Chapter 7
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Inside the Fanctom's odd store on the 3rd floor, Melissa along with Dina and Sasha who is just arrived can be seen discussing something.
Knock
Knock
A knocking sound can be heard from the room door, while Dina opened her mouth "Come on in" and the door is open, at the same time Fanctom The Toadman is entering the room.
"My Lady there is 2 guest outside the room, are you expecting them ??" Fanctom is aking Melissa.
"Oh yes i'm, i.ve forgot to remind you earlier, it's fine to let them come". Melissa beckoning Fanctom to let the guest enter into the room.
Then Fanctom returns to outside and not long after, he entered again while bringing 2 people inside.
"Good you guys.. are here, come on we got something to discuss", Dina start speaking after she sees these 2 people.
"Damned Melissa, can you pick a place that are easy to find...we keep circling around for god knows how long till we found this place.." the one who speaking is a very short bulky man, he has a long disheveled dark brown hair and a beards on his chin, while also wearing a medium black steel armor with a backpack and a large hammer hanging on his back.
"Bah!!...you're the one who keeps telling me to trust you, because you said that you know this place location, why is it suddenly now it became Lady Melissa's fault ?", and the other person starts berating him and defending Melissa, this person is a woman with long blonde hair and long ear, while her skin is smoothly white and she has an extremely beautiful face, she also wearing a green colored light armor and a backpack along with exquisite looking bow on her back.
These 2 people are not a human obviously, looking from their physical appearance the man is a dwarf while the woman is a white elf.
Dina who is being ignored by them is shouting at them, "HEY!! HEY stop bickering will you..." she basically know that these 2 people like to fight with each other.
the 2 people are silent after they hear Dina shout, "Melissa can you calm your friend, this dark elf is always mad when she see us...you need a drink miss" the dwarf spoke to Melissa.
Dina was fuming as she heard that, but before she can do anything "Dina calm down,....and Zohar...Aurel..you only just arrive but already starting a ruckus, come here, let me introduce you both to miss Hansen here" Melissa slightly angry voice resound in the room and telling the three to stop.
The 2 people name is Zohar and Aurel, they were the SAD members that have been invited to the team by Melissa earlier the day.
Zohar and Aurel thus introducing themselves to Sasha after being told by Melissa, before also joining the ongoing team discussion.
"so we still have other members to wait for huh ?", Aurel asking about the other who is yet arriving.
"yeah.. there is still 2 people who do not arrive yet, sigh....and they already late" Sasha is the one who replied Aurel.
"I've already told them to come just after the sun is set,...but..." Melissa is about to complain but before she can finish her words.
Knock
Knock
Knocking sound came again from the door, the door is opened and another 2 people are entering.
"apologizes My Lady, we're kinda late" it was Alfred who just entering the room and apologized, the other person behind him is Arno.
Melissa sees both of them and nodding "it's fine, just shut the door and let's begin the team meeting" and she telling them to quickly enter as the meeting will start immediately.
"Oh, by the way, let me introduce to you both, this is Zohar and Aurel, they are from the SAD, they joining our team too", Melissa did not forget to introduce Zohar and Aurel to both Alfred and Arno.
Both Alfred and Arno then getting acquaintance with Zohar and Aurel.
Arno found both Zohar and Aurel is Level 5 Super Warrior with different combat specialization.
Zohar is close range fighter, while Aurel is long range fighter.
But suddenly, Arno pull out something from his Space Ring, it was a bottle, he turned to Zohar "hey.. here.....something to drink" he tossed the bottle to Zohar.
Zohar nimbly caught the bottle, he sniffing the bottle tip before opening it, and a sweet fermented fruit aroma came out from inside the bottle.
"ahh it's an ale.....and really damn fragrance too, hahahahahah, good...you.. i like you,...you know how to treat a dwarf....hahaha", Zohar was elated because of the ale, and he quickly drinks it.
But after drinking it, he's frozen and became silent without moving at all, and his eyes showed shocked expressions, while still holding the bottle.
"...".
"...".
"...".
the other people also confused why Zohar suddenly became silent and frozen.
Aurel who standing beside him starting to worry "Zohar are you alright..??" while she also shaking his shoulder.
