Chapter 142 - Race Against The Sword

"We are going to go on a mission tomorrow, kids." Luken said to the three young core of the Six Blades as he entered their room.

"Is something happening?! We were told not to go outside our rooms by a guard. He was not disclosing the details but he even said it would not be possible to exit the Grand Castle earlier, what the hell is going on?" Suna asked Gavin and The Commander.

Their grim expressions were already clear that what had happened was not going to be good news. "The traitorous SSS Rank Slayer Adam Rosa has infiltrated the Grand Castle and has killed a couple of guards." The Commander said while looking down.

"H-Horrible…" Yin's expression said it the best. It was a combination of anger and disgust. He thought that maybe if he had been strong enough to kill him back when they were facing the Water Seraphim, this would not have happened.

Zachary placed his hand on top of Yin's shoulder, as if to console him that he felt the same sentiment as well. "That was not your fault, Yin." He said to his co-Six Blades brother.

"Is this mission we are going to be in connected to what just happened? Why did he infiltrate the Grand Castle, what did that traitor seek to accomplish?" Suna asked. "I feel like if we are ever going to be deployed to a mission which is connected to what is currently happening, then we deserve to know why Adam Rosa was here." She said.

Gavin took a seat. "She is right; however, I will only tell you the full details of it tomorrow when we are on route towards the place. It is a decision which has come straight from the Emperor himself. I hope you three understand. And if you opt not to come with us, I will not protest against it." The Serpent Summoner turned to the Commander and nodded, the latter reciprocated the same action.

"We at least deserve to know who we are going to fight, you know?" Zach said. "We shall be crossing swords against the Reaper himself and his cohorts if he ever does show up. That is all that we can say for now." Gavin retorted back.

"I am going, then." Yin stood up as he mouthed those words out. "Are you sure, Yin?" Luken asked him in a serious tone. "I am positive, sir. I still have to get back at him for the last time that we fought." The white haired Slayer said confidently.

"I admire your resiliency and strength of will, Yin. However, you should know full well that the Reaper will not be your main target if he ever does show up. It will be his underlings, the Angels or Seraphims. You and Zachary's combat experience when it comes to them is very valuable to us, besides, if you ever go toe to toe against Adam, I am not sure if we can save you." The Serpent Summoner muttered out.

"That will be more than enough, Gavin. This is just a step towards freeing mankind of this million year war that we have been subjected to. The world outside is meant to be explored and studied, instead, we are here in fear of our lives. It is about time we give it our all and fight back." Yin said.

Zachary smiled. "I could not have said it better myself. There is something about Yin actually saying meaningful things once in a while which makes you believe in him. And I for sure do. Count me in, Gavin, Commander." 

"Very well, how about you, Suna? I cannot guarantee our safety in this mission, it will not be a simple one if worst comes to worst, both of us might not even be able to come to the aid for the three of you. Are you still sure of your decision to come with?" The Commander asked them once again, making sure that their heart and conviction is in the right place. "It would be a waste for you, Suna. The Slayer Tournament is a month away only, are you sure about this?" Luken's question made Suna think long and hard.

"With all due respect, Commander, I would feel worse if I did not come with you guys, this is the first time that we will actually get to fight with one another for once, without the High Council interrupting and telling you two to just stand idly like last time. Like hell I would just give it up for anything else in the world. Besides, I will have to watch Yin and Zach's back, I can't have them distracting you two from going after the big prize." Her grin indicated that she was not afraid of death nor failure. Suna Izanami was a full fledged Slayer through and through.

The Commander grinned. "It is decided, then. The five of us will depart after lunchtime towards a place Yin and Suna are familiar with. The ruined city of where you eviscerated that Angel back then. Where the tragedy of the Outer Gates happened." The Commander's words sent chills down both of their spines.

"My life is no longer my own, after everyone's sacrifice, it will never be my own only. I carry their dreams, their burdens, their hopes for a better future. They trusted in us enough to do what they had done. Not a day goes by here I do not curse the High Council for imposing the rules that they did, if Gavin and sir Luken had fought, it would have been over in no time. But we cannot change what has happened, the fragments of tomorrow is up to the hands of the living. And I've lived my life caring for cattle and farm animals, without even realizing we were treated that way by these winged harbingers…" Yin thought to himself.

"I am sure Zach will be fine as well, he has not even fought an Angel yet he played a key role in exterminating a damn Seraphim. That is a quick up in the ranks in my eyes." Gavin said with a smile. 

The next day came quickly, during the morning, Kai Xin had received the letter from the leader of the Inferno Garden. Telling him that he is chosen for a very important mission. He got ready and packed up towards the Grand Castle together with Hector Incendium.

Vale was knocking on the Basilisk Slayer's room in a tavern. "Wake up!" After hearing no response back, she decided to knock even louder. "I am coming! Stop shouting, Vale!" Artorias said as he opened the door with bedhead and clear exhaustion etched on his face.

"Who did you invite for our group?" the Specter asked him. "Huh? Invite? Wait, I was supposed to do that? Shit." Artorias shook his head. "Alright, give me some time, I will recruit whoever is the nearest, of course, only the strong ones as well. He said while smirking. "Very well, meet me in the Grand Castle in Yin Sohaya and Zachary Lancaster's room." She said. "Gotcha."

The Basilisk Slayer payed for the room on the counter and got quickly dressed. "Amara, let's go." As he got on top of the Emerald Dragon, he already knew who he wanted to invite. "Where to, Art?" Amara asked. "Towards where Faust Keisuke and Cosette Akim lives." He said.

The others were making sure that their teams were well constructed and had the proper chemistry to work together outside the Outer Gates.

Gavin was hoping that the Reaper had not yet decoded the book's passages, he hoped that the day would go by without the blood of the Slayer Corps being shed. This uneasy feeling of going against the person who taught him the most was something he could not get rid of. But his hate was still there, he was for sure never going to hold back against him. "Hey, are you alright?" Luken tapped the Serpent Summoner on the shoulder. "Y-Yeah. I am fine." Gavin replied back. "We are going to succeed and bring the Sword of Alacrity back to Niflheim, alright? If I ever see that asshole again, I shall drive my sword against his heart with no hesitation." The Commander said.

Noon had already come and most of them were making their way towards the Six Blades' quarters in the Grand Castle, even though they never really decided on making it the meeting place. Perhaps they were brought together by a sense of familiarity with the young core trio of the organization? 

"I am kind of hoping to see the Allcaster in this mission with us." Zachary said. "Eh? Why is that, Zach?" Suna was curious. "I have never heard of a person able to cast all the affinities. All four of them. Plus, he is an SS Rank Slayer, there is no way he is going to be left out of a mission as high profile and high risk such as this." He said.

"Yeah, Fen seemed really nonchalant and calm, but even I could sense that his Anima cells were very potent, much like mine.." Yin said.