(Antoris Vosse POV)

The days to the expedition date were fast approaching. I had yet to take a break from my desk in my office, despite that, Kazu almost reached the requirements to become one of the top members in the guild.

Although, I had to admit, aside from the lingering terror exuding from him, I began to respect him, not as a cursed monster but as a powerful being in his own right. He was efficient and calculated in everything he did, I had to commend him for hiding his capabilities for so long but that did work in my Monarchs favor.

“What do you think, my lord?”

“He’s serving his purpose to us, as soon as he completes this expedition for him to be recognized as one of the big five, I will announce the creation of My Graced Clan to The Assembly of Sovereigns. I’m eager to see my plans come to fruition after all this time,” My Monarch spoke in a voice only I could hear.

“As always, your plans are perfect, my lord.” I answered him with a small smile.

“I had time to think. My domain was leveled in the early years of the Great War. My recovery took Centuries and even then, it is but a fraction of what it once was. The obliteration of my domain left me powerless without a single clan existing under my rule. However, what I created after the Great War was the guild, a faction that tended to the Mana overloads rampaging across Domains due to the war. My ideal obtained riches and Mana cores for consumption, but my real intentions was to span across every Domain, so when I did announce a Clan of my own my ties across Aterius were in place. My plan has been in place since the beginning, and my position in the Assembly will reach the top three.” My Monarch declared as if his own ambitions were being spoken aloud to the world.

"Lord, as your Apostle, I will see your plans carried out,” I replied with my smile becoming one of anticipation.

“Your loyalty will not be forgotten, my Apostle, Antoris Vosse.” My Monarch spoke and I was filled with the feeling of immense gratitude from him, but it was cut short at the sound of his next words. “You have visitors, Antoris.”

I looked to the door of my office as moments after the doors opened and I was met with one of my Benefactors.

“Xander, it has been a while. I hope you have been doing well since your last report.” I said from my seat behind my desk.

As usual his hands were stuffed in his pockets and his spiked up hair stood out just as much as his attitude. “You know how it is, no luck finding benefactors for the guild. All that time wasted. I could be helping Cayto or Astrid instead of dealing with that crap,” he retorted as he cleaned his ear with his pinkie.

I still smiled at his antics and such a response. “You must understand, their duties are specifically assigned to their strengths, which is why I’ve requested you for the expedition. Astrid will even be putting her investigation of the terrorist organization on hold to assist in this,” I stated with a clear finality that he couldn't ignore.

"Yeah? I bet the hound just loves that… Whatever, where is she anyways?” He asked as he finally ceased his actions in his ear and placed his hands behind his head.

“It seems she was running a bit late,” I said with an amused smirk. Little did Xander know she was about to walk into my office.

The doors to my office were once again opened by a lady with purple hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of amethyst strands. As she stepped in, her presence commanded attention. She had an aura that exuded a sense of power, a magnetic force that seemed to pull in the air around her.

"I hope I am not late, Antoris, it wasn't my intention to be." Astrid stated as her sharp blend of deep sapphire and silver eyes were locked on me.

"Of course, not Astrid. You are the last to arrive, I was just informing Xander of the details concerning the expedition," I said in return as I clasped my hands together and leaned forward over my desk.

“Then… the Xiao nonsense was real? How is that even possible? They shouldn't even exist... that’s just absurd Antoris," she sneered with her voice laced with a hate at the mere mention of Xiao.

“That hardened gaze you have can be rather amusing Astrid. If it wasn't for your unfortunate circumstances, I would have thought you had some history with them from a reaction like that,” I said with a small chuckle.

She scoffed and didn't elaborate on the matter, but she did manage to contain her rather hostile expression with her hardened gaze. “I despise them with everything I have… who… where did you find this Xiao?” She asked as if she was trying to dig for information.

"Reiner did, but from all I gathered he isn’t from Aterius… I had to assume he came from the exiled Isles. That makes the most sense given his abilities and that is where they originated from, as for how a Xiao managed to survive centuries after the Great War, I am not sure, but him and I have a respect for each other and a mutual agreement. He has become a beneficial asset to the guild," I answered honestly and with an air of finality.

Regardless, it did seem like Astrid was in no mood to push the subject and dropped it, albeit reluctantly. "... I understand," she said brushing passed Xander who was more or less watching our conversation with a furrowed brow.

“It’s been a while, Astrid. Ya know me and Cayto both saw that guy in his Ranking exam. He sure put on a show, probably out ranked the sword queen herself,” Xander remarked with a smug smirk as he slapped her shoulder.

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Astrid was quick to snap in return, "Don't ever touch me again, Xander. I don’t care if some cursed clan made me look like a fool, I am leagues above anyone in this guild, and no Xiao could hope to rival me." She sneered as her glare made Xander flinch.

Astrid, the sword queen certainly took pride in her abilities.

“Now, Now Astrid, no one is here to take your place, this is for Vectus to form a Clan of its own and with that we’ll rise in status. those terrorist that took your life from you will be dealt with. we will be able to begin a formal investigation that allows us to openly act in other domains,” I reminded her of our shared goal as I clasped my hands together on my desk.

"I know that. I haven’t forgotten my duty as a Benefactor of the guild, I’ve honed my abilities in the years since then. I have become stronger than before. I will soon possess communion magic. That will be the start to my plan to defeat the terrorists," Astrid stated with conviction and anger.

I was somewhat impressed with her determination and her growth since the Guild found her in a dungeon surrounded by her deceased Clan, she screamed upon waking with a rage I had never seen from anyone else.

