96.2. Siege
The first hours of war were uneventful. Nothing happened apart from a group of hooded individuals taking away the dead assassins from the morning. Apparently, this group cared about the casualties they suffered enough to remove their bodies. Or perhaps they were looking to retrieve any kind of artifact that might have been kept by the dead.
A few Valiant Dreamers had wanted to loot the corpses, but Baris forbade them from doing so. It could have been a trap. Maybe the bodies were rigged to explode. There was a plethora of possibilities, and it was only by erring on the side of caution during war would victory be best assured.
Edithe had a summoning circle prepared, to summon Druma as soon as it was necessary. Mistshard was already by her side— which was only slightly draining to her mana pool. Having two Spirits with her at the same time was a little more difficult to maintain, but Edithe believed she could manage it for a week— with some mana potions— if necessary.
There was no reason for that, however. So instead, she spoke with Mistshard who was flapping her wings slowly, almost like it had some kind of [Slowness] effect on them.
“Your contract is ending soon, Mistshard. In a month, if memory serves me right.”
“You are almost correct, master. The contract ends in just over two weeks. Do you wish to renew it?”
The [Elemental] replied simply. She was not at all concerned with the same things Edithe was; all that mattered to her was fulfilling her duties and carrying out her job as a servant of the Spirit Lord.
Edithe shook her head.
“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that you only have less than a month left with me and our company is caught up in a war. What could be potentially a very deadly war. One where either of us dies.”
“If it comes to that, I will fight to ensure you do not die.”
“But that’s my point exactly.”
Sitting down on a chair with her gaze fixed to a nearby window, Edithe felt words coming from her mouth— words that carried all the fear and uncertainty within her.
“You could die, Mistshard. So close to the end of your contract, you could lose your life. All because of stupid Human things. Wouldn’t you prefer to end the contract now?”
Mistshard turned a sidelong glance to Edithe. Her head did not move, although her eyes were wholly focused on her master— almost like a hawk staring at its prey.
“You are starting to sound like Salvos, master.”
“What?”
Edithe was taken aback, not expecting that reply. She realized her word choice… might have been slightly influenced by the Demon there. But the point stood.
“It’s true though. You have no involvement in this. It would be better if you just returned now. Let me summon another Spirit which doesn’t have as much to lose as you do. You’re almost Level 50, Mistshard. Most Spirits are 10 Levels below their masters. You are not.”
“Ending the contract now would be a violation of my duty as your summon.”
The cool voice of Mistshard left her beaked mouth, no noticeable inflection to indicate if she was lying. Edithe stared up at her summon, still floating there.
“But—”
“Master, if I may speak.”
“...of course.”
“I understand you are concerned about my wellbeing, especially since my contract is drawing to a close. However, it is my duty to fight for you, and if necessary, die for you. This is the deal we forged the moment I agreed to be your summon. There is no greater honor among Spirits to die carrying out their duty. Remember that.”
Trying to work her jaw, Edithe couldn’t find any words to speak. Slowly, she nodded her head in shame.
“Right.”
She had been once again trying to apply her Human morals to a different Species. It was like how she was with Salvos at first. She eventually learned— the hard way— how growing up in another plane affected how one turned out. So, there was no use in her trying to convince Mistshard to break her contract now.
Shaking her head, Edithe glanced over at Mistshard.
“If you die in battle… will you be memorialized by the Spirit Lord or something?”
“Yes. Our names will forever be engraved on the Spirit Throne. Remembered for our obligation to our cause.”
“And what is that cause?”
Edithe raised an eyebrow as an uncharacteristic chuckle came from the [Elemental]’s mouth.
“That’s a secret.”
—--
Throughout the rest of the day, there were some minor skirmishes. Quick battles fought between members of the Iron Champions Company who now surrounded the building and the Valiant Dreamers keeping watch. Spells were exchanged— hails of fire, bolts of lightning, and bullets of earth came from both sides— while arrows were loosed in large volleys. The Gold Rank dreamers managed to down a few of the opposing force, suffering few casualties from their advantageous position.
The barrier surrounding the headquarters was broken and repaired numerous times. But never once did the Iron Champions try to breach the gates. They were trying to fortify their own position first— it was clear from the way those stationed here were not assassins but regular adventurers.
Where could the assassins be? was the fearful thought that crossed Edithe’s head. Are they sieging the training grounds? But no— communication was maintained between both locations. Short-range messages exchanged through artifacts and Skills assured Edithe that there was no major attempt to assault the training grounds just yet.
Those keeping watch were swapped out routinely. Edithe spent an hour standing guard with Mistshard. A few [Warriors] from the Iron Champions Company tried taunting them and were sent fleeing back by a blast of ice by the [Elemental].
