The intensity within the air between the Ruby ranks and the Jade Investigating Unit is unbearable to the point where Leon had to step in. He was assigned to keep everyone from having a brawl as long as they're within the region, and no matter how much he hates associating himself with them, he had no choice but to obey his mistress.
"Are you certain we are only given one fruit?" Coral wanted to smash the fruit but she kept her composure, she can't have the one and only item destroyed.
"That is exactly what was told," Leon repeated, "I'm afraid giving you another would only harm not just the transporting members but also the safety of this kingdom."
"How could we possibly be harmed?" Coral asked, although she doesn't want her curiosity to get the best of her, she had to know. She must know what they are dealing with.
Leon relaxed his shoulders and grinned, his action alone had them gone cold. It's eerie.
"Whatever entity planted this tree, and what strings they're pulling to gain control over our kingdom is still unknown," his eyes went sharp.
"We do not know what we are dealing with, we must be on guard at all times. And this tree might give them power," he looked Coral in the eyes, "so be careful with it."
She gulped.
It is indeed true, they are still clueless what or who did all of this. Slowly plotting everything the past years.
Has it always been there? Did they just not notice it?
Leon moved his head and glanced at Hugo and nodded.
Everyone gave a confused look.
Hugo swiftly unsheathed his scimitar and slashed the crystalized tree, destroying it.
"What are you doing?!" Both Lance and Coral shouted, he just destroyed the evidence.
Leon did not react, instead, he folded his arms and watched the sparkling ashes of the tree slowly desiccating up the air.
"It is for the better," Leon spoke.
"But, how are we going to investigate it?" Coral was beyond frustrated.
"This is my vicinity, sweety," he grinned, "you don't get to question how I run things."
Her eyes widened, 'how can he be so calm in this dire situation?'
"Rubies, follow me," Leon started walking back to his horse, "leave this region and go back to the capital, J.I."
"So, are we going to follow Lady Edrei's puppet?" Serene whispered to Lance.
Lance only let out a heavy sigh and hopped on the wagon.
"A small nod would suffice," she rolled her eyes, "what a pain in the ass leader."
The group was brought in front of a manor, its design is very simple and shabby. It did not get much of an impression from the high ranking adventurers, but the sight of a huge house with possibly good bed makes their eyes twinkle. They were all worn out, they wanted to lay down and get a well deserving rest.
"I welcome you to the Adventurer's Manor," Leon said and they all nodded in sync.
"So, is this your guild lounge?" Serene asked.
"You could call it that way, but since we do not have any adventurers within the village, this is where we let our invited soldiers stay."
Leon stepped aside and ushered them to freely enter the manor.
"Come to think of it, I never saw any adventurers as soon as we arrived here," Lance commented, "that's why the townspeople are so determined to ward us off."
"My apologies for our people's behavior," Leon sighed, "but they were only doing what they think is best for the village."
"Are there no other people like yourself?" Verin asked as he scanned Leon's clothes.
"I believe there are none, most of them went to the capital to enter the guild."
"So the guards?" Verin followed.
"Some of them are from the neighbouring villages, the priority is here where the Council's Hall is located."
They all nodded.
Their question of why they needed the capital's help was because of the lack of power. Although Lady Edrei herself and Leon could defeat the enemy in an instant, they couldn't and had rules to follow.
"That's a shame, this is such a rich region," Serene said.
Leon could only chuckle as he pressed the doors with his palm to open the manor.
"I hope you can find comfort inside," he smiled proudly. He knew what he was showing off.
They had already set their expectations, the council hall built inside the mountains is one that has taken them aback, thinking every establishment built within the village, probably the whole region, is designed as such. But with its importance, it is possible that only the hall was thought to be built like it, to hide its real location from potential attackers.
But of course, their expectations were either crushed or were surpassed.
