(Author: Hello again! Real life had me in its grasp again so I apologize for a lack of posts in the last couple weeks. I managed to get some writing done before classes start so I’m posting this somewhat quick chapter as well as a longer one not long after. Once I’m back in school, I won’t be able to write as much so I can’t make any promises but I’ll do my best to squeeze out at least one chapter a week. Without further ado, Chapter 23! Enjoy!)

Around the same time Kris and Stryfe were conversing, a secret meeting was taking place within the confines of Druein’s government building.

Down a hidden corridor marked off-limits except for registered personnel, there is a chamber-like room rarely used except for special occasions.

In contrast to the extravagant features of the capitol building where it is located, the room itself does not have any noticeable elegance. A weathered round table with equally worn out chairs are the only furnishings occupying the plain room.

Due to a lack of windows, slow-burning candles provide the minimum of luminescence needed to distinguish the individuals seated at the table.

Hooded cloaks cover their bodies, and without the light of the moon, their identities cannot be seen by the naked eye.

However, these disguises were merely a precaution in case of any unwanted intrusions. The occupants of this room had been acquaintances for a very long time, so no introductions were needed.

In addition to the cloaks, all of the people present shared another distinguishable factor.

Each of them had three gold rings on their right hand.

As soon as everyone took their respective seats, a young woman began spouting words of ridicule.

“What a fine mess you’ve put us in, you incompetent bastard. For your sake, you had better give a satisfactory explanation, Alex.” (-)

In response to the accusation, a chuckle was heard, followed by a young man’s voice.

“You’re awfully agitated, Giselle. I fail to see the reason our dilemma is my fault.” (Alex)

“Don’t try to play dumb with me. I speak for the rest of the Order when I say that your actions have put us at risk.”  (Giselle)

“Is that so? Does she speak the truth Lance?” (Alex)

The man called Alex turned his head towards the person sitting next to him.

A gruff voice replied to his inquiry.

“Two hundred years to prepare for the Abyss King’s accursed sword to re-awaken, and yet now we find ourselves assembling on how to put down the Human who managed to form a Link with it. The Human you chose as the Savior of your race. As far as I’m concerned, the one solely responsible for our predicament is you.” (Lance)

Next to the man called Lance, the two other members nodded their heads in agreement.

Alex then spoke with a slightly amused tone.

“My my, even Tristina and Boris are against me. This is a surprising development. Even so, I chose the Human, Kristoff Arondight, because he matched the criteria we were looking for. He’s a former S ranked adventurer and one of the strongest swordsman in the whole country, if not on this entire continent. I’d have been a fool not to chose him, correct?” (Alex)

“Perhaps. However, am I to presume that you did not have prior knowledge of his parentage...in that his father is a Drake?” (Giselle)

The revelation of Kris’s mixed blood caused a few members to stir, but Alex spoke first in order to defend himself.

“Maybe I did or maybe I didn’t. Is being a half-Drake really that big of an issue?” (Alex)

“Of course it would be! Drakes have the largest mana quantities out of all the six races. Even if he only has one parent of Drake descent, he could have inherited that racial feature. Did you not think of what that could entail?!” (Giselle)

“Actually, I already did a background check on Arondight and from what I gathered, his mana capacity is in fact smaller than the average Human’s. In addition, it is not enough for him to even cast simple spells.” (Alex)

“Really? Then you should also know that his father happens to be the former Astern ambassador to your country, as well as a famous Drake warrior himself.” (Giselle)

“What’s his name?” (Lance)

“Magnus Orion, also known as The Dragon.” (Giselle)

One of the members seated at the table perked their head up at the mention of that title.

“‘The Dragon’? Is that supposed to have some kind of relation to his heritage?” (Lance)

“Well, according to my research, numerous stories have long circulated throughout the warrior community that Magnus Orion is the only known Drake to have perfected the art of full body dragon transformation.” (Giselle)

“Is there any documented proof to support these claims?” (Lance)

Giselle shook her head as she spoke.

