…
Several moments later…
Izroth was headed deeper into the camp's core area where the primary command tents were set up. There were multiple checkpoints in place that did not allow one to move freely between different sections of the camp unless they had a certain rank or level of clearance. But, Izroth was not alone.
He was accompanied by Captain Yan and the leader of the War Brigade's 2nd Unit, Commander Aurie.
With the assistance of Aurie, the issue at the camp's entrance was resolved smoothly as Niflheim was permitted to enter without having first to be placed into the confinement area.
However, as a precaution and so that there were no misunderstandings along the way, Aurie assigned one of her Captains to escort Niflheim to receive his new insignia. What would have previously taken him three days to a week decreased to a mere hour or two at most!
After giving proper thanks, Niflheim parted ways with Izroth in order to organize everything on his end.
Once things were settled, Aurie asked Izroth to follow her and Yan. Though she did not give a reason immediately, Aurie added that she would explain once they were well within the camp.
Now that they had crossed into the core area of the camp, Aurie finally spoke, "You disappeared from the Unsanctioned Zone quite fast. I did not think you would jump from one battlefield right into another, Captain Izroth. Though I'm afraid this time, things are somewhat more complicated."
"You're referring to the Shadahi that appeared, Commander Ekquilore, right?" Izroth inquired.
"Since you already know, it saves me the trouble of having to explain too much. But that can wait. For now, there is someone I believe would be interested in meeting you. In truth, it is also my wish that you meet them." Aurie stated as she arrived before one of the larger tents at the War Brigade camp.
"Oh?" Izroth was curious as to who it was Aurie wanted to introduce him to. He may not know their identity, but if they could stay inside a large tent at the core of the camp, then their status could not be small.
"Commander!" The two guards at the tent's entrance gave Aurie a respectful salute as she walked through the tent flaps without delay.
Izroth and Yan followed Aurie into the command tent. Its general appearance was similar to the one Aurie used back at the Unsanctioned Zone; however, its size was almost two times bigger and had a long table positioned at its center.
Aurie and Yan stood straight as the two saluted and said, "General!"
"At ease." A peaceful voice sounded from the seat located on the opposite side of the table.
'This is the General of the 1st Legion? If not for the system information, one might mistake him for a common shop NPC roaming the street side. Though I know quite well that appearances can often be deceiving.'
Izroth was curious about the type of person someone like Aurie served under; however, he never envisioned that person to be someone like the man before him.
The General looked to be in his late thirties with short orange hair and glasses that perfectly hid his eyes. His physique was on the thin side, and he wore casual robes that Izroth could not tie to any specific class-type. However, after viewing his information through the system, Izroth would not make the mistake of underestimating this individual.
NPC Name: War Brigade 1st Legion General of the 1st High Legion Solomon(???)
NPC Level: ???
"You have journeyed a long way from the Unsanctioned Zone, Commander Aurie, Captain Yan. It is most unfortunate that we are unable to celebrate your recent achievements at this time." Solomon stated with a gentle smile.
"We do not seek praise. We simply do what we must for the greater good of the kingdom. That's all." Aurie responded indifferently.
"It's okay to be greedier once in a while, Commander. It's because of your lack of greed that those higher-ups never look your way when it comes to promoting a new General in the War Brigade." Solomon sighed.
"I do not fight for the sake of the higher-ups. Nor do I desire any special recognition. I only want to do what is best for the people of Amaharpe." Aurie replied, without hesitation.
"It is precisely this outlook that is one of your greatest weaknesses. But it is also your greatest strength." Solomon commented.
He then turned his attention to Yan and continued, "It's been a little over a year now—how are you fitting in with the 2nd Unit?"
"Reporting. The 2nd Unit has treated me well. Under Commander Aurie's leadership, I feel I have grown not only as a soldier but as a person." Yan replied.
Solomon released a small chuckle, "That's a far cry from the spoiled prince who sent me a letter every day for three weeks straight crying about how you wanted the Commander discharged."
"This… What's in the past is in the past. I was too inexperienced back then." Yan said as he raised his hand to his mouth and lightly cleared his throat.
The conversation went on for a few minutes as the group of three spoke of the reports regarding the recent developments inside the Demilitarization Belt.
The majority of what was said, Izroth had already learned of from Zanna and her squad. However, there were certain parts mentioned that filled in a lot of the details missing from Zanna's recount of the events.
