Castle Stop

(Denzel's POV):

Our group has set off from the crystal palace straight to the desert biome to the south. We plan out our means of extending help towards the group that will be hiding in the desert.

"Malech, what's their status?"

"Well, the base is definitely temporary since we always switch to a different place if it gets icky so we have to check all twelve desert wells generated in the desert." - Malech

"So it's all in for luck huh."

"No, it's not always luck. We have to eliminate some chances and since they're in a cave and are receiving waves continuously, it'll be easy for us to find them. There are only four desert wells with a cave nearby." - Malech

Malech gives out a simplified explanation about the amount of possibilities shrinking. He seemed to remember most of the things in their place so it was big help having him.

"By the way, how many people are in there?"

"Hmm, with our group currently in the crystal palace. I think it's currently just the six of them."

So only six people huh. I guess it's pretty much fine enough for us to arrive towards them.

We are using a magic carpet to head towards south. We will pass by the castle and stop for a short break. After that, we intend to head towards the center-point and rest there for the day.

Currently, we're above an ocean while having some discussions about our strategies.

"Alright everyone, since we're going to enter a crossfire. We're going to take a formation that will have me, Malech and William to be guarding the three sides that are going to receive the invasion directly. Since we will be going towards a cave, Gayle and Thrish will be leading the way towards there. Lilith and Ashley will be right behind you. Us dudes will be fending off the attacks from behind."

"So in case you guys need support we'll be there huh? So why are we not all the way behind?" - Lilith

"Want to be a presumed enemy and get shot on sight?"

"Actually, on second thought, why would Gayle lead the way?" - Lilith

"Same reason. We'll have the two of you explain the situation while we fend off most attackers."

"Got it, we'll try." - Gayle

"Ashley, keep supporting while following Gayle and Thrish, we'll be needing the powerful mana reduction and powerful buffs. The same goes for you Lilith, your mana and health sustain will be very helpful."

"Alright." - Ashley

"Understood." - Lilith

"Now, Isaac."

I turned towards Isaac who is listening in closely to the strategy we're going to take.

"Pay attention to the entire surroundings, your 20/20 sight and your clairvoyance is powerful in this mission. You'll be scouting ahead before we enter the formation wherein you'll be supporting us from behind. We'll keep following Gayle and Thrish, do not go faster than Lilith and Ashley."

"Got ya~" - Isaac

"Malech, William... In the formation, we'll continuously retreat while fending off attacks. We will prevent any pursuers from progressing further. The three of us are the pillar of this formation, we'll support each other through thick or thin."

"Heh, let's be sure to do so. Right William?" - Malech

"Yeah right, nobody shall pass through us. Like what we did during the invasion." - William

Everyone starts thinking for some time before getting themselves hyped up for the mission. Malech and William sat in front of me and asked me about some things in personal life.

"Denz, aren't you quite proactive?" - William

"I guess so. I want them alive, so they can reside in the palace instead."

"It's also because of Rika?" - Malech

"Actually yes, not only for her, but also for Gayle."

(POV SHIFT: Malech's POV):

After asking Denzel about his feelings for Rika, I just couldn't stand to actually tell him what I saw last night. Last night, after practicing at the dojo after dusk. I left the underground junction and started walking towards my room. I saw two silhouettes right on the entrance of the palace. One person was wearing black clothing while carrying some sort of wand with an onyx gem. It's Miguel! What's he doing here at this hour?

Miguel looked like he was talking to some girl that has white hair. Wait, white hair? aside from Denzel the only one who would have white would be... No... I refuse to believe it! She won't betray Denzel here, maybe it's just some talk or some discussion. While I was doubting myself I noticed a faint presence from the second floor and turned my head towards it. I saw Seymour, who was looking at Rika with suspicious eyes. His presence was immediately erased when he noticed me. He waved his hand without gathering any attention. I sneakily moved towards the second floor where Seymour is, he immediately called out to me.

"Aren't you one of Denzel's assassins?" - Seymour

"Huh? Ah yeah, I am."

Seymour turns his gaze towards the two that are talking in the front door.

"Denzel is asleep right now, and the behavior of these two are pretty suspicious. I already pressured her to not try betraying him but it seems she's scheming something." - Seymour

"Wait, is she really?"

I almost raised my voice out of surprise but I managed to keep it minimal.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, their topic is about what to do in the future which isn't about living as residents of the palace." - Seymour

"What do you mean?"

"My spell duration ran out at that time, which is why you noticed me up here." - Seymour

"Ah I see... That's unfortunate."

