Gathering Storms
Unhindered Videl accompanied by Ruby and Natalia was able to reach the Guild master’s room quite easily. Upon entering the voice of a grumpy girl was heard.
The door swung open without warning.
Stacks of reports covered the desk. Maps of Fantom City were spread across the room, marked with hastily drawn notes and red circles. The air slled of ink, parchnt, and stress.
A familiar irritated voice imdiately echoed through the office.
"What the hell do you guys want?! Don’t you see I’m-"
Isabella stopped talking as she finally noticed who entered his room.
Her eyes moved from Videl to the two won standing behind her.
For a second the room beca completely silent.
Then Isabella’s expression changed dramatically.
"Oh, it’s you... And who might these two... WAIT THE HOLY MAIDENS!"
The chair behind her nearly toppled over as Isabella shot to her feet.
She imdiately stepped forward and knelt.
"Isabella, Guild Master of Fantom City’s Adventurers Guild. How may I serve the holiest ones."
Ruby blinked.
Natalia blinked.
Videl stared at Isabella as if she were looking at a completely different person.
A few monts ago, Isabella had been shouting.
Now she looked like the most respectful person in the entire kingdom.
Even though Isabella acted really respectful because this was how people should act in front of Holy Maidens of the Temples, deep inside she was extrely irritated.
’The hell? Not only does Victor give nothing but trouble, even his friends do the sa thing! Why bring holy maidens into the adventurer’s guild!’
Her smile remained perfect.
Her thoughts were anything but.
’One undead army wasn’t enough? Now I have temples involved too?’
Videl could almost see the frustration hidden behind Isabella’s polite face.
Before she could speak, Natalia stepped forward.
"The Sleeping Lioness of Skyfall Kingdom. I’ve heard tales of you."
The room grew quiet.
Even Ruby beca interested.
"It is my honor, my lady."
Isabella lowered her head slightly.
Natalia studied her carefully.
Unlike most people, Natalia’s gaze carried neither judgnt nor mockery.
Only curiosity.
"Who knew that the once-celebrated commander beca an adventurer, and even beca a guild master... How intriguing..."
A faint smile appeared on Isabella’s face.
"Life has its ups and downs, and no matter how strong you are, a human could never change fate."
For the first ti, Videl saw a glimpse of soone far older than the grumpy guild master she normally knew.
There was experience in those eyes.
Regret.
Acceptance.
Then the mont passed.
The usual Isabella returned.
Videl was shocked, as this was not the guild master, she knew. Was she sohow replaced by an imposter? That wasn’t possible since the mana fluctuating from within her could not be changed or copied.
Ruby leaned closer to Videl.
"Why are you looking at her like that?"
"Because this isn’t normal."
"What part?"
"Everything."
Natalia nodded in agreent.
"I understand what she ans."
’Sleeping Lioness of Skyfall Kingdom...’
Though Videl was extrely curious about this title of Isabella, she decided not to pry since she had more pressing matters to attend to.
She stepped forward.
"Isabella, is it true, that an undead army is heading towards the town?"
Hearing Videl’s question made Isabella sigh.
’So it really is about that.’
The playful atmosphere vanished instantly.
"Yes, we speculate that the army is led by the elder necromancer your Victor fought a few weeks ago."
Ruby’s eyes widened.
Natalia’s expression beca serious.
The two holy maidens who were listening to Videl and Isabella’s conversation, though it was surprising to hear about an elder necromancer heading towards the city, the two holy maidens were even more surprised to once again hear the na of Victor.
Not only was this Victor soone that Videl respected, he was also a person that was able to fight an elder necromancer and actually survive.
The more they heard about Victor the more interested the two beca.
Ruby crossed her arms.
"So, he’s strong, respected, and apparently crazy enough to fight an elder necromancer."
Natalia smiled.
"That does explain so things."
Videl rubbed her forehead.
"Please stop analyzing him."
"No."
The two answered at the sa ti.
"How many days before the undead army reaches the city?"
Isabella was about to answer the question but soone interrupted her.
The office door opened again.
Heavy footsteps entered the room.
"Based on what Lane said they can reach the city within a week. So, Lane decided to stay behind and delay their march."
The person entered was Clara wearing her full plated armor.
Dust covered parts of her armor.
Her expression was grim.
Videl’s heart imdiately sank.
"What do you an?"
Hearing the na of her friend being ntioned Videl looked even more serious now.
Clara took a deep breath.
Then she explained.
She told them about the scouting reports.
The ambushes.
The endless waves of undead.
Lane’s decision to stay behind.
The plan to buy Fantom City ti.
As Clara spoke, the room beca increasingly quiet.
Even Ruby stopped making jokes.
When Clara finally finished speaking, silence filled the office.
Videl turned around and was about to leave.
There was no hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Only determination.
"If you’re going, allow to co with you. Since I’m done with the things I need to do here, I need to return. Lane is a party mber after all."
Clara asked, in which Videl only look at her and didn’t respond.
Clara interpreted that as a yes and followed Videl.
As the group was about to leave, Isabella spoke to the two holy maidens.
"My ladies, are you heading out to the battlefield as well?"
Ruby imdiately answered.
"Of course, I do need to watch my hero candidate in action."
She sounded as though the answer was obvious.
Natalia laughed softly.
"Oh my, so she’s your hero? Well, whatever, Lady Isabella, this Big Boobies is right we do need to see the hero in action."
Ruby imdiately spun around.
"Big Boobies?!"
"Did I say sothing incorrect?"
"You absolutely did!"
"You seem rather sensitive."
"You’re doing that on purpose!"
The argunt resud instantly.
Videl continued walking.
She had long since given up trying to understand them.
"I see... Still, I need to report this to your respective temples."
Natalia nodded.
"Do what you must."
Afters Natalia said that she and Ruby hurriedly walk away trying to catch up with Videl and Clara.
Watching the fading backs of Videl and her group made Isabella sigh deeply.
"Really, that group always giving trouble."
She dropped into her chair.
"Aside from all the work I need to do in preparing for the incoming attack, I now also need to report to the temples."
Her head hit the desk.
"This is getting even more troubleso..."
She slowly raised her face.
"I should quickly find a replacent Guild Master and retire already."
Isabella returned to her seat and slumped.
...
After leaving the adventurers guild, Videl spotted a familiar figure running towards her.
"Master! Why did you leave behind."
Aria spoke with a bit of anxiety in her face.
She was breathing heavily from running through the city.
Videl stopped.
For a brief mont her expression softened.
"Sorry, Aria I was in a hurry. For now, I want you to head back to the principal’s office and ask Max what to do next."
Aria’s shoulders tensed.
"But master I want to go with you."
She spoke full of resolve.
Her fists clenched tightly.
She clearly wanted to help.
"No you can’t, as you are now you are still too weak to follow where I’m going."
The words struck hard.
Aria lowered her head.
The confidence in her eyes faded.
Seeing that reaction, Videl sighed.
Then she stepped closer.
She gently placed a hand on Aria’s head.
"You just need to stay here and protect the town, please wait for to return."
Aria lifted her head and looked at Videl who was smiling gently at her.
The disappointnt remained.
But so did trust.
She then nodded her head and answered.
"As you wish my master."
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