"Father, is it really necessary? He's only been here for a month, and he also has been only sparring with me."

Drekor folded his arms, emphasizing how upset he was with the decision. However, he didn't openly reject it, partially for the fact Reigan was Realm Monarch, but mainly he was his father.

Reigan brushed his hair back, his spotted silver lines glistening in the sun within the Yard, "While it may seem rushed, the public definitely is beginning to get rowdy, vying to find out who exactly is the Joker. Because of this, and the mounting discord in the Assembly, has forced our hands. We must introduce Joran to the world."

Joran's back stiffened unconsciously, as he felt the weight of Reigan's words. All this time, he wanted to simply live peacefully.

A wish that can't be granted in such a violent world. Gaining a card that held legendary reputation proved that much. Liam dying proved that much. Reigan's merciless reminder in the Throne Room solidified that much.

Tightening his fist, Joran stepped forward towards Reigan. Although Joran was of average height, Reigan towered over him; a clear difference that only gave him more stature.

"We must do what we need to do. Let's go."

Reigan took a second to look over the youngster in front of him, before chuckling, "Boy, do you even know the people we're about to meet? It's the leaders of the Terrene Metropolis. The people I commune and act with on day to day business. Are you sure you're ready?"

"…" A moment of silence pervaded the trio as Joran stood there like a statue.

"… Absolutely not."

Drekor laughed and patted his friend on the back before giving him a warm smile, "Well, let's go there first, right now you're not technically the Joker. You can get a look around first."

Reigan stroked his chin for a second before nodding, "That's actually not a bad idea. I dislike lying to people, but this could make for an interesting scenario."

Joran raised an eyebrow, both mildly concerned and confused, "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, nothing. It might not even be an issue," Reigan waved over the boys and they left the Agile Palace.

Before leaving, Joran could see the Attendant he had seen earlier in the day, giving her a slight wave. She, on the other hand, could hardly stand up any straighter than she did while smiling outwardly. But Joran could see her nervousness, as someone who stood at the same level before going to the Central Districts.

Before the Joker Card.

Shaking his head of the thought, Joran stayed right by Drekor's side, assuming the persona of his bodyguard; despite the fact Drekor could easily defend himself, let alone Joran not having any combative potential.

They backtracked their way to the Sovereign Palace, then continued on in the same direction. When Joran had first arrived, he could only be in awe of the towering skyscrapers, the shadows casted down onto the ground from the architecture of the bulwark of the Hero Realm. Now, however, he could see the streets and walkways that crisscrossed within Crown City. Needless to say, the place they were headed for was indubitably the absolute core of Crown City, not more than half an hour at a leisure walking pace from the Palace. Ironically, among the towering skyscrapers, the place that held all of the leaders, was a more restrained, more rudimentary building. It wasn't small by any means, rather the auburn wood and myriad of colors representing each Major Family that made up the bulk of its design gave it an august appearance. It was a large dome, letting windows at the top of it filter light through. The walkways leading up to the dome were given special colors that eventually merged into building itself. Coincidentally, the streaks of colors could easily determine which direction to go for the respective Family. Which is why for the trio, they walked down the gold walkway into the dome.

The traffic and crowd, while exceptionally dense, parted way easily as Reigan strode towards the gold tinted glass doors into the inside. Joran couldn't help but sift uncomfortably in his gait as he watched as if the crowd were a wave splitting apart. He didn't think he could ever get used to this reversal.

Reigan opened the door, leaving it open for his son and Joran, as they both walked in, with Reigan shortly behind after a calm and measured wave towards the crowd that began to flow naturally once more. Inside, the echoes of their steps within the hall were exceptionally distinct as it became deathly silent. The clamor outside having been silenced, Reigan spoke up for the first time since they left the Agile Palace.

"Alright, now that we are here, I need to tell you something Joran."

With a slight gulp, Joran nodded, and Reigan proceeded, "Drekor will tell you who's who. You already know Vera, and I suspect that she's one of the main voices in this Assembly today, so you might be able to figure out things as it comes."

