Jasmine's expressions darkened. Both were cowards who enjoyed power, so if others took care of the problem, it would suit them well. But hearing the situation, it didn't seem like they had any other choice.
"Let's say we agree to join you. How much would that raise the chances?" Jasmine asked.
"I'd say almost a certainty. We have someone who will open the citadel and create distractions. Erik and I can handle Paul for a while, while you deal with the two generals. Once they're gone, you'll assist us, and no matter if Paul is a Grade 3, against the four of us, he won't stand a chance."
Alfred had thrown the bait and now just had to wait for them to bite. He wasn't worried about refusal; they had no other option but to accept.
"I'm in."
"Same here."
"Good." Alfred smiled, knowing the act was almost over.
"So… how be we divvyin' up Paul's territory, eh?" Anthony asked, rubbing his hands greedily.
The three stared at him wordlessly, since he was already thinking about what would happen after Paul's death. Still, it was partly reasonable: the Explorers controlled one of the largest islands, where a stable dungeon was located, which meant a constant income.
"As much as your confidence is appreciated, why don't we focus on a plan first?"
"Of course." Anthony grinned.
"Alfred, I know you by now. You already came up with something that includes us, didn't you?" Jasmine said arrogantly.
"Seems like it's hard to hide things from you," Alfred said with mock surprise, then began to explain.
"Your groups are larger, so you'll approach with boats to draw their attention. Our smaller group will attack from another side, using our man to enter the citadel and spread chaos, reducing their focus on you.
You'll use that window to dock and storm the citadel. Once inside, Erik and I will go for Paul, while you two must kill the generals as quickly as possible and then assist us."
"It's simple." Jasmine raised an eyebrow.
"That's because in the end, the real danger is Paul. With our combined numbers, storming the citadel isn't a big issue." Erik added.
"If'n that be the case, I see no trouble at all! The simpler th' plan, th' better, KHAKHAKHA!" Anthony laughed in satisfaction, standing up.
"Then it's settled." Jasmine also rose.
"Fine, I'll leave you with this, though I may sound repetitive," Alfred said, looking at them. "If we fail, we die, no matter what."
The two nodded seriously and left.
Once they were gone, Alfred and Erik exchanged smiles that grew wider.
"We're close, aren't we?" Erik asked.
"Just one last effort, my prince," Alfred said, both anxious and excited. "And what about Adel? I know you've met with him these days."
At Adel's mention, Erik's expression grew complicated, but he quickly let it go.
"He confirmed he'll open the gates and create chaos inside the citadel. Also, we'll have to deal with Anthony and Jasmine another time."
"Nothing else?" Alfred asked.
"He only confirmed that Paul and his group won't leave that citadel alive."
****
— Adel's POV —
Fush!
"The effects of teleportation are never pleasant."
Thanks to a return stone found in the dungeon, I had been able to teleport into the basement of my residence.
In those days, I hadn't had many chances to go there, mostly because the only monsters that could help me grow were adult skarrids, and they weren't very common. Still, I had managed to get a bit stronger.
####################
Name: Adel
Age: 16
Race: ?Human?
Grade: 2
Core: Salamander Heart (0 → 3%)
Physique: 3.5 → 3.6 (+0.2 agility) (+0.5 strength)
Mind: ???
Mana: 3.0
Vitality: 2.9 → 2.99
Skills: Shadow Veil (Lv. 3), Predation, Scale Armor (Lv. 2), Poison Resistance (Lv. 1), Quick Step (5 max), Razor Claws, Water Affinity (Lv. 1), Minor Strength, Fire Affinity (Lv. 1), Eyes of Predation.
Artifacts (capacity: 1/2):
– silver ring (Grade 0): agility +0.1
– silver ring (Grade 0): agility +0.1
####################
The growth-to-kills ratio had dropped a lot. Probably, it was partly because I had advanced in rank, but I was quite sure that, since I had absorbed an adult skarrid when I was still Grade 1, the effects were now weaker. But that was only a theory.
Either way, I didn't have many alternatives. Grade 2 monsters weren't common in the area, especially reptilian ones; so, for a while, I'd have to settle.
"Hm?"
My ears caught a sound from above; it seemed I wasn't alone that night.