Frostfire Legacy

"Mayor Magnus, reporting over the damage throughout the city..."

"Mayor, more and more people have started destroying properties! If we don't handle them..."

"59% of the civilians have been moved to shelters and undergone anti-brainwashing measures. However, complaints are being raised about food shortages..."

On the top floor of Gravene Tower, inside Magnus' office, several people were giving reports simultaneously. It was just an hour past noon, but everyone's faces already showed signs of fatigue.

After the news spread of the Aracelli Race starting another "Divine Retribution War," panic overtook the civilians. Many of them began causing insurrections, adding to the chaos. Of course, their actions weren't entirely of their own will but influenced by the autosuggestion Lorelai had left in their minds.

"That woman... just how thorough was she in preparing to ruin my city?" Magnus sighed while reading and signing documents at the same time.

Out of the civilians in the shelters, around 25% were under minor mind control. This meant Lorelai had managed to put a quarter of the city's population under her influence not long after her "awakening."

Long story short, if not for her prioritizing saving her "family," then Orinfeld City might be over already.

"No choice..." Magnus grumbled, before turning to Geneviv, who was sitting on the sofa, handling her own set of documents. "My wife, please gather the Black Numbers... and the Hit Squad. ASAP."

"Dear..." Geneviv stared at Magnus, seeing his resolute gaze, and relented. "Alright. I will."

The Black Numbers were mobilized not that long ago and were being called on again already. This just speaks volumes about how dangerous the current situation is. Furthermore, even the enigmatic Hit Squad was called forth—the squad that's said to be the last line of defense of Orinfeld City.

Half an hour after the order was given, the two teams were already gathered inside Magnus' office. The entirety of the Hit Squad, all twelve of them, and for the Black numbers, only the team leaders were called, a total of twenty.

Among them, familiar faces could be seen. At the forefront of the Black Numbers stood a tall man with red skin, sporting two curved horns on his head. He was the overall commander of the Black Numbers, the Oni Uncle who usually guarded the Dungeon's Entrance!

Other than him, on the Hit Squad's side, there's also Zenearith, the receptionist of the Adventurer's Guild. Also Faeloria, the Director of the Class Exchange Hall. Two common figures that one wouldn't dare relate to being part of the top "Killer" organization of the city.

"Everyone had already been under anti-brainwashing, right?" Magnus confirmed one last time and nodded after seeing nobody raise a commotion. "Good. Then, let's discuss what we'll do from hereon."

The large chandelier hanging on his office's ceiling started to glow, revealing a holographic, 3D model map of the entire country. After a wave of Magnus' hand, half of it quickly got filled with red circles, indicating the areas that received "damages."

"As you can see, the Aracelli Race is moving fast. After they gathered all of their allies around the world, they quickly started breaking our country from the weakest links."

Of the images, several city names were shown in red, included inside the red regions on the map. Seeing this, everyone frowned.

"This is horrible..." Zena muttered under her breath.

"I know." Magnus nodded. "That's why I called you—to not let our beloved city fall like the others did."

After talking up to this point, he turned to Geneviv, who nodded in understanding immediately. She then waved her hand, taking out something from within the bracelet she wore, and showed it to everyone present.

"This is the prototype of the anti-brainwashing gear that Juviel City made. However, as you can see, they already fell," Magnus explained. "Juvield City is currently under enemy's control, and for that fatty—I mean, their mayor, his location remains unknown. He could've been killed already for all I care."

At this point, someone raised their hand. "If they fell, doesn't that mean these gears are useless?"

"Good point." Magnus smiled. "This gear isn't perfect, but it should be enough to block brainwashing to a certain degree. The reason why Juviel fell is because they didn't even have the time to equip the items."

Juviel City was the first one Lorelai attacked. She even killed the general, the one who has jurisdiction over the storage and handling of military equipment—including the anti-brainwashing gear.

"So the gears are still inside some vault somewhere?" Another one voiced out in wonder.

"So, Magnus. What do you want for us to do?" The Oni Uncle asked, but he already had a guess as to what they'd do next.

"Simple. I want you to infiltrate Juviel City, find their storage of anti-brainwashing gear, and bring everything inside it home."

Keeping someone of the Aracelli Race was against international conventions, but seeing how many of them were left, Magnus realized that idiots do exist. As such, having "countermeasures" against their eyes was something only those said countries have.

And although Magnus hated to acknowledge it, of all the research he got hold of, the Juviel City had the most advanced gear with the highest level of protection. The prototypes they got a hand at weren't as good, but could also provide some protection, however...

"There's only ten of these prototypes right now. Meaning, only ten of you can go and safely participate in this dangerous mission." Magnus went straight to the point. "I want for you to discuss who will go. This is a joint task for the Black Numbers and the Hit Squad."

"..."

Everyone went silent. The mission was infiltration, so rather than strength, their stealth abilities were more required. Before the discussion even started, five members of the Hit Squad stepped forward—members who were confident with their stealth abilities.

—And among them, Zena and Faeloria were included.

From the Black Numbers side, the Oni Uncle didn't dare participate. He was the worst choice to go with in terms of stealth, with his large build and noticeable presence. As such, five members of the team leaders stepped forward, joining in on the task.

Magnus scanned their faces, counting exactly ten participants, and nodded. "Good. Then, I'll be leaving the fate of Orinfeld City to you all."

The success of this mission would greatly affect whether they could survive Lorelai's invasion or not. As such, the pressure on them was quite something.

Soon, the others who were not participating in the mission left Magnus' office, leaving only the ten members, Magnus, and Geneviv, in the room. Right then, Magnus called out to Faeloria and smiled.
Your journey continues at M-V-L

"Ms. Shadowleaf, sorry about this. Although it was almost your turn, it looks like things will need to be delayed."

Her frown quickly turned to a smile, returning to her "outside" persona.

"It's fine, Mayor," she said while sending a sneaky glance to Geneviv's face, then to her tummy. "I'm just someone who's well past her prime, and still dreams about having a child of my own."

Aster's second partner was supposed to be her—Faeloria Shadowleaf!