Joran looked over at Drekor, who gave him a flash of his assuring smile, before slicking back his wild hair, inadvertently switching from a happy go lucky kid to a remarkably regal prince.

Joran looked over to Reigan, "Alright. Let's get this over with."

Reigan nodded and once again began to lead the boys through the hallways. They rounded a corner to go through a rather long hallway, their footsteps clattering, completely alone. Along the far side's wall, there was only one door, painted in the exact gold hue as the tippets unfurled by the duo that they had donned while making this walk. Once again, Joran was awestruck at the practiced methodology, before collecting himself before they reached the door. The duo looked at Joran, gesturing him to open the door for them. A short moment of confusion later, and Joran went into bodyguard mode again, playing the part of a subservient player, opening the door, bowing reverently, and letting them go through.

Once Joran straightened up from his bow, he could see the room that they had entered. An open space that had several clear paths that went down into a concave, where a circle of chairs and tables currently hosted a group of widely varying individuals. There were also others that stood next to said individuals, or sat behind them within the concave. Although there were large swathes of what looked like audience seating surrounding the concave, all the way to the doors at each separate section, all of them were completely empty.

Well no wonder the public is so rowdy. If you're not going to tell them what's happening here, why wouldn't they be?

Joran flitted his thoughts away and pursued the duo that had walked with a measured gait towards the concave. Although no one had paid them any mind, it was mainly due to the conversation being held, with Vera in the middle of the circle speaking, becoming more and more clear the closer the trio got. Vera stood with her arms folded, occasionally unfolding to gesture towards individuals or directions, her face even more stern somehow than when Joran first met her in the Divine Eye Sect's Hall.

"… And pray tell, if they did somehow enter the Metropolis?"

In response to Vera's question, a short woman with blonde hair spoke with disdain masked behind her measured response, "Then we deal with a few stray goblins that make it past the wall. It's not that difficult to handle a few goblins, I'd imagine."

Vera turned to the woman, sighing, "If it were something as simple as a few goblins, we wouldn't even be having this emergency Assembly. No, we've been dealing with a massive surge in goblin activity at the fringes of Portsmouth, Kaywood, and Evergreen. Not to mention rumored appearance of kobolds."

"Rumored, apparently, is synonymous to outlandish tales of drunkards mistaking a slightly larger goblin for a kobold."

Vera's brows creased, her annoyance clearly rising, before another voice rang out from the other side of the concave. An average sized man with red hair tied up into a ponytail, with his arms folded as well, in a reserved position as he sat. His voice was calm and collected.

"I don't believe Vera would call this Assembly on groundless tales. It is also inadvertently evident, as well, that there is an unusual spike in monster activity. While the fringe cities are aptly equipped to handle these surges, there is the issue to consider of, 'what if there's more on the way?'"

The blonde woman shrugged, letting out an exasperated sigh, "If that's what our most prestigious mind has to say on the matter, then I will not continue to contest that issue."

It was at this point that the trio made it to their table, seating themselves, with Joran standing behind Drekor with as best of a blank expression as he could muster within this room that felt like he could suffocate in with the pressure building from the debate. Before Joran could mutter any questions, of which he had many already, Drekor started explaining in a low voice as the debate continued.

"You know Vera Jura, so that's easy. The woman she's talking to is Audra Cael. She's the Sect master of the Altering Cael Sect. It would seem Audra is ready to oppose Vera at any given issue, despite the readily mounting crisis on our hand."

"Yeah, someone must have really pissed off Audra before we convened here. She usually waits until an hour before she stokes the coals," Reigan muttered after Drekor explained to Joran.

"So who's the red guy?"

Drekor smirked at the description and nodded towards the gentleman in discussion, "That's Cato Argo. He's probably smarter than all of us combined."

"What, like the three of us?"

"No, he means the entire Assembly here, combined."

"… Oh."

Drekor stifled his laughter, and continued, "Yeah, Cato is the Patriarch of the Distilled Mind Family. He's probably the second most respected person in this room, especially because he usually doesn't come to these Assemblies unless it's incredibly important."

