* Date: September 30, 1173

* Time: 8:00 AM

* Location: ENS Javelin Hospital Ward

Stepping in were three figures: Adelard, Nadine, and the Ghost. After the Ghost's scouting mission, it ended with him rescuing the priestess. Right after bringing her to the group, the champion ordered a return to the Javelin.

''Sister!''

''Hello, Nadine.''

Laetitia answered, and Nadine immediately embraced her twin sister in a hug. In the background, Adelard converses with Doctor Amour. Who was responsible for monitoring the priestess's health. They were here to question the priestess about what had happened.

''How is she, Doctor Amour?''

''Well, my lord. The priestess's condition has stabilized, but she would need to rest her body for a week. Her magic reserves had taken a toll, and her body, although healthy, still retained the after-effects of the invader's magic on her.''

''Is it long-term?''

''I am unsure whether or not it is long term. The time I spent with the priestess monitoring her health indicates that it might be nothing but magic residue left, but there is a chance that I may be wrong.''

''Hmm...''

''...Hero, do you want to say something?''

Tale nodded, and suddenly, the avatars of Vee and Sarroth manifested in front. And after interacting with the invader's psionic field last night. Sarroth and Vee had come up with a theory of what it was.

[Good morning, commander.]

''Lady Vee, Sarroth. I assume you now know what kind of magic the invader used?''

[Indeed. It took us an entire night to figure it out, but we finally did it.]

''Please, enlighten us.''

Vee then projected a three-dimensional recreation of the psionic field they saw yesterday. Upon witnessing the projection before him, Adelard's initial impression was that the invader had summoned a magical field to confine the priestess. Even the champion couldn't replicate such magic without exhausting himself.

''This was the magic field that contained the priestess, yes?''

[Affirmative, my scans of the field confirmed that it was psionic. But what I found out after returning to the Javelin may be more than all of us could anticipate.]

''And that is?''

[We believe the Kaynian Lord utilized a psionic that allowed him to see through Laetitia's memories partially.]

''Explain.''

Vee then allowed Sarroth to take over and explain to the champion.

''While I meddled with the invader's magic field. I discovered more than one magic residue residing over the priestess's body. Upon figuring it out, I dismissed it as the magic residue left during their confrontation, but I was wrong...''

"...Last night, Lady Vee urged us to investigate the magic residue. Working together, we identified a type of magic unfamiliar to us. It differed from the sources of violence and instead bore a resemblance to dream magic."

''Then, if that is true, our advantages are revealed to the invader!''

''Calm yourself, champion of my daughter. Even though that is the case, it seems Laetitia's magic subconsciously prevented the invader from fully entering her memories.''

''How- How?''

Adelard has never heard of magic subconsciously doing anything at all. Magic is supposed to be pure energy that allows elves to perform magic, and depending on how much magic you have inside would dictate how powerful an elve could be. It shouldn't be able to think for itself, but how did Laetitia deter the invader's magic from entering her mind?

''Personally. This is the first time I have heard of such a phenomenon, but I believe the magic conscious theory would be proven right because of this.''

''The theory about magic being consciously created by Doctor Brillante?''

''Yes, the one in particular. I still remember when Gabriella told me about the doctor theory and how she was fascinated by it...''

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''...Ahem. Apologies for getting off track. The theory states that magic possesses a mind of its own. This is the case because magic serves as the manifestation of one's dreams and imagination. All because through imagination, we can conjure the natural power of our world to our fingertips. Because it is needed to manifest magic...''

''...But where does one imagination go after using magic? Here's what Doctor Brillante sought to discover. She theorizes that every elve that ever used magic aided in giving their dreams and imagination to create the magic consciousness. Through thousands of years, we have slowly made this consciousness, and one day, it may become an entity of its own.''

''Milady, does this mean that magic; itself is an ally to us?''

''Well, all of our searches may prove it otherwise.''

Does it mean magic prevented the invader from learning everything? This implied that they had been granted a second opportunity, a chance to thwart the invader. Realizing this, Adelard would not waste it. This time, he would not let the invader getaway.

[But let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?]

''Of course, lady Vee...''

''...Doctor Amour, thank you for your services.''

The doctor gave a light nod in return before immediately taking her leave. And while they were conversing with one another. Laetitia and Nadine had been quiet as they waited for them to finish.

''How's my condition, lord commander.''

"Lady Laetitia, Doctor Amour told me you'll be confined to bed for at least a week to recharge your magic reserves."

That was to be expected, and so Laetitia nodded. She knew that from the beginning when she engaged the invader head-on. But a part of her is disappointed about her condition because she'll be unable to aid the commander and his comrades against the invader.

''Also, Lady Vee and Sarroth had concluded that the invader may have partially read your memories.''

''What!''

''Worry not, priestess, but the invader had not gained much, we can assure you.''

''Lord commander, how can you say something like that! I've just given the invader important-''

''I said the invader had not gained much.''

This shut down the priestess counter to Adelard. Seeing how serious the champion was, Laetitia stopped immediately. Of course, the priestesses would overreact about this: they are zealous about combating the invaders in every way.

''Enlighten me, lord commander.''

''When the hero found you in the ruined Adel Village and brought you here to the Javelin. His companions found out the invader tried to access your memories, although successful. The invader did not gain much because your magic deterred him from doing so.''

''That's impossible!''

''I know, I too, taught of it being impossible, but considering what the hero's companions have figured out. It is hard to disprove it without any long thought or research...''

