(Training Field)
Artoria was at the training field observing everyone. She was looking for people. Volunteers for a special mission. She walked around the training field and looked at people training. Wherever she walked, she drew attention from everyone. Some halted their training, some made mistakes from looking at her. Those looking to impress her trained harder.
However, they didn't get her attention. If they only trained this hard when she was looking, then it wasn't worth it. What did get her attention was Masayuki, not for being the hero, but for still being here. He had told her that he wanted to stay longer so he could train in Tempes, and she let him. Not to be nice, but because of his name and how well-known he is.
She remembered what he said. "Your training helped me beat Nero, and you only trained me for a few days. I want to stay here to learn more." She had to hold back her smile, but she accepted.
Artoria went up to a training field and stood there watching them until she spoke up.
"Everyone, attention!" She shouted. As soon as she did, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. She nodded before continuing. "Listen up! I need some volunteers for a special mission! It's going to be a joint mission with Lubellious."
Masayuki raised his hand. "What are the details of the mission?"
Artorai nodded at his raised hand. "Thank you for volunteering, Masayuki. Are there any others?" And she ignored his question.
"What? He's just asking a question!" Gobta spoke up.
"Welcome aboard, Gobta. Thank you for volunteering. You're setting an example." Artoria nodded happily at how courageous Gobta was at volunteering.
Gobta looked down and groaned. He should've known not to say anything once he saw how Masayuki "volunteered".
Artoria shot him a glare as he heard his groan. "Did I just hear you groan, Gobta? When Hakurou gets back from his mission, I'll tell him about this. I hope you have fun with the extra training."
Gobta stayed silent, reflecting upon himself.
Artoria looked around to see if any more volunteers would speak up, but then she heard a voice.
"Oh man, this palace is awesome! It was so worth it to keep bugging Lord Carrion about staying here as an observer! That restaurant is the best! Best alcohol ever!" It was Suphia who was drunkenly walking and talking around the training field.
Artoria sighed, remembering why she was here. Calling her an "observer" was being merciful as a saint. She was an observer or an attaché of sorts from Carrion. It's very obvious why. And Artoria would bet a stellar coin that Suphia and Albis fought over it.
"Suphia! Get over here!" Arotira shouted at Suphia.
Suphia looked over immediately and noticed Artoria's gaze. "Huh? Oh." She realized where she was and all the training going on. She walked over to Artoria, ready to see what she wanted. It was her job as an attaché. "What do you need, Lady Pendragon?"
"Thanks for volunteering, Suphia. I think this will be good enough." Artoria said before taking her, Gobta, and Masayuki away with her.
"Wait a minute! I'm sure I'm not supposed to be a part of this!" Suphia complained.
/\\//\\//\
"Alright, pay attention. You three are going to join a special mission carried out by Hinata and her saints. And don't worry, they'll accept you." Artoria said as she stood in front of a board in a small briefing room. She looked at her volunteers and nodded. Gobta, Masayuki, and Suphia. This was certainly a group put together for a mission. Well, it's up to Hinata to make it work, since she's commanding it.
"Really? They won't have problems with Suphia or me?" Gobta said, obviously concerned, knowing what Lubellious and its religion is like.
"Yeah. It was very easy. Luminous gave out a simple message, oracle, whatever it's called. Stuff about saying that the right to live is ancient and inherent, questioning the worth of a people is to misunderstand the fabric of humanity. Monsters carry the same things humans do: stories, songs, etc. Honoring life is honoring them, not as an exception, but as part of the whole. That kind of stuff."
"Woah, are you just going to gloss over that? That seems so…profound. I would've liked to see what she said in her entirety." Masayuki said. There was a lot to think about in those words.
"Anyway, let's get to the mission details." Artoria wanted to get to it, but Suphia interrupted.
"Hold on. I understand Masayuki and Gobta, but why me? I'm not even part of this nation."
"You volunteered, Suphia," Artoria said plainly.
"What? I didn't!"
"Yes, you did. I said I needed volunteers, and then you came up to me asking what I needed. If that's not volunteering, I don't know what is."
"What? That's not the whole story!" Suphia said in an accusatory tone as she pointed at Artoria.
"I already sent a messenger to Carrion. And who do you think he'll believe? You, someone who clearly only wants to be here for the alcohol and barely does any work as an 'attaché', or me, who doesn't need much introduction?" Suphia shrank back a little like a turtle trying to get into its shell. She tried to say something, but she couldn't. She knew Artoria had her, so she stayed quiet. "That's what I thought. Now, we can start. Pay attention."
