* Date: September 29, 2173

* Time: 2:00 PM

* Location: Her Majesty's Royal Palace

''Pardon me...''

''...Excuse me...''

''...Coming through!''

Bypassing several servants, spirits, and maids, Nadine rushed through the hallways and corridors of the Royal Palace. Upon arriving in Unieum City, the priestess immediately ten-twenty minutes ago. She carries the information about the Kaynian's potential whereabouts and the gate.

''Priestess, what is the matter?''

The head maid of the palace asked. In front of the priestess were the great doors to the great hall of the Royal Palace. Stopping to catch her breath, the priestess composed herself before answering the head maid's question.

''I need to speak to Her Majesty and the Saintess...''

''...I was told they're in a meeting after they left the World Alliance Headquarters.''

''Yes. That is true, but for what importance?''

''It's about the invader's whereabouts.''

The head maid's eyes widened upon hearing Nadine's answer.

''I see, then I shall grant you passage.''

Turning around, the head maid utilized her magic imprint to open the great doors. Greeted by the great hall of the Royal Palace, through the head maid magic imprint, the doors would be opened. Upon entering, all eyes draw toward the lone priestess.

''Your majesty, Saintess.''

After approaching the royal sisters, Nadine kneeled to both of them.

''Nadine, you've returned.''

''My apologies for barging in, but I have dire news.''

''What is it?''

''We have located the invader.''

In one sentence alone, the entire atmosphere of the great hall changed. The royal sisters had their attention dead set on the priestess. Not only that, but the hero, his companions, the champion, and the General of Elvenia were also present.

''Where?''

''We have located the invader and the gate on the ruined Adel Village.''

Murmurs started to erupt from the elders and nobles. The hero and his companion were surprised about the information given but didn't comment on it. Queen Gabriella raised her hand and prompted the murmurs to quiet down.

''Continue.''

''Worse of all, it seems the gate has activated its next stage.''

''By the pantheons...''

''...Lady Vee.''

Upon being called, the hero stepped forth and summoned his companion.

[Yes, your Majesty.]

''What are the repercussions of the third stage of the gate?''

[Ahem, the third stage of the gate would construct the necessary pillars needed to complete the gate. Meaning it's creating the conduits to successfully open a wormhole.]

Vee then projected a holographic image. A simplified animation of the gate could be seen. On the top corner of the hologram was a stage meter.

[Now that the gate is in its third stage, I calculated that if it were to create a small group of ten pillars, it could take more than twenty-four hours to complete...]

[...Your Majesty, the only way we can stop the gate is to manually deactivate it, and the only way we can do that is by attacking the lone Kaynian with a small group of your military.]

Gabriella paused for a moment; Vee did have a strong point. While the invader is alone, they could outnumber him and potentially deactivate or destroy the gate. But mobilizing a dedicated brigade would be time-consuming.

''What do you mean by a small group, Lady Vee?''

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

[I recommend assembling a team of six highly skilled fighters. Specifically trained to confront the Kaynian. When we arrived in your realm, we miscalculated your abilities, and the Kaynian made the same error. If you were to assemble this elite group, including a rider, knight, and frame, we stand a better chance of success.]

''Hmm, who do you suggest would lead it?''

[I would suggest your champion. Adelard has demonstrated that he can lead his fellow elves in the heat of battle. That should be more than enough to accomplish this task.]

''Very well...''

''...Adelard.''

The champion emerged and answered the Queen's call.

''Yes, Your Majesty.''

''I will appoint you as commander of an elite group dedicated to assaulting the invader's current location and deactivate, destroy, or disable the gate...''

''...Do you accept?''

''By my honor and duty, I will accept.''

Accepting the role of commander, Adelard would be given another chance at revenge. With the hero by his side, he can finally avenge the death of his subordinates. Knowing how troublesome the Kaynian Lord can be, Adelard would create a battle plan to take the invader down.

''Priestess, you will serve as a guide to the invader's position.''

''It shall be done, Your Majesty.''

''General, I need your best knight, rider, and frame to be under my champion's command.''

Standing up straight, General Eugene and his assistant, Delphine. Heeded the order from their Queen. The General and Colonel already had in mind. Which knight, rider, and frame were needed for this mission?

''Of course, your Majesty. Delphine and I already had something in mind. The champion will have at his disposal. The best of the best Elvenia's military can provide.''

Nodding at her General's intuition, signaling her to proceed with her idea. Now, the troops needed were being prepared. The only thing missing was an airship, preferably a light frigate, to support Adelard with ranged bombardment.

''Admiral Hipper.''

''Yes, my Queen?''

''I need to borrow one of the light frigates we currently have to support my Champion.''

''Of course! I believe the Javelin could give the firepower needed to support the champion and his mission.''

The Admiral of the Elvenia Navy answered enthusiastically. The Javelin was part of the J-class light frigates. Having a length of 300 meters, the Javelin was one of the most decorated frigates in the Elvenia Navy.

''Very well, does anyone want to add something before I adjourn this meeting?

None answered the Queen's question. This meant that everyone was on the same page and understood the severity of the situation. What was left to do was dub the operation before adjourning the meeting.

''If no one will raise their voice. Then I shall dub my champion's mission as operation tip of the spear!''

* Date: September 29, 2173

* Time: 4:00 PM

* Location: Fae Military Headquarters

After two hours, Tale and his companions returned to Fae via teleporter. The sky was bright blue, and the large clouds were moving. Given the mission of facing the Kaynian again, the Ghost would be a part of an elite group of individuals to stop the Kaynian Lord and the gate.

''Do you have to go?''

[I'm sorry Joan, but we have to.]