It took time for her to heal, and it was fortunate she was found by guild members. My Monarch healed her and eased the pain of her memories prior to her awakening.

He extracted a memory that was a nightmare, a slaughterhouse for her clan’s mana and when the guild became aware of the acts of the terrorist organization, the only place she could go was under my Monarchs care and protection.

"I can assure you, Astrid. I will do everything in my power to see your vengeance granted," I stated before returning to the current situation. "Now, the expedition comes first. I’m glad you both returned days earlier than expected. Kazu, Reiner and Lilith did head out of the city today on a guild request, something about preparing for the Expedition, we’ll take this opportunity for you both to become formally acquainted with Kazu and Lilith, they should be here shortly," I informed them before relaxing back in my seat. “In the meantime, take a seat, I have some things I need to verify in your most recent reports, Astrid.”

I gathered her most recent reports on her investigations into the terrorist organization. I could only imagine how much progress she had made. I could practically smell her hate in the documents. Regardless she took a seat far from Xander who was slouching on my couch.

Still, Astrid and I began to review her reports in attempts to piece together everything we had learned in the investigation.

***

(Kazu Xiao’s POV)

“You two did great, as always. Adjusting our movements accordingly to incorporate two new members to our party went faster than I expected,” I mused to Lilith and Reiner as we walk through the evening streets of Sura toward the Guildhall.

We had just returned from a menial guild request. this wasn’t to test their growing strength or abilities but to adjust our tactics to accommodate two new members.

“Heh, we listened to you in battle Kazu, whatever you say goes. I don’t see things like you do, I’ll just believe you when you say it works,” Reiner remarked with his usual snarl, despite the genuine intent in his words.

Lilith giggled as she clung onto my sleeve, although she was always happy when I praised her in any capacity. “… That’s fine, Reiner. You might one day but for now as long as I can analyze it, that is enough. Our new tactics will ensure I still have you both to depend on in any situation,” I said idly as the guildhall came into sight.

“Kazu is amazing isn't he, He gets better every day, just like Lilith,” she chirped excitedly.

I only gave a small hum in response, before the three of us entered the lobby of the Guild. It was just as any other time turning in our requests and collecting our rewards, but I noticed an aura that I hadn’t felt before.

It wasn't a hostile aura, but it certainly felt strange in nature, the energy felt synthetic and exuded power.

“… umm, welcome. Are you returning your requests?” The receptionist I approached asked while I dismissed my observation momentarily.

I placed the extermination request before her with the collected mana shards in a bag beside it. The receptionist simply nodded and processed my request before sliding the bag of coins over the desk to me.

“Who is Antoris with,” I remarked without so much as a glance at the receptionist.

“Umm, that would be the sword queen, Astrid. She came in today. Antoris, did ask for you to meet him in his office… when we saw you,” she said nervously clearly not wanting to meet my gaze as I finally looked at her.

Regardless, I left without another word and headed for Antoris's office with Lilith and Reiner

Upon arrival, I pushed open the door to his office, as per usual he was at his desk but there was the familiar face of Xander stretched across Antoris's couch. He sat up and rubbed his eyes with an audible yawn.

Xander wasn’t alone as beside Antoris’s desk was a women, she was the one exuding the aura I had felt earlier. However, I wasn’t the only one to feel her aura as Lilith’s once loose pinch on my sleeve fell to my wrist with an intense grip.

I seen many expressions of emotion from her in my time with her, however this was the first time I had felt Lilith’s intent to kill.

“Ah, Kazu I’m glad you are here, we can formally introduce everyone to each other. Xander you have already met briefly but Astr…“

Antoris began to speak but was cut off by Lilith. “…Are you one of them?” She growled lowly but directed at Astrid, at that point even she saw the look and intensity of Lilith’s glare.

Astrid gripped her blades hilt which was tucked into her coat. “I don’t think I understand what you mean, girl. I recognize the look in your eyes, I won’t hesitate to do whatever I must if you don't control yourself right now,”

The sudden shift in mood didn't go unnoticed as Xander glanced at everyone with confusion, Reiner snarled at Astrid who insulted Lilith. Antoris observed the situation with a calm demeanor.

It did catch me off guard as well considering Lilith never acted that way before, she continued to make me wonder. Still, this was just a simple misunderstanding.

“… by the time you pulled out your blade it would already be too late. You would be dead before your sword could leave its sheath.” I said flatly with undeniable facts, which was enough to cause Astrid to flinch under my gaze like no one would say such things to her. “… Lilith here, is jealous of other girls. She didn’t mean anything by that. Now let's put this aside and let Antoris finish.” I remarked ending the rather pointless confrontation.

Astrid scowled momentarily as she slowly sheathed her sword with a click, “What a simple minded girl. Especially for something like you,” she sneered but dismissed the situation with a scoff.

Lilith loosened her grip on my wrist and her glare softened to a degree as if she understood my intentions but from the red tint under her lingering glare, I could tell she was happy I protected her.

That left Antoris who looked quite content with the situation, that played out in his office.

"Thank you, Kazu. I knew you would settle things for me. I can already tell we’re off to an excellent start," he stated with a smirk as he looked between everyone.

However, I disagreed in my own thoughts despite his words being sarcastic. It wasn’t a moment after when Reiner had finally barked from his twitching behind us. “Oi, old man. Let’s get this over with. We have stuff to do,” he remarked impatiently with a click of his tongue, and I couldn’t agree more causing me to find some amusement in Reiner’s facts.

A short chuckle left Antoris as he clasped his hands together, "Very well, let us try again with the formal introductions.”