Somewhere within Orario, in a large, dark room that resembled a secluded chamber within a dying ruin, a voice echoed through the shadows.
"We've received word from our informant in the guild," said one figure.
"Speak," another voice demanded.
"The enemy will begin their operation in three days," the first voice revealed, a gleeful grin spreading across his lips.
Within the room stood several figures cloaked in darkness, some brimming with sinister desire while others remained indifferent.
A creepy laugh escaped one figure's lips.
"She did it! That wench actually did it. Damn, these loyal followers are quite useful," Valletta exclaimed, smacking her lips with satisfaction.
"Four years ago, when we planted her, we didn't use her once, all so she could remain hidden until now!" another person, Olivas, added.
"Heh, I am impressed. I didn't think you had that much patience," Vito remarked, his normally squinted scarlet eyes widening with excitement.
"Well, what good is a secret weapon if you don't keep it a secret?" Olivas replied.
"True. We had to fool Finn; that little rat has more brains than most gods. If he starts sniffing around, he would have definitely found something. So we had to keep it low-key until now," Valletta stated.
While Valletta and Olivas celebrated, Vito remained calm, not letting their minor victory intoxicate him with overconfidence.
"Come to think of it, Vito, where has that god of yours run off to?" Valletta inquired.
The god she referred to was an embodiment of evil, one whose depth of wickedness both shocked and excited her.
"Oh, you know how these gods are. He's probably enjoying a leisurely stroll somewhere in the city or stalking someone who piqued his interest," Vito replied with a shrug.
"Tsk, his seat is getting old, but whatever," Valletta clicked her tongue in mild annoyance.
She would have preferred their leader to occupy his throne where he belonged, but his absence didn't trouble her for long as her gaze shifted to the three others within the room.
"You heard it right? The party starts in three days. Are you going to be ready by then? You are our real secret weapons after all," Valletta yelled into the darkness, where their threatening presence enveloped the room.
Three robed figures stepped into the dim light, each wearing different expressions.
One was a giant man, towering so high that meeting his gaze required most people to crane their necks up.
Another was a lean man, who looked extremely bored and annoyed at the same time.
The last was a woman with long ashy grey hair.
"I have nothing to prepare. When the time comes to fight, summon me. That is my only purpose," said the giant man, his deep voice rippling through the air as if he existed in another plane.
Vito cracked one eye open, a grin spreading across his face.
"Hehehe, I get you. Why say a hundred words when a single sword will suffice? You're a terrifying being indeed," he said to the giant man.
"Things would have been ridiculously difficult if we didn't have them. Even that boar bastard from the Freya familia would be no match for—" Valletta was abruptly cut off.
"Silence!" a soft yet annoyed woman's voice resounded in the room.
"What…?" Valletta muttered, confused.
"Your voice is not just a nuisance; it's poison. I feel sick just listening to it," the woman said, her tone condescending, as if she were addressing an insect.
This severely aggravated Valletta, who was not accustomed to being disrespected in such a manner.
"What did you just say to me?" Valletta yelled, her face reddening with anger.
"You can't stop being a nuisance, can you?" the woman retorted.
Although Valletta was furious, she had to temper her haughty attitude in the face of this woman, knowing that retaliation would result in her immediate demise.
She understood the meaning behind the woman's words and her anger.
The soup kitchen massacre hadn't been part of the original plan; Valletta had changed it on a whim and failed to accomplish the objective, losing precious magical weapons and soldiers for nothing.
"You sure still act arrogant for a dying bitch!" the other man suddenly interrupted.
"The deed has already been done, so why waste time arguing about a bunch of lost worms and toys that aren't related to you?" he said, his expression indifferent.
The woman's expression darkened, her bloodlust directed at the indifferent man.
However, the giant man intervened, shaking his head.
Fighting the other man wasn't worth the effort; he wasn't a worm they could easily crush. Despite the giant man's intervention, tension lingered in the room.
"Now, now, let's not overdo it, shall we?" Olivas said with a smile, hoping to diffuse the situation.
"We are comrades now, for better or worse. Our goals may differ, but for now, we walk the same path." His voice cracked with excitement as he spoke.
"The Apate and Alecto familia are preparing to fight as we speak. With those mad warriors on our side, what's losing a few worms here and there?"
"Soon our desire will be fulfilled… and Orario will fall."
..........
A bright red sunset painted the western sky in a picturesque scene.
Dusk had come early for the city of Orario due to its high walls, casting shadows that crept along the streets until the last vestiges of sunlight disappeared.
In happier times, the streets would have been lively as adults finished work, making their way noisily to taverns to release the stress of the day.
However, with the haunting presence of the Evilus, the nights now felt long as many spent their time shivering in fear behind bolted doors and shuttered windows.
Ryuu walked along the quiet streets, her mind filled with various thoughts.
Even the mask she wore couldn't hide the shadows of doubt lurking in her expression.
"What exactly is my justice?" she pondered, Eren's words lingering in her mind.
She was a beautiful young elf, only 14 years old, grappling with problems far beyond her years. "It's obvious," Ryuu muttered, trying to shake off her doubts.
"Our justice… the reason we wield our swords is…" The words escaped her lips, but she couldn't complete the thought.
With just one question, Eren had planted the seed of doubt within her, making her realize how foolish many of her actions had been.
Ryuu felt ashamed and foolish for being unable to define justice.
As a follower of Astraea, a goddess of justice, why couldn't she find the answers she sought?
"Ryuu! There you are!" a worried voice called out, interrupting her thoughts.
The familiar voice felt like a ray of light amid her inner turmoil.
She felt someone hug her from behind, soft arms wrapping around her neck.
"Sniiffff! Why do you always smell so good," the voice asked, taking a whiff of her hair.
"A-Adi," Ryuu stammered, a bit embarrassed by her friend's affection.