A few [Mages] returned, trying to take potshots at her. However, her own magic was more than enough to protect herself. She erected a barrier rather than countering, letting a group of [Archers] fire back instead. It was another brushing battle— and once again, the Iron Champions Company suffered more casualties.
Edithe returned indoors after; things were looking good to her. The siege had begun, but the Valiant Dreamers had only been winning. However, the enemy was an unknown. How many assassins did the Iron Champions have in their pockets? How many adventurers were they willing to waste on this useless war? She wasn’t sure.
She only got her answer later. Only when evening came did the Iron Champions Company commit a significant attack against the headquarters. A brilliant, white ball of fire came blasting at the barrier. It struck the very top of the dome, ripping it down in an instant. Almost like a curtain being ripped off a window.
The explosion resounded as an alarm went off in Edithe’s head. That was how the barrier was designed— to alert everyone within its perimeter that it had been breached. Instantly, Hadrian snapped an order to a nearby [Mage] with his fingers pressed against his temples.
“Inform Gabriel that the Iron Champions Company are attempting an assault at our location.”
“Got it.”
The [Mage] activated a Skill, and ethereal words formed in the air. They blurred and vanished, probably appearing in front of Gabriel at that exact moment. Then, Hadrian drew his sword and stepped outside. Edithe followed after him with a handful of other Golds and Platinums he ordered to follow.
The metal gates out front were being bashed open by a group of [Warriors] as they were pelted by spells and arrows from the Valiant Dreamers. Many of them were blasted mid-air by returning fire from the opposing side, although a few went through and brought down some enemies.
“Mistshard, stay back and assist. Do not engage.”
Edithe ordered her summon as she stood amongst the other [Mages], forming a line behind a wide earthen wall. The [Barrier Mage] maintained its form, repairing it as bits of the wall were ripped apart by incoming blades of wind and spikes of ice.
Casting spells from the relative safety of her location, Edithe watched as Hadrian led a charge against the rushing Iron Champions. Their ranks were instantly shredded by the leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company.
Hadrian swung his sword once, and three Gold Ranks fell. Then he spun around and ran through a large man wielding a giant axe. He moved so simply, barely any Skills needed to take out enemies who were close to Edithe’s level.
A group of well-armored [Warriors] and [Rogues] approached Hadrian. A Gold Rank from the Valiant Dreamers rushed them and was cut down in an instant. They were Platinums. And they were challenging Hadrian.
Edithe tried flinging fireballs and lightning bolts at them, but her attacks were intercepted. The [Rogue] blurred and sliced the spells up in mid-air. Then appearing behind Hadrian, they lashed out with two jagged daggers.
Hadrian parried the attack just in time for two [Warriors] to reach his flank. They swung a maul and a longsword. He ducked under it and kicked the maulwielder, sending them crashing back towards a wall.
More dreamers tried to aid their leader— Celine’s team rushed forward but were cut off by the remaining [Rogue] and [Warrior]. Ice rained down on them too— a [Mage] from the Iron Champions was casting powerful spells. Spells that would have destroyed Edithe in a duel.
Edithe felt that sensation again. One of hopelessness. As she could do nothing but look on as Hadrian was surrounded and assaulted by Platinums.
He exchanged blows. He blocked their barrage of strikes. They came at him, unrelenting. Skills that let them whip through the air, away from his swinging blade. The ground shook as Edithe’s hand trembled with fear. The maulwielder had just barely missed a powerful blow against Hadrian, crushing the earth and sending bricks flying through the air.
The leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company took a single step. A single pace to his left. Then the [Rogue] appeared behind him once again. Edithe wanted to scream for someone to help him. But—
A whirlwind of blades exploded around him. The Diamond Rank adventurer used his first Skill, and the [Rogue] fell.
The two [Warriors] staggered away, both cut up and bleeding. The maulwielder wiped at his face. However, he found himself staring straight at the ground. Hadrian sliced off his arm with a single vertical swing, and the stab that came after finished him off.
The last of the Platinums saw this. He tried to flee, but Hadrian was on him in an instant. He frantically brought his weapon up, a blur overcoming his entire figure. He struck out, three translucent figures slashing at Hadrian from all sides.
Plunging his sword to the ground, Hadrian created a shockwave. A blast of red. An aura attack. It wasn’t magic, but rather the physical [Strength] of a [Warrior] turned corporeal. It interrupted the attacking Platinum’s Skill, letting Hadrian finish him off.
It was a crushing victory. A team of Platinums engaged with Hadrian. Dozens of Golds and Silvers. And they were all slaughtered. Edithe had never seen anything like it. She had thought she knew the man and how strong he was. But this was—
A scream.
