"I see, proceed." As I continue drying my hair, this will be getting exciting as Leika reported it with such a short amount of time, so reliable.
"Intel's told me that the location was at the western part of the Colossus Empire, near the border of the wasteland, it seems other than the slaves they illegal sell but there are other so-called dragon eggs are spotted as well" I stopped combing my hair as this is new to me.
"What? Dragons? I thought they do not exist in this era?" Rebecca said.
"Yeah not anymore on this continent, there are some more of them left at that dangerous area"
"Also, some criminal organization by the name 'Darkoire' has been stealing them for military use and planned for coup d'etat shit" He added.
"Hmm, let's make haste, we should make a move before it reaches the north, I'll report this to Grandfather, Rebecca, fix me up." I stood up and walked towards the bed where she is.
I went outside the room, actually, it was already night time and mostly the maids and servants are resting, the knights scouting the hallway were shocked as to why I was still awake, I couldn't mind their call on me as I am in a hurry to reach to the office of the Archduke, I know he was still awake at this late hour.
As I approach the door, I can hear the head butler and my Grandfather talking to each other, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door, after a few seconds the head butler opened the door, confused as to why we were here, I glanced at the old man signing some admin paperwork and stopped when he saw me.
"Cadyssa, dear, come in"
"..."
"It's late, is there any problem?"
"Grandfather, there is an important mission I must do and report it as well." He stopped writing and listened very seriously.
"My intel's reported an illegal criminal organization at the far west of Colossus Empire, near the border"
"Ho? No one has been at the border for years, since it's a dangerous place, only the official knights that were granted by the Central empire are allowed there."
"There must be an inside job within, not only slaves are sold at the auction, but also the dragon eggs as well."
"What did you say? Dragon eggs?" He stood up as I mentioned the eggs, he didn't expect the information I got since this is the most crucial ones
"Yes, Grandfather, from what we know, Dragons don't exist in our continent, but for some reason, those organizations may have acquired a dangerous creature and will use it for a coup. We are still searching for pieces of information on how they manage to slip thru the border without alarming the knights."
"Make haste, We will handle th-"
"Grandfather, my team is already on the move, they are waiting for my signal"
"This is dangerous for you as a kid, let the adults handle the situation"
"Grandfather, trust me, as a sole heir of the Valente household, let me handle the External affairs, please be sure that no one knows that I did this, just use your name instead." He paused for a while after hearing this, he seems to be confused as to why.
"Hmm, are you sure? If there is anything you need, let me know, my dear"
"Yes, Grandfather, I am sure that these will bring good benefits to our Empire. We will be out by tomorrow morning"
"Report back to me immediately, I will inform these matters at the central. And be sure to get back as we have an important guest coming after 1 week"
"We will be back before that day comes, thank you"
"Cadyssa, I insist, bring some of my elite knights with you" He looked very worried.
"Grandfather, thank you but I have to decline that offer, trust us with this and we will bring you a positive feedback"
"Someday, I'll introduce you to my team, goodnight Grandfather" I stood up and kissed him on the cheeks and before I reached the door, I turned around and took a glance with him.
"Oh please, just so you know, don't order your 'shadows' to follow me around" I bowed to him immediately and went out of the room before the old man say something.
"H-ho-how did she know, Archduke?" the head butler was surprised about how I discovered their secret knights.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I didn't expect that as well, Rupert, my 'other knights' are experts on stealth even that annoying Northers didn't detect it despite their good instincts, that kid is no joke after all. Order them to retreat and don't make any unnecessary move until I say so." He smirked and stood up from his chair.
"This will be a great opportunity after all for the Valentes, your daughter is so cute, Naomi, did you watch this?" He added while he took a picture frame of her daughter, Duchess Naomi, holding me since I was a baby.
Meanwhile, I ordered Leika and Rebecca to prepare things for our journey and let them rest early as we will depart in the morning. Leika informed me that our members are already at the meeting point, and our flying mounts have arrived and waiting for us to leave since the trip will only take 1-2 days instead of carriage as it will take months just to reach that area.
Our flying beasts' mounts are one of Uno's clans, it is one of our quickest transportation we use for these types of emergencies, I will be riding with Uno, of course, she is one of my favorites and the fastest ones.
A few hours passed by, as we went out of the castle, the area was still dark, at the end of the gate, I glimpsed the two waving at me with their mounts, I saw Uno fly down towards me and was happy when I touched her feathers, I signaled the two as a sign that we need to go.
"Let's go, Uno, be the sky for me"
I took a final view of the castle and to the window where the office of the Archduke is located, it seems that he was still sleeping at this hour since the office was dark, we proceed on starting to fly as the mounts starts to flap their big wings.
This is what kind of beasts that I wanted, Uno and her clans are the most reliable because of their stamina in flying, unlike the normal animals, they get tired easily and stop in some safe place to rest. These ones are not, literally they are flying nonstop unless they are ordered to, but to think that they can manage to fly these distances in a short amount of time, while on training for the journey to the east, I didn't even see Uno went down to us, I wonder how did they manage to eat and drink despite prolonged flying up in the sky?
