บท 21: Counterattack!
Loki Familia Residence, Meeting Room.
"Then, Finn, for you to summon us so urgently, it must be something really important."
Pyrion's voice echoed through the large room where the main adventurers from the most influential families of Orario were gathered.
Finn Deimne, the leader of the Loki familia, was standing at the front of the room with his characteristic calm and calculating expression. Upon hearing Pyrion, he gave a slight smile before speaking, his voice clear as it projected through the room.
"That's right, Pyrion. The reason I've called you all here is because we have critical information about the dark faction."
The atmosphere in the room immediately tensed at Finn's words. Multiple gazes crossed, and everyone focused their attention on Finn.
Observing the serious faces of the adventurers, Finn continued in a calm tone: "According to the information I received, the dark faction is planning a massive attack tonight."
The expressions of the adventurers darkened upon hearing the sudden news. Murmurs of concern began to fill the room, cooling the atmosphere.
Pyrion, with a more relaxed demeanor that contrasted with the rest, looked deeply at Finn before commenting: "Listening to your calm tone, it seems you have things under control, Finn..."
Finn turned to him, slightly surprised by how quickly Pyrion had perceived his attitude. However, it didn't take long before he gave a slight smile and responded.
"You were quick to notice, Pyrion. And as you said, we might have a slight advantage at the moment."
Finn adjusted his posture, letting his sharp gaze sweep over the gathered adventurers.
"Thanks to our sources, we not only know when the attack will happen, but also what their main objectives are."
The murmurs in the room intensified again, but Finn raised a hand, quickly restoring silence.
"The primary targets will once again be the industrial areas of the city. It seems that after the success of their last operation, they plan to try again, but this time with more force."
Finn's words caused Pyrion's previously calm expression to darken. His normally indifferent eyes hardened with a hint of resentment. The memories of the destruction and chaos caused by the dark faction during their last attack immediately resurfaced in his mind, filling him with bitterness.
Tsubaki and Julan beside him also gritted their teeth in anger, and not just them; several families involved in commerce and industry, such as the Demeter familia and the Goibniu familia, also showed displeasure.
Noticing the change in the expressions of the industrial families, Finn quickly continued. "However, as I said earlier, we have an advantage over this impending attack. With the information on where and when they'll strike, this may be the time to finally hit back at the dark faction."
The expressions of most of the people in the room brightened at Finn's words; the idea of returning the attack to the dark faction was attractive to everyone present.
After all, since the war against the dark faction began, their own group had only adopted a defensive stance. Not even an effective counterattack had been organized, which had increased dissatisfaction among all the group members.
"So you have a plan, Finn?" Ottar, who had remained silent in a corner throughout the meeting, asked, his usual indifferent voice cutting through the tension.
Finn looked at him for a moment, pausing briefly. Everyone awaited a response, and the atmosphere in the room was charged with expectation.
It didn't take long before Finn spoke again, putting on a smile and saying with a confident tone, "Naturally, my familia executives and I have prepared a plan to carry out the counterattack."
With a confident tone, Finn smiled with enthusiasm. "We have the information, and that's the most important thing. Now we just need to gather our best fighters and make sure we can strike before they realize what we're doing."
"Seems pretty simple." Shakti suddenly spoke up, slightly confused, expecting a more detailed plan.
Finn smiled again, without losing his confidence. "It is pretty simple, you're right. However, given all the information we have, I don't think there's any need to complicate things."
With Finn's persuasion and hearing his confident tone, the rest of the adventurers nodded in understanding. If they had most of the information about the attack, then there was no need to talk further; they just needed to gather their forces and strike back.
"Having clarified the main objective, it would be nice if you stopped beating around the bush and just told us how you plan to organize the attack," Hedin, who had been silent next to Ottar, suddenly spoke up in an irritated tone.
Hedin's sudden interruption was met with the gazes of everyone in the room.
Ottar, along with his two executives, Hedin and Hogni, observed the expressions of everyone in the room with indifferent faces.
Especially Hedin, who, despite his rude interruption, didn't seem embarrassed. Instead, he continued looking at Finn with an expression of impatience.
The faces of the Loki familia executives turned somewhat unpleasant. Some, like Gareth, didn't hide their dislike for the elf who had interrupted their captain.
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? In my opinion, you're still wasting time, going around in circles. Just explain the plan and let's stop wasting time," Hedin said arrogantly, not caring about the looks from the Loki familia, and spoke again with a tone of disdain and impatience.
"Tsk, stupid elf, if you're so impatient, you should go back home and wait for the information without bothering everyone else," Gareth, who couldn't stand Hedin's tone, immediately spoke up, insulting him in an annoyed tone.
"Ignorant dwarf, you don't think I'm here for fun, do you? Your captain summoned us, and I came here to hear important information. But all I see is him going around in circles," Hedin didn't back down from Gareth's annoying tone. Instead, he shot back, looking at him with disdain.
"You... bastard elf, it seems like you want a beating!" Gareth could no longer hold back, and his normally explosive temper flared as he stood up, intending to fight.
"Wild dwarf, you don't think I'm scared, do you? If you need a beating to snap out of it, I'll gladly give it to you," Hedin also couldn't stand Gareth, and taking his double-edged mace, he prepared for battle as well.
Several members of the Loki familia inside the room also stood up with intentions to fight. From the Freya familia, Ottar remained indifferent, while Hogni had moved his hands toward his sword.
"Enough!"
Suddenly, a deep voice resonated throughout the room. Although the tone wasn't very loud, the pressure that followed made everyone immediately turn toward the source.
