Crimson continued, his tone firm. "Before we discuss the situation with the returning players, there's another urgent matter we need to address, the growing threat at the borders."
Crimson continued, his tone firm. "Before we dive into the details of the players' return, there's something else we need to address, the situation at the borders."
Moonlight Fury leaned forward, his eyes sharp behind his mask. "I was just about to bring that up. My men have gathered intelligence that monsters of unknown origin have started appearing along the western border. The Holy Remia Empire is already mobilizing its troops to contain the threat, fearing the creatures might spread chaos within their territory."
Crimson crossed his arms, his mind quickly analyzing the implications. "If the monsters are spilling over from our side, it could draw unwanted attention to the Heartless Republic. The last thing we need is a full-scale conflict with one of the most powerful nations on the continent."
"Exactly," Moonlight Fury nodded. "The current high elders are already in another war meeting room, likely discussing the same issue. If this situation escalates, it could disrupt the fragile balance we've maintained for decades."
Moonlight Fury crossed his arms, his expression unusually serious. "I have reason to believe that the monster appearances at the borders are not random," he said, his voice low but firm.
Xiao Li Jing, leaning back in her chair with a playful smirk, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think someone's behind this? Maybe another guild trying to test our strength?"
Moonlight Fury shook his head. "It's more than that. My men, those who logged in right on the first day of the players' return, reported something strange. They witnessed a mysterious dungeon appear out of nowhere near the western borders of the Holy Remia Empire."
Sir Pendragon leaned forward, his armored gauntlets clinking against the edge of the table. "A dungeon just… appeared? Are you certain it wasn't just a naturally spawning one? We've seen that before."
"No," Moonlight Fury replied, his tone sharp. "This one is different. It didn't gradually form like regular dungeons or monster nests. It materialized in an instant, as if dropped from another realm. And the monsters that came pouring out of it were unlike anything we've faced before."
SalahAdDin frowned, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "A dungeon that just appears? That sounds less like a natural occurrence and more like a deliberate part of the update. Maybe something we missed or a new mechanic that came with the changes."
Crimson, who had been quietly processing this, finally spoke. "If this is true, then this is a major threat. A dungeon appearing out of nowhere is not just a game event. It's a calculated move, and if it's near the Holy Remia Empire, it's close enough to affect our borders."
The room fell into a brief, tense silence. They all knew that the Heartless Republic was still recovering from decades of internal conflict, and a sudden external threat could tip the balance of power.
"So," Xiao Li Jing said, breaking the silence, "are we going to investigate this dungeon ourselves, or should we let the Holy Remia Empire handle their own problems for now?"
Crimson's eyes hardened. "We can't afford to ignore this. We need to know who or what is behind this dungeon, and if it's a threat to our nation, we'll crush it."
Moonlight Fury gave a slow nod. "Then I'll have my men keep a close watch on the border. If this is a new enemy, we'll find out soon enough."
He agreed with moonlight fury and he said to the other five that he will check it personally. The others didn't agree because there will be an assembly of all the players who belong to the heartless guild. Crimson tell them that they should handle it like before, this matter is urgent and someone need to check it on site and he also tells them if he can resolve it then he will resolve the issue in the border between the republic and empire.
Moonlight Fury gave a slow nod. "Then I'll have my men keep a close watch on the border. If this is a new enemy, we'll find out soon enough."
Crimson crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "I'll handle this personally. If this dungeon is part of the new update, it's better if one of us is there to assess the situation firsthand."
The others immediately pushed back. Xiao Li Jing raised an eyebrow, clearly concerned. "Crimson, we have an assembly coming up. The Heartless Guild is reuniting for the first time in decades. You can't just run off on a solo mission now."
Sir Pendragon nodded in agreement. "She's right. Your presence is crucial, especially when so many of our members have returned. If you're absent, it might send the wrong message."
