{RUBICON’S POV)
Rubicon didn’t care that he broke character in front of so many of his staff: The situation called for it, otherwise, he would have looked too cold and uncaring which could have resulted in him being deemed unfit to lead an organization of people who were meant to help one another.
Rubicon didn’t care about the boat-load of work that he would be submersed in soon enough: a [High Demon] this far away from the [Human Island] was a serious concern, especially if it was proof that the [Demons] were using the vast [Wild Area] as a spawning ground for their most dangerous creations.
Rubicon didn’t care that the old [Witch] was making the situation even worse by acting overly familiar in public: After she had teleported here and back to save Darwin and the others the least he could do was close an eye or two to what could only be considered an annoyance.
What Rubicon cared about was the safety of his [Adventurers], and this mess screamed that soon enough ‘safety’ would become a rare commodity.
He only idly noticed that the [Adventurers] mixed into this disaster were just about done talking to each other and promising to catch up later.
“What a mess”, the [Guild Master] couldn’t help himself but sigh while making his way back with his small entourage, now comprised of the ever-diligent Doris, the nervous mess Merglobth, the problematic Sheeno, and the [Witch], who he wouldn’t be caught dead thinking anything else about in her vicinity, or he could otherwise find himself facing a continuous series of unfortunate circumstances.
“Seriously: It’s never been boring since when you young ones got here”, the [Secretary] observed, throwing a glance behind herself.
“I understand what you mean, but I’m not going to apologize for something that isn’t our fault”, the [Banished Princess] took it in stride and responded in tone, without being aggressive.
Naturally, the [Handler], as per their usual, still found the response a tad too disrespectful, which to be fair, it was, but normally one could afford a [Banished Princess] some leeway.
“Miss Fyratta, please don’t take it personally: It was only an idle comment!” They enthusiastically explained, somehow trying to calm down the already chill woman.
Rubicon gave a mental groan of displeasure, feeling almost like he had been infected by the [Human] and his love for horrible puns; at the same time he acknowledged why Merglobth didn’t have stellar reviews as an [Handler]: Describing them as a nosy worrywart would be a euphemism.
“Thanks, Merglobth…” the [Banished Princess] sarcastically muttered through clenched teeth.
“You’re welcome?” The tentacled goof hesitantly replied, recognizing that there was something off about her response.
“Anyway… I know procedure would normally dictate that everyone in the involved [Team] was accounted for, but given the severity of the situation, I think that it’s best we start giving out discreet orders to our people to be more mindful of strange things happenings in the [Wild Area]”, Doris, ever the professional one, helped moving the situation along.
“True: We wouldn’t want any unsuspecting [Adventurers] facing unexpected deadly odd when there isn’t an amazingly beautiful [Witch] there to save them”, Merga said, running a hand over the brim of her stupidly oversized hat-
The [Witch] immediately started glaring at the [Guild Master], and while he remained outwardly unaffected and stoic, internally he was already sweating with thoughts of how she would punish him for mocking her new hat.
“Let’s save the discussion for when we are allowed more privacy: We don’t need to alarm the public just yet”, Rubicon remarked quietly enough to not be overheard, while throwing around not quite accusatory glances, but that still helped in making certain individuals sparse.
‘Rats, the lot of them’, he internally thought with disgust.
While he had worked tirelessly in order to make his [Guild] as apolitical as possible, he quickly came to realize that by his very actions he ended up making himself a bigger target for those who sought to gain from the [Wilds], meaning that while there were less unsavory people scurrying around, the number of unwanted professionals lurking in the shadows was much higher than anyone would have liked.
Fortunately, the fear of swift repercussion, and he has ample examples of how sift and merciless he could be, was normally enough to discourage the more dangerous among them from acting too overtly, creating a tense yet peaceful working environment for most.
Almost anyone agreed to his proposal; surprisingly, Sheeno ended up being the one that excused herself, opting instead to check up on how Darwin was doing, inventing some excuse on how she could use getting checked over again herself.
Everyone obviously knew what was her real intention, and they all enjoyed seeing the flustered young woman go to see her hurt lover.
No one was too hung up about the only witness about the whole event abandoning them: It just meant that nobody had to go through the same discussion more than once when all the witnesses were finally gathered into one place to disclose a fully recorded extensive statement of how their adventure unfolded.
Which meant less paperwork for Rubicon, which was always a good thing.