The simplicity of the exterior can't be seen once you enter the manor; it is grand for a lounge. Marbled floors, velvet couches, gold plated frames and handles, sparkling and expensive knick knacks on every shelf. Old, original book prints from hundreds of years ago. Crystals sticking on the walls randomly, and the enormous chandeliers hanging on the ceiling with magic filled orb lights.
"Guys," Thenea ran up to them, the trio that was left in the hospital first arrived in the manor. Viv was left to watch over Lithea who is being checked.
"How is she?" Lance has been worried about Lithea.
"Come with me," she guided them upstairs where all the rooms were located. With its massive size, some of the Jade ranks could stay with them and there would still be too much space.
"I thought you were in the hospital, did they let her leave?" Serene asked.
Thenea shook her head, "you will see."
She opened another fancy double door, in there they saw the pale priestess struggling in her sleep; her forehead creased.
A priestess who works as one of the nurses within the council hall tended to Lithea, she had her hands on one of Lithea's, checking her vitals.
"This is Jan, Lady Edrei had her check on Lithea's condition," Thenea explained.
They all nodded, not knowing what to react being all nervous of what Jan will report to them.
When she's done, she takes a deep breath before facing everyone in the room with a solemn face, all expecting to hear a good report about the newly added ruby adventurer. But she knew she couldn't lie, nor sugarcoat the truth.
All she could do is accept whatever hurtful words they throw at her for being a bummer.
"She's experiencing a lot of pain," she searched for their reaction, she got none, "internally."
"What do you mean by that?" Serene asked, she's confused with all the medical talk. But the rest are glad she asked for they couldn't bring themselves to do it.
"Her mana went out of hand, it had become overbearing and exploded for using it without control," Jan glanced at Lithea's pained expression, her groaning filled the silence of the room as Jan took a pause, "it is eating her up."
"You mean the mana is attacking her organs?" Hugo flinched in pain.
"Can you take a look at him as well?" Lance pointed at Hugo who can't let go of his ribs.
"I'm fine," the scimitar user gritted his teeth.
"You're not," Lance forced Hugo to take a seat by Jan.
"Please," the commander asked the nurse politely, she nodded.
Jan lowered herself and squatted before gently placing both of her palms on top of Hugo's ribs, her hand glowed green.
"Are you not going to take off his armour?" Verin asked, curious how she would heal the strange person.
"It won't get in the way."
It is true, lower rank priestesses would have a problem with it and would require for their patients to take off their clothes, but because Jan is a Light Priestess, this won't matter. She can still cure internal injuries as long as she's close in proximity. After all, she's not a Divine.
"Urgh," Hugo started sweating as he felt his bones move.
As he slowly started to heal up, the pain slowly faded. Eventually, all of his fatigue was released as well.
"Thank you," he said, nodding.
Jan stood and smiled, "just doing my job."
Just then, the doors opened to reveal Lady Edrei in a robe and full mask, Leon was behind her, carrying a polished white wooden box with golden lock.
Everyone in the room was startled but they soon showed their respect by placing their right palm on top of their left chest, folding their thumb and two other fingers as a salute.
"My lady," they all said in unison.
"Yes, raise your heads." She instructed and they did.
"Jan, I presume she's not in good condition?"
"Yes, my lady," she answered, still bowing to avoid her eyes. As a servant of the council, she's not allowed to look at any high ranking officials in the eyes, let alone be in the same room as them for too long unless permitted to, "Lady Lithea's mana exploded while healing the children. Miraculously, they were all harmless and only impacted on Sir Hugo."
The ruby adventurers were all surprised at how Jan knew of Hugo's name.
"Her current condition has worsened more than when she was first brought to the hospital," Edrei tilted her head, letting Jan know she would like it to be elaborated, "Lady Lithea's mana is eating her up."
Lady Edrei looked at Hugo and then back to Jan, "and have you taken care of Hugo?"
Jan nodded as she spoke, "yes, my lady."
"Very well," she's pleased, "don't leave this room just yet."
Being the lowest person in rank within the room, Jan stepped aside and did not stand in their way, she stood by the wall, waiting for her master's order.
