408. End Things Here

Edithe Dawnrise strode into the gates of the palace, followed by Hadrian. She’d been called here by Daniel Song, although he left the details vague, it was supposedly about something important. She was told she could bring someone she trusted— who was also above Level 100— so she opted for Hadrian to come. After all, Edithe and Hadrian were… close.

Quite so. They’d had a lot of time to bond lately, mostly because they had been relatively inactive. As much as both wanted to help with the Archdemons running around, they knew they’d only get in the way. Edithe thought that perhaps Salvos could’ve done something— but there was no reason to speculate.

And while her growing relationship with Hadrian was quite the blessing during this time, the red-haired woman still found it frustrating that she wasn’t able to help out much. So, the fact that Daniel approached her to do something felt cathartic to her.

“What do you think Daniel needs help with?”

She wondered aloud as she reached a corner. Hadrian shrugged, following behind her.

“Whatever it is, I hope it helps us deal with those Archdemons. I still can’t believe that they’re as strong as Elites.”

The leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company shook his head. Edithe paused. She raised her head, thinking of Salvos as he nearly bumped into her. He peered at her curiously, then she sighed.

“Well, personally, I can kind of believe it.”

Hadrian didn’t know what she was talking about, and she didn’t elaborate either. Maybe, one day, with Salvos’ permission, Edithe could tell him the truth. But for now, the secret remained that: a secret.

The pair turned another corner, soon to arrive at their destination, only to pause as a figure walked out of the hallway. Edithe recognized the man immediately.

“Jake.”

Her eyes narrowed. Jake, the leader of the True Valiants Company, halted as he caught sight of the pair. He crossed his arms and faced them.

“If it isn’t Edithe Dawnrise and that lying bastard Hadrian. What brings the both of you here? Last I remembered, Archmage Warshade wasn’t looking for help from traitors and liars.”

Hadrian shuffled his feet as Edithe frowned. It was the leader of the Valiant Dreamers who replied.

“Jake, I understand why you’re upset with me. But we’re on the same side. We should be working together.”

“We are. But that doesn’t mean I have to like you lot. Just remembering what you did… it sickens me.”

Jake crossed his arms. Hadrian didn’t have anything to say to that. But Edithe did. The red-haired woman found his animosity grating, to say the least. She stepped forward, meeting Jake’s gaze.

“But are we on the same side?”

She raised a brow at him. He frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m on the side of doing what’s right. But last I was told, you opposed fighting the Inoria Empire.”

Hadrian blinked.

“What are you talking about, Edithe?”

The red-haired woman nodde, still staring at Jake.

“Saffron Merryster— a friend of a friend— told me. You are part of the vocal minority opposed against forming a coalition army. During the Conference of Alyras over a week ago, you sided with that bastard Orbur Vale— the man who single handedly killed hundreds of your friends and allies— against the Greater Vampire Families.”

Jake clicked his tongue.

“I didn’t side with anyone. I was simply speaking the facts.”

“What you were doing, Jake, was trying to avoid dealing with the responsibility of this Demon threat. Even though it is the fate of the entirety of the Human lands at stake, you refuse to do your part, instead blaming the shortcomings of others for what happened...”

Edithe paused, tilting her head slightly as he didn’t respond.

“...not surprising, really.”

And that made the leader of the True Valiants Company snap. He pointed at Edithe then Hadrian, cursing.

“And what about you? What have either of you done? How am I wrong in what I have said? You used us— treated us like pawns in your sick game.”

Edithe expected that argument. He was getting predictable. Shaking her head, she started past the man and ushered for Hadrian to follow.

“I used to try to understand your perspective, Jake. See things how you saw it. Maybe, in some ways, you’re not wrong. But you know what?”

She turned back to face the leader of the True Valiants Company, speaking simply.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not also an asshole.”

Jake opened his mouth, but she didn’t stay to listen to what he had to say. Edithe continued on as Hadrian followed behind her. When they were far enough away, the blond man spoke up.

“Edithe, should you have…?”

“Yes, Hadrian.”

She glanced over at him, replying before he could ask his question.

“I should have. Just because Jake was wronged, doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants. Gabriel will probably keep a check on Jake, but we can’t just let him trample over us as if we’re the villains every single time we meet him.”

Hadrian hesitated.

“But we’re supposed to be working together.”

“We are. And you can think of him however you want, Hadrian. However, as Jake himself says, just because we’re on the same side, doesn’t mean we have to like him.”

Edithe paused and faced Hadrian. She smiled at him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“And I was getting tired of seeing him insult you like that.”

“I… thank you.”

He grinned at her, chuckling.

“I really owe you a few drinks this time, don’t I?”

“Please, you keep saying that, but you keep making me pay for the food every time we have lunch together.”

Edithe laughed as they chatted, before they finally reached their destination. It was at the guest quarters of the palace of Alyras. The room assigned to Salvos. At least, before the silver-haired girl went off to the mountains to raise a bunch of baby Wyverns on her own.

Inside, Daniel was waiting for them, alongside Amanda and two other individuals. Edithe recognized them as Vampires. One looked to be Saffron’s father, Crocus Merryster, and the other was a [Druid] with the Norwood crest emblazoned on her outfit— her name was Zin Norwood, if Edithe remembered right.

“Took you guys long enough.”