* * *
{JEOFF’S POV}
Finally, they were approaching the [Rainbow Guild]. Unfortunately, they were doing so from the civilian’s side, where the scrutiny was the heaviest, but it was the only way they could successfully enter as non-[Adventurers] without immediately getting kicked out on their asses.
If it weren’t for that hard-headed [Guild Master], who couldn’t recognize authority when it spits at him in the face, they wouldn’t have to jump through all these hoops; but, unfortunately, the [Scimian Kebunu] was too competent at his job, so nobody ever got the chance to take him down a peg or two.
No matter: Jeoff, his entourage, and his newfound allies might not be [Adventurers], but they couldn’t be negated entry without a reasonable motive, so it was only a matter of time before he got his hands on at least one of his targets.
At least that was supposed to be the case: Reality, though, often proves itself unexpectedly unfair.
“What do you mean we cannot enter the premises? Do you even know who I am!?” Jeoff, youngest of the Jeofferneys found himself soon close to losing his already thinned patience minutes after disembarking the flying vessels; on which he didn’t even have a relaxing voyage, given the absurd number of little inconveniences that kept appearing out of nowhere and slow down his whole convoy.
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He had never heard of flocks of [Lesser Garudas], and yet he had the displeasure of sitting through two of them: Being in the air made his capabilities ‘middling’ at best for anything besides reinforcing the integrity of the ship he was on, which further contributed to worsening his mood.
“No, and you could be an [Elemental King] for all I care: [Guild] policy is to disregard ranks outside of the organization itself when on the job.
‘No outside personnel allowed’ means exactly what it says: The [Rainbow Guild] is officially closed to those not on official business, which means only registered [Adventurers], [Alchemist], [Crafters], and other recognized [Jobs] are allowed in to report for their duties.
And yes, that also means that people looking to register, or to take a new [Quest] are not permitted entry, only those reporting in.”
The [Knight] standing in front of the closed gate explained with the tone of someone close to committing unalive on themselves if they were forced to repeat the phase just one more time, the dismissive tone grating on Jeoff’s nerves like salt on an open wound.
A wound that he really wanted to open himself on the flesh of the offending [Knight].
Maybe even by using a stake of rocksalt, just to get the point across.
But no; no matter how satisfying it may be, attacking the [Knight] would only result in everyone related to him in any way becoming a public enemy of the [Guild], and even his family would balk at facing something like that, especially right now, with an ongoing plan centuries in the making, that required for them to be as inconspicuous as they reasonably could.
Getting the whole [Rainbow Guild] against you was probably one of the most conspicuous things he could do, right about now.
“Well no, the worst thing I could do is get our new allies involved in that folly, which would probably cause a schism in our interests, and probably some infighting, which would really be the last thing I’d like to happen right now”, after a moment Jeoff recognized just how poorly things could go if he let the heat get to his head.
“Fine, have it your way. But this is not over!” Jeoff said, trying to not sound like a petulant child that had just been said ‘no’ to, and turning around with a sweep of his long sleeves to leave.
“G’day to you too, m’lord”, the [Knight] tipped his helm at the bald [Earth Nymph] with a scoff, clearly annoyed by the arrogant demeanor.
It took every little bit of self-control that Jeoff had to not order the disappearance of the [Knight], but with a [Titanic] effort he managed just barely to limit himself to a furious grunt.
Only an hour later, and a bit of aimless walking later, was he back in full faculty of his mind, the building rage dissipated to a low simmer. Taking a deep breath, he was finally ready to discuss things with his men and his associates.
“My family has property in this cesspit: Best that we go there and discuss what to do next with as much privacy as we can allow ourselves.”
All those that had been given to him by his family were ready to nod even before he was done speaking, knowing full well the kind of obedience those in his position were expected to receive. His allies from the [Temple of Purity], though, were showing signs of doubts about their partnership after that little bout of ‘childishness’, but among the trio of [Priests], the Elf was the first one to make a decision for them all.
“Not to be disrespectful, but we can’t simply follow you to your compound, sir: We need to regroup with our already present agents in the area, so we can have a better idea of what is happening.
That is why we had suggested that ‘rushing’ towards our objectives might not have been in our best interest, and I don’t think that I have to tell someone with your background that splitting resources where they are best used is the better use of our time until we know what is happening and how to respond to these unforeseen circumstances”, Trentietta was quick-witted enough to twist her words in a way that made it sound like they were an idea born out of what the instructions from his family could birth, pleasingly stroking his arrogance in an attempt to make the young master more pliable to her suggestion.