"That should've been enough for Audra to shut up about opposing Vera at every turn this time…" Reigan lamented again, letting his thoughts turn into quiet comments to amuse the boys next to him.

Vera bowed slightly towards Cato at this point, and solemnly continued, "We have mounting evidence of rogue encounters with goblins that are persisting 24/7. Almost all of them are outside the cities, and in either the farmlands or in the wild."

Another voice chimed in, a small woman with long, curvy auburn hair. Her voice carried innate discipline and harshness that Joran could almost recognize immediately as one of someone that fights. And fights hard and often.

"Almost all of them? So where have the other ones been?"

Joran and Vera almost locked eyes as Vera replied to the auburn woman, "One of them was a member of my Sect that was coming home after a few years in the Districts. He was mauled and taken away by a pack of goblins. It's been over a month now, and we still have yet to retrieve the body."

The room fell into a somber lull, as no one really said anything for a few seconds, before the woman spoke again, "I'm sorry to hear that. But one encounter doesn't facilitate this meeting. What about the others?"

This time, a deep, bass voice answered. It came from an exceptionally large man, with black wavy hair. His figure dwarfed the chair he sat in as he looked carefully into the woman's eyes across the concave from him.

Joran knew this man, carved into his soul, "Herk."

Reigan took a sidelong glance at Joran, before going back and paying attention to the Assembly again.

The man, Herk, spoke, "The additional cases are from my side. Some of my members were found dead on their way back from the fields and farmlands. I had assumed they were rogue encounters, however Vera's own reports coinciding with mine showed it was something more serious."

A silence encroached on the conversation almost as soon as he finished his report. The implication behind what he had said was these encounters weren't just happening outside the borders of the Metropolis. They had already begun to happen within the walls as well.

The auburn woman's expression had turned grave and stern, "Then the gravity of the situation has warranted the need for an emergency assembly. Although, it should be noted officially that there should not have been any doubts."

Saying that, the woman turned her gaze towards Audra, who shrugged her shoulders in defeat, clearly disinterested in the rest of the Assembly.

At this time, Joran muttered to Drekor in a low voice, "Well, I know Herk… Being from the Gouriki Family and all that, super strong, blah blah blah… Who's the other lady?"

Drekor struggled to keep his face straight after the snide introduction of probably the strongest person in the concave, he began to explain, "That lady is effectively in charge of the entire military, Rohi Suekamikou."

Joran became visibly confused, outright breaking the persona of a bodyguard, though no one seemed to notice, "I thought Herk was part of that as well?"

"Well, yes and no. The Boulder Sect is the largest portion of the military, and their ability to hold the line is often what tides over any periods of strife or war with the Beasts. So to the effect of manpower, she's the one in charge of most of it; so typically she's in charge of the military forces."

Reigan chimed in, using the same lamenting tone he used earlier, "Usually the case, until we have a crisis at hand that requires more than just the Boulder Sect to handle. Such as these issues that are coming up with goblins."

The conversation resumed within the concave with Vera nodding towards Rohi, "They have already become a threat to the fringe cities. The movements that we've been sighting shows they are coordinated. These all point…"

It was then, that Reigan stood up, interjecting Vera's statement, absorbing everyone's attention to him alone, "They all point to an Invasion, correct?"

The silence was deafening at his question turned declaration. Most everyone in the room had already assumed that this was the case, but the Realm Monarch specifically stating it so plainly only made the atmosphere even more sullen.

Vera stood with her arms folded, sighing in a casual manner at the "question", "Yes. It all points back to 'that' time, years ago. It's no longer what we've been calling an 'Incursion,' it's escalated to being a precursor to an Invasion."

For the first time, Joran felt the air in the room change. It wasn't something intense, but rather forlorn. The eyes of the leaders that were in the concave all exuded an aura that clearly showed they were sent back in time in their memories. Almost as if in synchronicity.

Some time passed, before Reigan snapped back from his lamenting, and spoke up again, breaking the spell among the others, "Well, now that the possibility of an Invasion is steadily becoming a reality, we must take action to prepare and act accordingly. Suekamikou, it's time you and Gouriki begin discussion of the military strategies to prepare."

