The colony's expedition team started the first phase of their mission. They headed to their designated area of intelligence gathering.
Aurdim and Dumbo traveled to the west, an unknown region of arcane magic.
"I still don't know how we got paired like this," Dumbo complained."Don't question Ruviel's strategy. I don't want to admit it, but he was the best tactician the colony had, aside from his brother," Aurdim replied as they both walked their way through the western region."Well, if he was right, then what was his basis? "asked by Dumbo."I don't want to brag, but in terms of physical strength, I'm at the top of our team, and I can protect a weakling like you from any threats. Aside from that, I've been in the western area many times before. There's a low chance for a strong enemy to encounter the safest place to be for a human like you," Aurdim answered."I know that I'm weak, but hearing it from you, it kind of hurts, you know," Dumbo sadly replied."I'm sorry, my friend, but if you don't want to be weak, you must train hard and learn skills to help you fight," Aurdim said."I know, how about Craig and Melisha? Why did they get paired? "Dumbo asked again."I've told Ruviel about Craig's amazing speed, so he needs a partner who can match his agility. Melisha was the fastest among us. If ever Craig loses his control, I hope she can handle him. Their destination was the Lycan Empire, ruled by the Lycans and also home to the werewolves. They might be strong physically, but they lack speed. If everything goes wrong, our two fastest members can easily escape them," answered Aurdim."How about the captain and Ruviel? "asked by Dumbo."I can't believe you still can't figure it out. The northern area is the most dangerous location; we must deploy our strongest duo there. I know Ruviel strictly told us not to engage in any fight, but if they can't avoid it, I know they'll survive," answered Aurdim."I see, I guess it really makes sense," Dumbo replied.
Finally, they both reached the border; they had to climb a mountain to continue their journey. When they were at the top, they saw the whole west side; it was full of ruins—ruins of the past. However, the sun sets there, and it was wonderful.
"Igdris, had a sun? "Dumbo confusingly said."Unknown to all, as you can see, we had a sun. A sun that never sets. It was still a mystery, but it made sense. Although the Igdris was filled with darkness, plants and any living things that needed sunlight still grew healthy," Aurdim explained."How could that be? Plants need direct sunlight, right? "Dumbo asked again."Right, we have a theory that the sun can reach everything on Igdris. Direct sunlight won't be needed," Aurdim answered."That's amazing; I guess the creator didn't exile everyone here out of hatred. He made sure everyone here could still live their lives in peace," Dumbo said."Maybe yes, maybe not," Aurdim replied.
They continued traversing the mountain, heading straight to the mysterious west region.
At Lycan Empire, Craig and Melisha had already arrived and started gathering information. They wore cloaks with hoods as a cover. They were at a bar, trying to talk to the bartender, who might give them something.
"Give us your best liquor," Melisha told the bartender as she handed a couple of coins, a lycan currency."You'll have it, maam," the bartender answered."Is this really the time to get drunk? "asked by Craig."No, but we'll get something here; you'll see," answered Melisha."Here's your drink; enjoy," the bartender said as he gave them their liquor."It looks like everyone was a bit tensed here; what happened? "Melisha asked the bartender."You didn't know? Kharzu, the fang of destruction, was held in prison by the emperor. He was quite famous here, and almost everyone looked up to him. The thing is, no one knows why he was locked up, so some of them made assumptions," the bartender answered."Such as? "Melisha asked again."Who are you people? You're not from here, aren't you? "The bartender asked them out of suspicion."We're from the Horkhun Tribe, visiting a distant relative here in the capital," Melisha answered."I see, but I can't answer your questions. It might put me in trouble," the bartender said."How about another drink? "Melisha asked the bartender as she handed another payment for their drinks, with a huge amount of tip."Ehem, on the other hand, theories are not exactly true, so I might tell you some of them," the bartender said as he prepared their drinks. "One of the rumor was that the emperor was threatened by Kharzu's influence. If a lot of people recommend him, Kharzu can challenge the emperor for the throne," he added."I see, so you mean the emperor imprisoned him without any reason? "asked again by Melisha."People assumed that Kharzu really wanted the throne, so he sacrificed his son to get a lot of sympathy," the bartender said."That's horrible," Melisha said as she drank her drink."Indeed, but the worst humor of all is that Kharzu became insane. According to some people, someone heard him in jail shouting about the blade," the bartender said."The blade? "asked by Melisha."You didn't know that? "The bartender suspiciously asked Melisha."I have heard of it, but I don't believe it," Melisha reasoned out."I see. Well, you're not alone. A lot of people have already forgotten about that prophecy—the blade that will kill us all," the bartender said."That's absurd; our race strives harder than anyone else could. A mere blade cannot end us," Melisha said, like she was really one of them."Exactly. You know what? I like you. Your next drink is on the house. Enjoy yourself," the bartender said."Thanks," Melisha replied, and then the bartender went to serve other customers."He was hitting on you," Craig told Melisha as he continued drinking."I can't blame him," Melisha replied.