''But you just got here?''

[I know, but the current situation makes it difficult.]

However, not everyone was happy about it, and many wanted to come along. Joan repeatedly requested to join the mission but was declined each time, being told it was too dangerous for her.

''But- But what if the invader-''

''Don't worry.''

Tale answered with confidence to the young elve. Never in the Ghost's life had he cared more about someone he barely knew about. Joan was unique because he never truly understood why he cared for her safety.

''I will return, I promise.''

''Do you really?''

Nodding in response, the Ghost gave his answer. In return, Joan pulls out her pinky finger. Tale was perplexed about the elve's sudden action.

[Tale, you must return the gesture by holding her pinky with your own.]

''What does that signify?''

[It means that you have created a pinky promise. A traditional gesture most commonly practiced among children involves. The locking of the pinkies of two people to signify a promise.]

Heeding his partner's advice, the Ghost then Kneeled to Joan's height before locking his enormous finger with her. The young elve smiled in return, and the bird on her head was silent as the ordeal occurred. Terwa and Tale always had a bitter rivalry between them.

[What's the problem, little guy?]

Vee tried to coo her way into the avian's personal space by materializing beside him.

[Oh my, bottling up one's emotion doesn't get you anywhere, mister.]

The avian let out a sad chirp in response. Terwa didn't like the fact that the Ghost was leaving again. The last time that happened, the avian saw his master devastated upon seeing the Ghost disappear.

[I know, but we have no choice...]

[...Terwa, please take care of Joan while we are gone. Can you promise me that?]

The avian chirped in agreement as Vee gave out a smile in return.

''Promise me that you'll return, okay.''

''We will, I promise you that. By the end of this, we'll be back together. I promise you.''

Joan then embraced the kneeling Ghost in a hug. Vee could only watch as the two had their moment together. Terwa also participated by having his wing on Tale's helmet.

''Be strong, Joan.''

''I will.''

Standing back to his full height, Tale nodded at the Saintess. Before arriving at Fae, Tale asked if Isabella could watch over Joan. The Saintess agreed by making the young elve her apprentice.

''It's time to return to Gian, young Joan.''

''Okay.''

Taking one last look at her savior, Joan stared at the shining black armor of the Ghost. And right before turning around, holding the Saintess as they walked away. Tale could only watch as the child he protected accompanied the Saintess.

''Are you alright, master?''

''I am.''

''Shall I inform my daughter's champion that you have said your goodbyes to Joan?''

''Yes.''

Turning around, Tale made his way toward the naval shipping dock of Fae. There, the Ghost saw the Javelin, a J-class light frigate. Making his way toward the frigate, he was greeted by the crew and was guided inside the airship.

''Ah! Hero, I was informed by Lady Sarroth that Joan is under the care of the Saintess.''

''Affirmative.''

''Very well, let us get onto the matter at hand...''

''...Contact with the rest of Nadine's team was lost an hour ago. Nadine tried to contact her twin sister Laetitia but with no response. The priestess team's last report was about the gate increasing in size. Soon right after, there was no communication with them ever since.''

''I assume Her Majesty wants us to investigate their disappearance?''

''Indeed, but worry not, it is merely a secondary task handed to me by the Queen.''

It wouldn't be long until the Ghost noticed the new faces onboard the frigate. The first was a knight clad in black and gold armor with an enchanted sword. Next to him was a female spirit with glowing bright green hair made up of plants. Last was another female, but this time, she was a sea elve dressed in the same armor as Adelard. Accompanying the group was Doctor Amour, the pink-haired elf dressed in a white coat and donning enhanced glasses. Were these the elves selected by the General to accompany them on their mission to stop the Kaynian and the gate?

''Greetings, hero!''

The black knight greeted, and somehow, Tale could not help but question why this elve was excited about meeting him.

''Hello...''

''...Sir, have there been any clues of anyone claiming responsibility?''

''Well, the General thinks it could've been a group of bandits or even predators, but I don't think so. I was trained by the priestess to wield magic to the highest degree. It was because of that I managed to survive during our first battle. I don't think any bandit or predator could have taken them out, but I believe the invader could.''

''Where shall be our drop point then?''

Utilizing projection magic, Adelard created a three-dimensional image of the Diamond Forest.

''The Javelin will drop us in the middle of the forest, at least several kilometers from the village. After that, we go on foot toward Adel Village and hopefully find out what has happened to the missing priestess. The Javelin will provide aerial bombardment, but we will save that for last.''

Tale nodded; the airship would be perfect for destroying the gate if deactivation was not an option. Meanwhile, the other elves in the room patiently waited for the champion and the hero to finish. The Ghost doesn't know it, but the elves he will work with are zealous about the prophecy.

''Also, allow me to introduce the elves joining us in the mission...''

''...Meet Hector, the famed black knight of Fae and the executioner of General Eugene. Beside him are Catherine and Pauline, the former being the most skilled frame spirit and the latter being my former rival...''

"...Together with Doctor Amour, who is tasked with healing any injuries that may occur during this mission."

''A pleasure to meet you all.''

The four elves either smiled, nodded, or were mesmerized by the sight of the Hero of Eldrant. Never in their lives had they thought that their childhood hero would accompany them. Hector was the most excited out of the four to fight alongside the Ghost.

''Alright, enough pleasantries. We have a mission to accomplish. Captain, fire up the engines, and let us head to our destination.''

''Understood, lord commander.''

In a queue, the magic fields holding the airship in place suddenly broke off. The crew complement of the light frigate was safe inside, along with the provisions needed. Javelin was then permitted to proceed with its mission and carry out its cargo.

To Be Continued.