The faces of the two Reigan addressed, Rohi and Herk, both turned ashen in the face, and nodded before locking eyes with each other, giving knowing looks.

Reigan continued, looking towards Vera, "Jura, you will need to start taking measures with Yamatsumi to garner stockpiles of supplies in advance, the more we can get, the better; this will also extend towards requesting assistance from the Isles of the Mages. My Idaten's assets are at your disposal if necessary."

Vera's eyes widened for a split second before she regained her cool, bowing slightly, "My Jura is more than capable in handling this task. We will accept the assistance if need be, however, and thank the Realm Monarch in advance."

Reigan turned to Cato, catching the redhead's attention, albeit as stoic as ever. Reigan sighed and closed his eyes, giving a slight bow towards Cato.

"If Argo could lend assistance once more, my Idaten would never forget this."

Everyone in the room sat still, looking on as casually as they would in such a tense mood as the Invasion being officially recognized as such. Everyone except Joran, who couldn't fathom Reigan bowing to anyone.

Just how strong is this Cato?!

Cato closed his eyes for a second, and for a moment, Joran could tell Cato's expression had changed dramatically in that second, from the emotionless face he possessed before Reigan even bowed, now contorted from some guttural anger.

"You should already know, Reigan, that I wouldn't meddle in the affairs of the Metropolis, but the Beasts…."

His silence pressured everyone in the room, nearly choking Joran with the murderous intent spilling out from Cato in this moment, "The Beasts, on the other hand, would be something I should ask you if I may slaughter?"

Being behind Reigan in this moment, Joran could see the faintest of a shiver from Reigan's back, however just as fast as it had come, it left, "I'm glad you will offer, ahem, your aid in this serious crisis. I would like to ask you to diverge some resources into both aiding the Jura, and the strategy discussion between Gouriki and Suekamikou."

Cato simply nodded once, before closing his eyes again, relaxing back into his casual, emotionless state once more.

Joran just now noticed that a cold sweat pervaded his back as if he had taken a shower, Truly scary… Even scarier than Reigan… How is that possible?!?!

And finally, Reigan turned to address Audra, and another man that Joran hadn't noticed until now, who was sitting in his chair, with his feet kicked up onto the table of the concave. He had bright red hair, almost exactly like Cato, although he also possessed intense, red pupils that were now looking back at Reigan with a bit of arrogance etched into them.

"I would like for Cael and Heca to begin tightening down on the security of Crown City, as well as the other cities."

The red-haired man spoke in a very audacious manner, pulling himself up straight out of the chair, his stature exuding grandeur with his hands out and open, "Of course, Realm Monarch! My Heca would gladly give itself for the safety of the Metropolis! Our honor is tied directly to the success of this task you have given us!"

Immediately after his declaration, he bowed deeply, before sitting back down the same way he had before, and with that, Audra wiped away some of the blonde hair in her face, and stood up, bowing gently.

"My Cael will do what it can to aid the Heca. Although, to spare resources, we should focus on the three Northern fringe cities, rather than on all of them, like Ardenta. And Sentinalus already has a dedicated garrison so…"

Reigan immediately responded with a shake of his head, "I said all of them. In this time of tribulation, we must extend our hand to all of the cities, not just the ones we think are the most threatened."

Audra gave a bit of a humph, and nodded before sitting back down.

Reigan continued on with the process, "Now with delegations out of the way, my Idaten will offer assistance wherever needed to all of you. This is a crisis we must take seriously, with all hands at the helm. And of course, we must move before we tell the people—"

Reigan was cut off by a slight chuckle that resonated within the concave. However, it was by someone who he least expected it from.

Joran started laughing mainly because he could feel his stress reach a boiling point. But what really pushed him over the edge was even with all of the efforts to prepare, Reigan, and clearly the rest of them, were going to still keep it secret.

"INSOLENCE!" However, Joran's giddiness vanished into thin air after Herk got out of his chair and slammed his fist onto the table, which creaked and groaned under such an impact, rattling around the entire concave.