Lady Edrei raised her hand, signaling to Leon to abide with what was ordered of him to do; he went over to Hugo and handed him the box.
"This is the stone you asked for," he raised his hand to level the box with Hugo's chest before opening it. This way, Hugo could clearly see the stone as soon as he opened it.
"You have successfully brought the children to the safety of our village, and like what we promised, we give you this stone."
"Wait," Lance interrupted, he cannot stay silent any longer, "what is this all about?"
"Sir, it is rude to interrupt Sir Leon when he's speaking with someone," Jan said, afraid of what would happen if Leon would take offense at what the ruby's commander did. But he only chuckled.
"It is alright, Jan. There's nothing to worry about."
"Ah, of course," she sweats.
Leon closed the box and placed it on the nightstand then, he faced Lance.
He smiled.
His smile is not one of those gentle smiles that wouldn't make you worry, instead, his smile sends a message to him: not to waste my time.
Lance gulped.
"Hugo came to our village hours before you came," his gaze threw a thousand needles to Lance's. He was immediately thrown in the pits of guilt. His mind went back to how they had been leisurely taking their time, not caring to know the severity of the mission.
"He knew about this stone," his hand pointed lightly towards the box, "and about the missing children. We have come to an agreement, if he could find the villager's children, we would hand him what he came here for."
The stone piqued the brown haired archer's interest, "what is that stone?"
Leon smacked his lips and turned towards Lady Edrei, asking for permission. But she answered his queries instead.
"It is a mana stabilizer one, created by a priestess."
"Priestess!" Viv shouted.
They thought she had woken up, it turns out he wanted to say that she is also a priestess.
"Who created it?" Serene asked.
"It was Lady Aelia Einar," Edrei smiled.
"Why does it feel like I've heard of her before?" Lance wondered as he kept trying to remember where he knew the name from.
"I think I have encountered it before as well," Serene tapped her chin, she can't seem to point it out.
Jan sighed watching how the highest ranking adventurers in the kingdom didn't remember one of the founding members of their rank.
"Fucking nobles," Verin sighed as he rolled his eyes on his team, "she's the Priestess who battled Azazel."
"Azazel?" A huge question appeared in Lance's head.
"I give up."
Leon shakes his head and walks up to Lance, pressing his finger under the other person's chin, pushing it upwards making Lance look up. He grimaces at what Leon is doing but he can't move and he doesn't know why.
"She's one of the first ruby adventurers," Lance felt like his soul was being sucked at the intensity of his gaze, "wasn't it taught at the academy before you go under training?"
Lance was disappointed in himself for two things, for not caring about the importance of history and for not being able to push Leon away.
"That's enough, dear." Edrei's voice made the room go cold.
"Yes, my lady."
He turned away from Lance and took the box again, opened it and presented it in front of Hugo.
"Wouldn't it be best for you to find the person you intend on giving this to before we hand this to you? It would be dangerous for you to go around with this and go on missions," Leon tilted his head, "won't you agree, Sir Marble?"
"That wouldn't be necessary."
"Don't tell me," Leon's grip tightens on the box.
"Yes, I have found that person."
Lady Edrie unconsciously walked towards the two; she had always been curious about the mysterious person. If their mana is uncontrollable, this could only mean one thing, she's the person they have been waiting for.
About over a hundred years ago, after the defeat of the demon Azazel, the high ranking priests and nobles gathered, discussing the possible outcome of the menace's defeat.
All of them had agreed that if another one of the heroes will be reincarnated, it would mean another great threat would engulf the whole kingdom.
"Lady Edrei?" Leon asked. It is the first time for her to join a direct conversation that she could easily pass on to him.
"This person, who is it?" she asked, a bizarre look visible through her eyes.
Hugo became silent, with the council's reaction, he knew there's something he doesn't know about.
"Don't make her ask twice, young man."
Hugo looked at the bed where Lithea was still groaning and sweating in pain.
"Her."