They both finished their drinks and left the bar.
Meanwhile, Sharlock and Ruviel stealthily entered the northern area, also known as the Dark Realm. Creatures that wanted to stay hidden lurk here, like the cyclopes.
"Captain, do we really need to go deep in this area? "Ruviel asked."Don't ask questions for which you already know the answer," Sharlock answered."I'm sorry, I'm just quite nervous; this is the most dangerous place to go, but I can't let any of them wander around here, so here we are," Ruviel replied."I always trust your judgment; if anything goes wrong, I know you'll have my back, right? "Sharlock said."Yes, captain," Ruviel responded.
As they walked deeply, they heard strange voices, so they tracked their location. It was a group of ghouls. They're talking about something, so Sharlock and Ruviel eavesdropped. Suddenly they felt something above the sky; it was a scout hawk; it belonged to Serefin the Calamity. Ruviel used his invisibility spell to hide their presence. It's a great way of concealing them, but they can't move when it's in effect. Later on, the hawk got away. Ruviel lifted his spell, and they moved out.
"Let's retreat; I think we already have what we need," Sharlock said as both of them walked away from the group of ghouls location."I agree; we can use it against them," Ruviel responded.
Both of them decided to go to their rendezvous.
Meanwhile, Melisha and Craig were still gathering information on the Lycan Empire. They went to a market, and Melisha bought a goat.
"So where are we going now? "Craig asked Melisha."We'll meet someone who can confirm those rumors," Melisha answered. They're walking to their next location, and then Craig looks at Melisha's goat."Why bought a goat? "asked again by Craig."You'll see," answered Melisha. When they reached an empty alley, Melisha bit the goat's neck and sucked its blood."I almost forgot; I'm with a vampire," Craig told himself."Well, that's refreshing. We really can't handle a lot of alcohol, so we must stay hydrated with fresh blood," Melisha said."Are we done here? "Craig asked."I think so; let's go," Melisha answered.
They went through an underground canal until they saw a strange door at the end of it. They walked inside and saw Gaurdon waiting for them.
"What took you so long? "Gaurdon asked."We grabbed a couple of drinks on the way here, then listened to birds singing," Melisha answered."And what did they sing? "asked by Gaurdon."It's about an animal trapped in a room. Crying for freedom, fearing a sword," Melisha responded."I see, our people were confused. The emperor must address this as soon as possible," Gaurdon said. "Who's with you? ," he added as he looked at Craig."Don't mind him; he's just a bodyguard. You know, our elder's priority is my safety," Melisha answered."Since when did a mere human protect a highly skilled vampire like you? "asked by Gaurdon."You still haven't changed; your sense of smell is really sharp," Melisha replied."Have a seat." Gaurdon invited them. "So he'll listen to us? ," he added, referring to Craig."Yes, you'll not believe it, but what I'm about to say is that this man was involved," Melisha answered."I see, then let's proceed," Gaurdon said.
