Author: Thanks for reading.

Number 3 of 3.

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I’m currently separated from the others as we are dressed as guards positioned at fixed points surrounding the meeting. I was mostly worried about Belle as I had the least time going over methods of infiltration with her. I can’t call myself a master of the art, but I built up a substantial amount of experience that I shared with Shiro and Puerial extensively.

So far though she hasn’t had any problems. I only worry about how she will handle any changes in the situation, like being confronted. If anything, we can just as easily bail out of this place. We just have to keep our identities hidden to avoid trouble later.

Being so far into elven territory, the guards here feel more like an aesthetic principle for the meeting. They don't have the tension of protecting against anything that guards normally have. It’s more of a ‘I’m here to look important’ type of feeling. Belle must be holding herself back quite a bit. Thankfully I can provide assistance with my [Connected] trait.

If it wasn’t for the fact that this is Puerial’s home, I myself would have done a more direct approach in the night and ‘asked’ a few of the higher ups some questions. Making it seem like a bad dream for them later isn’t impossible if I knock them out and heal them while they slept. It worked a few times before when I tried it out when I was training on a few bandit camps.

My disgruntled opinion aside, I can only wait for the meeting to start in a few moments.

“I would like to humbly welcome all of you for taking the time for answering my summons.” (Meeting leader)

“We greet the Armasil’ulvasu tribe's chieftain.” (All representatives)

Not a moment soon enough the meeting finally started. I have to hand it to those representatives. So prideful and arrogant but are able to conceal it so well. If I didn’t see them acting like a bunch of silk pants before, they would have even fooled me.

“As many of you already know, we are here to discuss the current state of the forest and our plans for the future.

I know you are all upset with the current state of the forest, but rest assured after we are finished with our project, restoration efforts will be made without delay.” (Arma Chief)

Slight grumbles of acknowledgment are made all around as the Chief gages everyone's reaction before continuing.

“With the resources we pulled from the forest, our plan is now 90% ready for testing. We have selected the neighboring beastkin tribes as test subjects. I believe none of you have a problem with it as they have long since overstayed their welcome in our forest.

The document before you have a rough outline of what we have done so far and what is still left. Please read through them carefully.” (Arma Chief)

Not wasting time they read the documents that have been placed in front of them. I’m curious at the content but I’ll have to endure. In a few minutes the representatives finish around the same time.

“I would like to ask how you plan to safely deploy this...toxin.” (Rep 1)

“And weather it will have damaging effects on the forest.” (Rep 2)

“Yes, as we have discussed before. A tool designed to shoot the chemicals is almost completed, we just need to run a few more tests for safe measures.

Rest assured also that we do not wish to place any harm on the forest and have tested this chemical extensively in a controlled environment. None of the results have proven harmful to the plantlife. This chemical has been strictly designed to only harm flesh based life. It also implies us as well so do be diligent in regarding proper handling.” (Arma Chief)

“Chief, if I may ask, creating this chemical to kill our enemies is fine and all. But why did we have to harm the forest so extensively in the first place. Such damage will take years for us to heal.” (Rep 3)

“Some things require sacrifice to accomplish. We needed to create a chemical that far exceeded anything previously and needed to research countless variations before finding the most ideal version.

Syphoning a few streams and a couple empty flower fields is but a small price to pay for victory.” (Arma Chief)

Setting the tone with that, the meeting continued on for a few hour as they discussed how to organize the tribes, where they would strike, and Possible contingencies. It was really thorough and worked through a large number of variables.

If I was on the receiving end of this attack, I would seriously be hard pressed to resist. Puerial’s father is a seriously dangerous guy. Speaking of, Puerial has been distressed for a long time now. So far she has held together with help on my end, but she is clearly disheartened by what went on in this meeting.

When we meet back up later, I’ll have to cheer her up a bit. Maybe helping her confront her father would help.

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Puerial’s POV

We finally had the chance to get away from the village and meet up. The others are looking at me with concern all over their faces. I don't look to bad do I.

“We are here for you.” (Shiro)

“If you want, I’ll kick your dad into shape.” (Belle)

“Just say the word and we’ll give them hell.” (Kuro)

Hearing their support, I can't help but cry. I’m so lucky to have them by my side.

“Don't worry, just give me a moment. *Deep Breath* Alright, Everyone...please help me confront my father. I don't want him to be responsible for something he can't take back. You heard what they said, if we don't do something who knows how many will die before they are stopped.” (Puerial)

I can feel my hands shaking. I’m talking about fighting against my father after all. But after doing so much over the years, I know that my father needs to be stopped. There is no reason for him to wipe out the beastkin from this forest, not even mentioning how all the tribes are killing every non elf in the forest.

What changed him so much, I can't even recognize him. He doesn’t even feel like the father I grew up with. It was like looking at a stranger, and if he was like that, then what about mom and my brother. Did they change too?

“Puerial, don't think so much. We will confront your father tonight, you can ask him everything that's bothering you then.” (Kuro)

“Right.” (Puerial)

Kuro is right, I should stress myself out. I’ll know everything tonight. I won't except that stranger as my father, my father was strict but he never thought so little of people's lives. I know that much after all. If he doesn’t realize his faults with reason, than I’ll do whatever it takes to make him.

I just hope big brother and mom are ok. If something happened to them to, than I won't let father off. A real man takes care of the people he cares about.

“...Is there something you need? You're staring quite a bit.” (Kuro)

“I-I wasn’t staring, I was just thinking about what that chemical they were talking about was.” (Puerial)

He bought that excuse right? Yea, he definitely bought it.

“Right, whatever that chemical is, my best guess is that it’s not something simple. We should take a few extra precautions just to be safe.” (Kuro)

“Yea.” (Shiro)

“Can't argue with that.” (Belle)

Alright, now all we have to do is wait for the sun to set and we’ll head over to confront my father. He better have a good excuse, or he is gonna get it.

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A/N: There we go, number 3.