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Duke Asai Trichia.

Standing at the forefront, addressed his party.

"I think you all know very well by now that I work at greater efficiency when fighting solo. I believe this endeavour should be performed alone, as the risks to rewards are too great to take you along with me. And before you try to argue that it is dangerous and risky for me. You should do well to remember my expertise are in stealth and speed." To prove a point, he casted two skills.

[Phantom Menace]

[Hide]

The group watched as four phantom clones that looked just like the man appeared, before the original literally vanished before their eyes, before he quickly reappeared behind them.

"And if you try to argue that going alone is crazy. I'm not actually alone, as I have my 4 summons."

Lucas and his party were quick to stand down. As much as they wanted glory or military achievements. They were completely out of their element here.

[Mimi: Lvl 26] [Lucas: Lvl 32] [Lucy: Lvl 25] [Marvin: Lvl 30]

[Rosemi De lumix: Lvl 52]

[HP: 110 MP: 100]

[Asai Trichia: Lvl 81]

[HP: 115 MP:115]

[Title: Monster]

Rosemi fiercely gazed into his eyes. She desired nothing more than to be by his side both in peaceful times and also in combat. She felt disgusted at the idea of only enjoying his happiness, but not being there to support him when things were tough.

"I'm coming with you, and I don't-" Her brain was working at great speeds, trying her best to come up with excuses and reasons.

"-Okay." Asai nodded. Surprising the girl into silence, as her brain tried to comprehend what just transpired. "You can come with me, but whilst you're following me into enemy territory. I will make this very clear, you must obey my every instruction. Am I understood?"

Rosemi, resolved herself. Her hand gripped her weapon. She nodded as her mind switched gears. Rather than the usual go-lucky happy woman in love, she now carried herself like a knight. Courtesy of the training and education she received during the entirety of her childhood.

Asai nodded in approval. As much as he worked better alone, he knew from experience that there were many things he'd be unable to achieve alone. Lucas and his party were simply too low level, and he wasn't willing to invest time into boosting them. Rosemi at level 52 was at least stronger than most, thus she was a risk he was willing to take.

The man had seen how hard she would work and train her swordsmanship. If he downplayed her, and dubbed her as but a burden to him. He can only imagine how much it would hurt her pride as a warrior. 

Shifting his attention back towards Lucas.

"Lucas, our contract only stated escorting us into Via Marea, and protecting us within Via Marea. I'm about to enter Ignis, thus you should consider our contract fulfilled. You may station yourself at Gray Dawn Castle, to await my return, and in which case we would write up a new contract.

Or you may join Count Jenson De Lion, who is currently residing within the elven capital Vena. With him, there will be no dangers, the count's role is literally to attend balls, gatherings and dinners to foster friendly relations between our two kingdoms. Your presence within the elven population would encourage it. So, it's your choice."

Asai pulled out their contract, in which he quickly stamped with his Trichia insignia. Which confirmed the completion of their quest.

"Goddess with you." The contract rolled up, was handed to him.

Lucas and his party deeply bowed and curtsied. Lowering their heads, as Duke Trichia and Lady Rosemi entered the fog.

They would stand there, staring into the abyss for moments more before leaving.

"Goddess with you, Your Grace."

...

"Hold my hand, don't let go unless I allow it." 

Rosemi did as ordered.

Asai positioned him at the vanguard, his left hand was kept behind himself, holding Rosemi's. His right hand held his beloved blade [Ruin]. Four phantom clones protected their flanks as he shoved himself further into the fog. His vision greatly diminished, even with mana imbued eyes. He could barely see as the tendrils and poison was filled with mana itself.

Only every so often would he find the outlines of a skeleton to appear clear enough that he could swiftly decapitate it.

[Skeleton: Lvl 50] [Skeleton: Lvl 47] [Skeleton: Lvl 55] [Skeleton: Lvl 49] [Skeleton: Lvl 48] [Skeleton: Lvl 50] [Skeleton: Lvl 47] [Skeleton: Lvl 51] [Skeleton: Lvl 49] [Skeleton: Lvl 48] [Skeleton: Lvl 50] [Skeleton: Lvl 47] [Skeleton: Lvl 51] [Skeleton: Lvl 49] [Skeleton: Lvl 48] [Skeleton: Lvl 51] [Skeleton: Lvl 49] [Skeleton: Lvl 55] 

Asai couldn't fully see them, but the sudden emergence of their name plates and level from the system greatly assisted him by literally showing their general location. Hovering just above their heads.

Whilst his clones struggled to keep them at bay, being only level 40. Asai was swiftly rampaging over the ones that managed to get close enough to prove a threat to them.

The two humans broke into a jog, as Asai re-summoned his defenders.

After what felt like hours of running, Asai was beginning to tire. For once, one of his favourite skills were failing him.

[Bloodthirsty]

+20% damage against [Living] targets. Kills regain 10% of missing stamina.

Killing the undead gave him no stamina regen. Switching to his karambits would prove suicidal, as the reach was simply abysmal. Awkwardly chugging a stamina potion with his main-hand. He quickly switched around with [Ruin] and potions. Sometimes finding himself, having to throw the potion away without consuming it, because of the bad timing and sudden emergence of another undead.

constantly refreshing his clones had his mana dwindling at great speeds.

As much as he enjoyed the burning sensation of whiskey, at this current moment of time. He found the many stamina and mana potions he was chugging to be vile.

Within Rosemi's eyes. She couldn't see anything at all. A barrage of black and purple assaulted her vision, obscuring everything. When she glanced down to where her and Asai's hands should be. She still couldn't see anything. Her heart was pounding, adrenaline, excitement and fear wracked her.

Excited to be personally experience something straight out of a fairy-tale with her lover. Whilst greatly in fear, now that it was literally happening to her. "What would happen if I tripped? What if I leg go by accident? Will I be forever lost in here as the undead swarm me?"

Although she couldn't see them. She could very clearly hear and distinguish the sounds of battle. The numerous rattling of bones that thundered and echoed all around them as they continued to run through this blackened mass.

Her grip upon the man's hand tightened. As strong as she was as a swordsman. She couldn't fight that in which she could not see.