Artorious Hall, the officially strongest human, was someone who barely spoke of his perspectives or made a move, given that the circumstances weren't too dire for humanity. In other words, if it's something that could be resolved with the help of other members of the Obelisk Organization and if it didn't include the "unknowns" he was obsessed with, it's highly likely that he wouldn't pay attention. However, he found her daughter's wish, as the reward for accomplishing the mission as a mercenary, intriguing.
"That's quite a broad reward as it might involve critical information, but let's hear you first. What are you curious about? If it's something that can not be answered, then we'll have you choose other rewards that are within our power, given that it wouldn't cause harm."
The Elven Queen's expression turned serious, however, she found the strongest human's daughter's wish somewhat fascinating. She felt like this young woman wanted to prioritize gaining wisdom over acquiring power because apart from Russell, the other mercenary members all wished for something that could strengthen them or at least increase their survivability in a chance of encountering an unknown variable.
"Uh, during the time we're waiting for Miss Ayleen to finish extracting the information from the memories of the vampires, I was with an Elf, her name's Thessalia.
"Then, just as we were waiting, we conversed about some casual things. After that, I've mentioned the First Close Mystery Tower, the Tower of Growth, which appeared just recently and serves as a bridge of trials to become stronger. However, Thessalia's expression showed that she was perplexed. It's just I felt like something's amiss, and that's why I wanted to learn something even if it was just about the Tower of Growth.
Samantha's brown eyes sometimes darted around as she spoke of her curiosity, but during those moments, she managed to take a glance at the Elven Queen's and Dwarven King's expressions.
"...T-that will be all. I hope you can enlighten me, Your Majesties."
Addressing both the ruler of the Elves and Dwarves, Samantha finished her statements.
"I see. Your words briefly caused me to be confused, but I get the gist of it.
"Sigh, I can't believe we overlook this piece of information. Though it's just been a few weeks since the formality of this alliance, it's better to tell everyone this now – that there's a discrepancy in the appearance of the Close Mystery Towers."
Russell, who had an idea of what the Elven Queen was talking about, inwardly smiled. On the other hand, bewilderment was evident on the faces of every human representative in this meeting hall. Even Artorious slightly flinched as his interest was piqued upon hearing the words that came out of the Elven Queen's mouth, which was spoken in a casual manner as if it were something not worth taking note of.
"Your Majesty, can you elaborate?"
Since it was Samantha's inquiry, even though the others were curious as well, she was the one who asked, but the Elven Queen responded in general.
"Just as I said, it means that there's a time gap from when the Tower of Growth appeared. For us, the Elven Race, the Tower became accessible around 20 years ago since we were transported in this world, although I don't know if it's the same case with the Dwarven Race."
The Elven Queen glanced for a moment to the right side of this triangular arrangement, prompting the addressed one to answer.
"For us, it's been around 20 years, too, since we're able to access the Tower of Growth. But due to the Failure Penalty that we can not get rid of in any way possible, I've released an order not to carelessly access it."
The Dwarven King said, revealing to the humans in this meeting hall that it's been at least two decades for them since they became eligible to challenge the Tower of Growth.
"That's the case in my domain, too. Although it's been some time for us, I put a great restriction on challenging the Tower of Growth."
The Elven Queen interjected, glancing at the curious young woman, Samantha. The entire meeting hall fell silent as some breaths of cold air could be heard due to the information they didn't expect to be shared at this moment.
<Why didn't you tell me this?>
Samantha asked the entity in her head, hoping that she was listening.
<Where's the surprise in telling you that information in advance? Well, now you know, it'll be good for humans like you, who want to know the truth behind the Emergence. I mean – the so-called Emmanuel Lyncoster might want to use that information as a basis to make other theories about the Emergence, and why it happened in the first place.>
The entity in her head responded, causing Samantha to fall silent as she absorbed the information.
After that, she looked at her father and Ayleen, who, at this moment, was sitting beside him. She was lost for words at the bombshell yet so casually spoke critical information from the Elven Queen. Moreover, it's the same case with the Dwarven King.
'Hey! I thought you were going to say something?! Don't leave me hanging!'
Samantha lampooned inwardly, seeing that her father and Ayleen had no plans to ask any question to the Elven Queen or the Dwarven King, however, seeing the expressions of the two, Samantha guessed that they were communicating through telepathy.
Samantha let out a sigh before asking something that just clicked into her mind.
"Your Majesties, I feel like the information you've shared with us is more than enough reward for accomplishing the mission we were entrusted with, but I hope you can satisfy my curiosity with a simple 'Yes or No,' if it's alright with both of you."
Addressing the two rules, Samantha waited for their response as she felt like being presumptuous this time.
"According to your interaction with an Elf named Thessalia and the words that came out of your mouth previously, it's just been a while since the Human Race accessed the Tower of Growth.
"Frankly speaking, we do not know your circumstances because of the closed walls we've built in not trusting each other in all these years, but if there's something I can tell you, it's that the Tower of Growth is also the First Close Mystery Tower that opened for us."