Artoria put up a picture of Yuuki, Damrada, and then wrote down two names: Misha and Vega, before turning around to face Gobta, Masayuki, and Suphia. "So, who are these people?"
"I know Yuuki, but that's about it. I don't know who that other guy is, or those two names." Masayuki said while the other two only nodded.
"Yeah, I expected as much." Artoria paused as she thought about something. The least dangerous of these four is Misha. The one that could pose the most danger is Vega or Yuuki. In other words, these three volunteered for something way out of their league, but someone has to do it. "Yeah, you three will not have a very good time on this mission. Make sure to pack a lot of healing potions. I'll also provide some magic items made by my wife. You can trust their quality. Even the most average human will be very powerful with these, so just imagine what will happen with you three. At least Masayuki will be there. His luck will save all of y'all."
"It didn't save me from 'volunteering'." Masayuki said in a dejected tone.
"Why don't you come with us if you say it's so dangerous?" Suphia said in a loud voice. Sure, she liked fighting and going against strong opponents, but something was telling her that this seemed a bit too much.
"Hmm, I'll talk to Shuna about it." Artoria said.
"What? Why would you talk to her? Aren't you supposed to be the one with the most power here?" Suphia said. Gobta and Masayuki nodded in agreement.
"I'd argue that the one with a more powerful position is my wife."
"Well, I mean. Yeah, ok, I can see it." Suphia relented. Is Shuna the one pulling the strings?
"Yup. She became a mystic oni after marrying me. Soul corridor stuff." Artoria said in a slightly proud tone as she slightly bragged about Shuna.
"WHAT?! You're wife is a mystic oni?! She looks so harmless! Why isn't she going on this mission?" This time, Shuphia was shocked. A mystic oni, the stuff of myth and legend.
"She likes staying home and tinkering with her abilities to make stuff. She likes it. I let her borrow my equipment whenever she wants, so she can use them for whatever she wants. I wouldn't be surprised if she made some things related to my stuff."
"Are you sure us three are good enough for this mission? You haven't said anything about their power, but it looks serious. If Yuuki is up there, what about those other three you mentioned?" Gobta said in concern.
"Yeah, they're strong. But relax, you three aren't alone. Remember, you'll have Hinata and her saints, you three, someone else, and maybe me." Artoria said as she started to consider actually going. The only pressing matter she could think of was when Diablo would return with his demons. She needed to be there to tame them if things didn't go right. She needed them for a plan she had for the Eastern Empire.
"Please change that 'maybe' to an assurance. At least I know we won't die with you around." Gobta said, knowing the absurd and unfair healing she has.
"I'll see what I can do."
"What do you'll see what you can do? It's your choice!" Suphia said. She really wanted Artoria to come with them.
"Look, this is a precursor of sorts to a much larger conflict that will happen soon. There's a reason we're teaming up with Lubellious. To take some of the burden off of us. Depending on how successful y'all are in this mission, it will affect certain things."
"And what is our mission?" Masayuki said.
"Simple. Kill, if possible, all, any , or at least one of these people. They all play an important role in their 'grand plan' or whatever they want to call it."
"And what do we have to go off of?" Suhpia said. She might be a battle freak, but not a battle idiot.
"Just hold on a moment. He should be back soon. I sent a team out for some information gathering. He wouldn't die so easily, especially since he can just summon like a hundred different servants for whatever purpose he wants."
"And what is he doing?" Masayuki said.
"Well, he and his team are not only investigating the people you see on the board, but also some other people. That includes having to infiltrate the Eastern Empire to the best of his ability."
"What? And if he gets captured?" Masayuki said. Even he knew that that is something not anyone would think of doing, let alone actually being successful.
"Well, one, that wouldn't happen, and if it did, then there's no rescue for him. Anything identifying him with us is removed."
"Wow, that's brutal and unforgiving." Suphia said in surprise. She had seen things, but even she would try to help out her fellow troops instead of leaving them behind to die.
"He accepted it when I told him the nature of the mission."
"Talk about courage."
"Yeah, anyway, that's pretty much it. I just wanted to let y'all know what you're going to do. Once he returns, I'll gather you again to go into detail. Dismissed." Artoria left the room, leaving the three of them in there.
"I pray she'll join us." Gobta said.
"Isn't she the one you pray to?" Suphia said in a questioning tone, wondering if this hobgoblin knew how to fight.
"Oh, yeah, you're right." Gobta said in realization.
"We're so dead." Suphia said as she hung her head low in acceptance. Things don't look good for the people who volunteered.