"Go sleep now, there is still time to get away with sneaking around on Rika who is currently in suspicion of infidelity. " - Seymour

"Alright. Good night Sir Seymour."

"Seymour is fine." - Seymour

"Got it, Seymour."

I moved towards the ninth floor where my room is stationed and directly went to sleep. Damn, I sure hope that Rika doesn't have any intention of doing that. Denzel is one great friend after all...

While soaking myself with thoughts, I heard footsteps on the staircase. I stood up and moved to the door and opened it. I saw Rika with a bit of a worried face.

"Rika?"

"Ah!" - Rika

Rika was surprised and immediately recovered to her calm posture while panicking. She turned her head multiple times and saw me poking my head through the gap of the door and my room.

"Oh, it's just you Malech... Can't sleep?" - Rika

Rika puts on an atmosphere where I can't really complain. But, I have to confirm it myself.

"What were you talking with Miguel earlier?"

"Wha! Wait umm..." - Rika

It's suspicious already...

"Well, Miguel confessed for some reason. So I had to tell him about how I felt." - Rika

"And you said?"

"I apologized to him, I can't just leave Zel's side. It's embarrassing so I'll head to the sky floor now." - Rika

"Oh, okay?"

Really suspicious~ Is what I wanted to say but my hopes kept clinging that she isn't going to bounce after Denzel's absolute will on his moral code. But it was then immediately betrayed when I saw black particles on Rika's back. Black... It's Miguel's black miasma? Was it from his wand? In any case I hope it isn't anything bad.

I went back to my room with doubts in my head and went back to sleep.

(POV Shift: Denzel's POV):

We finally arrived to the castle and took a short break to have lunch. Everyone joined us in the cafeteria and enjoyed lots of food.

Robin was seated in front of me trying to ask some questions.

"So, what are you going to do? Collecting young girls into a harem?" - Robin

"It's not like that damnit. Again, it's a rescue mission from a distress signal from one of my acquaintances. It's not some sort of flowers and unicorns kind of bullshit."

"Right right, I get it. Now, what about the possible enemy?" - Robin

Robin then cuts to the chase of the problem.

"It's unknown yet but I believe it has to be the large faction that has taken over the entire mystic biome."

"Mystic biome huh? Maybe it's the Independent Marionettes?" - Robin

"Marionettes?" - Malech

Malech seems to notice about the name of the faction.

"You know about them?"

"Yeah, they're one of the largest factions in this game right now. It's not populated with people from the famous top hundred but, their top brass are a powerful bunch." - Malech

"So they're the hidden type huh?"

"Not really, one on one alone they're definitely screwed even against me. But even if I have my entire group, a party clash is impossible to win against them." - Malech

"So you have experience clashing on them?" - Robin

"Yep, their coordination is just flawless. Even if we had Flora strike them with the Hyperion, a quick coordinated attack isn't enough to get through their shields and barriers." - Malech

"I wonder about that though? But I'm not gonna leave the castle alone here so I guess it's up to you Denz." - Robin

Though I am going to take care of everything, Robin still said that it's up to me. Look man, you don't have to remind me. I scornfully stared at Robin who was grinning while eating the steak. I then finished up my food and prepared the magic carpet immediately. Everyone went around for a bit of a walk around the castle before returning to the garden. I was found there restoring some energy manually by manipulating atmospheric mana. After finishing the preparations, everyone was already looking at me while waiting. I glanced through and noticed Robin among the group.

"You plan on joining? I thought you don't want to leave the castle?"

"Of course not, I'm passing this to you." - Robin

Robin tossed a cylindrical tube that seems to be sealed quite well.

"Use it wisely, if somebody is about to die or when you need to enter a death's door state." - Robin

"Where did you get this?"

Although I am already certain from where they got it, I still asked for confirmation.

"Michael's room?" - Robin

Knew it, it's the instant recovery potion extract. A single sip from this tube is enough to heal all injuries, cure effects, restore mana, and revitalize. This potion was shared in case of emergencies only but we usually have one in our hands always ready. In Michael's case, he has multiple prepared.

"Well, I sure hope that you guys didn't spend too much of it."

"Consider it as a law that we don't unnecessarily spend things out of instinct." - Robin

"Alright, alright, I got it."

"Anyways, good luck man." - Robin

Robin fixes up a thumbs up to me who is thinking about the possibilities in the upcoming trouble. I returned the thumbs up sign towards him.

"Thanks man, I'll be sure to return saying: 'Mission Accomplished'."

Robin smiled as everyone went back up to the magic carpet.

"Well then, we'll take our leave!"

He simply waved his hand towards us who set off towards the spawn area.