Pawn's Revolt
The meeting room was made entirely out of stone, with large slabs of rough-hewn rock forming the walls, floor, and ceiling.
The dim light filtered in through narrow slits near the top of the walls, casting eerie shadows on the faces of the people inside.
A large stone table dominated the center of the room, its surface uneven and pitted from years of use.
Rough-hewn chairs were placed around it, their surfaces also marked with nicks and scratches.
The air inside was cool and musty, and the only sound was the faint echo of footsteps as the team members entered one by one, taking their seats around the table.
"Good morning everyone and welcome. Today, we're here to discuss our efforts to uncover any clues against the organization we've been investigating," began the vice-captain.
"As you all know, this organization has been operating in secrecy for years, and it's been challenging to find any concrete evidence to hold them accountable for their actions."
"However, recent developments in our investigation have given us some promising leads. We believe that by pooling our resources and expertise, we can finally get to the bottom of this and expose the organization's illegal activities," the vice-captain continued.
"Our primary objective for this meeting is to develop a strategy that will enable us to gather more information about the organization's operations and ultimately lead us to any clues that we can use against them. To achieve this goal, we will need to collaborate and leverage each other's strengths to maximize our chances of success," the vice-captain said firmly.
"Before we dive into the details of our plan, let's take a moment to introduce ourselves to our new members," the vice-captain continued.
"Mika's the name. I have a deep understanding of the fundamental forces that govern our universe, from the smallest atoms to the largest structures. My expertise spans the fields of natural sciences, technology, and mathematics, allowing me to create innovative solutions and push the boundaries of what is possible. With my knowledge, I can design complex systems, concoct powerful drugs, and solve intricate puzzles, making me a valuable ally to have by your side," Mika introduced himself in a cool and confident tone.
"I'm Airi. I'm good at fighting, I guess?" Airi introduced herself with a cheerful smile.
"Lead of the protesters, Kim Sin. Former leader of Guardian's Tale. I hope we can work together," Kim introduced himself with a nod.
"I'm Lee Virtus, the chief strategist. I prefer to keep my background secret, but I can assure you that I have the skills and expertise to help us succeed," Lee introduced himself in a cool and collected manner.
"I am Amalia-Elisabetha Katharina Margarethe von und zu Liechtenstein-Sternberg, the Vice-captain of the Zodiac Warriors," Amalia introduced herself with poise and grace.
"And I am Maya, the leader of this team. Let's work together and bring down this organization," Maya said with a determined look on her face.
The team members settled into their seats, ready to collaborate and take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
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"Excellent, we have located the enemy positions. However, with our current firepower, we have identified 8 separate areas, each around 10 kilometers apart. Realistically, we can only expect our army to effectively handle 3 of these locations," the chief strategist stated.
"Furthermore, a majority of our soldiers are lacking in proper training. At best, only one-third of them would be fit for fighting on a battlefield," added the lead of the protesters.
"Hmm, I understand. Well then, I will personally take charge of 5 of these locations. Mika, Airi, and Amy will assist the army in securing the remaining 3," declared the leader with unwavering confidence.
The vice-captain stood up and slammed his hand on the table, "Captain! With all due respect, we do not wish to underestimate your strength. But perhaps, it would be unwise to exert so much effort all at once. What if you collapse during the actual battle?"
The lead of the protesters chimed in, "I agree. We must take a cautious approach. We will continue to train our army, and bear in mind that this will be a long and grueling war, lasting around twelve full moons."
"I had hoped to move to the next island within the next few weeks, but it seems like that plan may have to be postponed," Mika thought to himself.
The vice-captain then asked the group, "Does anyone object to this plan?"
All the members shook their heads in agreement.
"Very well then, that concludes our strategy meeting," the vice-captain said, bringing the discussion to a close.
As the other members left the room, Lee Virtus gestured for Mika and Airi to stay behind.
The chief strategist's normally composed demeanor was replaced by a look of intensity, and his voice had a dangerous edge to it.
