NOVPUB
Chapter 169: Toward The East Boys!
He didn’t even need to explain more — Eve straightened immediately.
"The Fingers?" she echoed. "We suspected there was a council. How many?"
"Ten," Tobias spoke up for immediately. "One for each ’sin,’ or that’s what they call them. Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, and so on. You know like Re:Zero if you ever watched the anime."
’Tobias knows peak?!’
Zayn shifted slightly at that. "They’re powerful. Extremely. According to her, each one commands elite cultists and leads their own base of operations."
"We cross-checked what she told us with what little we already know," Tobias said. "And it adds up. There’s a base in the North — The Frostlands. One near the Eastern Marshes. And another in the Ruins of Varka."
Eve’s face darkened instantly. "The Ruins."
Cedric tilted his head. "What’s the issue?"
Tobias spoke, adjusting his glasses as he wanted to impart knowledge.
"According to what I know about the place from textbooks I’ve studied, The Ruins of Varka was a former mine where the kingdom administered multiple miners to digging out gold, silver and all sorts of other minerals, it was abundant with a lot of resources so naturally the Kingdom thrived with them until the day it became haunted... The Miners disappeared, other adventurers who were sent there vanished too and so the Kingdom sent an S-rank Adventurer."
Tobias took a deep breath.
"The S-rank adventurer was nowhere to be found as well, whoever enters the cavern doesn’t return. So it’s very likely that the Demon Cult took over at that time."
There was a quiet moment then. The weight of the conversation settled in.
"Well, this means that we split," Tobias continued. "Four parties. Three bases. Two groups will need to team up."
Ragnar cracked his knuckles. "I’ll go where the fight’s the thickest."
"Then you’re likely headed to the Ruins, I suspect a powerful finger will be there." Tobias said.
Eve nodded. "I’ll join him."
Cedric raised a brow. "And I’ll take Frostlands then. That leaves Tobias with Eastern Marshes."
"Exactly," Tobias agreed. "My party and I will begin preparations immediately. I’ll brief the king. The rest of you prepare and depart within the week."
Zayn remained quiet, lost in thought.
He only hoped that Eve and Ragnar could survive the onslaught that awaited them in the Marshes.
’Not my problem though.’
Eve turned her eyes toward Zayn suddenly. "You’re quiet."
"Just thinking," he replied. "This mission... it’s not one of those ’punch it and leave’ things. We mess up here, people die."
"That’s why we’re heroes, isn’t it?" Cedric asked, biting into another grape.
Ragnar just gave a thumbs up.
Tobias sighed. "Yeah. That’s why."
The light from the screen dimmed slightly.
"We’ll meet once more before setting out," Tobias concluded. "I’ll keep this link active for now. Dismissed."
One by one, the heroes flickered offscreen. Only a faint echo remained.
Zayn finally leaned back and exhaled.
Yua stood slowly. "I’ll write the compiled report so you don’t need to worry Hero. I assume you’ll need your room back."
Tobias gave her a nod. "Thanks, Yua."
She paused briefly at the door and glanced over her shoulder. "I’ll ask for a guest room."
And with that, she left.
Zayn sat there in silence for a few seconds, eyes on the space where the projection had been.
"Tobias," he finally said. "You think we’ll win?"
Tobias looked at his hand, the dried ink of the ritual mark still glowing faintly.
"I think we’ll fight like hell," he replied. "But we should be able to win."
...
The sky was clear, with only a few drifting clouds as the morning sun bathed Timberstead in golden light.
The air smelled of dew and distant pine, a refreshing contrast to the battles and grim meetings that had dominated their last few days.
Outside the inn, a large dark green carriage stood waiting, polished to a mirror sheen and reinforced with metal linings.
Horses pawed the cobblestones, snorting as if eager to get moving.
Elisse adjusted the last of their supplies in the rear compartment while Kara checked the food and water storage once more.
Bran secured his axe to his back and double-checked the vials stored neatly in the new belt Tobias had given him.
Zayn was the last to come out of the inn, yawning with his hands behind his head, his hair still loosely tied in that lazy ponytail of his.
He looked like he hadn’t had enough sleep, which to his credit was caused by a whole lot of thinking.
Waiting for them by the steps was the GUILD Master in full armor, which was rare, and beside him stood the ever-composed Althea and her rude twin.
"Leaving so soon?" Althea said.
"Duty calls," Zayn replied casually, slinging his bag over one shoulder.
Althea stepped forward and, to everyone’s mild shock including her sister’s wrapped her arms around Zayn in a full hug. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Her body pressed against his as she whispered quietly into his ear.
"When you return..." she began.
Zayn leaned down slightly and whispered back, "I’ll blow your back out."
She bit her lip, her pointed ears twitching, and nodded with a deep blush that betrayed her usual calm demeanor.
"I’ll hold you to it..." Althea whispered back.
"W-What the hell was that!?" she shouted as Althea walked away like nothing had happened.
Zayn grinned and climbed into the carriage.
Tobias raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment. He’d learned that certain things were better left unquestioned when it came to Zayn.
The GUILD Master stepped forward.
"One last thing," he said, looking at Tobias. "Take Yua with you."
Tobias blinked. "You’re lending us one of your top agents?"
"She’s strong, has infiltration experience, and her earth magic will serve you well in the eastern marshes. You’ll need her."
Yua stepped forward, wearing leather armor and a long forest-green cloak. Her eyes were sharp, calm, and determined.
"If it helps bring down the cult faster, I’m in," she said.
Tobias gave a short nod. "Welcome aboard."
She climbed into the carriage, taking a seat beside Seren, who offered her a small smile and scooted over.
Once everyone was seated — Bran, Kara, Elisse, Seren, Yua, Zayn, and Tobias — the hero took one final look outside. The GUILD Master raised a hand in farewell.
"Safe travels," he said.
"We’ll be back," Tobias replied. "With good news."
The door shut and the driver cracked the reins. The carriage pulled away, its wheels clacking against the stone roads as they left Timberstead behind.