Melisha told Gaurdon everything they knew about the witch queen. She also mentioned that their new elder awakened and their plan on slaying the witch queen."So Ruvinov is your new leader now, huh? Our emperor would be disappointed to hear this. He was expecting Alucard, or Dimitri," Gaurdon said."Yeah, it would be great if one of them could lead us under these circumstances. However, we can rely on Lord Ruvinov's talent as a tactician to win this war," Melisha replied."You're right; if it weren't for Ruvinov, we'd have defeated your colony a long time ago," Gaurdon responded. Melisha just smiled, like she remembered their battle in the past."So what are you going to do about your empire's affairs? Melisha asked."I don't know; the emperor has something on his mind, but I doubt if it was the best option," Gaurdon answered."Is it possible for us to form an alliance in the future? "Melisha asked again."If it's up to me, I'll gladly help you out. But my loyalty is with the emperor; his decision will be my judgment," Gaurdon answered."I see. I hope we can find ourselves on the same side someday. Thank you for your time," Melisha replied."Same, take care. Please leave the empire immediately. Our people somewhat still believe in the blade. If they happened to see your friend, you would be in danger," Gaurdon warned them. Melisha just nodded at him, and then they walked their way out of the room."I'm on their prophecy? "Craig asked Melisha."Don't mind him; that's not true," Melisha answered.
They both decided to go back to the colony, straight to the Hidden Falls camp.
Concurrently, Aurdim and Dumbo are still wandering around the western region. They've passed some ruins, the wreckage of battles, and the skeletons of many creatures.
"What can we get here? There's literally no one that can give us information here," Dumbo annoyingly said."Great things come for those who wait, my friend. Just be patient, and I know we can find something worth it." Aurdim responded with optimism."I'm tired; why don't we just sit for a moment?" Dumbo said as he sat on a stone, then it suddenly moved. The whole area collapsed, and they fell deep underground.
Luckily, they fell into the water, so they were not hurt too much. They saw a strange light not far from where they fell. Both of them swam closer to the light.
"It's a portal," Dumbo said."It is? "Aurdim suspiciously asked."Yes, it is. It's the same as the one that brought me here," Dumbo said, then he tried to touch the portal."Touch that, and you'll be dead," an unfamiliar voice said."Who are you? "Aurdim asked as he prepared himself for anything that might happen, and then a man appeared out of nowhere."That is indeed a portal, but the other side was unknown." The man walked closer to the portal and threw a rock on it. The rock didn't go through it; instead, it bounced back and was smashed into pieces."Woahh, that's dangerous," Dumbo said."It's rare for me to see a vampire and a human wandering around this area. Are you searching for something? Or someone, perhaps? "The man asked them."Our intentions were none of your business," Aurdim answered."They've said vampires are cold-hearted. I can't believe that it's true. If you keep on walking this region without a clear path, you'll always end up with traps like this," the man replied."Maybe he could help us if we'll tell him what we are searching," Dumbo whispered to Aurdim."Or he could kill us both," Aurdim responded."If I want you dead, I should have killed you already," the man said."You have an amazing ear for a. . Wait, who are you really? "Aurdim asked."I am Eulastaz Maxim," the man answered."Eulastaz Maxim?! The Dark Majesty?! "Aurdim uttered it out of shock."Dark Majesty? What's that? "Dumbo asked."He was dangerous; he tried to take down the nameless several times. He almost succeeded once, but the queen's subordinate sealed him," Aurdim answered."If he was sealed, then why he is here with us? "Dumbo asked again."Sealed is a bit exaggerated; more like they exiled me and took my right as a member of their race. I can't say I'm a warlock, mage, or sorcerer; that's why I'm exempted from the equilibrium law," Eulastaz explained."Then what are you now? "Dumbo asked."I don't know, but I belong here, in the Arcane Region. I'm still trying to figure out all the mysteries here. It could take me some time to learn everything, but I have all that time," Eulastaz said."Let's go, Dumbo; we want nothing to do with him," Aurdim uttered in a hurry."If you ever change your mind, I'm at the highest peak of this area. I'm waiting for someone to talk to," Eulastaz said.
They searched their way up from the trap until they finally made it out.
"Where should we go next? "Dumbo asked Aurdim."I think we should head to our meeting place right now," Aurdim answered."But we haven't got anything yet," Dumbo insisted."Yeah, but we must retreat now, since one formidable foe was lurking here," Aurdim responded."If you say so," Dumbo said.
Now, all of them are headed towards their rendesvouz. They just need to share the information they've gathered and plan their next phase.