Crimson met their eyes one by one, his tone firm but calm. "I understand your concerns, but this matter can't wait. If I can resolve this at the border quickly, it will prevent a potential crisis with the Holy Remia Empire. We can't risk a war breaking out just because we were too slow to respond."
SalahAdDin sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You always pick the most dangerous missions, my friend. Just make sure you come back in one piece."
Crimson gave a small, confident smirk. "I always do."
Xiao Li Jing's playful grin faded, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward, her tone suddenly sharp. "Crimson, what about your sister? What if she shows up at the guild assembly and you're not there?"
The room went quiet. Even SalahAdDin, usually the boldest among them, shifted uncomfortably. The thought of Crimson's older sister arriving without warning sent a chill through the room. She was a legend in her own right, as powerful as the six high elders, and known for her fierce loyalty to the guild but also for her ruthless teasing. She treated all of them like family, but her doting affection for Crimson often came with a healthy dose of bullying, and none of them had ever managed to escape her antics.
Sir Pendragon scratched the back of his head, looking like he'd rather face an army of monsters than deal with her scolding. "She'll turn the palace upside down if she finds out you weren't there to welcome her."
SalahAdDin let out a nervous chuckle. "Remember the last time you 'disappeared' without telling her? I still have nightmares about that lecture."
Crimson let out a sigh and leaned back in his seat. "Alright, I have a favor to ask. If my sister does show up at the guild assembly, can you guys handle her until I get back? The situation at the western border is too critical to ignore, and if this really is a prelude to something bigger, it might even lead to a war."
The others exchanged uneasy glances.
Sir Pendragon chuckled, though it was clear he was only half-joking. "You want us to hold the line against your sister? You're asking for a miracle, my friend."
Xiao Li Jing folded her arms and smirked, though there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "If she's in one of her overprotective moods, it'll be like trying to hold back a dragon."
SalahAdDin sighed dramatically. "I still remember the time she dragged me across the battlefield for a 'strategy meeting' when I made a joke about you. My pride has never recovered."
Moonlight Fury, who usually avoided these kinds of conversations, gave a rare nod. "We'll manage. Just make sure you come back quickly. It's better to face a horde of unknown monsters than her wrath."
Crimson managed a small smile, grateful for their support. "Thanks, everyone. I'll make this quick and return before the assembly starts. Just... don't let her burn down the palace, alright?"
The others nodded, a mix of nervousness and determination in their eyes. They understood the stakes not just on the battlefield, but also with the unpredictable whirlwind that was Crimson's sister.
After a few minutes, the meeting ended, and Crimson wasted no time in making preparations for his journey to the western border. He first headed to the central bank of the capital, where he retrieved his legendary swords and armor. These weren't just ordinary weapons — they were crafted with the rarest materials and enchanted with powerful runes, capable of withstanding the fiercest battles.
Next, he visited the bustling marketplace, where the returning players had already created a chaotic but vibrant atmosphere. He stocked up on high-grade health and mana potions, as well as various status recovery items. He also purchased a few magic-infused rations, knowing that he might have to camp in the wild for days if the situation at the border was as dire as he feared.
He carefully stored everything in his storage rings, double-checking to ensure he had all the essentials: repair kits, emergency escape scrolls, and even a few powerful relics that might come in handy.
After finishing his shopping and preparations, Crimson didn't return to the Heartless Palace. Instead, he made his way directly to the western gate of the capital. The streets were still bustling with activity, as merchants, adventurers, and locals went about their business, unaware of the potential crisis brewing at the border.
As he approached the western gate, he noticed the increased presence of National City Guards. The area was packed with a steady stream of players entering and exiting the city, their conversations filled with excitement about quests, hunting, and exploration.
Crimson adjusted his grip on the hilt of his legendary sword, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. He knew that once he crossed this gate, he would be heading straight into the unknown, possibly facing a threat that even he might find challenging.
"Time to see what's really happening at the border," he muttered, steeling himself for whatever awaited him in the west.
With a final glance at the towering gates, he stepped forward, blending into the crowd of adventurers as he left the capital behind.