Celine roared and flailed in a frenzy against the other Platinums attacking her. One of her teammates had been killed. She charged the [Warrior] and [Rogue] but was cut off by a wall of ice.
The two fled, retreating back out of the gates, the remainder of the strike force from the Iron Champions Company following after them. Some of the dreamers tried to follow. They wanted to press forward. This was a victory!
A rout!
But Hadrian shouted out an order.
“Don’t go any further!”
His words caught them where they stood. Edithe’s eyes widened as she watched the Iron Champions Company regroup. And surrounding them suddenly appeared hooded individuals. Assassins. It had been a trap.
And the Golds and even some of the Platinums would have been massacred if they left the gates. The moment they stepped out, they would have died.
“Smart call.”
A familiar voice broke Edithe out of her stupor. She stared as a person walked out from amongst the group of assassins. Someone she recognized. Who she had met once before.
Stephen.
The Platinum Rank who offered Salvos the chance to join the Iron Champions Company. He stood at the head of the adventurers surrounding the headquarters that had been cut off from the rest of the world.
He spread his arms out wide, a sneer on his face.
“Good job you saw through our trap. But that was quite the risk, wasn’t it? You could’ve stayed back, but instead, you charged you at the front lines. What would you have done if an assassin got to you?”
“No assassin would get to me.”
Hadrian replied simply, his sword at his side in a loose grip. Edithe thought Hadrian would have tried something. She assumed he would have had a Skill to cut Stephen down, even from this distance. And yet, he just watched as Stephen paced just beyond the broken gates.
“That kind of arrogance gets Diamonds killed on the battlefield, Mr Hadrian.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Ah, then how may I address you?”
Stephen clasped his hands behind his back, stopping and facing down Hadrian. The two adventurers stood a dozen paces apart. Again, Edithe thought Hadrian would have tried something. Again, he did not.
Why isn’t he— the thought cut itself off as Edithe realized what that meant. Are they really that close in level?
She took a step back involuntarily as Hadrian did not respond. Stephen sighed, rubbing at his temples.
“I expected more from the great Hadrian. I’ve heard a lot about you. How you reached Diamond before the age of 30. And yet, look at you. Just standing there, like a coward. Even as your allies weep for their dead behind you.”
His gaze fixed on Celine. The Platinum Rank was cradling a man in her arms. Tears were streaming out of her face as she snapped back at Stephen.
“Fuck you!”
He turned around.
“Honestly, what a disappoint—”
Edithe caught a glimpse of a fissure in the air. The world itself contorted as the ground underneath Stephen broke apart. The Platinum Rank’s eyes widened. The air twisted, tearing into itself along with the earth and his body.
Then Stephen appeared panting behind his assassins. The space where he stood continued to spin, until suddenly it burst out. The earth and the air broke into collapsed crumbs of space. The powerful spell released, missing its mark just barely.
“Who—”
“Tsk.”
Baris clicked his tongue, suddenly appearing beside his son.
“He used a Skill to escape.”
“[Flash Step]. Not a typical [Rogue]’s Skill. Some kind of [Rogue]-[Mage] hybrid Class?”
“Perhaps. But let’s not jump to conclusions too quickly. We’ll have to see more of his abilities before we can decide.”
“Right, dad.”
The duo stared down Stephen and the dozens of assassins and hundreds of adventurers just beyond the gates. The younger man turned to Baris.
“Think we can take them?”
“Don’t be foolish. We would die— and there could still be more hiding in the shadows.”
“Assassins?”
“Perhaps. Or those like Stephen. Regardless, we’ll repair the barrier for now. Don’t let him draw you out, got it?”
“Yes, father.”
Stephen slowly stepped forward, eyeing the [Mage] as he walked up to the nearest wall. Placing a hand onto it, Baris began to chant while the apparent speaker of the Iron Champions Company began to shout.
“You think you defeat us? Don’t underestimate the might of the Iron Champions Company! We’ll kill every single one of you right now unless you surrender—”
The barrier shot up, once again encapsulating the headquarters. And for whatever reason now, it silenced the voice from the other side.
Baris snorted as he returned, the angrily shouting figure of Stephen visible behind him.
“I added a Silence spell too. Just so we don’t have to keep hearing him speak.”
—--
Once she was back inside, Edithe collapsed onto a chair, melting into a puddle of sweat. She had been so nervous throughout. Especially when she realized how outmatched she was when the Platinums first showed up. And when they killed Celine’s teammate…
Edithe shuddered. Why am I so…
“Are you alright?”
A voice broke her out of her thoughts. Edithe glanced up, not recognizing the female voice. She blinked when she saw who it was.
“Sophia?”
“Hello, Edithe. May I have a seat?”
The young woman gestured at the empty chair next to her. Edithe hurriedly scootched her chair aside and nodded.