There, in a corner, Pyrion, frowning, looked at both groups with sharp eyes. The pressure emanating from him made it clear that he was not in a good mood.
"We're discussing something important right now. I expect you to behave. If you want to fight, you can do so after the meeting," Pyrion spoke indifferently, his authoritative tone intensifying the pressure.
The sharp look from Pyrion and the pressure he gave off made both sides stop, as they looked at Pyrion with some confusion; after all, it wasn't common for Pyrion to intervene in other people's problems.
Gareth, who felt Pyrion's piercing gaze and the pressure that made his senses tingle, looked deeply at Pyrion, and after assessing the situation for a moment, returned to his seat with a grim expression.
Hedin, who also sensed Pyrion's warning, stared back at him sharply. However, just like Gareth, after a moment, he lowered his weapon and returned to his place.
The rest of the Loki familia, sensing Pyrion's pressure, immediately stopped drawing weapons. With cold sweat running down their foreheads, they returned to their positions.
Like Hedin, Hogni, still under his cloak, also stared at Pyrion, but after a few seconds, he also withdrew his hands from his sword.
Looking at the now calmed group, Pyrion spoke in a cold tone. "I hope there will be no further interruptions. This matter is very important to my familia. Having given my warning, I hope you don't blame me for being rude..."
Finishing his words full of warnings, Pyrion turned his gaze back to Finn and said indifferently, "Finn, I hope you can continue."
Although slightly impressed by Pyrion's sudden anger, Finn decided to proceed and ask later. "Well, putting the previous embarrassing moment behind us, I hope you're all paying attention, as I'm about to explain how I plan to organize the different groups."
Although intrigued by the earlier drama, the adventurers quickly refocused on Finn's words.
"First of all, I want to make it clear that this counterattack will be divided into several groups, considering that the dark faction's attack will affect multiple points of the city."
"Each group will be responsible for a specific area of the city," Finn continued, while looking at the present to ensure they understood the importance of what he was saying. "There are too many points to cover, so for now, I will prioritize the most important ones... the first of which is the agricultural zone, outside of Orario, considering the Demeter familia as a critical point."
A murmur rose among the present. The agricultural zone was vital for the city's food supply, and its downfall would directly impact Orario's stability. The Demeter familia, known for their control over the farmlands, was key to ensuring that this part of the supply remained uncompromised.
The captain of the Demeter familia sharpened her gaze, focusing all her attention on Finn's words.
"As everyone knows, the importance of the agricultural zone for Orario is critical... therefore, in light of its importance, I have organized for a group of elite adventurers to protect this area, specifically led by an executive from my familia. The group will be headed primarily by..."
Pausing, Finn took out a notebook and, with a pen, wrote in it while continuing to speak. "The leader of this group will be Alice. I believe everyone knows her and recognizes her strength, so I doubt there will be any doubts about this."
The general nodding of the present and the relieved expression on the captain of the Demeter familia confirmed Finn's words. Alice, captain of the Astrea familia, is undoubtedly someone trustworthy to entrust with the protection task.
"This group will also include some members of the Ganesha familia, and I've also added, as extra help, the Astrea familia, who will protect the area entirely."
A murmur of acknowledgment spread through the room. The Ganesha familia will always be a reliable familia in these types of situations, considering their experience as gendarmerie. While the Astrea familia, though less numerous, had an excellent reputation for their discipline and battle coordination skills.
"I promise that my familia will fight with everything we have in defense of Orario's agricultural lands." The words of Alice, the captain of the Astrea familia, gave more confidence to the rest of the adventurers of Orario.
Nodding in recognition, Finn continued. "Well, now for the counterattack group within the agricultural zones of Orario..."
Finn's words reminded everyone that this time they wouldn't just defend but also counterattack. The adventurers listened more attentively.
"Riveria will take the lead of this group. Her experience and magical power make her the most reliable option for this type of mission," Finn continued while observing the present. "This group will focus on eliminating any threats within the agricultural zone and neutralizing any strategic objectives the dark faction attackers might try to seize."
With a collective nod, the adventurers had no doubt about Riveria's combat effectiveness. Seeing the confidence in all the adventurers, Finn added firmly:
"Additionally, she will have the support of some members of the Loki familia, such as Gareth and others from my elite members... Furthermore, I also arranged for Hogni, an executive of the Freya familia, to take part in this group, to add more security."
Finn, along with everyone in the room, turned their gaze to Hogni, awaiting any objections.
However, aside from sinking further into his hood, Hogni had no objections, which caused Finn to smile in relief.
"Alright, that will be the main composition of the group that will defend and counterattack in Orario's agricultural zone. I want to make it clear that in case of an emergency, another group will be ready to provide assistance." Putting aside the first group, Finn crossed out some things in his notebook, then turned to the next page.
"Now let's move on to the second most important group, and according to the information I have, the attack will be most intense here." With a solemn expression, Finn threw a fleeting glance at Pyrion and then continued.
"This group will be in charge of protecting Orario's industrial zone... primarily the area of the Hephaestus familia."
Upon hearing Finn's words, everyone's gaze quickly shifted to Pyrion in the back.
As expected, Pyrion's face soon darkened, and a faint killing intent escaped from him, causing everyone to feel a slight chill.
Feeling the change in Pyrion's mood, Finn's lips trembled slightly, and wiping a bit of sweat from his face, he continued.
"Well... Next, I'll organize the group to defend and counterattack..."
...
Heh, I went a little overboard with words in this chapter.
Well, here are the two chapters for today, Monday. By the way, I'd like to mention that I will upload two more chapters tomorrow if we reach 400 power stones.
I appreciate your reviews and collections. Thank you so much for the support!
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