After enjoying a light breakfast, Aufnier told the two to be ready for a meeting on their plans against the fidelity tomorrow morning. The rest of the day Roth had Mina look at some medical books in anatomy to understand better at her healing capabilities. To his surprise she was ecstatic to read and learn more. As for him he decides to relax and casually read some interesting literature and folklore of this world. After the exhausting week he's had, he feels entitled for a little break in a peaceful quiet area. Though his mind is still clouded with fretful thoughts. The day is coming at an end, and both are laying in their own beds at the Inn they are staying.
Mina is passed out comfortably and sleeps like a rock. All twisted sideways and the covers nearly falling out as Mina is sound asleep. Roth can't help but to snort seeing her sleep weird. As a dog would sleep on their back. He turns to stare at the ceiling and is lost in thought. He reaches out with his left hand and stares leaving a disgruntled sigh. "I guess people were going to find out about my powers eventually. I just didn't think it would be this soon. Maybe it's my quest? Or side quest maybe? It be really easy if I can have an objective marker...thanks dad." Soon his eyes widened and started to glisten ever so slightly.
His dad, the words keep repeating over and over that a slight tear rolls down his cheek. He feels miserable that all of this time he just remembers why he was brought here. The regret in his words for not considering how long his father took to build this incredible device. And the reason for its existence. He's determined to find his main quest no matter how long it takes. Roth did remember that in his father's letter that time moves differently here. So technically he hasn't really been gone that long though it's confusing to him since he can sleep and dream too. Now he also has someone to protect and train. He felt bad that he wanted to use her as cannon fodder to aid him in his journey. Who knew that despite what Mina has been through, she is free spirited and kind as ever. And is genuinely happy that Mina is proud to be called his little sister. Roth closes his eyes and slowly drifts to sleep uttering some words faintly, " I promise to keep her safe. Derian, Nina...Fila, dad, I promise."
Morning has finally arrived and the three walked down a long corridor on the second level of the guild building. Roth's armor and clothes have been fixed and look brand new. The wear and tear of his armor and leather chest piece is completely gone. The walk felt like an eternity and Roth felt his stomach in a knot not knowing what lies ahead in the meeting. Mina on the other hand was smiling excited to see her first job as an adventurer. Especially taking out the fiends who held her against her will no less. Moment of truth, Aufnier opened the door and held it for the two to walk in first. As they step in, they are greeted by the site of a very packed room of adventurers. A wooden conference style table stood in the center with four individuals sitting and waiting patiently. The rest of the adventurers stand against the wall near the person who they were with, sitting at the table. Roth instantly knew that the people at the table were the leaders of their parties.
Everyone had unique and eccentric clothing and armor. All of their armor and gear seems to be of high quality and value. Roth uses appraisal to see every one's level and he wasn't surprised. Various levels of fifty, sixty-five, fifty-five, seventy-two, these adventurers were all above the fifty marks. As for his rank, he double checked and was stunned as his level increased dramatically. Now he rests at forty-five jumping ten levels higher. Surviving Frida's poison and her menacing attacks helped him level up. He still wonders how the leveling works in this game, but that's for another day for him to worry about. "My fellow adventurers, I thank you for all agreeing to partake in this gruesome task on my behalf." Aufnier bows in front of everyone genuinely grateful that they all accepted.
They all stay in silence as if they are tired students in a boring classroom. "Before we begin, I would like you to meet a new adventurer to the operation. Mr. Roth Malvikun." Aufnier steps to the side and waits for him to greet the rest.
He looks at Aufnier and back to the group rapidly confused for the sudden spotlight but obliges, "Hello everyone, I look forward to working with you all in this operation. This is my little sister Mina. We both look forward to working with you all." Roth bows and Mina is caught off guard and quickly adjusts herself and bows as well, mirroring Roth's mannerisms. Silence, only the sounds of the floor slightly creaking from the adjustments of the adventurers standing. Roth now feels awkward as they both stand there waiting for any type of response. Suddenly, a faint snort of giggling can be heard as if they were trying not to laugh. And soon the entire group of adventurers began to laugh hysterically.
Roth stares at them and is slightly annoyed. Mina is baffled as to why they are laughing and looks up to Roth in confusion.
"Bwhahaha! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I thought we were getting a trump card for this operation not some pompous wanna-be muck." Said one of the leaders at the table. He wore a shiny emerald green armor that was unusually clean. He looks almost as a knight, but his snarky remark and egoistic attitude proves he was not.
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"I concur Aufnier. You say that you're bringing someone valuable to this operation and yet here lies a child and a bigger child playing dress up." Said another leader chuckling in the middle of his sentence. He wore a light blue and silver robe and wore thin square glasses. A thick dark oak staff that had the tip branched out like an umbrella leaned against him. Roth can assume he was a mage, powerful at that if he was the leader.
