Chapter 359: Secrets and Shadows
Jarvis stared at Kiro in shock, "What?"
"You've been an infinitely fascinating person Mister. I haven't had so much fun in a long time. If possible, I want to tag along in your adventures. "
Jarvis took a step back, "No-no, do you even understand what your asking?"
"You weren't against the Kitsune joining. Is there something wrong with me?"
"It's- I'm not sure you're in a good condition to be making choices like these. Give it some proper thought, maybe when you aren't under the influence of alcohol?"
Kiro laughed, "You make it seem like it's some sort of marriage document Mister. I'm a Tanuki you know? I can be one of your tames."
"Alright let's stop the chatting here. Sober up and think about this properly, I don't want you to make a decision you will regret."
"You won't be sad if I change my mind?"
"If anything I'll be relieved that I prevent you from making a choice you would regret."
"Ah you're so kind Mister. Alright I'll sleep on it if that makes you feel better."
Jarvis sighed with relief, "Thank you."
"Mm~ I'm sure the Honorable Elder will come to you soon. It was fun chatting."
"It was."
Kiro slipped away silently, leaving Jarvis alone to attend his thoughts. As he pondered what had just occurred he slumped, "I am not good with conversations."
~ ~ ~
Dot sat at a windowsill, the curtains fluttering from the wind, "So?"
Uranium had a complicated expression, "We couldn't find a single thing on them."
Dot remained silent. Making Uranium feel an invisible pressure staring at the mask. He then pinched his thigh, a Vice Leader shouldn't show fear to a single individual. Especially not the Vice Leader of Raven Thread!
Gritting his teeth he continued, "We spent a lot of effort looking into this. Spent countless resources on this. Don't cause pointless harm with my Guild."
"Is that a demand of a request?"
"Both."
"You've grown cautious, but still have your pride about you Uranium. I'm impressed you even told me that there wasn't any results."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I think you've claimed your innocence through your actions. I do not cause pointless conflict."
"I have a hard time believing that."
"The wars I start are for a reason. To even the playing field of players and Guilds. When you have too much power, I come to revoke some."
"What if the Players have too much power?"
"An amusing question, but I have yet to see that occur. Worry not, if the need arrives I will act."
"Before you go.", Uranium revealed a photo from his bag, "What do you think of these people?"
Dot took a glance at the photo, "Don't make enemies with them. That is all I will say."
Leaping off the windowsill he fell into the dark shadows below. Uranium turned away, "Don't make enemies with them? What an odd thing to say."
Storing the photo away he began to think accordingly. If Dot had a high enough opinion of them, then surely they're worth the effort.
He moved swiftly, pulling up the system interface. Scrolling through his contacts he found who he was looking for and called them.
A moment later a voice spoke, "Hello?"
"Hey, I need a favor."
~ ~ ~
Travis dashed across the Kingdom. Due to him still being the highest PKer guards would automatically chase him if they recognize him. So he only visited the Kingdoms at night to make it easier to avoid their sight.
'The secret messenger at night, not bad.' -Lumen
"If they find out who I really am it'll be more troublesome. Best to keep on a mysterious air about me."
'Still they came up empty, yet you don't seem too concerned.'
Abe asked, 'I assume you already have an idea?'
"Somebody not even the top Guild could find out? What makes you think I have information on them?"
'A hunch.'
Lumen agreed, 'You tend to know more then you let on.'
Travis made a face under his mask, "Well you aren't wrong."
'Aha!' -Abe
"I only have a guess however. Additionally I have no way of knowing where they're at. But if they're after me, then I'll happily take them on."
Travis hopped onto the Kingdom wall, "I will not—however—be used as a tool for their goals."
Very few people were able to escape the gaze of the top 10 Guilds. Yet in Travis' previous timeline. There was one notorious group that was able to constantly escape their clutches. It was unknown who they were, or what their intentions were.