"T-thank you, Your Majesty! B-but what I'm curious about is the World Announcement about the opening of the Tower of Growth. It should mean that the Elven and Dwarven Race received it as well because, just as the System message said, it's labeled as a World Announcement."
Samantha responded to the Elven Queen's words, voicing out the seemingly nonsensical circumstances that were sending every human, except for Russell, in this meeting hall into confusion.
"I see your point. Yes, the Elven Race received that World Announcement, specifically, on the 16th of October of the Year 2062."
The Elven Queen glanced at the Dwarven King, then the latter nodded, which meant that the Dwarven Race received such a message on that exact date."
"But… It's not the first time we've received it because around 20 years ago, we were notified of such a similar message, but the difference was that it's labeled as Territorial Announcement, which meant only for me and everyone under my rule."
"I-I see. Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Samantha said, as her mind was in mess.
"Alright. Although I feel like you're not satisfied, it's not like I can answer everything, but as the Queen of the Elves, whatever happens, must be nature's will for us."
After that, the formal meeting about the strategic war and the information circumstances of rewarding everyone involved in this mission finally came to an end.
However, as the human representatives were about to be escorted into their guest rooms, the voice of the Elven Queen called out to Russell.
"Leader of the Umbra Mercenary, come to me tomorrow morning and I shall give you the rewards of the Elves involved in this matter, and send my regards to the one who lost his life and assured everyone that the reckoning will come."
Turning his body, Russell bowed to the Elven Queen before speaking…
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With that, the meeting, which reached this late cold night, finally ended.
***
After bidding goodbye to Ayleen and Artorious, Russell, together with his Chaos Companions, went to one of the Elven restaurants just near the lodgings meant for them.
"Aren't you going with your father?"
Following them around, Russell looked at Samantha as he asked.
"No, it's quarter to eleven, and the atmosphere is still lively. And it seems my father's going to be more occupied based on the meeting earlier."
Russell didn't make any response, letting her follow them.
Finding themselves a table for six, the Elven waitress handed them the menu, where the various Elven delicacies were written.
"Oh, it seems they integrated Dwarven drinks, as well as some delicacies from us, huh?"
Seeing the menu, Amelie felt delighted. Because of the alliance between the three races, the agreement to share different delicacies had also been established, though it happened on the third day of the El-Vul-Or Tournament since the Elves at least wanted the first two days to serve the guests Elven dishes.
A few minutes later, especially because of the women's taste that it took some time for them to order, the Elven waitress was called by Russell as their orders were listed.
After some time, around twenty to thirty minutes, their orders were served on their table.
"Oppa, you're drinking… again?! Don't tell me you'll cry again later, huh?"
Freya teased. This time, she allowed her older brother to drink a Dwarven beverage.
Freya's words gathered Samantha's attention as Amelie, Amery, and Ken had an expression of gloom, which was evident in them after getting their rewards at the meeting earlier.
Samantha recalled the time when she called him via smartwatch because of the Queen of Nereia's order, Rosalin Flora. That time, Russell appeared to be drinking and talked to her in his drunken state. However, she noticed this time the last sentence that Freya said.
'Cry… again?'
She thought, somewhat curious, but mostly concerned.
"Will you shut up just this once? I forgot to invite the Dwarf that I fought in the morning. Too many things happened today, I need to relax, at least since it would be rare to have in the future."
Russell remembered the time he cried. It was moments before Samantha had called him to inquire about Rumia's unknown condition, who could be said to be medically dead.
After assassinating Marquis Solas, the one who enslaved them for several years, Russell felt that time a conflicting emotion because his action made someone lose his father, and a trusted friend – Old Cal, whose relationship with the Marquis became the reason they had gotten out of that hellhole.
'But regret is a hindrance to moving forward.'
Russell thought, gulping down a mouthful of Dwarven alcoholic drink.
***
After stuffing down the food and gulping down the drinks, the time of comfort brought by a variety of delicacies ended.
"Russell, do you think it's time for you to say something?"
Amelie said, but this time, it was in a serious manner, somewhat catching Samantha off-guard because, for her, Amelie was a cheerful individual.
Russell breathed heavily for a moment before responding, but he lowered his voice.
"Alright. Everyone, good job on accomplishing the mission.
"As you can see, based on the information that's practically told to the likes of us in that meeting hall, it's inevitable for a war to happen."
Apart from Russell, who knew it would happen, the others were caught off-guard when Ayleen talked about strategies of war as though they became a crucial part of it. It's the reason why their expressions were dark as it's something they never expected. Moreover, the accomplished mission made them realize the gravity of the work they were entrusted with earlier.
'I don't know why Artorious was silent earlier most of the time, but I'm pretty certain he already communicated telepathically to either the Elven Queen or the Dwarven King about something.'
Russell pondered, recalling the moment when Ayleen asked Artorious if he wanted to speak something, who then declined and responded with 'After this meeting.'
"In other words, we have to prepare for what's coming. And by preparing, I mean gathering more allies we can lean on in the time of chaos."
Glancing at every face of his companions, Russell firmly said.
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