Moonlight shohrough the clouds, the cold breeze wafting all throughout as the leaves aals joined hands, rustling and dang in the wind, a beautiful and fragrant symphony spreading all throughout the night.
The owls hooted, the lizards slithered across the walls, the noal is moved all over the garden, and the fishes jumped out of the water, ripples f all across the pond as the gearlight scattered all throughout its surface.
What a beautiful and endearing night it was, a sweet meling from the city as the final bells rang and the orchestra of lights started popping off left and right, homes lighting up and bg out as people headed towards dreamnd.
"Sorry for the sudden summon, Yhnesses. His Majesty does not mean any ill will about this. I hope you uand." ［Dougs］
"No you don't o apologize. We weren't sleeping anyways. Rather, we were actually waiting for your answer." ［Grey］
"Hahaha. So you already knew how it would turn out from the very beginning, huh... We really are not a match for you." ［Dougs］
"Well, for matters like these it's better to ha as quickly as we . The sooner we this mess up, the better. Don't you think so too, Sir Dougs?" ［Grey］
"... Absolutely, Yhness. You are absolutely right." ［Dougs］
Their words were calm like the passing winds, and so were the ess of their eyes. Deep ihere were swirls of ive emotions ready to explode, deep rese rooting in towards the trash who still call themselves humans.
They tio walk down the cold corridors, their steps resonating throughout the halls and their hearts burning with determinatiing stronger and stronger by the sed, powerful enough to swallow up the waxing moon.
It didn't take long before they arrived at the meeting room, not a single o be heard. They soon took their steps inside, however, unlike before, there were no formal annous, everyone simply greeting them with curious gazes.
"So they were the ones whht the evidence..."
"They look youhan I imagined... How absurd..."
"To think Alfrione has these two... What a frightening bination..."
Whispers and murmurs spread throughout the meeting room like wildfire, everyoalking about Grey and Yuna, them closely and giving their initial remarks, some eyes filled with doubt, some with intrigue, and some with fusion.
It was no wohat not a single sound could be heard outside. It seems like there is also a barrier erected throughout the meeting room to allow sounds from entering, but prevent them from esg. It was fasating.
But perhaps what's even more fasating was the line-up of people ihe room. There weren't just Humans, but Elves, Therianthropes, and even a Saureid present. It was pletely different from the et of nobility Grey and Yuna had seen before.
And amongst the people present, three figures stood out the most. One of them was a woman whose red hair and red eyes glimmered like fmes. The other was another woman who had small, fluffy ears and a simirly long and fluffy ear. Lastly, there was a gentleman wearing a silver mohey all seemed to be in their early twenties...
??Appraisal?? ［Grey］
-----------------------------------
[Salferine]
[Name]thia til Shaleburg
[Race]Human
[Sex]Female
[Age]54
[Status]Healthy
[Mana Capacity]3,229 [Mana Quality]A
[bat Power]6,281 [Threat Level]S
[Attribute]Fire [Magic Proficy]Advanced (83%)
[Css]Lancer [on Proficy]Advanced (77%)
[Physical Enha]79%
[Ability]Split Fire (4☆)
-----------------------------------
[Salferine]
[Name]Johann til Larsmede
[Race]Human
[Sex]Male
[Age]38
[Status]Healthy
[Mana Capacity]1,402 [Mana Quality]C
[bat Power]1,891 [Threat Level]B
[Attribute]Lightning [Magic Proficy]High (57%)
[Css]Ravager [on Proficy]High (58%)
[Physical Enha]61%
[Ability]Fsh Step (3☆)
-----------------------------------
[Salferine]
[Name]Callisto til Ladelde
[Race]Therianthrope (Mink Tribe)
[Sex]Female
[Age]35
[Status]Healthy
[Mana Capacity]1,415 [Mana Quality]C
[bat Power]1,944 [Threat Level]B
[Attribute]Earth [Magic Proficy]High (64%)
[Css]Python [on Proficy]High (54%)
[Physical Enha]60%
[Ability]Bck Rock (3☆)
-----------------------------------
... However, such couldn't be further from the truth. Fet about being in their early twenties, one of them was even in her fifties already, still looking young without a single lock of white in her crimson red hair.
They were all High-Rankers, of which, the red-haired dy was the General, and the other two were the Lt. Generals. They were powerhouses who were the core of the Civil War before, Callist as an adventurer before being a tess.
"Everyohese are Lrey and Lady Yuna. Please wele them." ［Philip］
"Greetings, Yhnesses. We've heard from you from His Majesty,"
"Yhnesses, let me express my gratitude for everything you've dohis will be a great help for the Kingdom of Aldengard."
Following the King's words, everybody greeted Grey and Yuna in their ways. Some weled them with a warm greeting, some expressed their gratitude, and some of them only bowing in silence. Eae olite and respectful.