Zohar opens his mouth "th....this....this ale..I don't know, it's simply..outstanding...Arno.. where did you get this ale ?" he stutters and asked Arno where did he get the ale.
Arno smile "..." but he didn't reply.
"heh what a miser....but it's fair...this ale is too mystical, i understand you wanted to keep its origin a secret hahahha" Zohar laugh as he praised the ale.
"hehehe the only one i can tell is,..if a dwarf started speaking good about a certain drink... then that's definitely a good drink" Sasha also praised the ale although she has not tasted it yet, she believes the ale is a good ale because a dwarf praising it.
All dwarfs were certified experts in drinking majors.
Actually Arno got the ale from one of the small realms countries that is famous because of the ale they produced long time ago, even though it's just a small country but many famous experts proclaimed that they will protect the country from any external threat, that is why no one dares to offend the country, lest they will incurred the wrath of many strong experts losing their good drink.
"Alright let's forget about the drink, come here all of you" Melissa words making the team gather at the middle table that has a map on top of it.
After everyone is gathered surrounding the table.
Melissa placing her both hands at the edge of the table as she looking at each member of her team, and she nods "okay first of all, we gather here to discuss our ongoing mission, which is to investigate a Mana Disruption located inside The Gobi Deadlands inner region".
Melissa continues speaking "as you know the location is extremely far away from the empire southern border, approximately almost 3000 km from the border to the south" she pointing her fingers on the map "this is the Farach's Pass, we're gonna use this Pass to straight entering the Deadlands".
"at first i want us to take the route through the Gaztic Valley instead, but...the situation in the Pass are much more cordial as we don't need any unnecessary distractions, but also.." Melissa stops and raises her head towards everyone.
"because i want to get help from the barbarians, as their people know much more about the Deadlands than anyone else, so. they can guide us venturing the Deadlands until we reached it's inner region" Melissa still looking at everyone "does anyone had an opinion on this?" then she asked other's opinion.
"i think it's good, but getting help from the barbarian..would be hard i guess" Sasha is rather doubted about gaining any help from the barbarian.
The other also nod and agreeing with Sasha's words, although everyone understand if they can be guided by the barbarian who extremely knowledgeable about the Deadlands, then the team journey to the innermost region will be more smooth compared to finding the route themselves, lest they stumble into a strong demon beasts lair, or other dangerous unknown inside The Gobi Deadlands.
But they pessimistic about whether the barbarian would help them or not.
"the fact that we came from Astoria cannot be disputed, especially since we're under official Empire orders....sigh.... the barbarians hold huge enmity towards us.." Aurel sighing while thinking that the barbarian and Astoria has been always at war for hundreds of years.
"heh..good luck convincing those savages heheh" Zohar also gave his opinion on the Barbarians while snickering.
Arno who is always quiet suddenly spoke "i think they will help though...no.. they definitely will help," he said that while standing with crossing hand in front of his chest.
Other team members start to set their gaze at Arno after they heard him.
Melissa squinted her eyes at Arno "what makes you so sure?" as she actually also rather doubt too about the idea of seeking help from the Barbarians.
Arno holding his chin before he answers "let see,..it's a win-win solution for both you and them...." he stops while looking at everyone with a smile.
Everyone had a confused look, because they still didn't understand what is Arno implying.
Seeing everyone expression, Arno speak once again "it's like this...you wanted to know what's going on in the Deadlands right, while the Barbarians also wanted to know what is exactly happened to their homeland ...your interest is aligned" he stop before continuing "besides, there is a reason why they choose migrating to the north, towards the empire border instead going elsewhere, because they know The Empire had the power to protect them. so you don't have to worried about any enmity".
When everyone heard Arno reason they seriously contemplating about it, it is a fact that the Barbarian choose to migrate to the Empire borders, because they wanted protection, that's why they didn't attack the Empire at all, but instead only building temporary communities just outside the border, even sending a delegation to established peaceful contact with the legion which is stationed nearby.
Melissa know this as well, because she received intel coming recently, mentioning reports from several fronts, that the Barbarian warriors also joining with the Legions to fight the demon beasts stampede together.
So what enmity that both the Empire and the Barbarians had, they probably already forgot about it because of this whole events.
"hemhh it looks like you got the point, but let's hold it for now until we have more information from the borders" Melissa move the topic while still hoping what Arno said is correct, because getting help from the Barbarians will extremely help the team missions.
