Chương 109: Intermission. War Maiden's Thoughts

Eve Minerva's Point Of View I woke to my Maid, Daisy, waking me in the morning." Eve, it's morning. Time to get up!"" Do I have to?"" If only Alfheim could see their "War Maiden" in the morning." Daisy has been my Maid for 15 years now, she started speaking her mind around 8 years ago. To my annoyance..." Daisy, we've been through this already. I'm not a morning person."" You could be, if you didn't stay up all night practicing Magic!"" A blade is only useful if it's sharp, Daisy.""

And a Princess, will need to find a Marriage Partner! Yet you still have found no one!" Here we go again... It's too early for this." Like I said before, Daisy, I'll Marry the man who can best me in combat! So far, no one has risen to the challenge!"" Strength in battle isn't everything, Eve! You know, I won't be here to take care of you forever! I plan on getting Married eventually!"" You've been alive for over 200 years! What's another 100 spent single!?"" It means everything!

I'm the 4th daughter of a Baron's Family! Marriage is important to me!" Seems I angered her." Daisy, don't abandon me... Please?"" The puppy dog eyes don't work on me anymore, Eve! It's time to start acting like a Proper Woman and attract a Partner!" Daisy is 280 years old. I am 180 years old. I guess our views on Marriage are just too different? Us Elves have a lifespan lasting around 5000 years.

You would think, we'd spend the time while we were young, less like Humans looking for a mate and spend more time improving ourselves. I spent the rest of the morning thinking about life as I prepared for the day." Daisy, what do I have to do today?"" You have an appointment with your Father, King Maximus. It seems it is of the upmost importance. After that, you have the rest of the day off, since today is your rest day."" What could Father want?

If he wanted to talk to me, he didn't need to make it an Official Appointment. Could this mean we're heading to War?"" Who's to say? However, with your skillset, I don't think there are much other outcomes. Perhaps another assault on Darkheim?"" But the Dark Elves haven't done anything outlandish recently. In fact, more of the Dark Elves have started to disperse in forests around the continent, to hide and repopulate in these last 3000 years."

I pondered what could be happening as I ate my breakfast of fruit and porridge. After finishing breakfast, Daisy and I proceeded to walk to my Father's Office to begin the appointment. I found myself in a strange mood as I tried to think what my Father could want. I reached the door of his Office and knock on it." Is that you, Eve? Come on in!" I entered my Father's Office.

I see that my Family and High-Ranking Members of the Military were gathered around the map of the continent that sits on a long rectangular table to the side of my Father's desk and chair. My Father, the King of Alfheim, Maximus Minerva, walked over to me, to welcome me into the room. He was dressed in a white robe that contrasted with his black hair and eyes. I inherited my hair and eye color from my Father. My looks however, I apparently received from my Mother.

She was known as one of the most beautiful women on the continent. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version." Eve. It's good you arrived here so soon! I'm about to explain why I called you all here so early in the morning."" Why have you gathered so many people, Father?"" Well, come over here and allow me to explain!" I walked over to my Father's left side, as is customary for me when we have a meeting about Military Matters.

I noticed now, that my Mother and my Sisters aren't here. Only my 3 Brothers, who are engaged in the Alfheim Royal Army are present here. I proceeded to turn to Father just as the other occupants in the room are doing." The reason I gathered you all here today, is to discuss some news that I have recently found." My Father reaches into his robe and pulled out a letter he had hidden." I've made contact with a likeminded individual from Diablos."

"WHAT!?" Everyone in the room were shocked to hear my Father say where he received the information from. My Brother, the First Prince of Alfheim, Brandon, started to speak to my Father." Father, can a demon really be trusted? If we aren't careful, this could bring great shame and loss to not only the Minerva name, but also to Alfheim as well." My Father looked at Brandon and began to speak." So far, everything that my new informant has told me, has been true.

This includes where Elves who were taken to be sold as slaves, were to be found. That is why we have been able to save so many names from our missing persons lists."" I see. However, what does your gut tell you about this, Father?"" It says to approach with caution. The other person is a demon after all. They all lie and try to take advantage of anyone, including other demons."" So, what is this information you were given, Father?" My second Brother, Edwin, asked for the new information.

My Father obliged with the information." We've received word that a new, unproven Marquess, has taken control of the lands at the Eastern most point of Diablos. They are called the "Rose Swamps" for those who don't know. We can scout and then strike when the moment suits us. We can gain a foothold in Diablos and start to establish an advantage in this long-held stalemate that Promethia and Diablos have been in during this past decade."" I see. So, we're here to devise strategies then?"

I spoke after hearing my Father's words." Yes and no, Eve. I've brought you here to find who should lead the Scouting Party. I want to send 3 people from this room to act as the Leader and Vice-Leaders of a group of about 15 of our best Scouts."" What will we be looking for, Father?"" Any information that you can find. What the lands are like, the people, the food, the wildlife. Most importantly, this Marquess and his family.

I want detailed profiles on the man and any members of his family and any trusted subordinates he brings with him or finds in his new lands. I want to know who he speaks with and who he listens to. Detailed daily itineraries as well." As I thought about what my Father said, Shane, the third Brother, spoke to my Father." Why do you want such detailed information about this Marquess?"" To know your enemy, means to know how they will act when you challenge them.

If they go left, I want to strike with my blade to the left. We must learn everything we can about this Marquess to make this possible." After answering my Brother's question, my Father began to think to himself. While he was puzzling about something, the group in the room began to speak about different ideas about what to do with this new mission. While everyone spoke over each other, Brandon and I simply sat and watched my Father.

As a Veteran of these "Office Meetings", it is better to sit and wait for the King to make his Decree, rather than argue endlessly, only to have everything rendered mute by the King's Orders. Within the hour, my Father rose from his chair and began to speak." I've come to a decision. Everyone be silent and listen to your King's Orders." Everyone quieted down. Once silence had covered the room, my Father started to speak." Eve, Luther and Edwin. You 3 shall be the Leaders of the Scouting Squad."

My Brother was the first to speak up to my Father's Orders." Father, may I ask why you wish to send me out? I'm not a Scout, nor have I been to War yet."" That's exactly why, Edwin. I want you to accrue experience. You've recently gained your 2nd Job Class. it's time to go out and see what you can do. Find out what your potential is. Again, I must state. You're there to observe, not fight." My Brother's question was answered.

Luther, the Military Man was just simply viewing this as another mission and had no further thoughts it seems. I, however, had my own questions." Father, what if we are found? What would you have us do?"" I'm glad you asked, Eve." My Father pulled out a box from the shelf behind him that held different items and antiques. He opened it to show jewelry of different types." These are Magical Items with a Special Version of the Spell "Transformation", Enchanted on them. I want you all to wear them as a precaution.

This will make you look like those foolish traitors that ran from their due punishment."" Okay, however, if these fail. What then, Father?"" You protect yourself and you retreat back to Alfheim as fast as you can. I view the safety of you all as paramount during this mission. Eve, Edwin, you both are My Children. I don't want harm to befall you, but you all must learn how to do these things for when I or your Mother are not here anymore. Luther, you are one of the Finest Soldiers I know. you also have a Family.

It would be a great crime to leave them. So please, keep your lives and the lives of your subordinates in mind during this mission."" As you Command, Your Highness."" As you wish, Father." With Edwin and I answering in unison after Luther, we left the room to begin preparing for the long mission we had ahead. But a question lingered in my mind. Why did an untested Marquess receive the Eastern most lands of Diablos? I mean, they exist past the Eastern Border? So why? What makes this Marquess so special?"