For some reason, you wonder how we manage to get some of Uno's family with us? When she was young and was taken care of by Leika in one of our bases at the forest near the border, she accidentally made a loud howling noise, we think that she was sick at that time. When we discovered that she is one of the last descendants of the purebred leader of the Giant Eagle 'Haast' clan, she was tracked down by the remaining clan members who begins to follow her as their new leader.
Uno is indeed the rare one because she is one of the largest in the Haast clan, so obviously, she takes after her parents, we researched what happened to their lineage, we found out that it was ambushed by other unknown powerful beasts when they tried to take over the land they once lived, Uno was still in an egg form when her parent beasts tried to escaped and hide her to the safety area, in which at that time, Leika was roaming around and accidentally found it by chance, its sad to say that her parents died at that time trying to protect her.
We continue to fly across the lands and made a few quick stops because we need some energy for the rescue, we manage to plan ahead as to where to start the operation, as Leika mentioned before, he had this already covered and planned ahead to where the vantage point is.
The plan is, that we will ambush them while they are traveling on a carriage filled with dangerous bandits and hired mercenaries, Leika reported that there is some dark magician guarding the precious items, as well as the Dragon eggs. They are other members of the criminal organization 'Darkoire' guarding the front and back of the carriages. It seems that they are in a very tight situation because the area is the most dangerous one and they need to get to the border towards the Entente Continent without alarming the guards.
One and a half days have passed, we went to the place the near forest of Colossus, once we arrive at the assembly point, we manage to meet up with our members, I already told them our plan as to where we would take place. I also asked them to plant some traps on the road to distract and slow them down while we stop them one by one since me and Rebecca will try to kill the strong ones and our other members will stop the bandits and the mercenaries.
We have arrived at the said destination and waited for them to appear, we have planted and dug down some traps. After a few minutes, we hear the carriages and some people coming toward the traps, and a sudden loud bang was heard. We started to move and killed some of the bandits, while we were at it, I manage to stop the dark mages before they even used the skills.
I blocked them using my Ice wall, then slow them down by trapping them in my water ball, leading them to death by drowning, that was an easy one. I saw Rebecca use the skill where she releases Earth spikes killing mostly some of the Darkoire members. Other members of my team manage to control the other enemies as well as secure the goods and the slaves.
"We got ambushed! Quick report this to the bo—ACCCCCKKK" Before one Darkoire member said anything else, he got sliced up by my wind magic in my distance.
"Tsk, those who escaped, kill them, get the rest, and interrogate them," I shouted while slashing up the dark mage.
"Yes MA'AM/MY LADY!" They replied.
"Cady, these are the slaves and the illegal items, I already reported the Archduke, what will you do to the Dragon Eggs?" He pointed out the prison carriages where different races are seen inside, frightened and crying in terror.
"Use the telecommunication scroll that was given to me by that old man, tell them that we need more people on rescuing these poor slaves and transfer them to our refuge house, hurry before the border knights spotted us."
"As for the Eggs, get them all and bring them with us in the east, we will use them for military purposes. I'll explain these to Grandfather once we returned home."
"Yes, Cady, I will" Leika took my scroll and used it to contact the head butler.
As for Rebecca, she was scouting the area to check if there are some escapees left. I went on one of the prison carriages to check if the twins I wanted to meet were there, until I reached the end, I saw the one boy and one girl hugging each other, petrified and scared because of the trauma they went.
They flinched when they saw my hand reaching them, the boy was so scared that he cried and hide behind the girl's back, on the other hand, the girl was protecting her little brother and was about to fight back, I saw her furious and enraged face while at it, she didn't realize that she was casting a shadow below her, I stomped it immediately because it was trying to hold my right foot.
"Xeno and Zero…"
"W…. wh- How do you know our names?" Xeno was surprised as well as Zero, they looked at each other with confusion.
"Do not be afraid, I'll help you, come with me to the east and I'll promise you a good future."
"B-but, ho—how about the rest of the sl-slaves?" the girl asked, her little brother was still in shock and hides again behind her sister's back.
"No worries, they will be transferred to a safe place, they are going to take care of by our people"
"Why onl-l-ly us?
"Because you have a talent in everything, I need people like you to avenge those criminal organization that ruins everything"
"….."
"I know you wanted power and revenge, for those people who treat you like animals"
"...….."
"Think about it, I'll be waiting at the tent" I turned away and walk towards the two annoying idiots fighting again.
"WAAAAAAAAIT!"
"Hmm?" I stopped when I saw the two of them touching my robe, they looked at each other and nodded. I saw the boy sniff and wiped his tears after.
"We will accept your proposal! Please use us!"
"Of course, prepare for departure then."
While at it, Archduke received news from the head butler regarding the rescue operation, he immediately set out an order and instruct one of his knights to inform the central council about the incident.
"Archduke, Sir Leika told me to inform you that no slaves were injured and will transfer to the refuge houses in our area. He also told us to use your name and help them to hide their identities for safety reasons"
"I understand, this is what Cadyssa wants in the first place, proceed with the action, no one knows aside from you and my shadow knights that they exist, keep it until the grave, Rupert."
