The receptionist looked at Marcus with a look of disbelief after his question because he referred to the princess by a nickname.
Shaking her head, she quickly pulled herself together and responded saying, "Her highness Mrazivý Borealia and her party Royal Frost, after having successfully defeated the floor boss of the second level of the Ocean Bluff Temple, decided to make an expedition to the third and lowest level and subjugate the boss of that level. However, on their way they unfortunately ran into a very rare and dangerous teleportation trap and were separated from each other. One of the members of the party were able to make it back out of the dungeon and report what happened. As the princess is an important figure in the kingdom, both as royalty and a platinum adventure her safe return is of the utmost importance. I believe that currently the big wigs of the city are having a meeting and planning a rescue mission. Of course, finding the other members of Royal Frost is important but the priority will be put on the princess. If there is nothing else you need, we are very busy and need to focus on this issue so please make room for the next person in line."
"Wait there is one last thing I need; do you have a map of the current third level that I can purchase."
Giving a slight sigh the receptionist rifled through some documents and brought out what Marcus was looking for.
"Here is the current and most up to date map of the third level's configuration, it will cost three gold and I must warn you that there is still a tremendous amount of the third level that is uncharted."
Coughing up the three gold with no hesitation, Marcus took the map and with his business concluded he left the reception booth and waited in a corner until he could find out the details of the rescue plan.
After sitting around for around two hours Marcus finally saw a group of men and women exit the conference room where the leaders of the city were discussing the rescue plan.
He only recognized two of the people one being Joras and the other being the member of Royal Frost that had made it back out of the dungeon.
Watching and waiting for when Joras had separated on his own Marcus went up to him and said, "So what is the plan I intend to help so could you give me the run down of what you all decided in there."
With a frown on his face Joras scoffed before saying, "Yeah follow me I will tell you what they decided in the meeting."
Following Joras upstairs and to his office Marcus sat down on one of the couches in Joras's office while Joras sat opposite him.
Giving off a loud and obviously frustrated sigh Joras began speaking.
"After a long and heated debate, it was decided that the rescue expedition would be set for two days from now."
Joras pausing to hear Marcus' reaction got exactly what he was expecting.
"Two days, why the hell do you need two days, their was already so many high-level people gathered here just for the meeting, it should only take a few hours to gather personnel and supplies before the expedition is ready."
"Yes, you are correct if rescuing the princess was everyone's top priority, unfortunately she is not only an adventure but a member of this kingdom's royalty and even if her succession is low on the ladder, she still holds immense political power especially here in Loursend as the royals representative. A majority of the knights of the city answer directly to the city's Viceroy Marquis Krenston and he has stated that it will take two days to get the forces organized and supplies together.
Realizing that the delays for Mrazivý's were a political stunt by the powers at be in Loursend Marcus became furious.
'What the hell, those bastards would rather she die so that they can grasp at a few extra stands of political power than man up and do what was right.'
Joras seeing that Marcus was fuming continued on about the remaining details of the rescue operation for Mrazivý.
"It is sad, but it is the way things are, the guild is of course could be ready to launch a team in a matter of hours, but we hardly have the manpower to bust through the third floor of the dungeon. Even with me and the main branch master the third level is far different than the first and even second level. Every monster is above level twenty, and they can often appear in droves that can overwhelm even people at my level. Luckily, we have the princess' location thanks to a magic item she has on her that transmits her location every fifteen hours, but she is deep in the third level of the dungeon, and it will take even an experienced team at least a week to get there even if we run into no problems."
With the information that Joras had just given him about having Mrazivý's location a glimmer of hope crept into Marcus' eyes. While he was not that close to Mrazivý he did have a few reasons, he wanted to save her. He had really hit it off with her in his form as Irene and thought they could become good friends and if he ever got in trouble with the kingdom or some pompous noble having a princess as and ally would be invaluable. He also needed her to help him locate Viscount Poulsen who he still planned to get revenge on.
With a resolute look in his eye Marcus asked Joras if he could have the information detailing Mrazivý's location.
Joras looked at him with a look of disbelief before saying, "Are you serious if you think you have a chance down there you are wrong. Do not get me wrong you are strong probably the strongest person I have ever seen at your level, but I am level thirty-five and even I would not be able to go farther than just the periphery of the third level without support. I do not know why you want to help the princess so bad, but you can't help her by charging head strong into the dungeon. There will be an emergency mission posted in a few hours and any one silver rank or higher and level twenty-five or higher will be able to sign up. I recommend you wait till then and sign up for the mission if you really want to help."
Shaking his head not willing to budge on the issue Marcus said, "I do not plan to wait I can get there faster than anyone else, and I will go looking whether you give me the location or not."
Joras seeing that Marcus was adamant about going now with or without his help caved and pulled out the information on her location and gave it to Marcus.
Looking it over Marcus found that it was a map of the surface above the dungeon and the first level pinpointing the area where she was except that she was about three thousand feet underground.
"Thanks, with this I should be able to reach her by the end of the day."
"Yeah sure, when you find that the third level is too much for you to handle alone, come back here and you can join up with the team that is going to execute the rescue mission."
Getting up with a determined expression on his face Marcus exited Joras's office and set off towards the dungeon.