Melissa continues speaking "now about our supplies for the journey, Fanctom.." she signaled Fanctom who is also in the room but always keeping quiet.
"yes my Lady, i've already preparing the team main supplies, it's in the warehouse downstairs, it includes 3 months worth of rations for up to 12 people, 150 low healing potion, 30 mid healing potion, 100 low mana potion, stacks of bandages, herbs, poisons antidotes, and several normal reserves weapons,... that was all in the list my Lady" Fanctom finished his reports on the supplies.
Alfred and Sasha were stunned, because they know how valuable the healing and mana potions are, the cost of low healing potions is 5 gold for 1 bottle, while 1 bottle of mana potions cost 13 gold.
Low healing potion can heal external wound better than the bandages, and mana potion able to recover the Mages mana quantity by a small amount, these 2 potions is truly valuable to both Warriors and Mages.
they thought Melissa really spared no expense for the mission, well they understand that this mission is really important for her and dangerous as well.
"very good, these supplies will be supervised by Dina, and also stored inside her Inventory Ring, it will be mainly used when we encounter a dangerous situation, all of you can also prepare your own supplies" Melissa stop then continue "and Fanctom...you also coming with us to Esnoz as the team liaison, we will contact our condition once we entering the deadlands by using this magic transmission device periodically" she also gives Fanctom another order to follow the team.
"yes, my lady" Fanctom nod while respectfully bow to Melissa.
Melissa nodding her head "hehhm,...Alfred... did you tell your friend where we going to meet him?". she switches her focus to Alfred.
"well the thing is my Lady, because i've had a hunch that we definitely need to go to Esnoz instead directly to the border, that's why i've already sending the letter to him and telling him in the letter to rendezvous with us in Esnoz, but because the 5th Legion still in Gaztic Valley, it looks like we will miss him....sigh.." Alfred sigh while speaking to Melissa that they might be missing his friend.
Aurel speak after hearing Alfred words "oh.. did your friend is in the 5th ??, because SAD received an info that the 5th already pulled out from Gaztic Valley and return to Esnoz, they were being replaced by the 8th, it's Grand Commander Reizen's order....he arrives at Esnoz just this morning riding a Griffin and immediately reassume command".
Melissa smile because of Aurel info "good.. very.. good, with this, our mission early phase is smooth, with Commander Reizen already in Esnoz it will be easier for us getting the support from the Legion....all right is there anything else ?".
"no Mel...that was all i think" Dina assure her that there wasn't anything else.
And Melissa also looking at the other member, but they shake their head indicating they also didn't have anything else to add.
"hmm very well with this our discussion is end,...we will depart for Esnoz tomorrow before dawn, i suggest you all to rest or if you have some unfinished business then this is your chance to taking care of it,.....then all of you is dismissed".
Melissa words effectively ending the team meeting, and all the members is scattering doing their own thing.
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Inside the Fanctom's odd store on the 3rd floor, Melissa along with Dina and Sasha who is just arrived can be seen discussing something.
Knock
Knock
A knocking sound can be heard from the room door, while Dina opened her mouth "Come on in" and the door is open, at the same time Fanctom The Toadman is entering the room.
"My Lady there is 2 guest outside the room, are you expecting them ??" Fanctom is aking Melissa.
"Oh yes i'm, i.ve forgot to remind you earlier, it's fine to let them come". Melissa beckoning Fanctom to let the guest enter into the room.
Then Fanctom returns to outside and not long after, he entered again while bringing 2 people inside.
"Good you guys.. are here, come on we got something to discuss", Dina start speaking after she sees these 2 people.
"Damned Melissa, can you pick a place that are easy to find...we keep circling around for god knows how long till we found this place.." the one who speaking is a very short bulky man, he has a long disheveled dark brown hair and a beards on his chin, while also wearing a medium black steel armor with a backpack and a large hammer hanging on his back.
"Bah!!...you're the one who keeps telling me to trust you, because you said that you know this place location, why is it suddenly now it became Lady Melissa's fault ?", and the other person starts berating him and defending Melissa, this person is a woman with long blonde hair and long ear, while her skin is smoothly white and she has an extremely beautiful face, she also wearing a green colored light armor and a backpack along with exquisite looking bow on her back.