“Of course. There’s no one sitting there… I think.”
Edithe had chosen the closest seat to rest in. And [Rest] in. She didn’t even know if someone had been at this table before she came. She just needed to relax and cool down from the first real battle of the night. That’s the first battle, and even though we were winning, already you couldn’t do anything. What happens if we actually start losing? If the barrier is fully destroyed and we have to barricade ourselves inside—
“How was it out there?”
The sound of the wooden chair being dragged across the ground was accompanied by Sophia’s voice. She plopped herself down and met Edithe’s eyes with a worried look on her face.
“I heard about what happened. We won but… there were a few deaths. Celine’s team suffered a major loss too.”
“Yeah…”
Edithe trailed off, not sure how to respond. The young woman was barely in her twenties, yet she was already a Gold Rank. And now she had to fight in a company war. All because of the Iron Champions Company. Because of what you—
She bit her lower lip, shaking away those negative thoughts by herself this time. Sophia continued, not even noticing the fear written on Edithe’s face.
“I… honestly did not expect this. I had just become Gold, you know? I thought I could celebrate, go on a few Gold missions. Then suddenly, we’re at war.”
Nodding, Edithe sat up and faced Sophia. She glanced down at the palm of her hands, and Edithe finally realized the young woman was shaking.
“I thought I was ready. I am now a Gold Rank. Just like you. Just like Ian. Just like… Paige had been.”
Edithe instinctively clenched her fists. Her friend…
“But now? Despite not having gone out to fight at all? Look at me.”
Sophia whimpered. She finally turned to face Edithe. Her eyes were welling up, her entire body shaking. Edithe’s eyes widened as she saw the state the young woman was in.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m saying. I’m just… I’m just…”
“Afraid.”
Placing a hand on the young woman’s shoulder, Edithe spoke up with a shaky voice.
“You’re afraid. Just like me. Just like everybody else in here.”
It sounded like her words had been placed on a small, wooden boat thrown into a raging river, rocking its way towards a roaring waterfall.
But still, she spoke. And she tried to reassure the young woman.
“We’re all afraid. Because this isn’t the same as taking a job you chose out from the bulletin board in the Adventurers Guild. This isn’t the same as fighting monsters like we’re used to. We’re fighting people. Because they forced us into this. Because they were so… so… selfish.”
Edithe felt the vitriol in her words. The venom that spat out of her tongue. She was seething with anger now. Directed towards the Iron Champions Company for causing all this.
Then she took a deep breath.
“However, it’s fine to be afraid. Especially right now. In this situation, let yourself be afraid. But when the time comes for you to stand up, don’t back down. Don’t let yourself be controlled by fear then. Please.”
She wasn’t sure if she was telling this to Sophia or to herself. She just had to say it. And she felt her hands tremble. Her grip on the young woman’s shoulder tightened as tears also blurred her vision.
“...please.”
Repeating herself, Edithe found her gaze aimed towards the floor. She looked up and realized she was right up against Sophia’s face. The red-haired woman quickly backed up and murmured an apology.
“I… sorry.”
“No— it’s fine.”
Sophia wasn’t crying anymore. Her eyes were red and swollen. But the tears had dried up. And she seemed calmer now.
Neither woman said anything for a moment until finally, Sophia chuckled.
“This is really such a stressful situation, isn’t it? And I get overwhelmed too easily. Honestly, I hate this.”
“You and me both.”
Edithe wasn’t sure why she laughed. But she did. They joked over something that wasn’t even funny, perhaps the uncomfortableness of the entire situation making it so.
Sophia shook her head and leaned back against her chair. Her gaze swept through the room until it landed on a man caught in a serious conversation. She sighed and rested her chin on her hand.
“Hadrian is amazing, isn’t he?”
Blinking, Edithe glanced over at the man too.
“You think?”
“Yes, he should be the most stressed out of all of us. The most afraid. But look at him. He’s still so… calm.”
Edithe stared at Hadrian as he broke off from talking with Evelyn. The Platinum Rank adventurer left the hall to the outside. She had no team— she was known to be a lone wolf.
“I think he is the most stressed and most afraid out of us all. But he just doesn’t let it show.”
“But how? How can he… do that?”
“Because—”
The red-haired woman hesitated for a moment. A memory appeared in her head. Paul. Paige. Everyone she had lost. She had failed to protect.
Edithe closed her eyes.
“Because he knows that if he freezes up, then someone he cares about will die.”
“Oh, I see.”
Sophia nodded slowly. She sighed again.
“He’s honestly… amazing, isn’t he?”
Opening her eyes, Edithe looked at the young woman, face now slightly flushed. Edithe chuckled again.
“I guess. But I don’t think we mean the same thing.”
