It started out as a normal night. I had just finished checking up on Kaili and answering any questions she had, when I received a sudden call from Count Tusk.
It wasn't the usual time but I didn't think much of that and casually answered the call without any expectations.
"Hel-"
"Elios, help!"
I was surprised to see a terribly distressed minotaur shouting in a distraught manner.
"Huh? What do you-"
"She she, her head, it's burning up, I need to get it but I can't-"
"Count Tusk."
"I-I don't know when it started, I just there and then it-"
"Count."
"She's in danger, her life, I can't , I can't let that-"
"William! Get yourself together!"
Once I shouted at him, he finally stopped blathering incoherently and looked at me while holding back his anxiety.
"I'm, sorry."
"It's fine. Tell me what happened."
The story that Count Tusk took his time explaining to me sounded shady from the start. Apparently his daughter had suddenly come down with an illness.
It started with a high fever that never went down along with a loss of appetite, but as this was still a small child she quickly entered a dangerous state. He called for all kinds of doctors, alchemists and healers to take a look at her but none of them could treat her.
But when he was in despair, one alchemist suggested that they fetch a special herb which might be able to save her. However, that herb was very far and the journey there was quite dangerous as well.
It sounded like the cliché plot of a movie to be honest, which was exactly why I found it suspicious. It was one thing for her to suddenly fall ill, and even the illness being a rare one was understandable, but for just one of them to bring up a miracle herb that could solve all of their problems was too strange. If such a herb truly existed, it was odd that none of the other medical professionals were aware of it.
It would make more sense if she was poisoned and the mentioned herb was needed for the antidote, but with the use of magic it should be easy to test her for poison. A curse was also possible, but a curse that couldn't be detected was the same as a mysterious illness anyways. Additionally, it could be that as well...
'With the limited information I have, there's no choice but to search for the herb and hope it works, otherwise this could put a major wrench in my plans.'
"Okay, I'll come with you."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, if he said it would be dangerous while knowing your strength, then it would be better if I were there to help you. I don't know why you trust me so much but I can't afford to lose you."
"Oh, I wish I was there to give you a big hug!"
The sight of a bull crying while smiling was a little creepy, but due to my lessons and experience my polite smile was flawless.
"Haha, anyways, though it's unfortunate that we need to head for this place ourselves, try not to take too many of your attendants with you."
"Hmm? I was only going to bring about two but why?"
"The Elder Council or Demon King faction could find out that you're gone and choose to attack your castle in your absence."
Since this was likely a trap I was fairly certain that a group would attack, but trying to convince him of that would be too difficult in his distressed state.
"Tch, you're right. I can definitely see them doing something like that. I trust my knights but..."
"Should I go by myself?"
The fact that he was hesitant despite how crazy he was about his daughter was the respectful part about Count Tusk, but I was fine with whatever option he picked.
Well, I might prefer the option where this gave us the chance to drag out those lurking in the dark and crush them.
"Hmm, no. Like you suggested it's better if we go together since it'll be a dangerous journey. There are several ways for me to receive a message from this castle and quickly make it back. I'm confident that even the Elder Council can't block all of them."
"Good. Let's settle some other details..."
My internal clock had gotten used to this sunless world so I was sure that we spent around two hours discussing our plans. By the time we were done, Jeanne, Brad and Bony were waiting for me by the door while Kaili was long gone.
I turned towards them while showing a wry smile.
"Long story short, I'm leaving in two days."
"Will Brad or I be accompanying you?" asked Jeanne.
"No, I'm going by myself. I have jobs for you three."
"Understood. Your orders?" the three said in union as they bowed their heads respectfully.
Of the three, I used to be worried about how to handle Jeanne considering her awakened unique skill, but she was even more serene and understanding than before. Which was good since it meant I could get the best use out of that cheat of an ability.
I remember how shocked I was when she reported it to me and I got a look at the description.
'This is such a cheat.'
I may not have been one to talk, but I was sure anyone else would agree with me. While the conditions needed to get the full benefits out of the skill would make it harder for me to fight, it was perfect in case I fell unconscious and needed to be carried away.
"Witch, you'll stay here with Bony. Chad, I'll be sending you somewhere else."
"Am I being sent to sabotage or subjugate, master?" asked Brad.
"No, the opposite. One of my comrades will need to leave his territory so we can journey to a certain place together. From what I know his family should be fine in his castle, but I'm sure the enemy knows that too, so there's a chance the forces over there might not be enough."
"So, I should help in case they're having trouble."
"Correct, but, don't lend a hand until you're certain they can't handle it themselves"
"Understood."
I nodded at Brad before focusing on Jeanne and Bony.
"You two should be able to guess it by now but while I'm gone there's a chance that the enemy will attack here. I don't think they know I would also leave but I doubt they'll pass up this chance so be prepared."
"Yes, master."
They both answered enthusiastically but I noticed a difficult expression on Jeanne's face.
"Is something the matter Witch?"
"No, I was just worried that you might also face an ambush."
"Hmm, that's certainly possible but there's no need to worry. Numbers won't be enough against the two of us and Lia wouldn't miss the movement of any high-profile assassin. Besides, this might sound arrogant but there aren't that many in Lambda who could kill me."
"True. I'm glad that I can see you off without worry, master."
Neither Jeanne nor I was overestimating my abilities. While I knew from Lia that though I was among the highest calibre of demons in terms of strength and many in this group could be my match, actually killing me would be a matter of compatibility.
Even without Jeanne's unique skill, due to my dragon factor only an attack that surpassed the limit could heavily wound me, and that was only if I was unprepared. And simply harming my body would do nothing if you couldn't get past the barrier that I spent the last three years crafting around my soul.
Basically, only those on the Demon King's level had a chance of taking my life.
However, I guess it wouldn't be bad to prepare a few extra measures of insurance.
"Oh, Bony, I'm almost finished with 'that' so I leave it to you to do the finishing touches while I'm gone."
After a brief rise in the intensity of its eye flames, Bony answered, "I shall strive to meet your expectations."
Once I went into deeper details regarding their roles, I sent them out and took out something from my ring space. It was a small shiny metal block the size of my fingernail, so if it wasn't for my storage I would have to worry about it getting lost on me.
I pushed this small block into a space in my magic phone and pushed some of my mana into it. With this I was able to connect to the last person I had to notify.
"Good night. I have-"
"This is quite the trip you're planning."
I was going to start with the usual pleasantries, but once I saw the serious look on her attractive face I knew that she was already up to speed.
"Wow, I'm not sure how I should feel about how quickly you've found out but, I guess this saves me the time of explaining. Do you already know what I want to ask for?"
"Information on Dead Seilez Forest, right?"
"It is our destination after all."
Since she already knew about the trip I wasn't surprised that she knew the place we were going too.
"The danger of that place isn't a joke you know."
"I know, I know. We're probably going to get ambushed and it'll be hard to get out unscathed. But I'm afraid this isn't the type of bait we can ignore."
"...I suppose."
As Lia's expression finally loosened I also felt relieved and continued the conversation in a more relaxed state.
"So, shall we start strategizing?"