Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Frictions
*In the backyard of the royal palace stood the old abandoned temple. There was nothing or no one around, but inside was a different story. Seated in the middle of the large hall on a cold concrete slab, Adali was meditating. With her was the man in a priest's attire wearing a mask, the man Dagur had eventually called "Professor." Adali sat focused as veins appeared through her dark skin. Gradually, they took on a bluish tint, coursing through the young girl's body, slowly rising to her eyes and hair. But just as her hair was about to change color, she emerged suddenly as if pulled from a terrifying drowning. Breathless, the blue glow vanished from her body.*
"You were close this time," *said the master.*
"You were right," *she said breathlessly.* "All Killicks have Efrat within them, but it feels like I'm burning from the inside."
"Once you awaken to Efrat, your true potential will be revealed. In fact, you could even reach the rank of a confirmed expert."
"If I want to be useful to my master, I have to aim for the elite, not the small fry," *she said, looking at her hands.*
"That's good. You're ambitious, but don't let it get to your head. You still have a long way to go."
"Yes, Professor," *she said.*
"Speaking of your master, where is he? He was supposed to come for his mana control exam, but he never did."
"Well, my master is absent for an indefinite period."
"Absent, you say? Interesting," *said the man in a deep voice.*
"But don't worry; he will never neglect training."
"Let's hope so. In that case, you can go home for today. But don't forget, little warrior, feeling Efrat is natural for Killicks."
"Feeling it naturally," *she repeated aloud.* "Okay, thanks again for everything, Professor."
*Then she disappeared, leaving the old man alone in the darkness of the temple.*
"So, he left without his cork. Interesting."
*Meanwhile, in the palace at Enrikson's office, Dagfinn was there with some of his men.*
"What do you mean he's not here?" *he shouted.*
*Diana, looking scared, was in front of him trying to reason with him.*
"I keep telling you I don't know where Dagur is," *she said.* "And yelling won't make me know."
*She continued the sentence in her native language, irritating him even more. Enrik, who had returned from his tea break, was shocked to see his office in shambles, as if a tornado had passed through.*
"This can't be true. What happened?"
"Don't worry, Enrik, I already made a copy of the reports," *Diana told him.*
"I don't give a damn. What just happened?" *he said on the verge of a nervous breakdown.*
*Seeing him suddenly enter the room, Dagfinn grabbed him by the collar.*
"Tell me where Dagur is."
"Did you turn my office upside down?" *he asked, looking shocked.*
"I don't care about your little world. Tell me where Dagur is right now."
*As he realized it, Dagfinn spun around and found himself suddenly on the floor on his back, while Enrik looked down at him.*
"Speak to me in a different tone, albinos, or I'll smash your skull," *Enrik said, completely losing it.*
*Far from being scared, Dagfinn tightened his face as his eyes turned green.*
"Okay, I'm going to blow you up."
*Suddenly, their little scuffle ended with Emory entering the room. Everyone present immediately straightened up.*
"What's going on here?"
"Your Majesty, I am terribly sorry," *said Enrik.*
"No, it's my fault. I acted without thinking," *said Dagfinn.*
*After calming down and cleaning up the mess, they began to discuss calmly.*
"In short, Phina ran away, and that's why you turned my office upside down," *said Enrikson.* "Do you really want me to smash your skull?"
"I've been sleepless for days, practically having sleepless nights. It's been a week since I slept. I apologize, but I cracked."
"Well, I haven't slept for three weeks."
*Emory looked at them with surprise.*
"That much? Isn't that a lot?"
"I don't know," *said Dagfinn.* "What's the limit for non-stop activities in humans?"
"If I believe Alvaces, three days?" *Emory said.* "But never mind. Why are you looking for Dagur?"
"He's her best friend. If she's not with him, she's with me, so..."
"Well, you're going to be disappointed," *said Emory.*
*He explained the situation to him, showing the letter Dagur had left before leaving. Learning this surprised Emory even more.*
"Oh, damn it," *he grumbled.* "This can't be true."
"That solves the misunderstanding," *said Emory.* "In the future, Dagfinn, try not to come here and destroy my administration for such a trivial reason."
"I'm sorry; I was on edge."
"Well, it won't fix our office," *Diana told him.*
"I said I was sorry."
"Talk to her politely, okay?" *Enrik said.*
"There's no need to get angry."
*He sat down in a chair, massaging his temples.*
"When did he leave the letter?" *asked Dagfinn.*
"About a week and a half ago."
"A week and a half?"
*Dagfinn tilted.*
"That corresponds to the time of his departure. She took her boat and left. Don't tell me she seriously did it," *he yelled.*
*They watched him, wondering if he had lost his mind.*
"Oh, damn it," *he said.* "She went to Adje. All because of... Damn it, if I catch them, I'll gut them. Dagur, Brett, the navigator, and the whole crew."
"And Phina, you're not strangling her while you're at it?" *Diana asked.*
"Hey, screw you, okay?"
"That's enough, you two; it's getting annoying," *said Emory.* "If it's true that she's on Adje, it means they've only been there for three days. The journey to Arsiaga takes about a week."
"On the contrary," *said Dagfinn.* "Phina's ship was designed to be the fastest in our fleet. In other words, reaching Adje will be much faster."
"Seriously? At what speed will her ship make the trip?" *Emory asked.*
"In three days, which means they've been there for a week."
"Well, it looks like I'll be placing an order with your company. Meanwhile, the mystery is solved. Go home, and don't ever mess up here for such a trivial reason."
"Sorry... I apologize," *he said.*
*On the same day, inside the palace, on a terrace in the East wing controlled by Prince Elfinn, Philotas had been invited. The businessman and the prince were talking together casually.*
"Thanks again for your understanding, Sir Philotas."