“Yeah… wait, what—”
96.2. Siege
The first hours of war were uneventful. Nothing happened apart from a group of hooded individuals taking away the dead assassins from the morning. Apparently, this group cared about the casualties they suffered enough to remove their bodies. Or perhaps they were looking to retrieve any kind of artifact that might have been kept by the dead.
A few Valiant Dreamers had wanted to loot the corpses, but Baris forbade them from doing so. It could have been a trap. Maybe the bodies were rigged to explode. There was a plethora of possibilities, and it was only by erring on the side of caution during war would victory be best assured.
Edithe had a summoning circle prepared, to summon Druma as soon as it was necessary. Mistshard was already by her side— which was only slightly draining to her mana pool. Having two Spirits with her at the same time was a little more difficult to maintain, but Edithe believed she could manage it for a week— with some mana potions— if necessary.
There was no reason for that, however. So instead, she spoke with Mistshard who was flapping her wings slowly, almost like it had some kind of [Slowness] effect on them.
“Your contract is ending soon, Mistshard. In a month, if memory serves me right.”
“You are almost correct, master. The contract ends in just over two weeks. Do you wish to renew it?”
The [Elemental] replied simply. She was not at all concerned with the same things Edithe was; all that mattered to her was fulfilling her duties and carrying out her job as a servant of the Spirit Lord.
Edithe shook her head.
“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that you only have less than a month left with me and our company is caught up in a war. What could be potentially a very deadly war. One where either of us dies.”
“If it comes to that, I will fight to ensure you do not die.”
“But that’s my point exactly.”
Sitting down on a chair with her gaze fixed to a nearby window, Edithe felt words coming from her mouth— words that carried all the fear and uncertainty within her.
“You could die, Mistshard. So close to the end of your contract, you could lose your life. All because of stupid Human things. Wouldn’t you prefer to end the contract now?”
Mistshard turned a sidelong glance to Edithe. Her head did not move, although her eyes were wholly focused on her master— almost like a hawk staring at its prey.
“You are starting to sound like Salvos, master.”
“What?”
Edithe was taken aback, not expecting that reply. She realized her word choice… might have been slightly influenced by the Demon there. But the point stood.
“It’s true though. You have no involvement in this. It would be better if you just returned now. Let me summon another Spirit which doesn’t have as much to lose as you do. You’re almost Level 50, Mistshard. Most Spirits are 10 Levels below their masters. You are not.”
“Ending the contract now would be a violation of my duty as your summon.”
The cool voice of Mistshard left her beaked mouth, no noticeable inflection to indicate if she was lying. Edithe stared up at her summon, still floating there.
“But—”
“Master, if I may speak.”
“...of course.”
“I understand you are concerned about my wellbeing, especially since my contract is drawing to a close. However, it is my duty to fight for you, and if necessary, die for you. This is the deal we forged the moment I agreed to be your summon. There is no greater honor among Spirits to die carrying out their duty. Remember that.”
Trying to work her jaw, Edithe couldn’t find any words to speak. Slowly, she nodded her head in shame.
“Right.”
She had been once again trying to apply her Human morals to a different Species. It was like how she was with Salvos at first. She eventually learned— the hard way— how growing up in another plane affected how one turned out. So, there was no use in her trying to convince Mistshard to break her contract now.
Shaking her head, Edithe glanced over at Mistshard.
“If you die in battle… will you be memorialized by the Spirit Lord or something?”
“Yes. Our names will forever be engraved on the Spirit Throne. Remembered for our obligation to our cause.”
“And what is that cause?”
Edithe raised an eyebrow as an uncharacteristic chuckle came from the [Elemental]’s mouth.
“That’s a secret.”
—--
Throughout the rest of the day, there were some minor skirmishes. Quick battles fought between members of the Iron Champions Company who now surrounded the building and the Valiant Dreamers keeping watch. Spells were exchanged— hails of fire, bolts of lightning, and bullets of earth came from both sides— while arrows were loosed in large volleys. The Gold Rank dreamers managed to down a few of the opposing force, suffering few casualties from their advantageous position.
The barrier surrounding the headquarters was broken and repaired numerous times. But never once did the Iron Champions try to breach the gates. They were trying to fortify their own position first— it was clear from the way those stationed here were not assassins but regular adventurers.
Where could the assassins be? was the fearful thought that crossed Edithe’s head. Are they sieging the training grounds? But no— communication was maintained between both locations. Short-range messages exchanged through artifacts and Skills assured Edithe that there was no major attempt to assault the training grounds just yet.
Those keeping watch were swapped out routinely. Edithe spent an hour standing guard with Mistshard. A few [Warriors] from the Iron Champions Company tried taunting them and were sent fleeing back by a blast of ice by the [Elemental].
A few [Mages] returned, trying to take potshots at her. However, her own magic was more than enough to protect herself. She erected a barrier rather than countering, letting a group of [Archers] fire back instead. It was another brushing battle— and once again, the Iron Champions Company suffered more casualties.
Edithe returned indoors after; things were looking good to her. The siege had begun, but the Valiant Dreamers had only been winning. However, the enemy was an unknown. How many assassins did the Iron Champions have in their pockets? How many adventurers were they willing to waste on this useless war? She wasn’t sure.
She only got her answer later. Only when evening came did the Iron Champions Company commit a significant attack against the headquarters. A brilliant, white ball of fire came blasting at the barrier. It struck the very top of the dome, ripping it down in an instant. Almost like a curtain being ripped off a window.
The explosion resounded as an alarm went off in Edithe’s head. That was how the barrier was designed— to alert everyone within its perimeter that it had been breached. Instantly, Hadrian snapped an order to a nearby [Mage] with his fingers pressed against his temples.
“Inform Gabriel that the Iron Champions Company are attempting an assault at our location.”
“Got it.”
The [Mage] activated a Skill, and ethereal words formed in the air. They blurred and vanished, probably appearing in front of Gabriel at that exact moment. Then, Hadrian drew his sword and stepped outside. Edithe followed after him with a handful of other Golds and Platinums he ordered to follow.
The metal gates out front were being bashed open by a group of [Warriors] as they were pelted by spells and arrows from the Valiant Dreamers. Many of them were blasted mid-air by returning fire from the opposing side, although a few went through and brought down some enemies.
“Mistshard, stay back and assist. Do not engage.”
Edithe ordered her summon as she stood amongst the other [Mages], forming a line behind a wide earthen wall. The [Barrier Mage] maintained its form, repairing it as bits of the wall were ripped apart by incoming blades of wind and spikes of ice.
Casting spells from the relative safety of her location, Edithe watched as Hadrian led a charge against the rushing Iron Champions. Their ranks were instantly shredded by the leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company.
Hadrian swung his sword once, and three Gold Ranks fell. Then he spun around and ran through a large man wielding a giant axe. He moved so simply, barely any Skills needed to take out enemies who were close to Edithe’s level.
A group of well-armored [Warriors] and [Rogues] approached Hadrian. A Gold Rank from the Valiant Dreamers rushed them and was cut down in an instant. They were Platinums. And they were challenging Hadrian.
Edithe tried flinging fireballs and lightning bolts at them, but her attacks were intercepted. The [Rogue] blurred and sliced the spells up in mid-air. Then appearing behind Hadrian, they lashed out with two jagged daggers.
Hadrian parried the attack just in time for two [Warriors] to reach his flank. They swung a maul and a longsword. He ducked under it and kicked the maulwielder, sending them crashing back towards a wall.
More dreamers tried to aid their leader— Celine’s team rushed forward but were cut off by the remaining [Rogue] and [Warrior]. Ice rained down on them too— a [Mage] from the Iron Champions was casting powerful spells. Spells that would have destroyed Edithe in a duel.
Edithe felt that sensation again. One of hopelessness. As she could do nothing but look on as Hadrian was surrounded and assaulted by Platinums.
He exchanged blows. He blocked their barrage of strikes. They came at him, unrelenting. Skills that let them whip through the air, away from his swinging blade. The ground shook as Edithe’s hand trembled with fear. The maulwielder had just barely missed a powerful blow against Hadrian, crushing the earth and sending bricks flying through the air.
The leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company took a single step. A single pace to his left. Then the [Rogue] appeared behind him once again. Edithe wanted to scream for someone to help him. But—
A whirlwind of blades exploded around him. The Diamond Rank adventurer used his first Skill, and the [Rogue] fell.
The two [Warriors] staggered away, both cut up and bleeding. The maulwielder wiped at his face. However, he found himself staring straight at the ground. Hadrian sliced off his arm with a single vertical swing, and the stab that came after finished him off.
The last of the Platinums saw this. He tried to flee, but Hadrian was on him in an instant. He frantically brought his weapon up, a blur overcoming his entire figure. He struck out, three translucent figures slashing at Hadrian from all sides.
Plunging his sword to the ground, Hadrian created a shockwave. A blast of red. An aura attack. It wasn’t magic, but rather the physical [Strength] of a [Warrior] turned corporeal. It interrupted the attacking Platinum’s Skill, letting Hadrian finish him off.
It was a crushing victory. A team of Platinums engaged with Hadrian. Dozens of Golds and Silvers. And they were all slaughtered. Edithe had never seen anything like it. She had thought she knew the man and how strong he was. But this was—
A scream.
Celine roared and flailed in a frenzy against the other Platinums attacking her. One of her teammates had been killed. She charged the [Warrior] and [Rogue] but was cut off by a wall of ice.
The two fled, retreating back out of the gates, the remainder of the strike force from the Iron Champions Company following after them. Some of the dreamers tried to follow. They wanted to press forward. This was a victory!
A rout!
But Hadrian shouted out an order.
“Don’t go any further!”
His words caught them where they stood. Edithe’s eyes widened as she watched the Iron Champions Company regroup. And surrounding them suddenly appeared hooded individuals. Assassins. It had been a trap.
And the Golds and even some of the Platinums would have been massacred if they left the gates. The moment they stepped out, they would have died.
“Smart call.”
A familiar voice broke Edithe out of her stupor. She stared as a person walked out from amongst the group of assassins. Someone she recognized. Who she had met once before.
Stephen.
The Platinum Rank who offered Salvos the chance to join the Iron Champions Company. He stood at the head of the adventurers surrounding the headquarters that had been cut off from the rest of the world.
He spread his arms out wide, a sneer on his face.
“Good job you saw through our trap. But that was quite the risk, wasn’t it? You could’ve stayed back, but instead, you charged you at the front lines. What would you have done if an assassin got to you?”
“No assassin would get to me.”
Hadrian replied simply, his sword at his side in a loose grip. Edithe thought Hadrian would have tried something. She assumed he would have had a Skill to cut Stephen down, even from this distance. And yet, he just watched as Stephen paced just beyond the broken gates.
“That kind of arrogance gets Diamonds killed on the battlefield, Mr Hadrian.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Ah, then how may I address you?”
Stephen clasped his hands behind his back, stopping and facing down Hadrian. The two adventurers stood a dozen paces apart. Again, Edithe thought Hadrian would have tried something. Again, he did not.
Why isn’t he— the thought cut itself off as Edithe realized what that meant. Are they really that close in level?
She took a step back involuntarily as Hadrian did not respond. Stephen sighed, rubbing at his temples.
“I expected more from the great Hadrian. I’ve heard a lot about you. How you reached Diamond before the age of 30. And yet, look at you. Just standing there, like a coward. Even as your allies weep for their dead behind you.”
His gaze fixed on Celine. The Platinum Rank was cradling a man in her arms. Tears were streaming out of her face as she snapped back at Stephen.
“Fuck you!”
He turned around.
“Honestly, what a disappoint—”
Edithe caught a glimpse of a fissure in the air. The world itself contorted as the ground underneath Stephen broke apart. The Platinum Rank’s eyes widened. The air twisted, tearing into itself along with the earth and his body.
Then Stephen appeared panting behind his assassins. The space where he stood continued to spin, until suddenly it burst out. The earth and the air broke into collapsed crumbs of space. The powerful spell released, missing its mark just barely.
“Who—”
“Tsk.”
Baris clicked his tongue, suddenly appearing beside his son.
“He used a Skill to escape.”
“[Flash Step]. Not a typical [Rogue]’s Skill. Some kind of [Rogue]-[Mage] hybrid Class?”
“Perhaps. But let’s not jump to conclusions too quickly. We’ll have to see more of his abilities before we can decide.”
“Right, dad.”
The duo stared down Stephen and the dozens of assassins and hundreds of adventurers just beyond the gates. The younger man turned to Baris.
“Think we can take them?”
“Don’t be foolish. We would die— and there could still be more hiding in the shadows.”
“Assassins?”
“Perhaps. Or those like Stephen. Regardless, we’ll repair the barrier for now. Don’t let him draw you out, got it?”
“Yes, father.”
Stephen slowly stepped forward, eyeing the [Mage] as he walked up to the nearest wall. Placing a hand onto it, Baris began to chant while the apparent speaker of the Iron Champions Company began to shout.
“You think you defeat us? Don’t underestimate the might of the Iron Champions Company! We’ll kill every single one of you right now unless you surrender—”
The barrier shot up, once again encapsulating the headquarters. And for whatever reason now, it silenced the voice from the other side.
Baris snorted as he returned, the angrily shouting figure of Stephen visible behind him.
“I added a Silence spell too. Just so we don’t have to keep hearing him speak.”
—--
Once she was back inside, Edithe collapsed onto a chair, melting into a puddle of sweat. She had been so nervous throughout. Especially when she realized how outmatched she was when the Platinums first showed up. And when they killed Celine’s teammate…
Edithe shuddered. Why am I so…
“Are you alright?”
A voice broke her out of her thoughts. Edithe glanced up, not recognizing the female voice. She blinked when she saw who it was.
“Sophia?”
“Hello, Edithe. May I have a seat?”
The young woman gestured at the empty chair next to her. Edithe hurriedly scootched her chair aside and nodded.
“Of course. There’s no one sitting there… I think.”
Edithe had chosen the closest seat to rest in. And [Rest] in. She didn’t even know if someone had been at this table before she came. She just needed to relax and cool down from the first real battle of the night. That’s the first battle, and even though we were winning, already you couldn’t do anything. What happens if we actually start losing? If the barrier is fully destroyed and we have to barricade ourselves inside—
“How was it out there?”
The sound of the wooden chair being dragged across the ground was accompanied by Sophia’s voice. She plopped herself down and met Edithe’s eyes with a worried look on her face.
“I heard about what happened. We won but… there were a few deaths. Celine’s team suffered a major loss too.”
“Yeah…”
Edithe trailed off, not sure how to respond. The young woman was barely in her twenties, yet she was already a Gold Rank. And now she had to fight in a company war. All because of the Iron Champions Company. Because of what you—
She bit her lower lip, shaking away those negative thoughts by herself this time. Sophia continued, not even noticing the fear written on Edithe’s face.
“I… honestly did not expect this. I had just become Gold, you know? I thought I could celebrate, go on a few Gold missions. Then suddenly, we’re at war.”
Nodding, Edithe sat up and faced Sophia. She glanced down at the palm of her hands, and Edithe finally realized the young woman was shaking.
“I thought I was ready. I am now a Gold Rank. Just like you. Just like Ian. Just like… Paige had been.”
Edithe instinctively clenched her fists. Her friend…
“But now? Despite not having gone out to fight at all? Look at me.”
Sophia whimpered. She finally turned to face Edithe. Her eyes were welling up, her entire body shaking. Edithe’s eyes widened as she saw the state the young woman was in.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m saying. I’m just… I’m just…”
“Afraid.”
Placing a hand on the young woman’s shoulder, Edithe spoke up with a shaky voice.
“You’re afraid. Just like me. Just like everybody else in here.”
It sounded like her words had been placed on a small, wooden boat thrown into a raging river, rocking its way towards a roaring waterfall.
But still, she spoke. And she tried to reassure the young woman.
“We’re all afraid. Because this isn’t the same as taking a job you chose out from the bulletin board in the Adventurers Guild. This isn’t the same as fighting monsters like we’re used to. We’re fighting people. Because they forced us into this. Because they were so… so… selfish.”
Edithe felt the vitriol in her words. The venom that spat out of her tongue. She was seething with anger now. Directed towards the Iron Champions Company for causing all this.
Then she took a deep breath.
“However, it’s fine to be afraid. Especially right now. In this situation, let yourself be afraid. But when the time comes for you to stand up, don’t back down. Don’t let yourself be controlled by fear then. Please.”
She wasn’t sure if she was telling this to Sophia or to herself. She just had to say it. And she felt her hands tremble. Her grip on the young woman’s shoulder tightened as tears also blurred her vision.
“...please.”
Repeating herself, Edithe found her gaze aimed towards the floor. She looked up and realized she was right up against Sophia’s face. The red-haired woman quickly backed up and murmured an apology.
“I… sorry.”
“No— it’s fine.”
Sophia wasn’t crying anymore. Her eyes were red and swollen. But the tears had dried up. And she seemed calmer now.
Neither woman said anything for a moment until finally, Sophia chuckled.
“This is really such a stressful situation, isn’t it? And I get overwhelmed too easily. Honestly, I hate this.”
“You and me both.”
Edithe wasn’t sure why she laughed. But she did. They joked over something that wasn’t even funny, perhaps the uncomfortableness of the entire situation making it so.
Sophia shook her head and leaned back against her chair. Her gaze swept through the room until it landed on a man caught in a serious conversation. She sighed and rested her chin on her hand.
“Hadrian is amazing, isn’t he?”
Blinking, Edithe glanced over at the man too.
“You think?”
“Yes, he should be the most stressed out of all of us. The most afraid. But look at him. He’s still so… calm.”
Edithe stared at Hadrian as he broke off from talking with Evelyn. The Platinum Rank adventurer left the hall to the outside. She had no team— she was known to be a lone wolf.
“I think he is the most stressed and most afraid out of us all. But he just doesn’t let it show.”
“But how? How can he… do that?”
“Because—”
The red-haired woman hesitated for a moment. A memory appeared in her head. Paul. Paige. Everyone she had lost. She had failed to protect.
Edithe closed her eyes.
“Because he knows that if he freezes up, then someone he cares about will die.”
“Oh, I see.”
Sophia nodded slowly. She sighed again.
“He’s honestly… amazing, isn’t he?”
Opening her eyes, Edithe looked at the young woman, face now slightly flushed. Edithe chuckled again.
“I guess. But I don’t think we mean the same thing.”
“Yeah… wait, what—”