What was known was simple. They had powerful experts capable of taking on armies. Every time they struck the blow they dealt crippled whatever organization had the misfortune of offending them.
They had mysterious yet powerful financial backing. If you were ever approached by them for something, it could be considered a fortuitous encounter. Between rare items or an endless bank account, they had it all seemingly.
Finally, they were known as Eternal Candle. The name forever associated with 'do not cross'.
Travis was unsure if it was Eternal Candle who sent the experts after him. Such a sloppy execution was unlike them. However it would also make sense if their goal was to frame someone.
It puzzled him, what would they get for tarnishing Raven Thread's reputation?
This one question was the main cause of his doubts. It was a shame there was no info on them from his previous timeline. After all if he could have an ally like that. . .
There was no telling how high he could go!
~ ~ ~
"Jarvis, we found the location."
"Is it time?"
"Yeah, inform your friends. We're leaving immediately."
Jarvis rapidly sent a message into the group chat and prepared himself. It was time to figure out who stole the Hydra's Heart.
. . .
In roughly two hours everyone had met up.
Jarvis examined everyone present and filled them in, "The guy is located in a building to the south. We're gonna go interrogate him."
Nimin asked, "Who's the guy?"
He only received a shrug in response. Akiol then chimed in, "Right, so we head south. But I want to know who's behind you."
Kiro popped up behind Jarvis, "Yo! I'm Kiro! I am to be your guide there."
Yielya waved, "Kiro, it's good to see you again."
"Ah Yielya! Wait does that mean-?"
"You've met the whole team, plus two more."
Everyone introduced themselves. Kiro inspected them all with interest, "I've heard stories from Jarvis about you all. You all are much different than what I pictured. . ."
Wrock scratched his head, "I sure hope they were heroic stories."
"Ehh~"
Jarvis cleared his throat, "No time to waste, we must go."
Kan'na nodded, "We're following I promise."
As they traveled Jarvis filled them in on what little he knew. Once Nimin heard this he objected, "Someone actually stole something so dangerous?!"
Jarvis shrugged, "I don't know, we're about to find that out."
"Well they're going to pay, so many people died because of their actions!"
Akiol nodded, "A debt is owed."
The others looked in surprise towards Akiol, but no one spoke up. His face seemed chill, casual even. Only Yielya was able to see what emotions he suppressed.
Kiro informed, "We're approaching the location, we believe the culprit to be of no real harm. However caution is still advised."
Yielya was surprised at the change of Kiro's tone. She nudged Jarvis for an answer. Jarvis looked back and whispered, "She's doing more than being just a guide. Apparently she was tasked with joining on the mission."
This only made Yielya more curious, but she didn't ask further. Instead she looked downwards, watching the ground zoom past.
They were riding Nimin's Wyvern. His mount had almost unparalleled speed. But Akiol found Givale to be faster.
They made it to their location within thirty minutes. Snow blanketed the ground, and the home looked peaceful. However, knowing that the person inside played a key role in the Calamity made a menacing aura leak from it.
As they landed Akiol and Wrock immediately noticed several hidden presences. Kiro averted their worries, "It's our people, they're making sure he won't get away."
Tilia was the first to get off the Wyvern, "Pretty relaxing place for some evil supervillain."
Kan'na asked, "What makes you think they're a supervillain?"
"A feeling."
"Can't argue against that."
Kiro shook her head, "We've wasted enough time, every second we waste is another life gone. Let's move."
The others dismounted the Wyvern. As they approached the house Wrock asked, "What is the plan?"
"We have our people surrounding the area, additionally we're monitoring for any underground movement. If he tries to escape he'll be apprehended in a moment. Otherwise, we interrogate him."
"Right."
"Let's move in!"
The door was broken down and several people moved in. The room immediately greeting them was a living room, a fire crackling in a fireplace. A figure rocking on a chair, tapping their fingers on the arm.
They looked over slowly, "I was waiting for you. Your people have been surrounding me for some time. So tell me, why do you seek me?"
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