''...Lady Laetitia. I am here to say that you are not to blame for this. None of us anticipated that the invader would engage with your team. We did not certainly think the invader would use something akin to dream or mind magic...''

''...Lie down, priestess. You more than deserve it for surviving. Leave the task of slaying the invader to us and the hero.''

''But- But.''

Cutting her off was her twin sister placing her finger on her lips, signaling her to stop worrying and leave it to them. The important thing that mattered was that she was safe.

''Leave this to us, sister.''

''Promise me, Nadine, that you'll come back.''

''I promise, sister. This will all be over, I assure you.''

Nadine assured her twin sister. Although hesitant, Laetitia then answered with a nod. Afterward, the two sisters would say their last goodbyes before leaving the hospital ward.

''May the Pantheons bless you.''

* Date: September 30, 1173

* Time: 8:30 AM

* Location: ENS Javelin Hangar Bay

''Everyone, I have authorized the Javelin to make its presence known in Adel Village.''

''Lord commander, are we finally going to destroy the gate?''

''Not yet, Pauline. I've merely ordered the captain to drop us on the outskirts of the village. The Javelin will not bombard the gate until the hero and his companion deem it impossible for them to disable.''

''I see.''

Preparing for their assault. The commander plans to accomplish what they should have done yesterday. But now, they had relevant information about the ruined village because of the hero's scouting.

''Sir, what's our plan of attack?''

''That's what we're going to discuss, hero...''

''...Alright, everyone, listen up! Our main objective is to escort the hero to the gate and distract the invader. The hero's companion, Lady Vee, is the only one capable of shutting down the gate. While we distract the invader's attention, the hero's companion will conduct her work. If things go well, Eldrant will be saved. But in the uncertain scenario that Lady Vee cannot disable the gate, the Javelin will bombard the device with its main cannons.''

The entire group listens closely. Tale, meanwhile, stood still as ice. The mission revolved around him and Vee. Meanwhile, the rest would distract the Kaynian. Honestly, it wasn't bad per se, and having a backup plan assured the Ghost that the commander wanted this to end immediately.

''Hector, Catherine, both of you will be the vanguard. You two are our most armored combatants; taunt the invader away from the hero. Pauline, you and I will perform ground support via our wyverns. The combination of magic and wyvern fire is poised to inflict substantial damage upon the invader. Lady Nadine, you will become our rear guard; out of all of us, you are the most powerful magic user we currently have.''

After explaining everyone's role, the entire team nodded. Knowing that everything was at stake, the commander emphasized the importance of the hero. Tale was albeit concerned. He knew they weren't hopeless against the Kaynian, but he was worried.

''Lord commander!''

Coming onto the scene was an officer. Clearly out of breath, the officer took a second to relax. Approaching the officer, Adelard wondered what message this elve had.

''What is it?''

''Apologies for interrupting, but a message from Her Majesty. It states the ENS Indomitable will reinforce us. Also, the kingdom of Xarnoth and Zangratu will aid us with heavy frigates and a contingent of troops.''

''That is good news, but did Her Majesty state that we should abandon our mission and join the incoming reinforcements?''

''No! Her Majesty stated that Operation Tip of the Spear should still commence.''

''I see...''

''...Well, thank you.''

The officer then saluted before leaving the premises of the hangar bay. It was good to know that reinforcements from other kingdoms were coming. Tale appreciated that, although it would take time for them to get here and help.

''Lord commander Adelard. The gate is in sight, commander.''

The captain spoke through the rune orb. Tale had anticipated this moment since the beginning. They were now about to take down the gate and the Kaynian Lord once and for all.

''Alright! We're finally here. Let us perform our work and save Eldrant!''

''Roger.''

''Yeah!''

''Understood.''

Tale watched as each elve equipped themselves with their weapons and armor. Meanwhile, the Javelin would halt to a stop. Right after, it reached the outskirts of the ruined village.

''We're at the drop point, lord commander. Good luck, and may the pantheons bless you.''

''Likewise, captain.''

The members of Operation Tip of the Spear then went on their preferred way of transport. Adelard and Pauline mounted their wyverns. While Tale, Hector, Catherine, and Nadine were on the teleporter.

''Everyone knows their role and objectives?''

''Affirmative, sir.''

''Of course.''

''I am ready!''

''Let us end this.''

''For Eldrant.''

Responded to each member of the team. Taking a deep breath, Adelard would say the order. Feeling the wind on his body, he eyed the horizon of Eldrant before saying.

''Commencing Operation Tip of the Spear!''

Afterward, the two riders then leaped out on their wyverns. While the others instantly teleported to the ground. Upon being teleported, the Ghost immediately raised his hands and signaled to proceed.

''Let's move.''

''We're right behind you, hero!''

The black knight answered. Running at high speeds, the Ghost took the lead toward the ruined village. Nadine was carried over Catherine's shoulder as they ran.

[Adelard, I'm detecting the Kaynian Lord's signature. Can you see him from up there?]

''Yes, lady Vee...''

''...Hector, Catherine. Proceed to the village hall. Lady Nadine, ready your magics. Hero, we'll buy you as much time to disable the gate.''

The Ghost departed from the group and headed toward the gate's location. All they have to do is follow the plan, and Eldrant will be saved. But little did they know it would take more than an elite group of elves to take the Kaynian Lord down for good.

''All combatants engage the invader and unleash everything that you have! Remember, our objective is to distract the invader long enough for the hero's companion to disable the gate. Make it so!''

To Be Continued.