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Autumndusk, The COU Castles, Time: 8:45 AM
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The Grand Director of the Congregation of Unity, Asmon, holds immense political and leadership influence in Gaia. He discovered The COU Foundation over 35 years ago, managing all the empires under his purview.
"Bada, would you mind grabbing the folders 'GP-1'?" Asmon asks his son, his pride and joy.
"Yes, fathers." Bada goes to his father's table, finds the folders, and hands them over.
"Hehe, reminds me of you when you were a little sprout back then," Asmon says nostalgically, causing a faint blush of embarrassment in Bada.
"Now then, let's get down to business." Asmon browses the folder to find a particular picture.
"Tea, Father?" Bada asks, preparing the kettle.
"Only green tea, just like how your mother makes it," Asmon stated he misses her, wishing that she could see them right now.
After 5 minutes, Bada finishes with the tea. It had a beautiful green coloring, almost the perfect green tea a person could see.
"Thank you so much, son." Asmon drinks it, feeling refreshed.
"Ah~ Nothing more refreshing that I could ask for." Asmon then remembers, "What was I talking about again, Bada?" Bada points at the folder in his father's hand.
"Ah, right, here." The picture shows GP soldiers trying to steal an elf child from its mother.
"Is that all you have to show me, father?" Bada isn't surprised by racism against other races, but he can't believe that Gray Phoenix would kidnap a child. He wishes for equality but understands the harsh reality of the world.
"There's more." Asmon displays another photo. Bada looks at the second picture, feeling sorrow for the child forced to work.
"How shall I deal with this matter, fathers?" Bada asks, ready for the missions he'll be given.
"I want you to go investigate their HQ if these were true. You have permission to destroy the HQ if it turns out correct." Asmon orders, walking back to his desk. "Children cannot be tormented and used for this."
"I understand. I shall be heading my way with my teams now, fathers." Bada says, preparing to leave the room for his mission.
"Thank you for doing this, Bada. I'm proud of you." Asmon smiles, sitting back down.
"It's no problem. I am simply doing my job," Bada says as he leaves.
"...He gave me this position so I can live up to him," Bada walks down the hallways, pondering. "Then I will ensure this world is saved just like what he wanted." As captain of the Arch Sentinels, he vows to live up to his idol's expectations.
In the unisex hot spring, everyone relaxed, giving massages, chatting, or simply leaning back to unwind.
Bada slid open the wooden doors, "Team, we need to go to Ulvala. You have 10 minutes to prepare."
Groans echoed through the area, "Well, that was a quick 15-minute break. Let's get going, everyone." Eddie ordered, and they all headed to their respective gender lockers, returning dressed in their black suits.
Outside the hot spring, Bada patiently waited for his team to prepare, "Team, there's a report that Gray Phoenix has been involved in illegal child labor and kidnapping behind our backs. As the COU, we can't let this matter slip through our hands. Understand?"
They all saluted and responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Following their leader, Bada, they set out with their objective in mind, ensuring peace in the world.
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Ulvala, Outskirts of Yoshos Empire, Time: 9:00 AM
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"Hah, I'm tired. Can we settle down for a bit?" Koras asked, guiding tirelessly since the journey began.
"Well, consider this your punishment for what you did to us yesterday," Mianne said, attempting an evil chuckle but ending up with cute laughter.
Koras sighed, feeling like Sisyphus pushing a boulder. Everyone remained silent, focused on the bigger issue: ambush.
Suddenly, James noticed something in the forest, "What was..." He saw something with vibrant colors. Eyes drawn to it, James checked it out without informing anyone. The others were unaware of his disappearance.
Wandering, James searched for the source of pretty colors. Despite enemy territory, he appreciated the flowers and flowerbeds. "Feels like home..."
"Woah! A bunny!" James exclaimed, spotting a white rabbit.
Intrigued, he followed, "Come back, bun bun!" The white rabbit darted away, and James eagerly pursued. The chase led to a golden merchant's wagon filled with items and gadgets.
"WOOOAH!" James couldn't believe it. Stars in his eyes, he checked the wagon, finding a familiar face.
The man was asleep with a newspaper on his face, and spiky messy blue hair blowing in the breeze. "Zzz..."
James decided on the mature thing: yelling to wake him up.
"EXCUSE ME??!!" James yelled, startling the man.
"Who the hell?!" The man yelled, grabbing the front bars, and quickly rising.
"God, you scare me, kid. Try to wake up people normally." The man complained. Greeting his customers, the man was Sugar, unbeknownst to James.
"Welcome to The Golden Captain! I hope you find what you're looking for!" Sugar exclaimed. James was in awe, seeing a plethora of items.
"D-D-Do you have everything?!" James stammered. He wasn't sure if he was hearing it right.
"YES! Everything," Sugar answered. James' childlike attitude amused Sugar enough not to be mad at him.
Something caught James' attention: a glowing stone with a strange symbol. He pointed at it,
"C- Can I get that? In the back!" James exclaimed.
"Oh, that? Sure thing!" Sugar exclaimed. Now it's time for his scam.
"H-H-How much is it?" James stammered.
"1400 Coins. But, just for you, 50% off your first time," Sugar said, extending his hand for the gold.
James hesitated with 950 coins left, the angel on his side saying, "Don't do it, James! Save up for your team."
The devil urged, "Buy it and match with Mianne."
"Deal!" James exclaimed, offering 700 coins. Completely abandons his morals.
"Glad we could do business, kiddo," Sugar replied. 'Hehe, sucky...' Sugar finally got his sale ever since he arrived.
A voice yelled out for James, "Jamie! Where are you?"
"Oh, that's my team. Thank you; I'll visit again," James ran back to his team.
"Have a safe trip!" Sugar called, "Heh, gullible as ever, James," Sugar said, counting the coins, "First scam of today and it's the rising star himself."
James emerged from the forest, a bit sweaty from running, "Phew, jeez. I had to circle 7 trees." He realized he had been ahead of them.
"Jamie! Where were you?! I was worried sick!" Mianne exclaimed, checking James for any damages.
"I got a little lost and distracted by a bunny," James nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his head,
"Please, don't scare us like that again." Mianne was relieved that Jame was okay.
"Yeah, don't ever walk off like that again. We're almost near our destination." Though upset, Koras acknowledged they were almost there. Ezra, the observant one, noticed Koras clenching his fists but didn't say anything.
Koras pointed to stone stairs leading up the mountain, announcing, "Over there, this is the final point before we reach it." He continued pointing upwards, revealing a magnificent red dark brick tower, the headquarters of Gray Phoenix.
"It's that tall?!"
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