These 2 people are not a human obviously, looking from their physical appearance the man is a dwarf while the woman is a white elf.
Dina who is being ignored by them is shouting at them, "HEY!! HEY stop bickering will you..." she basically know that these 2 people like to fight with each other.
the 2 people are silent after they hear Dina shout, "Melissa can you calm your friend, this dark elf is always mad when she see us...you need a drink miss" the dwarf spoke to Melissa.
Dina was fuming as she heard that, but before she can do anything "Dina calm down,....and Zohar...Aurel..you only just arrive but already starting a ruckus, come here, let me introduce you both to miss Hansen here" Melissa slightly angry voice resound in the room and telling the three to stop.
The 2 people name is Zohar and Aurel, they were the SAD members that have been invited to the team by Melissa earlier the day.
Zohar and Aurel thus introducing themselves to Sasha after being told by Melissa, before also joining the ongoing team discussion.
"so we still have other members to wait for huh ?", Aurel asking about the other who is yet arriving.
"yeah.. there is still 2 people who do not arrive yet, sigh....and they already late" Sasha is the one who replied Aurel.
"I've already told them to come just after the sun is set,...but..." Melissa is about to complain but before she can finish her words.
Knock
Knock
Knocking sound came again from the door, the door is opened and another 2 people are entering.
"apologizes My Lady, we're kinda late" it was Alfred who just entering the room and apologized, the other person behind him is Arno.
Melissa sees both of them and nodding "it's fine, just shut the door and let's begin the team meeting" and she telling them to quickly enter as the meeting will start immediately.
"Oh, by the way, let me introduce to you both, this is Zohar and Aurel, they are from the SAD, they joining our team too", Melissa did not forget to introduce Zohar and Aurel to both Alfred and Arno.
Both Alfred and Arno then getting acquaintance with Zohar and Aurel.
Arno found both Zohar and Aurel is Level 5 Super Warrior with different combat specialization.
Zohar is close range fighter, while Aurel is long range fighter.
But suddenly, Arno pull out something from his Space Ring, it was a bottle, he turned to Zohar "hey.. here.....something to drink" he tossed the bottle to Zohar.
Zohar nimbly caught the bottle, he sniffing the bottle tip before opening it, and a sweet fermented fruit aroma came out from inside the bottle.
"ahh it's an ale.....and really damn fragrance too, hahahahahah, good...you.. i like you,...you know how to treat a dwarf....hahaha", Zohar was elated because of the ale, and he quickly drinks it.
But after drinking it, he's frozen and became silent without moving at all, and his eyes showed shocked expressions, while still holding the bottle.
"...".
"...".
"...".
the other people also confused why Zohar suddenly became silent and frozen.
Aurel who standing beside him starting to worry "Zohar are you alright..??" while she also shaking his shoulder.
Zohar opens his mouth "th....this....this ale..I don't know, it's simply..outstanding...Arno.. where did you get this ale ?" he stutters and asked Arno where did he get the ale.
Arno smile "..." but he didn't reply.
"heh what a miser....but it's fair...this ale is too mystical, i understand you wanted to keep its origin a secret hahahha" Zohar laugh as he praised the ale.
"hehehe the only one i can tell is,..if a dwarf started speaking good about a certain drink... then that's definitely a good drink" Sasha also praised the ale although she has not tasted it yet, she believes the ale is a good ale because a dwarf praising it.
All dwarfs were certified experts in drinking majors.
Actually Arno got the ale from one of the small realms countries that is famous because of the ale they produced long time ago, even though it's just a small country but many famous experts proclaimed that they will protect the country from any external threat, that is why no one dares to offend the country, lest they will incurred the wrath of many strong experts losing their good drink.
"Alright let's forget about the drink, come here all of you" Melissa words making the team gather at the middle table that has a map on top of it.
After everyone is gathered surrounding the table.
Melissa placing her both hands at the edge of the table as she looking at each member of her team, and she nods "okay first of all, we gather here to discuss our ongoing mission, which is to investigate a Mana Disruption located inside The Gobi Deadlands inner region".
Melissa continues speaking "as you know the location is extremely far away from the empire southern border, approximately almost 3000 km from the border to the south" she pointing her fingers on the map "this is the Farach's Pass, we're gonna use this Pass to straight entering the Deadlands".