For example, Izroth learned that there were some concerning disparities in the War Intelligence Group's reports. Their main goal was to collect intel and relay it to their allies, yet the recent event at the Demilitarization Belt called into question the competence of its leaders.
How could they miss so many important details? The summoning gate, Tempest using civilians dressed up like soldiers, the whereabouts of Tempest's main forces—there was a limit to how incompetent an organization could be! Something was amiss, and they needed to get to the bottom of it.
According to Solomon, there would be a meeting soon between the heads of every war branch and military presence on their side of the battlefield to address this issue, as well as determine their next course of action.
"We will leave momentarily to meet with the other war branch heads and our allies. But, first…" Solomon finally shifted his attention to Izroth.
"You must be Captain Izroth. You'll have to forgive my rudeness on ignoring formalities, but as the highest-ranking General Support Unit officer available, may I ask that you attend the meeting in place of your Commander?"
"I'm not one to get caught up in formalities. As for the meeting, I don't necessarily mind. But why would you need a member of the GSU to attend?" Izroth questioned. From what he understood, the other war branches ignored the GSU for the most part since they functioned as an entirely separate entity. So, why would a General want a Captain of that same GSU to attend such an important gathering?
"Because… You've fought it before, haven't you—that Shadhi? And since you are alive and standing in front of me, I can only assume that you've either defeated it once before or successfully escaped. Regardless of which it turns out to be, both are impressive." Solomon said calmly with a soft smile.
However, Aurie and Yan were shocked! They heard the reports of the destruction caused by that monster. If Izroth really did fight against it, then the General was correct—even surviving and living to tell the story was an amazing feat in and of itself!
Izroth maintained a carefree expression. But, he was inwardly surprised that Solomon was aware of his encounter with Commander Ekquilore. After all, the only ones who knew of it were the members of his party at the time, and he found it unlikely that any of them ever met Solomon. So then, how did he know? This weighed on Izroth's mind.
"You can deny it if you wish, but this is a truth that cannot hide in front of these eyes of mine. You and that creature share a matching line of conflict." Solomon affirmed.
Aurie turned to Izroth and said, "I do not know the precise circ.u.mstances, Captain Izroth, but General Solomon is someone who can be trusted—on this, you have my word. The General's Absolute Symmetry can see and connect many things that others cannot. I hope that you can enlighten us regarding your encounter. Any bit of information is enough to potentially save hundreds or even thousands of lives."
"You misunderstand, Commander. This is not some great secret I intentionally want to hide away. In fact, there are several things I wish to discuss. I just don't know if you or the General would believe me if I were to speak of them." Izroth stated with a carefree smile.
"Have I ever given you any reason to see me as such a short-sighted or close-minded person?" Aurie countered.
"No, if the Commander was closed-minded, then the Unsanctioned Zone may still be in a state of chaos. But this is different as I have no way of verifying its authenticity." Izroth answered.
He then continued, "However, to those who are willing to listen, I am equally willing to speak."
"Rest assured, Captain Izroth. If there is one thing my Legion takes pride in, it is keeping an open mind. Here, you can speak freely." Solomon encouraged.
"Then, I will start from the very beginning," Izroth said.
"Your first encounter with the creature?" Solomon inquired.
"No, for this, I'm afraid we will have to go back somewhat further—back to the origins of the very first Shadahi," Izroth stated calmly.
"Origins..?!" Solomon, Aurie, and Yan exclaimed almost simultaneously.
Impossible! The origin of the Shadahi was one of the greatest mysteries to ever exist in the Mortal Realm. How could a mere Captain of the GSU possibly know of it?!
…
Moments later…
Izroth had just finished speaking as the room was deadly silent. Everyone had a serious expression on their face as they tried to digest what they just heard.
If what Izroth told them was true, then this was a tremendous contribution! But, it was hard for them to accept Izroth's words.
One of the greatest threats and disasters to ever befall the Mortal Realm did not even originate from it, but another realm altogether? It was also by complete chance and their own realm's misfortune that a Void Tunnel just happened to appear at the right place at the right time for it to cross over?
There were too many unbelievable things, and from the way Izroth described it, it almost sounded like the fantasy of some delusional person. However, his story was consistent, even when asked to tell it another two times—this made it challenging to disregard.
