12 Gates of Eldaria (Part 1)

"Greatness begins from the simple things..."

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***Meanwhile at the royal palace***

"Reports have been coming in from everywhere. This level of organized activity hasn't been seen in years" said Minister Ghislaine.

Lord Hermann lowered his head, leaning against the wall with a brooding expression.

Gislaine continued. "Land has been transforming overnight without anyone noticing. By the time it gets recorded officially, villages and towns have already been destroyed by hills, deformations or massive cave-ins that appeared out of nowhere. And inside each of those, new monster spawn locations appear that disrupt the entire area and endanger nearby human settlements. But even more than that, the monsters often stay in the shadows and their attacks are well co-ordinated to spread thin our forces."

Lord Hermann raised his head. "And most of its from around Korben?"

Ghislaine nodded. "Indeed. Korben is an important trade city. The Seventh Regiment is defending the city as they can but there is only so much they can do. They are often unable to protect or secure surrounding villages and towns in time. The capital, and under the orders of the King, nearby provinces are sending resources to Korben but supply lines are being attacked and disrupted. This is where the Adventurers Guild has been brought in to protect the supply lines and defend nearby towns and villages."

Lord Hermann shook his head. "That isn't what worries me. Such a co-ordinated attempt to destabilize Korben. I fear a Demon General may be involved. If the demon generals have again started moving on such a large scale, the Adventurers Guild might not be able to handle it. If worst comes to pass we might have another major Demon Invasion similar to the one 13 years ago. Korben will burn in a single night. We need William Everhart."

Ghislaine sighed. "Its difficult to get the Hero to move. He views the entire kingdom of Asella under his protection. But getting him to focus only on Korben without definitive proof that a demon general is involved will be very difficult... I am sure the King will try to convince him, but we really need to investigate more. Platinum and higher rank adventurers have already been deployed for it. But since there are so many popping up, it's becoming an expensive affair."

"So that's why I have been summoned."

"Yes, we cannot afford to lose Korben. You are the only lord near Korben with enough military strength to handle this situation until we get proof of a demon general's involvement or until this absurdity ends. You are also one of the few lords to have good relations with the royal palace and the Adventurers Guild. If we can get William Everhart involved, he and his Legion of Light will make quick work of it."

Hermann rested his head against the wall. "If we can... Where is he? Where is the Hero?"

"He and his party just returned from an Away mission."

"Away mission? When did this happen? When did the king assign him this mission? I don't remember the council being called in for this."

"It was an independent Away Mission."

"An independent Away mission?! What the hell?! Months of coordinated research is done before an away mission and you are telling me he went for one without any of it?! Is he crazy?! No matter how strong he is, he could have died!"

"Yes. Usually away missions are an expensive and extremely dangerous endeavour assigned to only the Hero and his party by both the Adventurers Guild and the Kingdom. But this one he went on his own. No one has any idea why. He said nothing and refused to explain at all, the only thing we know is that... He brought back Magisteel with him."

The look on Lord Hermann's face dropped pale immediately. "Magisteel...? There has only been one known instance in all of human history of anyone finding Magisteel and now he brought back some with him from an Away mission? Where is it?! What did he do with it?! That Magisteel should be deposited as a national treasure!"

"The king asked for it, even tried to buy it from him. He said he has no reason to hand it over, nor is there any price in this world that will make him sell it. As for what he did with it... It seems he made it into a sword for his son."

Lord Hermann laughed for a long while, almost to the point of craziness. "Hahahaha! Sword... For his son... hahaha! A Magisteel sword for a Decendant of Light. Even if I hate it, I gotta admit that sounds perfect. Hahaha!"

Then as he calmed down. "What is his son's name? We must keep an eye on him. Actually we should have had him under surveillance long time ago. Do we have an eye on him?"

Ghislaine shook his head. "Sadly, no. We tried to keep an eye on him before. Thrice actually, three teams of our most elite Roshins on three different occasions each. And on each of those three occasions, they were all soon killed by Dias Reginald of the Hero's party. Enough of a message to let us know not to mess with the Hero's family. Even though adventurers aren't allowed to kill humans, if we say anything it will be the same as admitting that we tried to put our sights on his son. Even the King doesn't know about this."

Lord Hermann punched the wall, seething with hatred and anger. "That bloody adventurer. Just because he's the Hero, he thinks he can do as he like. Refuses to listen to the royal palace. Refuses to bow to the King's authority. Such impudence! Does as he wishes with something as precious as Magisteel. Magisteel, are you fucking kidding me?! What good is a hero who won't do as we want him to?! The king must do something, he must unite all the provinces and crack down upon him. Even the Hero probably won't be able to win if we overwhelm him with hundreds of thousands of our united forces. He is too dangerous, he must be put on a leash!"

"Hahaha, nice one but I don't think you or anyone with half a sane mind can afford to make such a joke, Lord Hermann." said a bold voice behind them.

Lord Hermann and Minister Ghislaine turned to face a man in his forties wearing a knight's full metal armour with a white and golden cloak.

"Do not forget who the real enemy is. And do not forget who you are talking about, Lord Hermann." said the cloaked knight with a serious face and a deadly glare.

Minister Gislaine stepped forward with a nervous smile. "General Hastings. It's so good to see you, what brings you here on this fine morning?"

Hastings smiled back. "Minister Ghislaine, Good to see you too. As for why I am here... I am on my way to the throne room. Since Lord Hermann is here, I believe he will be joining us too. William Everhart has finally arrived, though he doesn't seem to be in a good mood."

"Why would that be?"

"The King requested his presence today regarding the matter of Korben. But today also seems the day his son begins as an adventurer. Thus he couldn't be there to see him off and that seems to be the reason for his foul mood. He isn't even trying to hide his anger. So I would suggest you keep your words and actions in check."