“No, only eyewitness accounts. Even my spies were unable to recover any physical evidence.” (Giselle)

“Hmph. Sounds like just another fairy tale to me.” (Lance)

“Those stories are real.” (-)

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Giselle and Lance’s discussion was interrupted by the sudden assertion. They turned their heads to the owner of the voice.

“Are you positive Tristina?” (Giselle)

“Yes. Though I have not seen this rumored ‘full body’ technique first-hand, my sources tell me his transformation ability is exceptional. In fact, a Drake as talented as Magnus Orion has not been born for many generations. For him, transforming into a complete dragon would not be impossible.” (Tristina)

The person identified as Tristina who had been silently listening to the conversation gave her own judgement of the validity of the speculative claims.

“...Do you believe he could become a threat in the future?” (Giselle)

Tristina replied with a tone tinged with uncertainty.

“It’s difficult to say at this point, but I doubt he’ll remain silent should any harm befall his son.” (Tristina)

“So we should take the initiative and--” (Lance)

“Ehem!” (-)

However, the last remaining member who had yet to speak cleared his throat in a loud manner, abruptly ending the other three’s exchange.

“It seems you three have forgotten why this meeting was called in the first place. Kristoff Arondight is our primary concern right now so stop wasting time with discussions unrelated to how we get rid of him.” (-)

The seriousness in the man’s voice was mixed with enough hostility that even his comrades became a little flustered at having flared his temper.

“Oh, yes. My apologies, Boris. We should return to the matter at hand.” (Giselle)

“R-right. Let’s return to the main topic.” (Lance)

Giselle gave an overly polite apology while Lance answered in a fluster.

Tristina simply nodded as her response.

Boris crossed his arms and became silent, displaying his urge to continue with their conference.

Giselle nodded and resumed her duties.

“So, if we are in agreement that he has become a significant threat, how shall we deal with Kristoff Arondight?” (Giselle)

Though her question was directed at all of her associates, her gaze fell on Alex.

Similarly, all of the other people present followed her example.

Under the pressure of his comrades’ unwavering glares, Alex sighed while raising his hands in surrender.

“Hah, you guys just won’t let it go, will you?...Fine, I’ll handle this matter personally. You can rest assured knowing that this problem will be resolved without delay.” (Alex)

“For the record, your word has never once given me any peace of mind.” (Giselle)

“Now that’s just cruel. After all these years, you should know that I’m a reliable comrade.” (Alex)

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you Alex, it’s that you’re a conniving bastard who never makes a move unless you have ulterior motives.” (Lance)

“Haha, I guess I can’t deny that either.” (Alex)

His laughter echoed throughout the room for a short while.

Finally, Tristina raised the question that was on everyone’s minds.

“How are you planning to eliminate the Human? If your schemes puts the integrity of the Order at risk then you will face severe punishment.” (Tristina)

In spite of the harsh warning, Alex simply laughed it off before answering.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that will compromise us. That I will guarantee. Besides, he’s merely a novice seeing as how he has only recently acquired the late Abyss King’s sword. If it comes to it, I will carve out that weapon with my own hands before casting it back down into the depths of the labyrinth.” (Alex)

“That’s what concerns me. You’ve always been a bloodthirsty fellow. Do you really plan on fighting him? Though I don’t doubt the outcome ending in his demise, even if he is unskilled, the battle could easily become a public spectacle.” (Giselle)

“Don’t worry, a fight would only come about as a last resort. I plan to use...other methods to deal with him.” (Alex)

“Stop being vague Alex. Just tell us what you’re going to do.” (Boris)

Everyone but Alex nodded to Boris’s words.

There was a short pause before Alex spoke again.

“...We know that Kristoff Arondight must be capable of using the sword’s powers since he was able to form a Link with it so a direct confrontation is undesirable...but without those powers, he’s just a man.” (Alex)

“...What’s your point?” (Giselle)

If one could see his face, they would see his lips curve into a sinister smile as he conveyed his true intention.

“I intend to remove the sword from the equation...and then Kristoff will no longer be an enemy strong enough to oppose us.” (Alex)

With those chilling words, the meeting of this secret organization ended soon after, and the night came to a close.