"Yes, it's also our pleasure to meet such distinguished figures. We'll be in your care moving forwards for this operation." ［Grey］
"We hope to work well with you, everyone. We may be a bit g in delicacy, but I hope we make up for it with our ability." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. If it's ability we're talking about, then there's o worry about it. With Lrey and Lady Yuna by our side, we couldn't be any more relieved." ［Philip］
There was o say more. As soon as the King gave his words, Grey and Yuhen to their seats, seated tral to the meeting table, o the King, to show just how important they are to the operation. However...
"Umm... Your Majesty... The table..." ［Yuna］
"Ah, I apologize for that..." ［Philip］
... The table it was was pletely broken, split in half and now lying on the floor. It was all because of the King's ret outburst, everyone feeling awkward as soon as Yuna poi out, the King feeling especially so.
"Haah... We use these as dining tables, so I hope you don't get too offended. But I up the table here, Your Majesty?" ［Grey］
"Ah, yes... Please do, Lrey." ［Philip］
"Then... If you would excuse me..." ［Grey］
However, there was o fret. With the King's permission, Grey then took away the broken table and repced it with a dining tableー no, dining tables, two of them. The meeting table was quite long, after all, so there was a o improvise.
Thankfully, Grey and Yuna's dining tables aren't too shabby, rather, they were quite fancy. After all, they also use it to serve Nobility and Royalty alike whehey are having some snacks together. It looked rather fitting for the meeting room, actually.
With the table situation now over, everyohen proceeded to pce the dots and important materials atop of it, handing each other some dots to look at and use as refere finally looked like a real meeting.
"Ahem! I apologize for the dey, but let us resume our meeting." ［Philip］
"Excuse me, Your Majesty. We arrived ter thahers, shouldn't we have a short briefing first to catch up?" ［Yuna］
"Don't worry, Lady Yuna. Other than reviewing the reports, we have yet to discuss the specifics of the pn. retty much just started." ［Dougs］
"I see... Then I apologize for intervening. Please proceed, Your Majesty," ［Yuna］
"Yes... As I was saying..." ［Philip］
The King started his discussion and everyone listeo his words. He soon gave a quick briefing of Grey and Yuna's reports, the scattered results of the iigations of the kingdoms, and their main goals for the uping days ahead of them.
The meeting was then divided into 4 main pilrs. The first one was the trial of the Duke. The sed one was dealing with the anizations and families ected to the Duke. The third was about the enemies' firepower. And stly, the most important one, was about how to minimize the damage.
They have already decided to go in an all-out war against the Duke and his forces, however, that doesn't mean they are willing to sacrifice the i citizens. The whole point of the operation was to save them. It would be useless if the operation itself were the o them harm.
"About the first agenda... We already have evidend a cause, and I do think that it is more than enough, however... I think having a good witness would make quite a big differe would be even more ving." ［thia］
"The General is right, Your Majesty. I think someone close to the Duke would be eveer. Perhaps we make the Duchess testify?" ［Callisto］
"That's useless, Callisto. We know how much the Duchess loves her family. Even if it means her death, she wouldn't bend her knees." ［thia］
"That's true... This is really troubling indeed..." ［Callisto］
At the General and Lt. General's words everyone was quickly put into deep thought about who they could put in as a witness. They already have a couple figures in mind, but none of which couldly be sidered close to the Duke.
Only four people had different expressions from the others. Two of them were Grey and Yuna who doesn't have an inkling who is who. And the other two were the King and the Captain of the Royal Guards, smiles across their faces.
"If it's a witness. There is o worry about them. We have already secured ourselves a secret on which will ehe Duke's downfall." ［Philip］
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" ［Callisto］
"That... You'll have to wait until the trial..." ［Philip］
The King didn't say any more than that, soon keeping his mouth closed and moving on to aopic. However, seeing the fidence he exudes, not a single person in the room doubted him, blindly trusting his judgement.
After that, they discussed for a couple more minutes about the specifics of the trials and how it should be ducted. It was the easiest amongst the 4 main topics, then moving on to the sed one soon after, the most troublesome one.
"Here is the list of the houses and anizations which are w and could be w for the Duke. Please review them carefully." ［Philip］
This time, they are discussing how to deal with the nobles and anizatioed to the Duke, and how exactly they could them up as soon as possible without arming the Duke of what is happening right under his nose.
"We don't kly how many of them are truly reted to the Duke's schemes, however, I have already decided on how to deal with them." ［Philip］
"And that is...." ［thia］
"Well, since we don't know whie of them is our enemy, the's raid them all and see for ourselves which side they stand on. We will destroy them if needed be," ［Philip］
Annouhe King with a cold tinge of fiden his voice, shog all his loyal retainers and making them open their eyes wide in shock. Who wouldn't be? After all, there are well over a hundred of them listed in the page.