"I understand my Lord, please excuse me" the head butler bowed down and went out of the office.
A few days have passed, and we have arrived at the castle, good thing that we have at least 2 days left before the important guest appears. Grandfather was at the entrance hall waiting for us, as we approached him, we bowed down with respect and greeted him.
"Grandfather, we have arrived safely."
"My dear, I'm glad you're back" He hugged me after and kissed my cheeks.
"Oh? Who are these two cute children behind you?" He added.
"This is the twins I'm talking about, I'll discuss it with you later."
"Yes, yes, rest well first, you guys went from the long journey, be sure to go to my office once you've done with everything. The maids will assist the others and fetch your baggage with you."
"Yes, Grandfather, I will." I bowed down and went to the stairs with Rebecca.
For some reason, the twins didn't want to get separated from me, they both hugged my arms because they are scared of the maids I told them that it was okay to come with me and prepare instead of the food because we are so hungry from the long trip we had.
As we went inside my room, the two of them were amazed because of how big it is. I instruct Rebecca to prepare a warm for the twins and had them cleaned up. The twins insisted at first, but when they saw me go inside the washroom and sat down on the chair beside the door, they followed me inside and Rebecca started to wash them up, she even prepares clothes for them to wear for today, they keep on looking at me thinking that I will leave them both, how cute.
After a few minutes, we went out of the washroom and proceed to the table with the food that was prepared by the maids, they were so happy because they can finally eat proper food, before they were still a slave, they have been treated badly and given stale leftover foods, some of them were fighting over it. This is making me sick when I think of this story.
I was about to left the room when the twins run towards me and hugged me again, I told them that I need to speak with the Archduke regarding their situation, I saw their faces getting sad and Rebecca comforted the twins after.
As I went out of the room, I immediately proceed to the office, I saw the Archduke drinking tea while reading the reports. He invited me over to the table and instruct the head butler to warm up some tea for me.
"I already report the incident to the Central council, so I will be away for a few days for the meeting, as for your secret, I will not mention you and the others and use the name of my elite knights regarding this, no worries."
"Thank you, Grandfather"
"As for the twins?"
"I will use them as part of my own shadow knights, with Rebecca and Leika as well."
"Those twins have a talent for stealth, one has shadow while the other has a dark element, I would need your shadows to train them if you accept it"
"I see, looks like you need to meet with them soon then"
"No, he's with you right now Grandfather, it's in your shadow"
"....."
"....."
"I'm impressed by how you detect my shadow from Master" As he started to appear out of the Grandfather's shadow, the guy with the black robe suddenly rushed to behind my back with a dagger on my neck.
"Now now, Lokis, she's my granddaughter, return your dagger, you may poison her."
"Hmm. Very well, as my master's order" He returned his dagger to his sheath holder behind and return to the old man's side.
Gladly no one around except me, Grandfather, and the Head butler itself, the old man continued sipping his tea, while this robe guy was still staring at me for no reason.
"This is Lokis, the leader of my Shadow group, one of the secret knights under me, he is well-known for manipulating shadows."
"Grandfather, can you also calm down your other shadows as well, I can sense their auras lurking around me"
"Apologies, my lady, I'll order them to stop and retreat, we should not be existing, to begin with after all. This is the first time that happened so far in our life." As he said that, he bowed down and returned to the old man's shadow.
The environment around me seems to lighten despite the tension I feel a while ago, the Archduke has a total of 27 shadow knights. I didn't mind it at all and continued on with what we left behind.
"Regarding the twins, I'll handle the rest, Cadyssa, we just need to treat their physical and mental state before we train them."
"Yes, Grandfather, thank you."
"As for the rest, I have some gifts for your elite knights to use, this will bring benefits to your army."
I took out a big box that Rebecca left beside me before she left, and showed it to the Archduke. The box contains one Dragon Egg that we got from the rescue mission. At first, Grandfather was surprised to see the egg, because, in his lifetime, he can't believe that thing still exists ever in the past 50 years. Whoever thought that there are a few of them outside the continent.
"Please use these eggs as your source of the companion to them, be sure to train it once it hatched, as far as I know, more than 200 years ago, Dragon beasts are well-known as being loyal to their masters, hence making them the Draco knights in the past. It is now the time to bring them back again, Grandfather"
"There are more of them in the carriage, please distribute them immediately and have a contract with it as well," I added and returned the egg to the box.
"I'll see to it while I can, thank you, my dear, this will help bring up our empire, I can no longer need the assistance from the North" He chuckled.
We continue having our conversation until it reaches dusk, I greeted the Archduke because I need to rest because it was a very tiring day for me. As I was about to return back, the old man mentioned something important to me.
"Oh, by the way, our 'important guest' will arrive in 2 days, please be sure to get ready to greet them."
"Who is this guest you are talking about, Grandfather?"
"Oh, my very young close friend, who lived far right in the east. Archduke Norman Altreise Isolde, son of one of my former companions during the Beast war 30 years ago, together with his eldest boy, Alpin Boris Isolde."