"at first i want us to take the route through the Gaztic Valley instead, but...the situation in the Pass are much more cordial as we don't need any unnecessary distractions, but also.." Melissa stops and raises her head towards everyone.
"because i want to get help from the barbarians, as their people know much more about the Deadlands than anyone else, so. they can guide us venturing the Deadlands until we reached it's inner region" Melissa still looking at everyone "does anyone had an opinion on this?" then she asked other's opinion.
"i think it's good, but getting help from the barbarian..would be hard i guess" Sasha is rather doubted about gaining any help from the barbarian.
The other also nod and agreeing with Sasha's words, although everyone understand if they can be guided by the barbarian who extremely knowledgeable about the Deadlands, then the team journey to the innermost region will be more smooth compared to finding the route themselves, lest they stumble into a strong demon beasts lair, or other dangerous unknown inside The Gobi Deadlands.
But they pessimistic about whether the barbarian would help them or not.
"the fact that we came from Astoria cannot be disputed, especially since we're under official Empire orders....sigh.... the barbarians hold huge enmity towards us.." Aurel sighing while thinking that the barbarian and Astoria has been always at war for hundreds of years.
"heh..good luck convincing those savages heheh" Zohar also gave his opinion on the Barbarians while snickering.
Arno who is always quiet suddenly spoke "i think they will help though...no.. they definitely will help," he said that while standing with crossing hand in front of his chest.
Other team members start to set their gaze at Arno after they heard him.
Melissa squinted her eyes at Arno "what makes you so sure?" as she actually also rather doubt too about the idea of seeking help from the Barbarians.
Arno holding his chin before he answers "let see,..it's a win-win solution for both you and them...." he stops while looking at everyone with a smile.
Everyone had a confused look, because they still didn't understand what is Arno implying.
Seeing everyone expression, Arno speak once again "it's like this...you wanted to know what's going on in the Deadlands right, while the Barbarians also wanted to know what is exactly happened to their homeland ...your interest is aligned" he stop before continuing "besides, there is a reason why they choose migrating to the north, towards the empire border instead going elsewhere, because they know The Empire had the power to protect them. so you don't have to worried about any enmity".
When everyone heard Arno reason they seriously contemplating about it, it is a fact that the Barbarian choose to migrate to the Empire borders, because they wanted protection, that's why they didn't attack the Empire at all, but instead only building temporary communities just outside the border, even sending a delegation to established peaceful contact with the legion which is stationed nearby.
Melissa know this as well, because she received intel coming recently, mentioning reports from several fronts, that the Barbarian warriors also joining with the Legions to fight the demon beasts stampede together.
So what enmity that both the Empire and the Barbarians had, they probably already forgot about it because of this whole events.
"hemhh it looks like you got the point, but let's hold it for now until we have more information from the borders" Melissa move the topic while still hoping what Arno said is correct, because getting help from the Barbarians will extremely help the team missions.
Melissa continues speaking "now about our supplies for the journey, Fanctom.." she signaled Fanctom who is also in the room but always keeping quiet.
"yes my Lady, i've already preparing the team main supplies, it's in the warehouse downstairs, it includes 3 months worth of rations for up to 12 people, 150 low healing potion, 30 mid healing potion, 100 low mana potion, stacks of bandages, herbs, poisons antidotes, and several normal reserves weapons,... that was all in the list my Lady" Fanctom finished his reports on the supplies.
Alfred and Sasha were stunned, because they know how valuable the healing and mana potions are, the cost of low healing potions is 5 gold for 1 bottle, while 1 bottle of mana potions cost 13 gold.
Low healing potion can heal external wound better than the bandages, and mana potion able to recover the Mages mana quantity by a small amount, these 2 potions is truly valuable to both Warriors and Mages.
they thought Melissa really spared no expense for the mission, well they understand that this mission is really important for her and dangerous as well.
"very good, these supplies will be supervised by Dina, and also stored inside her Inventory Ring, it will be mainly used when we encounter a dangerous situation, all of you can also prepare your own supplies" Melissa stop then continue "and Fanctom...you also coming with us to Esnoz as the team liaison, we will contact our condition once we entering the deadlands by using this magic transmission device periodically" she also gives Fanctom another order to follow the team.
