"My Knights are still trying to defend the Southern Border of the Campanian Forest. They plan to extend the lands, but I'm not sure yet. Plus, some bigshot Mages are also causing some harm to the villages there, so my Knights are keeping things in order."
"I see... I appreciate the concern, but my Vigilante has more than enough resources to keep them at bay. I don't plan to fight them until I know who is pulling the strings this time..." answered Raiyen.
"I get the situation now. And since I have a favor to ask from you, Raiyen, I can spare you some of my underlings to help with the issue. How about that?" proposed Phanm, looking right at the Time Mage.
"As I've said, my forces are more than enough to handle them, so I don't need any help. Though I'm still open to hearing what favor you need from such a meaningless being like me," asked Raiyen, yawning.
"You, meaningless being?! The Time Master Raiyen of the Arks... You know you are more infamous among humans compared to the other founders. But I'm not giving you help in the way you think..." retorted Phanm, finishing his tea.
"Then what do you need, and what can you offer me?"
"The Underground Tunnels of the Five Domain. Marquess Dalles failed to use the tunnels to the best of its usage so now I'm using them. Those tunnels link to every crevice of the Domains and are now only being used by my team."
"I think it's the best place for your Vilgilante to move around without causing any problems. And if you'd like, you can trap the Husks in there and fight them without worrying about the civilians. I was part of the intelligent task force of the Campanian Army."
"And I built that place with my good buddies so I can use that place as much as I want. I ask you to teach me some of your tricks with your twin daggers. You inspired me when I was younger, so it'd be like achieving a childhood dream!" explained Phanm with a wide grin.
"Looks like you are someone's 'hero of justice'..." taunted Baldwin, nudging the Time Mage's side.
The Time Mage blinked a few times before sighing.
"Sure... But after the issue with both the Tribe and the Husks is solved. And speaking about the Tribe, I sense the Aura of a Pyromancer here; what's up with that?" agreed Raiyen as he looked upwards.
"Ex-pyromancer. His name is Wald, and he is my best pal. A-"
"The Void Pyromancer that took out the entire stretch of Ulderst in the Urnsfield Domain years ago... Yep, I know about that Mage. I'm surprised that he can control his power now. He may not remember me, but I'll say this: I was the reason why Tomoe vanished from Wald."
Phanm shot up from his seat and finally realized that Tomoe wasn't around despite all of them entering the Old Chapel at once. Raiyen smirked as he snapped his fingers, forcing Tomoe to appear from behind him.
"I managed to find out more about the Tribe's Camp locations and got you these from the errand you forced me to run," replied a very annoyed Kitsune, tossing a letter to Raiyen.
The Time Mage caught it and broke open the wax seal. He scanned through the contents before nodding at Tomoe.
"Wait... I don't get it?" asked Phanm as Ysabeau walked back into the room to announce that dinner was ready.
"Tomoe is my Familiar, and that's why he can randomly vanish without any explanation. Now then, aren't we itching for a proper meal, or do you think cookies would be the night's main meal?" asked Raiyen, proceeding into the dining room.
The remaining males followed while Ysabeau placed the last dish on the table. They had mashed potatoes with duck-based gravy, a large roasted stag with apple sauce, and some sauteed root vegetables tonight.
Since the previous mission, the Pillars were usually at the Orphanage, so the Old Chapel doesn't have an overcrowding of folks. Circe was the only exception since she was needed for this mission and was the first to be at the dining table.
"Where's Wald and Mavislin?" asked Phanm, fearing that his buddy's condition might be worse than he thought.
"Not to worry, both are running late but fine. We can eat first," said Ysabeau beside her husband.
While the few males in the room below were chatting up a storm, Mavislin was busy tending to Wald, who had been placed on her bed.
"You might've let your emotions rule you for too long for the duration of the fight. If you had cooled your head, you might've won Tomoe with only two phases of your Original Spell."