"A Heretic Domain, it is good you finished the guardian of it.", the Minokawa spoke.
Everyone had managed to regather and report their findings. Upon hearing the report of the Heretic Domain the Minokawa opened its eyes.
Tilia walked up to it, "You know of it?"
"A gathering point for Heresy. Meaning whatever is responsible for that is continuing acts of Heresy."
"Wait, you said the one responsible for this long since left.", Yielya pointed out.
"The one responsible for my imprisonment. The start of all this Heresy. It seems someone picked up the work that was left behind."
Gear was a bit excited at the sound of this, "That's a clue! There's someone or something out there performing this Heresy! There's a chance we can figure this out!"
"Moreover it's someone who's not of Fourth Stage."
This peaked Wrock's interest, "How can you be so sure?"
"Heresy is always weaker than the one performing it. Else it would grow out of their control and possibly consume them. Therefor they only create Chimeras of a lower Stage. However to create this many that range between First and Second Stage could only mean they're not of Fourth Stage."
"Or we have yet to see any of Third Stage."
"This is a fair point. However I still stand by my original estimate. This means you all have a fighting chance."
Tilia rubbed her scalp, "Not so sure on that. If an Advanced Chimera was this much of a pain then I'd hate to have to fight multiple of them. Especially if A class."
Wrock shook his head, "If we can take advantage of their weaknesses we stand a greater chance. If only there was a way to capture sunlight. Then we could fight them head on."
Gear shook his head, "We do have a method of getting rid of them. But waging a war isn't possible. There isn't enough of the liquid to take them all down just yet. After all it took a whole bottle to take down an Advanced Chimera."
"We don't have time to get more of it though. The longer we stick around the quicker the one responsible for this realizes we're after him. Giving them plenty of time to amass a force stronger than what we can take."
Kan'na interrupted, "But recklessly rushing is even more detrimental. We might be semi-immortal, but a failed assault would be an even worse outcome compared to waiting. There might even be a weapon we cannot handle hidden away somewhere."
"So we stand about?"
"We're speaking as if we know where this person is located! We're still clueless!", Gear added.
"Not the case. If what the Moon says is true then finding someone who's Third Stage is a lot easier than you think. In this place covered in Heresy and home only to a few people, a Third Stage should stick out like a sore thumb. There's a high chance that the area we found may be their location."
Wrock and Guarton's investigation did not come without results. After careful searching Guarton noticed a very strange series of tunnels coated thick in Heresy. It was so thick he could not manipulate any of the earth around them. This was naturally reported, and it was the topic Wrock currently spoke of.
Faced with a disagreement the party's heads turned towards Yielya, who currently was leaned against the wall with her eyes closed. With a frown she shook her head, "Too many risks with each idea. Charging is reckless, waiting could endanger those who are in the village. The threat of a potential Third Stage is even worse, meaning we can't be careless."
A heavy sigh escaped her lips, "If Akiol was here I'd have more confidence in an assault."
Wrock frowned, "Am I not enough?"
"Insurance, your strength surpassed what Akiol had. However that would leave us with two commanders at once. Allowing us to take both approaches."
"We can wait for him if you want."
"We just took down a Heretic Domain. Chances of them not acting is impossibly slim. We just showed we're a threat. If they don't act then that would be even more worrisome."
"So a decision needs to be made now."
Gear shook his head, "No matter the decisions I'm not abandoning the village. It's the only reason why I'm fighting here."
Tilia grabbed her arm, "Fighting against a higher Stage is a bad idea for me too. My War Sight has varying performance against higher Stages. If it breaks then I'm rendered useless, and I'll just hold you back."
"Our numbers would be stretched thin. It took all of us and some incredibly talented people to take down a Third Stage with a poor foundation. We have no idea what this one will be capable of. Even if we're all stronger since then."
Yielya shifted her balance back to her feet, "Regardless, I know that we have little choice."
~ ~ ~
Akiol placed a cup down. Having told his story to Rebecca, they also got a meal in between.
Rebecca remained silent for most of the story. Except now, where she spoke for the first time in hours, "And then you awoke in James body."
"Correct."
"And I pretty much know the rest."
"You're taking it better than anticipated."
"You already said that."
Rebecca sighed deeply, "So, what's your goal now?"
"Short term or long term?"
"Both."
"Hmm, long term I plan to relax. After so many years of fighting, maybe I should explore more options."
"James would do something similar."
"Perhaps it's him rubbing off on me."
"Okay, then what about short term?"
Akiol crossed his arms, "Third Stage."
"Pardon?"
"I need to reach Third Stage. After that I plan to take on the undead."
"What?"
"After the disaster that happened in Goldlight. I want to round up a force meant to take them on."
"The King of the Undead should be Fourth Stage himself. There's no way you're gonna take on him as Third Stage."
"My target isn't the king, but rather the Lich."
"Ah, Or. . . something starting with an O."
"Bingo."
"What kind of force can you muster then? The Undead army grows easily day by day."
"I have connections with the current top Guilds, and some people I can ask."
Akiol tapped the table, "While we're on that topic, you want to join?"
"Do I also need to be Third Stage?"
"Preferably."
"How much time until you launch this attack?"
"A month, roughly. Real time. While I figure out my ascension it gives me time to prepare a force."
"So about three months ingame. . . Alright fine, pm me the details. In the meantime I think I have my own form of thinking to do."
"Take your time, if you can't make it no worries."
"Right. . . Thank you, Akiol."
"I'm just fulfilling a wish."
"My thanks remains regardless."
Rebecca left after paying her share of the meal. Akiol massaged his palm while deep in thought. He wasn't entirely truthful on his plans during the long term. Far too many questions lay unanswered. Yet there still was no method to finding any. Snapping out of his daze he swiftly paid for his meal and left the small store.
No point on dwelling the unknown. For now focusing on the present was enough. Perhaps he should check upon to see what Wrock was assisting with. Something Jarvis found if he remembered right.
They should be fine, not like they needed him currently. Perhaps a stroll was in order first. Pulling out his phone to check the time Akiol realized it was dead. Considering his choices for a moment he put away the phone. Stroll it was.