"yes, my lady" Fanctom nod while respectfully bow to Melissa.
Melissa nodding her head "hehhm,...Alfred... did you tell your friend where we going to meet him?". she switches her focus to Alfred.
"well the thing is my Lady, because i've had a hunch that we definitely need to go to Esnoz instead directly to the border, that's why i've already sending the letter to him and telling him in the letter to rendezvous with us in Esnoz, but because the 5th Legion still in Gaztic Valley, it looks like we will miss him....sigh.." Alfred sigh while speaking to Melissa that they might be missing his friend.
Aurel speak after hearing Alfred words "oh.. did your friend is in the 5th ??, because SAD received an info that the 5th already pulled out from Gaztic Valley and return to Esnoz, they were being replaced by the 8th, it's Grand Commander Reizen's order....he arrives at Esnoz just this morning riding a Griffin and immediately reassume command".
Melissa smile because of Aurel info "good.. very.. good, with this, our mission early phase is smooth, with Commander Reizen already in Esnoz it will be easier for us getting the support from the Legion....all right is there anything else ?".
"no Mel...that was all i think" Dina assure her that there wasn't anything else.
And Melissa also looking at the other member, but they shake their head indicating they also didn't have anything else to add.
"hmm very well with this our discussion is end,...we will depart for Esnoz tomorrow before dawn, i suggest you all to rest or if you have some unfinished business then this is your chance to taking care of it,.....then all of you is dismissed".
Melissa words effectively ending the team meeting, and all the members is scattering doing their own thing.
Inside the Fanctom's odd store on the 3rd floor, Melissa along with Dina and Sasha who is just arrived can be seen discussing something.KnockKnockA knocking sound can be heard from the room door, while Dina opened her mouth "Come on in" and the door is open, at the same time Fanctom The Toadman is entering the room."My Lady there is 2 guest outside the room, are you expecting them ??" Fanctom is aking Melissa."Oh yes i'm, i.ve forgot to remind you earlier, it's fine to let them come". Melissa beckoning Fanctom to let the guest enter into the room.Then Fanctom returns to outside and not long after, he entered again while bringing 2 people inside."Good you guys.. are here, come on we got something to discuss", Dina start speaking after she sees these 2 people."Damned Melissa, can you pick a place that are easy to find...we keep circling around for god knows how long till we found this place.." the one who speaking is a very short bulky man, he has a long disheveled dark brown hair and a beards on his chin, while also wearing a medium black steel armor with a backpack and a large hammer hanging on his back."Bah!!...you're the one who keeps telling me to trust you, because you said that you know this place location, why is it suddenly now it became Lady Melissa's fault ?", and the other person starts berating him and defending Melissa, this person is a woman with long blonde hair and long ear, while her skin is smoothly white and she has an extremely beautiful face, she also wearing a green colored light armor and a backpack along with exquisite looking bow on her back.These 2 people are not a human obviously, looking from their physical appearance the man is a dwarf while the woman is a white elf.Dina who is being ignored by them is shouting at them, "HEY!! HEY stop bickering will you..." she basically know that these 2 people like to fight with each other.the 2 people are silent after they hear Dina shout, "Melissa can you calm your friend, this dark elf is always mad when she see us...you need a drink miss" the dwarf spoke to Melissa.Dina was fuming as she heard that, but before she can do anything "Dina calm down,....and Zohar...Aurel..you only just arrive but already starting a ruckus, come here, let me introduce you both to miss Hansen here" Melissa slightly angry voice resound in the room and telling the three to stop.The 2 people name is Zohar and Aurel, they were the SAD members that have been invited to the team by Melissa earlier the day.Zohar and Aurel thus introducing themselves to Sasha after being told by Melissa, before also joining the ongoing team discussion."so we still have other members to wait for huh ?", Aurel asking about the other who is yet arriving."yeah.. there is still 2 people who do not arrive yet, sigh....and they already late" Sasha is the one who replied Aurel."I've already told them to come just after the sun is set,...but..." Melissa is about to complain but before she can finish her words.KnockKnockKnocking sound came again from the door, the door is opened and another 2 people are entering."apologizes My Lady, we're kinda late" it was Alfred who just entering the room and apologized, the other person behind him is Arno.Melissa sees both of them and nodding "it's fine, just shut the door and let's begin the team meeting" and