Chapter 290: First Mission as a Corporation

"..."

The meeting room was engulfed in deafening silence as Regis had just finished narrating the contents of the letter from the Adventurer Guild.

’For Ligera itself to spread Edenelia’s Request for Reinforcement...’

Regis vividly felt the severity of the situation.

He could not help but glance at Marzana, the only elf in the group.

’It’s good that she’s keeping herself calm...’

Like him, the other members at the round table were also subtly glancing her way, knowing her background as a descendant of the elven royal lineage.

They could not help but heave a sigh of relief, seeing her maintain a neutral expression.

Marzana had a straight posture, keeping her gaze over the quest flyers even while Regis was narrating the contents of the letter earlier.

However, despite her calm expression, only she knows what was going through her mind.

Furthermore, unbeknownst to everyone in the room, Marzana was currently tightly clutching the hem of her dress under the table.

Her hands trembled as various emotions overwhelmed her heart.

Worry. Fear. Hope.

She was worried about her family, despite the not-so-good childhood she had growing up.

She was scared about the worst outcome that may happen if Regis did not choose to agree to the Request for Reinforcement.

And she was hoping that she could go back to her hometown to do whatever she could to help.

Despite the many bad experiences she had in her hometown, seeing her own kind slaughtered by demonic worshippers was the last thing she ever wanted.

’I need to keep calm. I shouldn’t burden my friends with my own problems. If they choose not to help and push comes to shove, I’ll just request a Leave of Absence to go back by myself...’

Marazana took rhythmic, quiet breaths before slowly raising her head.

"!!!"

However, what greeted her pitch-black eyes was a pair of piercing blood-red eyes.

Seeing Regis staring so blatantly at her with a peculiar gaze, her heart could not help but skip a bit as a nervous feeling covered her body.

’Why’s he staring so hard?’ Marzana’s calm expression almost faltered.

Fortunately, she quickly regained her composure.

Regis cleared his throat before speaking, his gaze sweeping over the members before him. "Let’s decide by a show of hands. Who here agrees to take on Edenelia’s Request for Reinforcement?"

Silence permeated once again in the meeting room as the members decided.

Pandora, Killian, and Aurelia were the first ones to raise their hands, followed by Vanessa, who was only a beat later.

After a few moments, aside from Regis, everyone had already decided whether to raise their hand or not.

Given that the deciding members numbered eight, Regis chose to omit himself from the decision in accordance with the Sanguine Order’s rules and regulations.

As the Leader, he was not required to participate in the show of hands when deciding the corporation’s next course of action.

However, every month, he has two powers: Mandate and Veto.

With these two powers, Regis could either force everyone to agree on a mission of his choosing through his mandate or veto a mission everyone supported without needing to give a reason.

’I hope everyone— no, I’ll be thankful even if half agrees...’

Marzana thought with her eyes closed from the moment Regis ordered a show of hands.

She was too afraid that the people at the round table with her would view the Request for Reinforcement as too risky and dangerous.

’Well, it’s true, but...’

At this moment, Regis spoke with a sigh, "So everyone has made their decision."

Looking at all the other seven members raising their hands with a look of determination in their eyes, a smile of satisfaction bloomed on his face.

"You can open your eyes now."

"Huh!?" Hearing his words that were obviously directed at her, Marzana could not help but gasp out loud.

As she slowly opened her eyes, the scene that greeted her sight made her tear up involuntarily.

"T-Thank you..."

Marzana could not help but rub her eyes, seeing everyone raising their hands.

Her expression made Regis smile, "Alright, that will be it for today. I’ll write a reply first to inform them that we have agreed to Edenelia’s Request for Reinforcement."

"Vanessa, Zild, Lesfera, and Marzana, you four must inform your squad members of our final decision as their captain and make the necessary preparations. I will be informing you of our day of departure, so make sure to condition yourselves for long-distance travelling..."

Regis immediately issued his commands to the four squad captains before his eyes wandered over to his left side, "Aurelia, come with me first to the study and help me compose the letters for the Adventurer Guild and Uncle Aurum, since as our sponsor, we’ll need to inform him of the general situation.

Lastly, Pandora and Killian, come with us too, as I’ll be needing your help with some matters as well..."

In an instant, Regis was able to give the appropriate orders, showcasing his ability as the leader of the Sanguine Order, as well as his experiences and the knowledge he gained throughout the years.

"Since the situation’s serious, we might only have a day or two left before our departure. Make sure to do your best and prepare everything you may need as this will be our first mission as a corporation..."

Regis spoke while glancing at the determined expressions of the members at the round table, "...Meeting adjourned."

Creak— Creak— Creak—

The sound of chairs scraping against the ground echoed in the room as the members stood up and bowed towards him, "Understood, Leader!"

***

In what seemed to be an endless forest...

A lone sacred shrine with vines covering its various parts stood serenely, emitting the divinity of nature and the vibrance of life...

Inside the shrine, a lone beautiful elf with silver hair almost touching the ground stood in front of the altar of the World Tree.

It was none other than the Pontifex of the Temple of Life, the Queen of Edenelia: Elysia le Floralith.

Currently, her expression was fraught with worry as she seemed to be muttering words under her breath, her gaze unmoving as she looked at the altar before her with devotion.