"I do hope this is a joke. Because this is not a very amusing one." A tall Amazonian woman leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed. She had a darker skin tone as if she had a natural born tan. She was slim but muscular. Her brown hair was long but held up in a decorated bun. She also had a mixture of leather and metal armor pieces. Laying on the table in front of her was a giant greatsword beautifully detailed and engraved. She looked at the two in spite.
The last one at the table didn't say anything. He wore a simple yet mercenary look with all leather straps on his forearms and shins as armor. All he did was observe and not comment on the situation. He also was the only one to not laugh at Roth's greeting. The fringe up hairstyle made him look like a rebel, but his body language made him look more respectful. Then he begins to stand up and walk towards Roth.
Roth and the mysterious leader are face to face as if he was mad dogging him. But to his surprise the leader sticks his hand out and shakes Roth's hand. "Tobias, the name is Tobias. Apologies for my fellow acquaintances...but I don't disrespect those I haven't met yet. If Aufnier vouches for you on your skills, then I have no doubt in my mind that you will be useful." Roth feels such a relief off his chest hearing at least one is friendly to him. Tobias turns to his side and introduces the rest of the leaders.
"The bald grumpy green one is Yoseph, the mage is Sillo, and the brute woman who loves...war, ugh... is Shiana." They all looked at Tobias as if he had said something offensive. Tobias goes back to his seat and awaits Aufnier to continue.
"Ahem, well, now that we got that out of the way, it's time for our plan of action." Aufnier collects himself and puts a more serious tone. He pulls out a map of a layout of a city that Roth is unfamiliar with. The name on top of the map is called Ezhine. " Everyone... what we are about to do will be a great honor not for our kingdom, but for the entire continent. I received news that one of the high members of the fidelity is using this city as their base of operations."
"What?! Well don't leave us in suspense good man, tell us! Who are we up against?" Said Yoseph impatiently.
Afunier looks at all and gives a worrying sigh, " The man we have located is none other than the "sleepless tyrant", a big score we have hit today." Everyone is in awe and the room becomes noisy as everyone is talking about how serious this matter is.
"Um excuse me Aufnier, who is this tyrant?" Curiously ask Roth.
"How dare you be at this meeting and not know who the sleepless tyrant is! Aufnier, you know I respect you, but why have you brought these two if they don't even know who they are!" Shouted Yoseph.
"Calm down Yoseph. The reason I brought these two is because he survived an onslaught with Frida, and she carried his bloody torn body all the way back to Galobethrogga where they were training. Which took all day considering her size."
The room gossip back and forth if what they heard was correct.
"Not only did she drag him, she simultaneously casted healing magic on him nonstop the entire time. Especially during the surgery and the week he was unconscious. Also, Roth here can use more than one attribute of magic including light magic. Which is why his arm is completely healed."
"You lie! There's no way he can have more than one attribute! And light magic can't heal broken bones in an instant!" Angerly yelled Sillo.
"Calm yourself Sillo, you may be a platinum adventurer, but I'm still the guild master here and you shall show some respect. To me and my guest." Sillo choked on his words and sat back down quietly. Roth felt a little joy seeing their egos get hurt.
"We are getting off topic, to wrap it up I asked his request yesterday for him to lend us his aid. He ran into a slave holding site and freed the slaves that were captured and that caught the attention of Frida. Ahem, to answer your question Roth, the sleepless tyrant is a man named Connery Esos. He's in charge of the slave trade in all of Untingawd. And lives by the name literally. Connery doesn't sleep and always takes some drug that boosts his system into overtime. They say whenever he is on a drug, he's a whole other person with this unknown drug." Roth appreciates the answer but now the whole room is watching him and Mina nervously. Then Tobias breaks the silence with a smug look as if his gut was right to respect Roth.
"Well, what are we calling this operation? And when can we get started? My guys are ready to mobilize whenever you're ready."
" This mission will be known as Operation King-Breaker. We leave tonight my fellow adventurers. Prepare what you need for the trip and get ready to mobilize. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity. So strike hard and true with all your warriors might!"
"Yes sir!" the entire group shouted in unison. The meeting was extremely short than expected and Roth was ready to go back into the fire with those awful fidelity members. As everyone was leaving, he notices the three members staring at him feeling belittled by him. He wonders why they have such high egos. Suddenly Tobias wraps his arm around Roth and comforts him. "Hey cheer up kid, they may be stubborn like an ass, but once you show them your worth, they will respect you immediately. So don't fret okay kid? See you in a few." He waves goodbye, still walking away.
"Yeah... see you later..."