she telling them to quickly enter as the meeting will start immediately."Oh, by the way, let me introduce to you both, this is Zohar and Aurel, they are from the SAD, they joining our team too", Melissa did not forget to introduce Zohar and Aurel to both Alfred and Arno.Both Alfred and Arno then getting acquaintance with Zohar and Aurel.Arno found both Zohar and Aurel is Level 5 Super Warrior with different combat specialization.Zohar is close range fighter, while Aurel is long range fighter.But suddenly, Arno pull out something from his Space Ring, it was a bottle, he turned to Zohar "hey.. here.....something to drink" he tossed the bottle to Zohar.Zohar nimbly caught the bottle, he sniffing the bottle tip before opening it, and a sweet fermented fruit aroma came out from inside the bottle."ahh it's an ale.....and really damn fragrance too, hahahahahah, good...you.. i like you,...you know how to treat a dwarf....hahaha", Zohar was elated because of the ale, and he quickly drinks it.But after drinking it, he's frozen and became silent without moving at all, and his eyes showed shocked expressions, while still holding the bottle."..."."..."."...".the other people also confused why Zohar suddenly became silent and frozen.Aurel who standing beside him starting to worry "Zohar are you alright..??" while she also shaking his shoulder.Zohar opens his mouth "th....this....this ale..I don't know, it's simply..outstanding...Arno.. where did you get this ale ?" he stutters and asked Arno where did he get the ale.Arno smile "..." but he didn't reply."heh what a miser....but it's fair...this ale is too mystical, i understand you wanted to keep its origin a secret hahahha" Zohar laugh as he praised the ale."hehehe the only one i can tell is,..if a dwarf started speaking good about a certain drink... then that's definitely a good drink" Sasha also praised the ale although she has not tasted it yet, she believes the ale is a good ale because a dwarf praising it.All dwarfs were certified experts in drinking majors.Actually Arno got the ale from one of the small realms countries that is famous because of the ale they produced long time ago, even though it's just a small country but many famous experts proclaimed that they will protect the country from any external threat, that is why no one dares to offend the country, lest they will incurred the wrath of many strong experts losing their good drink."Alright let's forget about the drink, come here all of you" Melissa words making the team gather at the middle table that has a map on top of it.After everyone is gathered surrounding the table.Melissa placing her both hands at the edge of the table as she looking at each member of her team, and she nods "okay first of all, we gather here to discuss our ongoing mission, which is to investigate a Mana Disruption located inside The Gobi Deadlands inner region".Melissa continues speaking "as you know the location is extremely far away from the empire southern border, approximately almost 3000 km from the border to the south" she pointing her fingers on the map "this is the Farach's Pass, we're gonna use this Pass to straight entering the Deadlands"."at first i want us to take the route through the Gaztic Valley instead, but...the situation in the Pass are much more cordial as we don't need any unnecessary distractions, but also.." Melissa stops and raises her head towards everyone."because i want to get help from the barbarians, as their people know much more about the Deadlands than anyone else, so. they can guide us venturing the Deadlands until we reached it's inner region" Melissa still looking at everyone "does anyone had an opinion on this?" then she asked other's opinion."i think it's good, but getting help from the barbarian..would be hard i guess" Sasha is rather doubted about gaining any help from the barbarian.The other also nod and agreeing with Sasha's words, although everyone understand if they can be guided by the barbarian who extremely knowledgeable about the Deadlands, then the team journey to the innermost region will be more smooth compared to finding the route themselves, lest they stumble into a strong demon beasts lair, or other dangerous unknown inside The Gobi Deadlands.But they pessimistic about whether the barbarian would help them or not."the fact that we came from Astoria cannot be disputed, especially since we're under official Empire orders....sigh.... the barbarians hold huge enmity towards us.." Aurel sighing while thinking that the barbarian and Astoria has been always at war for hundreds of years."heh..good luck convincing those savages heheh" Zohar also gave his opinion on the Barbarians while snickering.Arno who is always quiet suddenly spoke "i think they will help though...no.. they definitely will help," he said that while standing with crossing hand in front of his chest.Other team members start to set their gaze at Arno after they heard him.Melissa squinted her eyes at Arno "what makes you so sure?" as she actually also rather doubt too about the idea of