“Mhh, yes. ‘Divide and conquer’, as my father would put it… Well, then I’ll have one of my servants handle the means with which we’ll meet up again, while I’ll personally start an investigation on whether any of the [Merchants] have seen our targets: I’m sure that after showing them the depth of my pockets they will be willing to talk”, Jeoff responded after a brief pause, stroking his smooth chin in an attempt to make it seem like he was contemplating something profound.
He didn’t fool anybody, but it was far easier to ignore it than to acknowledge it in any way.
“I knew that the young master would see the wisdom of his ancestors. Then we will bid you goodbye, for, until we regroup next time”, Trentietta politely replied, giving a little bow out of courtesy, which her companions followed only a step later.
“Until next time then”, Jeoff responded with a nod.
Pleasantries finished, the Junior of the Jeofferneys turned around and left for the market, while one of his servants remained behind just long enough to exchange contacts with the [Priests of Purity].
That done, everyone went their separate ways: The young master to vent some frustration on some unsuspecting [Merchant], and the [Priests] to find out what their captured companions had revealed, and then see if it was worth the cost of having them released officially, or otherwise made to disappear.
* * *
{SIR PRISE’S POV}
Madame Prise’s eyebrow twitched again, for the second time today.
She didn’t know if it was because of the multiple reports she was receiving from her [Knights], telling her that various ‘rats’ had started scurrying around since the commotion started, and just as many retreated far down their hole, a lot were now clamoring at her heels for a bite of [Information]’s cheese…
Prise pinched the bridge of her nose in one hand, exhaling an angry sigh through her teeth.
“I know that metaphors aren’t among my strengths, but one so bad was a new low even for me”, she couldn’t avoid but thought so.
She wasn’t an [Analyst], nor a [Strategist], she was [Knight Captain], and before that, she had been a [Bandit Queen]: All she was good at was bashing into unconscious people, especially ruffians now, and inspire respect from anyone she interacted with.
A rare smile graced her strong features when her thoughts turned to memories of a time when deciding what caravan to raid would have been more lucrative. A decidedly easier time, at least mentally, but she would never go back to it: Being on the side of the ‘good guys’ was far too addictive after only being looked at with naked fear and disgust.
Not that being the face of ‘justice’ wasn’t part of the punishment for her crimes, but it beats the fate of those among her men that didn’t bend their knees when even when she was forced to remain cordial and professional with certain little shits that would benefit from a good beat-down.
With another sigh, she stopped her reminiscing of times long past, especially when her thoughts started turning rosy when thinking about her savior, who still wouldn’t respond to her advances, and instead went back to her professional stoicism and resumed her work on the various papers on top of the desk she was sitting at.
At least, that was her plan, until three strong knocks alerted her that something important might require her attention.
“Come in!” She said, loud enough to be sure that whoever was waiting on the other side of her door.
And come in they did, and Prise had to do everything in her power to neither blush nor wag her tail so much that would be visible from the other side of her desk; a particularly difficult task after having had her thoughts stray in that particular direction just a moment before.
“Prise, we have a [High Demon] in the [Wild Area], way too close to the regularly patrolled zones for comfort, and definite proof of their kind conducting experiments within those grounds: Have the patrols increased in number and frequency, and whatever else measure you would deem necessary”, Doris said as soon as the door to the [Knight Captain]’s office was closed.
“A [High Demon]? So the rumors were true? Don’t worry, I’ll have it handled immediately. Who do I have to interview for more [Information]?” Prise was particularly proud of successfully avoiding her voice catching in her throat.
“Darwin’s [Team] and associates are those that were directly involved we the incident”, the [Secretary] replied, already with one hand back on the door-knob.
“Huh… that’s fine, but isn’t he in the infirmary right now?” She quickly asked, remembering what one of the letters she had just read reported, trying to not make it apparent that she was trying to keep Doris in the room alone with her as long as possible.
“Yes?” The big-eared lady asked, a bit confused by the seemingly inane question.
“…nothing. I’ll just have one of my [Knights] notify me when he’s done healing so I can question him myself with the rest of his [Team]”
Doris smiled at her, and then almost teasingly uttered those damn words that made hardened [Bandit] fall for her all those years ago, words that had made no small amount of people lose their lives in the past, but that assumed a different meaning when said by the beautifully mature woman that had soundly beaten her, even when ganked upon by other lowlife.
“Good puppy.”
Prise was able to hold on to her squeal long enough to see the Kebunu closing the door behind herself.