Realm of Myths and Legends

"This is the sixth princess of the Tempest kingdom, Ranazera Tempest. I'll be escorting her to someone I trust in the allied forces." Izroth replied calmly.

"Hm... I see. So it's like that. I was worried for a moment that our youngest had gone off and gotten himself a woman when I wasn't looking. Hahaha! I guess that explains the Power Suppressing Band of Doulontas around her wrist. It's usually used to test the mettle of its user, so I was a bit confused to see it here, of all places." Astratis commented.

After hearing that, it finally made sense to Izroth why the band had such strange restrictions. At first, he thought it was merely a setback due to its powerful effect. However, to think it was actually used as a way for its user to test themselves. Izroth could certainly see how that would be the case.

"Have you heard any news from our second sister?" Izroth asked.

Nomii, the other celestial who accompanied Izroth back from the Secret Realm along with Astratis, was currently traveling around the Mortal Realm.

Her goal was to locate and obtain the materials Izroth required to create a pill that could restore the arm she lost during her battle against one of the pillars.

Of course, Izroth did not send Nomii to complete the search alone. He had Avia, a trephasia from the Fifth Great Clan who specialized in herbs, go along with her. This would make it easier for Nomii to move around in the unfamiliar Mortal Realm, as well as greatly aid in her search for the necessary materials.

"No, but knowing her, she's not letting up in the slightest in her search. Rest assured, youngest, our second sister is not someone who will give up without reaching her goal." Astratis stated confidently.

Izroth nodded and replied, "She certainly possesses that kind of temperament."

Izroth and Astratis continued the journey onward. They also spent the next few moments catching each other up on the events that passed ever since they split paths.

Upon learning what happened at Sorkoza's border with the ambush and then being attacked by another force, Astratis was furious.

"What cowardice! Youngest, just say the word, and we'll storm this Gates of Aegis or whatever and deliver justice!" Astratis bellowed.

However, when Ranazera heard those words, she almost coughed up blood from shock. Did this guy even know what the Gates of Aegis represented? It was the most powerful stronghold ever constructed by the kingdom of Tempest. Yet, he said he'd storm that place? What wishful thinking! Even if there were a hundred of him, breaking through the place would not be possible!

"No, that won't be necessary. There are more important things to take care of right now. But I do appreciate the thought, brother." Izroth replied as he could not help but inwardly shake his head at Astratis' words.

Indeed, if it were Astratis, he would be capable of razing the Gates of Aegis to the ground. However, not only would that reveal his identity to the world, but it would also draw too much attention their way.

More importantly, Izroth had to keep the fact that a connection between the Mortal Realm and Ancient Celestial Realm existed a secret for as long as possible. He knew it was only a matter of time before word began to spread around; however, he still wanted to delay it until he came up with a long-term solution.

It took a while, but Izroth managed to calm Astratis down as the Son of Thunder finally gave up on the idea of striking the Gates of Aegis.

"Youngest, about this matter—it's not something we have to tell others, right?" Astratis said with a meaningful look as he cleared his throat.

"It's something that stays between us," Izroth responded with a carefree smile.

Astratis released a sigh of relief. If his other half or Nomii found out that he let the youngest face such a dangerous situation alone while he was off playing with an oversized feline, he would never hear the end of it!

...

A little earlier, somewhere in Malentansium...

Aurie's hands trembled as a fierce look appeared in her eyes once she completed reading the scrolls handed over by Niflheim and Menerva.

"That Captain of yours... I'll be sure to have a long word with him after he returns. That being said, to think he'd see this far ahead... he never ceases to amaze me." Aurie said as she released a heavy sigh.

She then rolled the scrolls up and tossed them into the air.

"Vigoros, erase them." Aurie called out.

In the blink of an eye, a light blue flame engulfed the two scrolls, causing them to be incinerated mid-air, leaving not even a speck behind.

"The contents of the scrolls were identical. It was probably Captain Izroth's way of ensuring that, in case one of you could not make it back in time, the message would still get delivered properly." Aurie explained.

She then continued, "According to Captain Izroth's revised plan, if his assumption is correct, then we will meet with more resistance than we anticipated."

Aurie spoke with a heavy tone the further she got into her statement. That's because she did not want to believe the contents she just read could be true. However, as the Commander of the 2nd Unit, Aurie understood that she could not ignore the possibility.

"Commander Aurie, your actions just now are a bit troubling." A voice sounded from out of nowhere.

The next moment, a shadowy figure emerged from the corner of the command tent.

However, the instant the shadowy figure emerged, they had several blades pointed at their throats or a heavy aura of magical energy focused in their direction.

Every last one of Aurie's Captains immediately made a move to intercept their unexpected visitor.

"Stand down, everyone," Aurie ordered.

When she gave the order, the Captains of the 2nd Unit withdrew their hostile stance and maintained a high level of vigilance.

"I believe I told you to keep your distance. What are you doing here, Mystic Silence?" Aurie questioned with a cold gaze.

NPC Name: War Intelligence Group Lead Agent Mystic Silence(???)

NPC Level: ???

Mystic Silence wore a black shroud that hid his appearance, and their presence was not noticeable, even at such a close distance.

"I am merely performing the duties entrusted to me. Commander, I must be made aware of all things if I am to prevent any unexpected threats at your back. Therefore, everything you know, I must also know." Mystic Silence stated.

Mystic Silence was the Lead Agent assigned to Commander Aurie to counter the League of the Eidolon's assassination attempts. Of course, Aurie was not the only one to receive a shadow tail in the form of an agent from the War Intelligence Group.

As per Izroth's suggestion, all those with the rank of Commander or higher had someone from the War Intelligence Group acting as their shadow.

However, Aurie made it clear for Mystic Silence to keep their distance from the command tent during the planning stages. But, as was typical of those from the War Intelligence Group, they could not stand being kept in the dark and acted as if the rules did not apply to them.

Naturally, this kind of attitude did not sit well with someone like Aurie, who always believed that one should have a certain level of structure when it came to the chain of command.

"What was in those scrolls is none of your concern. Now, Rose, please escort our guest out of the command tent and see to it that it stays that way." Aurie stated as she gave Rose a meaningful look.

"Yes, Commander~ Let's go~" Rose said as she clapped her hands once with a smile on her face.

When she performed this action, a single rose petal appeared above Mystic Silence's head, as well as her own.

"Wai-" Mystic Silence tried to call out; however, before they could do so...

Zeeut!

Without warning, Mystic Silence and Rose vanished from the command tent.

"Alright, we don't have much time before we're interrupted again. Those from the War Intelligence Group are persistent." Aurie stated.

"Aren't the War Intelligence Group our allies here? I know they aren't exactly known for their upright nature, but is it really alright to keep them out of the loop?" Niflheim questioned.

"If your Captain's words are true, then it's necessary. Until we know for certain, the only ones who can be trusted are those present in this command tent and Captain Rose." Aurie replied in a serious tone.