seeking help from the Barbarians.Arno holding his chin before he answers "let see,..it's a win-win solution for both you and them...." he stops while looking at everyone with a smile.Everyone had a confused look, because they still didn't understand what is Arno implying.Seeing everyone expression, Arno speak once again "it's like this...you wanted to know what's going on in the Deadlands right, while the Barbarians also wanted to know what is exactly happened to their homeland ...your interest is aligned" he stop before continuing "besides, there is a reason why they choose migrating to the north, towards the empire border instead going elsewhere, because they know The Empire had the power to protect them. so you don't have to worried about any enmity".When everyone heard Arno reason they seriously contemplating about it, it is a fact that the Barbarian choose to migrate to the Empire borders, because they wanted protection, that's why they didn't attack the Empire at all, but instead only building temporary communities just outside the border, even sending a delegation to established peaceful contact with the legion which is stationed nearby.Melissa know this as well, because she received intel coming recently, mentioning reports from several fronts, that the Barbarian warriors also joining with the Legions to fight the demon beasts stampede together.So what enmity that both the Empire and the Barbarians had, they probably already forgot about it because of this whole events."hemhh it looks like you got the point, but let's hold it for now until we have more information from the borders" Melissa move the topic while still hoping what Arno said is correct, because getting help from the Barbarians will extremely help the team missions.Melissa continues speaking "now about our supplies for the journey, Fanctom.." she signaled Fanctom who is also in the room but always keeping quiet."yes my Lady, i've already preparing the team main supplies, it's in the warehouse downstairs, it includes 3 months worth of rations for up to 12 people, 150 low healing potion, 30 mid healing potion, 100 low mana potion, stacks of bandages, herbs, poisons antidotes, and several normal reserves weapons,... that was all in the list my Lady" Fanctom finished his reports on the supplies.Alfred and Sasha were stunned, because they know how valuable the healing and mana potions are, the cost of low healing potions is 5 gold for 1 bottle, while 1 bottle of mana potions cost 13 gold.Low healing potion can heal external wound better than the bandages, and mana potion able to recover the Mages mana quantity by a small amount, these 2 potions is truly valuable to both Warriors and Mages.they thought Melissa really spared no expense for the mission, well they understand that this mission is really important for her and dangerous as well."very good, these supplies will be supervised by Dina, and also stored inside her Inventory Ring, it will be mainly used when we encounter a dangerous situation, all of you can also prepare your own supplies" Melissa stop then continue "and Fanctom...you also coming with us to Esnoz as the team liaison, we will contact our condition once we entering the deadlands by using this magic transmission device periodically" she also gives Fanctom another order to follow the team."yes, my lady" Fanctom nod while respectfully bow to Melissa.Melissa nodding her head "hehhm,...Alfred... did you tell your friend where we going to meet him?". she switches her focus to Alfred."well the thing is my Lady, because i've had a hunch that we definitely need to go to Esnoz instead directly to the border, that's why i've already sending the letter to him and telling him in the letter to rendezvous with us in Esnoz, but because the 5th Legion still in Gaztic Valley, it looks like we will miss him....sigh.." Alfred sigh while speaking to Melissa that they might be missing his friend.Aurel speak after hearing Alfred words "oh.. did your friend is in the 5th ??, because SAD received an info that the 5th already pulled out from Gaztic Valley and return to Esnoz, they were being replaced by the 8th, it's Grand Commander Reizen's order....he arrives at Esnoz just this morning riding a Griffin and immediately reassume command".Melissa smile because of Aurel info "good.. very.. good, with this, our mission early phase is smooth, with Commander Reizen already in Esnoz it will be easier for us getting the support from the Legion....all right is there anything else ?"."no Mel...that was all i think" Dina assure her that there wasn't anything else.And Melissa also looking at the other member, but they shake their head indicating they also didn't have anything else to add."hmm very well with this our discussion is end,...we will depart for Esnoz tomorrow before dawn, i suggest you all to rest or if you have some unfinished business then this is your chance to taking care of it,.....then all of you is dismissed".Melissa words effectively ending the team meeting, and all the members is scattering doing their own thing.
