"If we are going to discuss gathering more allies, wouldn't it be better if we recruit Anya, Elizabeth, and Jiho to become mercenaries? At least in terms of having additional manpower since they possessed Fighting-type Professions, and I can personally vouch for their skills even though most of you, apart from Ken, have seen their prowess during the time when we challenged the Tower of Growth.
"In addition, if we also consider the Support-type Professions, I can ask Celine to join. That's if you give me permission to recruit them, of course."
Upon hearing the words of the leader of the Umbra Mercenary, Samantha didn't waste any time to let out her opinion on the matter as she made a seemingly obvious suggestion.
The others listened and waited for Russell to make a response since he fell silent, contemplating Samantha's suggestion.
'Hmm. It's obviously the right choice, but considering that I know them deeply, more than how much they know themselves, except for Celine, lumping them in one group might backfire later.
'First, I can consider recruiting Celine. Well, if not for Samantha's move when she came to know Celine's profession, Nature Alchemist, I'd be the one to befriend her. Though it's already alright that I have a good impression of her.
'Second, if it's Anya, it's doable, especially, if I would base it on the unpublished novel I've written that the Goddess of Night told me to trust, but her relationship with Han Jiho turned closer than I thought, more so than Elizabeth.
'Lastly, it's never an option to let Han Jiho and Elizabeth join us or even consider recruiting them. The latter will have her own journey, finding herself and molding her identity, especially after discovering the truth about her father's death. Even if I somewhat made an alteration by bestowing to her the Alakin's Heart, I am certain her route will still transpire.
'On the other hand, thinking of what happened in Alastor's capital, Articor, Han Jiho's glory already echoed and those bastards on the 98th Floor of the Last Close Mystery Tower would have detected it. However, too bad, Planet 342 or this world passed the unwritten qualification and can not be allowed to be destroyed by them. Even so, it's a no-no to let Jiho join.'
"What do you think, Russell?"
Samantha pressed, which finally snapped Russell awake. He seemed lost in his own thoughts for a minute or two, at least.
"...We aren't lacking in firepower, so I believe it'll be better to recruit at least Celine, so we can have someone to concoct potions, for us, in their Pure Form. After that, then, we should find someone great in terms of mass battle, a tanker of sorts.
"By the way, just to remind you all, although I'm the leader here, it doesn't mean that all you can do is make a suggestion. What I mean – I hope that every decision made by someone would be convenient for others as well.
"That aside, each of you can freely do whatever you want as long as, in the moment of fulfilling a mission or helping a friend in danger, given if the circumstances are possible to resolve through confrontation, all of you must show up.
"Well, if there's no emergency you need to attend to, at the very least."
Russell reminded them again of their free will outside of being a mercenary. However, it was the first time Samantha heard such a reminder from Russell as she looked at him with a somewhat incredulous expression, learning a new side of the first man who didn't look at her with any discrete and malicious intentions, unlike from some those related to business with the Obelisk Organization or her father.
"Alright. Uh, Oppa, although that's the case and you're telling us to be independent on some matters, as long as it won't affect us entirely…
<It's because of your wisdom and the guidance of our respective Star Contractors that we can be strong, so it'll be hard for us not to depend on you.>
Freya paused and then continued to tell her thoughts by utilizing telepathic communication. Her message was directed at everyone apart from Samantha. Even though Freya felt that Russell trusts Artorious' daughter, as a younger sister, she preferred to be cautious if she was going to discuss a matter regarding or relating to Chaos in some way. In other words, if her older brother didn't mention anything regarding Chaos; Chaos Training Grounds, Chaos Companions, and so on in front of someone unrelated, she wouldn't take her chances to tell anything about such matters that might cause unexpected variables.
<Hmm. You got a point, but it doesn't mean everything must be consulted with me. Just… whether it's a matter of being a mercenary, Church of Spade, or other Chaos-related stuff, I want you all to stand alongside me on equal footing. Is that alright?>
Russell didn't want to be viewed as superior even if each of them would be there for the other.
<Sigh, I don't know what to make of your words, but I understand, Oppa.>
<That's what I like about you, you know!>
After Freya's response, Amelie interjected.
After some time, with Freya not managing to be vocal about everything in front of Samantha, Ken Raven asked.
"...What's our next move?"
Russell glanced at Samantha before saying…
"...We're going to train. I know you're rich enough to have a facility in your home."
'Where your father had dragged us out of nowhere.'
Russell inwardly lampooned, recalling the spacious greenery backyard where Artorious had forcibly summoned him, Freya, Amelie, and Azalea just because the man had deemed them to know some critical information that even the Obelisk Organization had no idea of.
"Alright. After the El-Vul-Or Tournament, we can finalize a schedule."
Samantha nodded, not against Russell's suggestion. It's not like she needed permission from her father just to invite some friends or companions, especially when Artorious knew about her involvement with the Umbra Mercenary.
After some time of chattering about random, irrelevant things, the information meeting of the Umbra Mercenary came to an end as every one of them went to their respective guest rooms to relieve themselves of the fatigue – either physically or mentally – that they'd experienced within the day.