"Your Majesty, that is far too reckless! Even if we successfully aplish that, we would surely lose a rge portion of our military power! That's absurd!" ［thia］
"I uand where you're ing from, thia, and I know no sane person would sider such a thought. I was also hesitant at first." ［Philip］
"Then why are we proceeding with this pn?!" ［thia］
"That's because Lrey and Lady Yuna are here." ［Philip］
The King only had to say such words and everyone became quiet soon after. They all looked at the silent pair with nervous eyes, and thought they were hesitant to admit it, the King was absolutely right in making their decision.
Usually, it would take at least a couple hundred people to perform a raid, however, High-Rankers are a pletely differe, able to handle all sorts of difficulties all by themselves. Just their presence alone ged the whole course of the pn.
"Of course, that is only if Lrey and Lady Yuna agree to do so." ［Philip］
"No... Worry not, Your Majesty. We already came here with the resolve to give it our all. Please don't hold yourselves back when it es to our help," ［Grey］
"That's a great relief.... We will be relying on you then, Lrey, Lady Yuna." ［Philip］
After everything was settled, they then discussed what to do with the spies lurking in the Royal Castle. Grey already firmed it, and thankfully, none of the ones present are on the Duke's side. However, the problem still stands.
For which, they have decided to deploy a blindfold tactid distract the Duke of what is happening. By now, it should have already reached his ears that they are having a loing, so he should already be suspicious.
They will the to their advantage a up even more often, start training the knights and soldiers, buying neons and equipment, making it seem that they are preparing for a war. They were as which would surely alert the enemies.
And while the enemies are focused on the surface, they will then start ing up the mess below, as swiftly as possible, making sure to finish everything before the Duke's eyes could even notice that something was off.
"This is an important operation. your men ha, Johann?" ［Philip］
"Leave it to us, Your Majesty." ［Johann］
Of course, it would certainly be suspicious if the reports suddenly stopped ing in. For that, the King had prepared a group of knights specializing in imitating someoo tinuously ses to the Duke whilst they undergo their operations,
For the leaders of the anizations and nobles which would be caught ter, some of them will be executed immediately whilst the useful ones will be used as wito testify against the Duke during his trial.
With that, they then moved on to the third topic, how to deal with the Duke's military power. While it is clearly inferior to theirs, it was still better to create a few pns to make sure nothing goes wrong in the off ething ued happens.
"The Duke's best fighters are the A-rank merary and those two traitors, right? Si's just an A-ranker and 2 B-rankers, it shouldn't be too difficult." ［Johann］
"That's true... And with Lrey and Lady Yuna here, it shouldn't be a problem even if they have something up their sleeves." ［Callisto］
"I agree... I think there's o fret for now." ［Dougs］
As one would expect, the whole decision was greatly affected by Grey and Yuna's presence. Just because of them, everyo more fident about the operatio i or direct flict, it was obvious who would e out on top.
However, there were still some who had doubts in their hearts whether they could truly rely on Grey and Yuna. Whilst some are curious about how powerful the two of them really were. They were emotions which could very well affect the whole pn.
"Lrey, Lady Yuna, if you would please." ［Philip］
And to bat such doubts, the King had already prepared a pauge to prove to everyone whether Grey and Yuna really were who they thought they were. It wasn't just a normal pauge but one of the few treasures of the Royal Family.
"I know this behavior is inexcusable for us, however, it is also to reassure everyone present here. If you want, we use tract magic to keep everything ihis room a secret. I will offer up my life if need be." ［Philip］
"Your Majesty...! Please think about this thhly!"
"That's right, Your Majesty! There's o go this far!"
An uproar quickly erupted as soon as the King gave their words to Grey and Yuna, high stakes on both sides. On the King's side was his life, and for the other two was the risk of making their lives even more difficult than it already is.
Of course, the whole meeting room would be in an uproar, everyorying to ge the King's mind, all to no avail. The King had already steeled his heart and his eyes were stern and adamant. There was no ging his mind, stubborn as be.
"Haah... You shouldn't take your life so lightly, Your Majesty. We already told you we'll do whatever it takes to destroy the enemy. This much is no problem." ［Grey］
"Grey's right. It will all be revealed sooner or ter anyway. Though our life may bee troublesome sooner or ter, I don't think it's much of a price to pay for the lives of the Kingdom's citizens." ［Yuna］
"Your Majesty's words are already enough for us." ［Grey］
Though, iy, all such ruckus and excessiveness were unnecessary. Grey and Yuna had already resolved themselves at least that much. Plus, they had already ascertaihat everyone in the room was trustworthy.
Well, even if some of them were bbbermouths, with their status, there was no way they would reveal it when they know they might risk being enemies of them. No one wants their house wiped out just because they couldn't keep their mouths shut.