Reigan was taken aback by Joran's outburst, but then waved to assuage Herk, "It's fine, he has a right to this Assembly after all," Now, the rest of the leaders burst out laughing, except Vera of course.

Audra specifically pointing at Joran, her attention now firmly planted on him, just like the rest of them, "What, this boy has a right to the Assembly? Reigan, did you already lose your nerve like an old man?" and started cackling.

Annoyed at the remark, Reigan shifted for a second, before appearing right before her, with the table in between them, "Silence, Cael."

The air froze as the laughter was cut like a rope straining. Audra recollected herself after being startled by Reigan's sudden appearance in front of her, and nodded sternly. Reigan gave a slight bow with his head to her, and turned to Joran, lifting his hand up towards him.

"If you would please, Joran."

Joran stood extremely meekly in front of the attention of all the leaders, but slowly, shakily pulled out the card he had somehow hated even more than before.

Holding it up, the hue of the card and the illustration of the joker caused audible gasps to come out from some of the leaders, especially Audra and Herk. Joran held his eyes shut as he lifted the card, only to put it back down after Drekor put his hand on top of his.

Cato spoke, emotionless of course, "So he is the rumored Joker holder?"

Reigan nodded, "That boy has been with me for a month now, and although he has been in secret up until now, I believe he has a say in whatever we do in this concave, for reasons that should be obvious."

"That puny little brat should've rotted in the Central Districts, like the wastrel he is!"

Drekor and Joran's eyes widened at the voice that came from behind Herk, the person who spoke coming forward appearing remarkably familiar to the duo. A large, barreled person who stood in august next to Herk, even if he was slightly smaller in frame.

Joran's face darkened, while Drekor's voice rang out cordially, "Jeremiah, you're stepping on far too many toes with that statement, you wish to disrespect the Realm Monarch's words like that?"

Jeremiah's red eyes maliciously darted towards Drekor, before he cackled and pointed accusingly at Joran, "This maggot desecrated on the Gouriki name! Even if he was from the Rooted Clout Family, it was still far too much!"

Herk looked towards Jeremiah, his brows furrowed deeply in both confusion and shock, "My son, these are bold accusations to lash out at someone who is indeed a Joker. How do you know of this boy? Was he in your Class?"

"Yes."

With a sense of finality to it, it shocked the Assembly that the one who spoke was Joran, and as the attention of the room turned back towards him, they could see the seething rage boiling behind his eyes.

"Yes, I was in his Class. We arrived at our Class after the long journey, and while many were filled with hope for the future, I had suffered not even a year prior the death of my parents. And for what? Some stupid accident that happened out on their farm in Kaywood, near Sentinalus… It wasn't even their fault, some kid was playing with smoldering branches from a camp somewhere, and it went the wrong!

The room had stayed silent through listening to Joran's story, with the exception of some sneers from a few people, mainly from Jeremiah.

"The damage stayed strictly on our farm. It didn't spread because my parents sacrificed themselves! I watched them burn alive! And what did the Family do?!

"Nothing! They let the land rot away and decay, while I was sent off to the Central Districts, already ostracized, already alone."

Jeremiah broke out laughing, "And that gives you the right to forgo our Classes? You think you were entitled to spend your days not doing anything, lounging around?!"

Reigan spoke up, his eyes closed from how tired he suddenly gotten, "Young Master of Gouriki, I understand your frustrations, but he has the Joker card clear as day. His potential outstrips anyone in this room, even if he is…. This 'weakling' you keep referring to him as."

What everyone expected was for Jeremiah to buckle and restrain himself. For him to realize he had overstepped, but no one else in the room knew what Jeremiah had to endure for almost a year now. No one but Joran and him knew that Joran got the last punch in before they parted ways.

Something that weighed heavily on Jeremiah for so long now, to where he instead of shrinking away from the center stage, turned his grin into a malicious, evil smile as he stared right into Joran's eyes.

"If he's so strong, then I challenge him to a Soma Lum!"