Amanda snorted. Edithe rolled her eyes but didn’t respond to the quip.

“Sorry for taking so long. We had a run-in with someone annoying.”

“So, I believe that’s everyone accounted for. I believe it is time for an explanation.”

Crocus said as he faced the young man from Earth. Edithe agreed with him, looking towards her friend.

“What’s going on, Daniel?”

Daniel stepped forward, facing the room. He looked apprehensive at first, chewing on his lips as if he didn’t know what to say, then he just sighed.

“I really don’t know how to say this, so I guess I’ll just be forward with it.”

He brought a hand up, and there was a flicker. A glinting object appeared in his palm as Edithe’s eyes widened. Everyone in the room gasped at that sight.

“That’s—”

“The Crown of Alexander, I know.”

Daniel cut them off before they could continue to clamor in awe over the Mythic Grade artifact he was holding. Edithe barely got a glimpse of the ornate, iridescent crown before it vanished once again.

It was Zin Norwood who questioned him, eyeing him suspiciously.

“How did you get that, Daniel Song? I was under the impression that Bolton Crimsonfang had it under his safekeeping?”

“Bolton Crimsonfang had it. Then he was attacked by the Demons a few days ago in the dead of night. He barely got out of it alive. He’s still recovering, as of right now.”

Crocus’ eyes went round.

“But… he’s a Level 151 [Mage]!”

“And these Demons are stronger than that. You all saw what they did to Lofus. They’re dangerous. And that’s why Helena Warshade entrusted the Crown of Alexander to me. She told me to find others who are strong enough to guard it as well.”

Edithe immediately knew what that meant— Helena had found out the truth about Daniel. But the others in the room were still confused. Hadrian furrowed his brows.

“Wait, why would she hand over the Crown of Alexander to you?”

“It was because… of some reasons.”

Daniel hesitated, then shook his head.

“Also, because most of the Elites in Alyras are leaving the city tonight. Or... they’ve already left the city. I’m not too sure.”

Edithe blinked a few times.

“They have?”

She looked out the window, but the barrier over Alyras was still there. She opened her mouth, and Daniel waved a hand dismissively.

“Helena Warshade… did something. I’m not really sure. But the barrier will remain, even if she’s not here. It’ll just be weaker than before.”

“I see.”

Zin Norwood rubbed a finger on her chin in thought. She raised her head and looked inquiringly into Daniel.

“And that’s our goal? To ensure that no one steals the Crown of Alexander why they are gone?”

“That’s right. It’ll be risky. But that’s why I called you guys here. You are the strongest fighters I know. And we’d like to remain discreet about it.”

The young man nodded. That made sense to Edithe. However, she still had a few questions in her mind. For example…

“Wait, where are Helena Warshade and the other Elites going, then?”

The red-haired woman asked. Surely it had to be for good reason. And it was.

“That’s…”

Daniel took a deep breath and met her gaze. He spoke clearly for everyone in the room to hear.

“Hopefully to put an end to those Demons, once and for all.”

Orgaf stalked through the trees until he saw the valley up ahead. Five figures huddled around a cave entrance, as expected. They hid in the shadows, but the Thief of the Golden Scales could see perfectly in the dark. He made out their horns, tails, and even unshapely bodies. With that confirmed, he slinked back into the shadows and appeared next to Helena Warshade a thousand feet back.

“It’s them, alright.”

He nodded at the Archmage. She didn’t visibly react. Instead, she just peered into him.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. You can confirm it with your scrying spells if you’d like.”

He scoffed as he crossed his arms. She raised her staff, but didn’t cast a spell.

“I would rather not risk it. Their [Fiend] is dangerous. Surely she’d be able to detect a scrying spell. We don’t want to alert them of our ambush.”

“Sounds good to me. So we’re charging straight in, then?”

Orgaf reached for his daggers, glancing about at the other Elites gathered here too. He sounded sarcastic, but he wasn’t. Peris Dolonia, Alder Ashford, Laux Lionfist, and Scarlet Vermillion were present as well. Together with Orgaf and Helena Warshade, it would be six Elites versus five Archdemons.

“Don’t let any of them escape. We outnumber them. We can end this here.”

The Great Tempest Archmage of Mavos Academy spoke as her staff finally began to glimmer.

“Are we ready?”

They nodded one after the other. Alder and Scarlet looked slightly nervous. Orgaf could understand the former’s apprehension, considering that the highest-leveled [Summoner] in the world only had two summons left. Scarlet… he was less sympathetic towards. After all, she looked like a newly-ranked Gold Ranked adventurer when she was supposed to be an Elite. He wasn’t even sure if they should’ve brought her here. She would’ve been better left with Daniel to guard the Crown of Alexander.

Alas, it was Helena Warshade who called the shots. Orgaf simply listened and felt the metallic objects at his shin as the Archmage continued.

“Then we shall begin—”

A magic circle overcame the six Elites. Orgaf smirked as he twirled his daggers. The world flashed, and in an instant, the landscape changed.

The six Elites found themselves staring down the faces of five confused Demons. Five Archdemons who looked like they’d been enjoying themselves, unprepared for this attack.

“—now.”

Helena Warshade spoke in a booming voice as a blast of lightning lashed out for the [Fiend] at the center. And the red lightning exploded out, enveloping all five Demons.