To demonstrate, the General pced her hand on the orb and as soon as she did, it immediately started growing brightly. a couple of numbers soon showing up on the orb. It was 6,281... Just like Grey's appraisal. It didn't even take a minute.
"Then, I'll go first." ［Yuna］
The first oo pce her hands on the Pauge was her than Yuna, the rowing brighter than the moon and too blinding. It was even brighter than the General's light, only stopping after a while. As for the results...
"17,243... That is Camity-Css... Does this even make any sense...?" ［Johann］
"So Dougs was right... Hahaha... What a surprise..." ［Callisto］
Everyone was asto the result, some even so speechless, they couldn't even say a single word. Even the King and the Captain of the Royal Guards, who already knew beforehand, were surprised, hearts shaken quite a bit.
However, there was no time for such things. As soon as Yuna was over, it was now Grey's turn. He quickly pced his hands over the Pauge, and like Yuna before him, it also started to glow. The brightness swallowed up the whole room, numbers climbing quickly as if there was no tomorrow.
As for the result... It was 29,392... A measurement so huge, they couldn't even utter a single sound after seeing it. They had already braced themselves for the results, but it was futile. Frey was not Camity-Css... He was a Disaster-Css Ranker...
"L... Lrey... No, Emperrey... How old are you again?" ［Philip］
"I'll be turning 20 in a couple months. As for Yuna, she just turned 18ー ht, and I almost fot to mention. We also have 10 familiars who'll be participating with us during the operation. So please don't be too surprised." ［Grey］
"Familiars... 10 of them... No, Your Imperial Majesty, I don't mean any disrespect, but wouldn't it be a problem with their rge figures?" ［Philip］
"Don't worry, we have a way to go about that. And while I'm at it, I'll also mention that one of them is Disaster-Css, and the other 9 are Camity-Css. Don't worry, they are very tame, so there's o be scared of them." ［Grey］
"Un! They're actually really cute! I'm sure everything will be fine!" ［Yuna］
"I.. I see... Hahaha... That is reassuring... Yes, truly reassuring..." ［Philip］
The King could only mumble under his breath as he said such words, truly surprised about the words the two just uttered ever so casually. It wasn't just him, everyone ihe room was utterly fbbergasted about them.
They weren't even 20 years of age, yet they already achieved such great feats. Now, Grey is already part of the top 3 most powerful people in the world, and Yuna ranking amongst the top 10. With their familiars, they are no doubt, the stro party,
They didn't dwell on the shoy further, and some even tried thinking it was all just an absurd dream. They soon moved on to the final and most important topic, making sure everything erfectー or at least, they were going to.
"Ah, for the safety of the citizens, just leave it to us. We might need some assistance from the Kingdom, so we hope you respond wheime es." ［Grey］
"Un! We'll make sure no one is hurt! You all rest assured!" ［Yuna］
"Ah, yes... We'll leave it to you..." ［Philip］
But Grey and Yuna suddenly came in with such a proposal with a burst of fidence blooming on their face. They seemed to already have a pn in mind, not one of the people present objeg against them.
There were some inds who dared to ask what their pn was, however, they were quickly silenced as soon as the two started expining. All their methods were nothing short of absurd, yet strangely enough, they were effective.
No one questiohe two after which, and the meeting tinued on smoothly like such. After a couple of polishing and improvements here and there, the meeting was soon over, everyone sooing the meeting room, only a few figures remaining.
"I truly apologize for the invenience we've brought you, Emperrey, Queen Yuna. I hope we aren't burdening you terribly." ［Philip］
"Don't worry about it. We volunteered on our volition, anyway. There's really o feel bad about it, Your Majesty." ［Grey］
"Un! Whatever happens will be all on us." ［Yuna］
"I see... I'm happy that you uand. Once again, I give you my utmost and si gratitude. Please don't hesitate if you ever need something." ［Philip］
"Hahaha. We'll t on you wheime es. Then, we'll be taking our leave now, Your Majesty. We'll be resigning to our room." ［Grey］
With everything over, there was o stay any lohey have been through all sorts of things throughout the whole day, and they are now quite tired. They soon took their exit, heading out of the room.
"ht. And please just address us 'Grey' and 'Yuna', Your Majesty. We aren't really fond of formalities. It's a little tiring." ［Grey］
But before they did, their steps suddenly halted by the doorsteps, taking their time to remind the King of something a little silly. It doesn't really matter much, but it has been b them ever sihey just had to say it.
"Hahaha. I see... Grey and Yuna it is then." ［Philip］
"Fufufu! Then, we'll really take our leave now, Your Majesty. Good night～!" ［Yuna］
"Yes. I bid you a wonderful night." ［Philip］
The night drags on....
CHAPTER 422 END