"Oh, but it's a pleasure doing business with Adrun. Both the country and the family."
"By the way, I heard you have Osmanthe citizenship. Playing both sides is dangerous, Philotas."
"Let's just say, my prince, that I had to make a choice, and I decided to give Osmandis a chance."
"Well, if a full-scale war breaks out, you won't mind being treated as an enemy resident, will you?"
"I will, but not my children who are from here," *he said with a smirk.*
"So, it's up to them to manage the company in your absence," *Elfinn said.* "Clever."
*They turned to the courtyard where Emory was escorting Dagfinn out.*
"Your son Dagfinn has become a handsome young man," *Elfinn said.*
"Coming from you, I take that quite differently."
"Don't worry; I don't have that kind of view about your son. Besides, he already has a charming companion courting him."
"Indeed."
*In the courtyard, Dagfinn had just received a message by a flying raven. As he read it, he felt his blood boiling.*
"This can't be possible."
*In Ydargos, in the village of Ortega, Dagur and Mathias had both returned with injuries on their faces. No one asked questions, but everyone knew what had happened. Nevertheless, the young people gathered in the local barn to have a drink and potentially relax. They were all there along with Brett, Gothrun, and Phina. Everyone formed a circle around Dagur.*
"I'm sorry," *he said.* "Let's not lie; I meant what I said."
"Well, it's not off to a good start for apologies," *Edna told him.*
"Because that's not my intention. But I keep my promise, and I take back anything I said that offended you."
"Let's say it's a start," *Mathias said.* "But it doesn't change the fact that we don't trust you."
"I don't care about your trust," *Dagur said bluntly.* "Truthfully, I don't care about your feelings. All I need is strong warriors by my side to participate in a mission of the utmost importance. But instead, I got you."
"Well, sorry we don't match your expectation, Miss ColorHead," *Kalil said.*
"Wait," *Mathias said.* "What mission are you talking about?"
"Goth? Explain to them."
*Gothrun stepped forward and showed them his right arm. He explained the story in broad strokes, sparing most of the sordid details not to frighten the younger ones.*
"Okay, okay, so you're asking us to attack an entire country? To rescue one person?" *Mathias asked.* "Have you lost your mind?"
"I already have a plan in mind. But I need hands to make it happen. And as I said, it fell on you."
*Dagur didn't try to be friendly or even convince them. Truthfully, he didn't care about their sympathy, especially when he saw Mathias sitting across from him, scrutinizing him. But more importantly, the man sitting next to him intrigued him even more.*
"What do we gain from helping you?" *Juroi asked.* "It's true you say you want to destroy a country, but it's going to be a big undertaking. Why should we help you?"
"For money. Glory, recognition – honestly, I don't care. Whatever you desire," *he said confidently.* I, Dagur, I'm ready to offer it to you."
*They all stared at him, surprised. Juroi stood up and glared in his direction. Then he looked at Mathias, who still had a battered arm.*
"Most of the guys here are young, and many have never participated in a real fight," *Mathias said.* "The younger ones won't come, and that applies to those under 15."
"Hey, don't decide for us, Mathias."
"Yeah, we can fight too."
"SHUT UP."
*They immediately quieted down.*
"Accept this compromise, or you won't have our help. And besides, you may act all arrogant, but you need us."
"Deal. I wasn't planning on coddling the kids anyway."
"Alright," *said Juroi.* "Give us time to prepare our boats..."
"Boats?" *said Brett, stepping forward.* "What boats? We already have a damn war beast waiting at the port of Arsiaga."
*They stared at him in surprise and went to prepare their gear.*
"By the way," *Juroi had asked,* "We're going to assault a country, but the thing on the other side has wiped out an entire raid squad. Why do you think you would be able to do better?"
"Because believe me," *he said in a deep voice.* "In your life, you've never seen a warrior stronger than me."
*The Efrat grew around him, covering his body, including his eyes that lit up.*
"Follow me, and you'll feel your blood boil to the deepest of your veins. Like true Killicks."
*The message Dagfinn received said that Phina had left Adje with Dagfinn and about twenty Killick warriors. This time, they sailed even faster because the Killicks were rowing. The ship didn't lose its speed even against the wind, and they were heading to the kingdom of Hanneheim, which bordered Galveron. As he read the letter, he felt a hand on his shoulder.*
"Dagfinn."
*He turned around and saw his father in the company of Elfinn.*
"F... Father? Highness," *he said as he was about to bow.*
"No need to bow, let's say. Your father and I are good friends."
"Only partners now. By the way, Dagfinn, it's been days since I've seen your sister," *he said.* "I know it's another one of her crises, and she refuses to give me any updates, but I think she writes to you. This letter is from her, isn't it?"
*He couldn't tell him the truth, and he didn't want to worry him, so he answered,*
"Everything is fine," *he said calmly.* "But I don't think she'll come back on her own this time."
"Oh, is it that serious?"
"Don't worry; I'll go get her when the time comes. She won't be able to refuse."
"Ah, I leave it to you. By the way, I heard that Cassia is in town."
"The Duke of Marduk's daughter?" *Emory thought.* "But he's in Elfinn's faction."
"You should visit her villa; I think she would be happy to see you."
"Now that you mention it. Haha, I completely forgot."
"Stay there for a while, relax, and stop the sleepless nights."
"Of course, Father."
*After that, Philotas and his son bid farewell and left the castle under Emory's suspicious gaze.*
"This Philotas. What is he plotting with Elfinn?" *Emory wondered.*
*End of the chapter.*
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone