Chapter 29 - Securing the Alliance

The morning was bright in the northern region, with the newly risen sun slowly warming the land that had previously been covered in cold dew. Inside the guild, the atmosphere was a little tense but full of hope, as Raven, Sylvia, and Elara gathered to discuss their next steps after the initial meeting with Lord Adrian.Raven stood in front of a large map hanging on the meeting room wall. He pointed to several areas around Lord Adrian's castle, analyzing strategic locations that could help strengthen their alliance."We have to move quickly to prove to Lord Adrian that we are reliable allies," Raven said firmly. "If we can secure several important areas around his castle, it will show that we have solid strength and strategy."Elara, sitting across the table, nodded in agreement. "Lord Adrian seems to be interested in this alliance. However, he will definitely want to see more proof that we can truly deliver what we promise."Sylvia added, "Perhaps we could offer to secure the trade routes around his castle. There have been reports of attacks from bandits and other criminal groups that often disrupt traders passing through the area."Raven thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. If we can secure the trade routes, it will not only strengthen our position in Lord Adrian's eyes, but also attract more allies from among the merchants and other nobles."Elara nodded, seeming to agree. "I will gather more information about these bandit groups and their areas of operation. We need to know exactly what we are dealing with before we move."While Elara was preparing to start her investigation, Raven realized that this could also be an opportunity to use the new skill he had copied from the Griffon. "System, review my skill status," Raven commanded in his mind.[System] - Raven's Skill Status:Available Skills: Copy Skill: The primary ability to copy skills from infected or defeated targets. Aetherial Dominion: A very powerful energy shield, capable of withstanding massive attacks and protecting the user and allies around them with a wider range.Blade Inferno: A deadly attack that combines speed and the power of fire, creating a firestorm around the user that annihilates all enemies within range. Stealth Network: The ability to build a secret information network without being easily detected, ideal for reconnaissance and covert operations.Aerial Dominance: The ability to control the air, increase speed and agility in the air, and provide tactical advantage in battle.Raven looked at the list of skills he had collected with satisfaction. With the various abilities he possessed, he had the right tools to face any situation. The combination of Shadow Glide and Wind Step into Shadow Step gave him incredible mobility, while Aerial Dominance, the latest skill he had copied from the Griffon, would be very useful for aerial reconnaissance and surprise attacks.Raven realized that Aerial Dominance would be very useful for scouting the area controlled by the bandits. With the ability to control the air and conduct reconnaissance from a height, they could gain information without being detected."Sylvia," said Raven, turning to his partner. "I will use the Aerial Dominance skill to scout the bandit-controlled area from the air. This will give us an advantage in planning a surprise attack that can eliminate them without much resistance."Sylvia nodded, understanding the importance of this step. "I will prepare the team to move as soon as we have enough information."After the preparations were complete, Raven used Aerial Dominance to fly high above the area reported to be the bandits' hideout. From the height, he could see a wider view, noticing small details that might be missed if he were only conducting reconnaissance from the ground.He saw a small group of bandits gathered around a hidden camp in the middle of the forest. They seemed unaware of Raven's presence, observing from above. With his ability, Raven could identify several weak points in their camp's defense - points that they could exploit for a quick and effective attack.Upon returning to the guild, Raven gave a complete report to Elara and Sylvia. "The bandit camp is hidden in the middle of the forest, but they are not very prepared for an air attack. We can use this surprise to our advantage."Elara nodded, satisfied with the results of the reconnaissance. "If we can defeat them quickly, it will be a significant victory for us. It will show Lord Adrian that we are not just adventurers, but also an organized and effective force."Raven agreed. "We will attack them tomorrow morning, while they are still off guard. I will lead the air attack, while Sylvia and the team will attack from the ground to ensure that no one escapes."That night, preparations for the attack were made carefully. Raven, Sylvia, and Elara ensured that every team member understood their role and knew what to do. Raven used the Stealth Network skill to make sure that their plan would not be leaked to outsiders.The next morning, the attack began. Raven launched a surprise attack from the air, using Aerial Dominance to attack the bandits from above. The speed and surprise of the attack caught the bandits off guard, causing panic and confusion among them. Sylvia and her team stormed the camp from the ground, eliminating the remaining bandits.The battle was short but brutal. With careful planning and coordination, the bandit camp was destroyed without much resistance. This victory not only cleared the area of threats but also strengthened the guild's reputation as a force to be reckoned with.When they returned to the guild, they were greeted with cheers and applause from the other adventurers. Raven knew that this was just the beginning. With each victory, they were getting closer to their goal of dominating the northern region and building an unmatched power.As he stood on the guild's balcony that night, watching the stars, Raven felt a sense of satisfaction and determination. He knew that the road ahead would be long and full of challenges, but with Sylvia and Elara by his side, he was confident that they would succeed.