Humbert Willow stepped foot inside the recovery room and saw Atsuya's blue eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Glad to see that you're doing okay." said Humbert.
"I feel fine but the medics want me to stay for a while longer. They need to make sure that the bastard's poison is out of my system."
Humbert shook his head in regret as he took a seat. Even though he didn't know that an attack was going to happen that day, he still felt guilty due to the fact that a dark mage showed up after Humbert had left.
"If only I hadn't left, maybe I could have prevented some of the deaths."
"Ts, it's not like it's your fault. Regardless, that guy was going to show up. If you were there, he could've gotten you by surprise, and you would've been added to the list of casualties." Atsuya replied.
Still, Humbert felt as if there was something he could have done.
"Well, I shouldn't keep focusing on what's done. Now, I should bring up our tasks. When you're fully recovered, the king would like to see you and me. He says it's urgent."
The last time theKing asked for Atsuya, it was for the Legendary-rank dungeon raid. If the King was asking for him once again, there was no doubt in Atsuya's mind that there were lives at stake somehow.
"Very well, I'll be sure to head to the castle as soon as possible." Atsuya replied.
Humbert made his way to the door as he replied "Good, I'll head over when you do. Take care until then."
___________________
Earlier today, Amaya got a call from the King. He stated that he would make sure Amaya's world was well protected by powerful adventurers but in exchange, he would need Amaya to stay here and help due to all the recent chaos.
Amaya found herself laying on a wide land of grass, gazing at the bright sky.
'So the king wants me to clear one of the Legendary-rank dungeons in a couple days.'
She had already gone to see the dungeon but was instructed not to go in until a force had been gathered for the raid.
'This would be the perfect time to clear it solo, so S can blow off some steam, but I shouldn't get on the king's bad-side. He is the one helping my world after all.'
A dark energy filled the air, causing Amaya to quickly stand up. There were three men with masks who stood around her.
"Let me guess, you're with the dark mages?"
"Yes, that statment is correct." said the first man.
Amaya was quick to keep her guard up.
"No need to fear. We are not cut out for fighting as we are only the messengers." said the second man.
"Just get to the point. I don't care about your positions." Amaya demanded.
The third man stepped forward and placed a panic of paper into Amaya's hands.
"We weren't told to do anything besides give you this. It's a map. The circled location is where the others would like to speak to you."
Now that they had given Amay the information she needed, it was time for them to leave. A cloud of fog covered the three men and vanished along with them.
'Good. They're gone.'
Amaya set her eyes on the map as she unfolded it. It contained the continents and kingdoms. One specific kingdom was circled. But there was an issue, it was overseas.
'Why do they want me to meet them halfway around the world?'
Being overseas and in another kingdom posed many problems.
She didn't possess any passports of this world. And she most likely would be attacked if she forced herself into another kingdom. Sure, it would be possible for the king to get her a passport but what would be her excuse for going halfway around the world?
Before doing anything, Amaya had to clear the Legendary-rank dungeons first. Getting Emi back was important but, it wasn't possible without getting the other things out the way.
'I'm sorry, Emi. It might take me a while but, I promise that I'll bring you back at all costs.'
__________________
Overseas….
(Kingdom of Stonehem)
Knock Knock.
Ace Skyman turned as a knock came at the door.
"You may come in."
The door opened and his butler stepped in all while wearing a sad expression.
"Sir Ace, I have gotten some not so good news."
"What is it?" Ace Skyman asked.
"You may want to take a seat for this one." the butler insisted.
Ace took a seat over by the window as an uneasy feeling flowed inside his guts. He knew whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good at all.
"Okay. Go on."
The butler's eyes only looked at the floor when he began to speak the news.
"Sir, it's about Terence. He was murdered."
Ace leaned forward out of his seat, rubbing his face in shock.
"No…."
"Sir, I'm sorry."
Ace stood up and demanded to know the story.
"How did it happen?"
The butler explained that it happened in the city Mareve. Guards discovered Terence's body at a dead end in an alleyway with stab wounds.
"Why was he targeted?" Ace asked as he tried not to let tears drip out.
"That, I don't know. But they do have a good description of the man responsible. He's a well-known assassin."
Ace turned towards the window to hide his expression.
"Hey….let's talk more about the details later. Please, let me be for now."
The butler took a bow and replied "I understand, Sir."
Ace was only left to reminisce.
'Me being strong made those who are involved with me a target. I should have predicted something like this. Terence's death is nobody's fault but my own.'