***
The next morning, around five to six in the morning, an Elf knocked on Russell's lodge.
"Greetings, Your Majesty is expecting you."
'...This early?'
Although Russell barely slept throughout the night due to overthinking and talking to the mysterious Egg as his hobby when he's alone, he never expected that the Elven Queen would summon him at this point in time.
"Uh, give me a minute or two."
Russell quickly washed himself, and wore at least an appropriate attire to look presentable in front of the Elven Queen.
After a few minutes, the Elf, a woman, who was perhaps working near the Queen of Elnira, escorted Russell. They didn't walk from the lodgings, but rather, they teleported from it to the Grand Hall, where a majestic throne was situated on one end, where the Embodiment of Nature was sitting in coziness, exuding an aura of a ruler.
Russell took his time to scrutinize the surroundings. What was screened in his deep blue eyes was the intricate architecture of nature's design. There were murals depicting the ancient history of the Elves on the ceiling, and on the walls were frames of the ancestors of the Elven Race.
Standing in front of the Elven Queen, Russell genuflected, not daring to look at the flawless face and skin of the monarch.
"Greetings, Russell Moon. Leader of the Umbra Mercenary.
"Have seen enough?"
"Greetings, Your Majesty. If I may, Your Majesty?"
Avoiding being presumptuous by speaking his thoughts without consulting the other, Russell asked for permission, neglecting the question of the Elven Queen.
"Your Majesty, although I am honored to be an audience in front of your throne, I find it irrelevant for a lowly me to be here for the sake of receiving the rewards of the Elven Soldiers who helped us yesterday in fulfilling the mission."
Russell said in a polite manner, but he still didn't look at the eyes of the Elven Queen as his thoughts were having a race in his mind.
'Knowing her, I'm sure she noticed something about me that even the Attribute: Nihility couldn't conceal or… didn't want to conceal. Whatever it may be, I need to avoid acting suspicious, at least until I come to know the reason behind one of her attendants' death.'
The Attribute: Nihility, with each passing event he experienced, was becoming more and more fascinating and somewhat terrifying from Russell's perspective. It was as though the Attribute, if not being utilized by his own will, could act on its own.
"...I admire your bearing, human. It seems you are mature for your age, though you are just a toddler compared to the average age of the Elves. That aside, I've confirmed the identities of the soldiers that aided your group yesterday, and I've decided the necessary rewards to be given to each of them.
"Lucille, hand to him the rewards I've prepared."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The other gorgeous Elf, the one who escorted Russell, approached him for a moment. After that, she took out four items from her Dimensional Inventory, which then floated in front of Russell.
They're a sword, a mace, a staff, and a skillbook. Remembering the four Elves, the sword must be for Iefyr, the mace for Kerym, the staff for Lusha, and the skillbook for Thessalia.
"I wanted you to personally deliver them the fruits of their efforts. To be specific, it may be of great delight for me for you to continue having connections to them. I know you heard clearly during the crucial meeting last night, about the upcoming war against the Vampire Race.
The Elven Queen addressed him. Russell then listened attentively, somewhat feeling relieved that maybe he was overthinking things and that the Queen had noticed something from him.
"Yes, Your Majesty.
"...During those moments, I will be with my companions and will do everything we can to help since our survival also depends on it."
As if he read the Elven Queen's thoughts, Russell said in the same manner of being polite.
"...Hahaha, I see! Alright. You are dismissed.
"Lucille, escort him."
With the Elven Queen's order, the Elf named Lucille teleported away Russell from his location back to his lodging.
A few seconds later, Lucille appeared beside the Elven Queen as though she never left.
"Your Majesty, it may be presumptuous of me to ask, but why haven't you asked him about that matter? Have you perhaps changed your mind?"
"...Heh heh, it seems that way. I felt nothing malicious from him, even though a faint smell of Yggdrasil latched into his soul. We have no idea how he made contact even with a part of the World Tree, but I'm certain that 'it' would tell me if there's something wrong with him.
"...Lucille, this information and his existence are critical, so do not tell others without my permission."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lucille said with a tone of reverence.
***
After a few hours, the fourth day of the El-Vul-Or Tournament began.
The spectators' seats were full as Humans, Elves, and Dwarves filled them in.
"...Hey! Here!"
Noticing Samantha's presence from a distance, Elizabeth called to her, waving her hand.
Samantha noticed her as a smile formed on her face before approaching the seats.
"...Where were you yesterday?"
Elizabeth deliberately didn't mention Russell, Freya, and the others.
"Hmm. My father called for me because something came up."
"Oh, I see..."
'But your father was watching the tournament with the Elven Queen and the Dwarven King together yesterday, though.'
Sensing a lie, Elizabeth couldn't help but become lost for words.
Not pressing on the matter, they focused on the announcement of the presider of the match.
"Today's match will start with a Human against an Elf!
"Victoria Angelica Rasputin against...!"
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