"I'll cut to the chase," he began, locking eyes with Mika. "I don't trust you. You're new to our organization, and I don't know anything about you. For all I know, you could be a spy for the enemy."
Mika's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation.
He could see the tension in Lee's posture, the way his fingers tapped impatiently on the table.
But Mika remained calm and collected, a trait that had earned him the nickname 'Glacier Prodigy' while he was still in high school.
"I assure you, Lee, I have no connection to the enemy," Mika responded.
Lee's eyes narrowed. "Prove it. Tell us everything you know about your past, and why you decided to join us."
Mika took a deep breath and began to speak, his words tumbling out in a rush as he recounted his life story.
He told them about his family, his education, and his story of how he got into all of this thing.
He spoke of his desire to use his knowledge to make a difference in the world, to fight against those who would use their power for evil.
Airi watched the exchange nervously, feeling like she was caught in the middle of a dangerous game.
She had only known Mika for a short time, but she could tell that he was sincere in his desire to help them.
As Mika finished speaking, Lee responded incredulously.
"Okay, so you want me to believe that you are from a planet called Earth where there's no war and an overwhelming amount of resources. You transmigrated to this world being led by a demon that is right beside you by just touching a spoon, and then you got a system and decided to walk into a big diamond door to meet the legendary wizard named Alaric. He said that you need to save Yggdrasil from the shadow faction and defeat the demon lord, and now you are on a journey to train yourself by visiting every land and city to gain more experience. You take me for a goblin on the first day of Evergreen."
Mika's expression remained unchanged as Lee spoke, and Airi could feel the tension in the room mounting with each passing moment.
Mika took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Lee's. "I know it sounds far-fetched, but it's the truth. I have no reason to lie."
Lee scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "And how do we know that you're not just making all of this up? That you're not some sort of plant, sent here to infiltrate our organization?"
Mika remained calm, his voice even. "I understand your skepticism, Lee. But you have my word that everything I have told you is true. I know it's difficult to believe, but it's the only explanation for what's happening."
Airi could see the frustration on Lee's face, and she knew that this was a crucial moment.
If Mika couldn't convince him, they would be at a standstill.
Suddenly, Mika's eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You know, Lee, I could just as easily turn that accusation around on you. After all, why should I trust you? Why should I believe that you have our best interests at heart?"
Lee's eyes widened in surprise, and Airi could see the fear creeping into his expression.
Mika's sudden shift in demeanor had caught him off guard, and he didn't know how to respond.
"Look, Lee," Mika continued, his voice low and deadly. "I'm not here to play games. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here because I believe in what you're doing, and I want to help. But if you can't trust me, then maybe it's time for me to move on."
Airi could see the conflict in Lee's eyes as he struggled to come up with a response.
For a tense moment, Lee Virtus locked eyes with Mika, his gaze searching for any sign of deception.
Mika, in turn, met his stare head-on, his expression calm and collected despite the danger that hung in the air.
"Let's go, Airi," Mika said firmly, breaking the silence as he grabbed her hand and led her out of the room.
He could feel Lee's eyes on his back, but he didn't look back.
Finally, Lee spoke, his voice low and menacing. "Do what you want," he said. "But make no mistake, if I find out that you're holding anything back from us, I won't hesitate to take action. And believe me, you won't like the consequences."
Mika didn't slow his pace, but he tightened his grip on Airi's hand.
He knew that Lee's threat was not to be taken lightly, and he was determined to prove his loyalty to the organization.
As they walked down the hallway, Airi let out a frustrated sigh. "Jeez, what was that about, suddenly barging into us without any evidence?" she asked.
"It's reasonable," Mika replied evenly. "For those who don't know us, we are just two no-names barging into a big organization that solves world crises. He is just being cautious."
"Ugh, that was so frustrating." Airi huffed and pouted, clearly annoyed by the encounter.
Mika could tell that she was still feeling uneasy about the encounter as they walked out of the building. "Let's just rest for today," he said, hoping to ease her worries.