45. Second Meeting
It was approaching evening.
Captain Kevin, the contractor, changed his clothes and arrived at the meeting room, where he spotted a familiar figure.
Kevin raised his hand and greeted him.
"Long time no see, Radahn."
Radahn nodded in response to the greetings.
After Kevin took his seat, the second battle meeting officially began.
Seeing everyone present, Xiling cleared his throat and said, "The meeting will officially begin. But before we discuss the meeting, let us warmly welcome our new comrade, General Starscourge Radahn. A round of applause."
Xiling was the first to applaud, followed by several other members in the chat group.
Radahn's large frame sat slightly stiffly on a custom-made chair that was clearly too small for him.
This sudden, humane welcome was a stark contrast to the military meetings he had attended in the past, which were filled with austerity and intrigue. An indescribable feeling, a mixture of slight embarrassment and discomfort, washed over him. He surveyed the faces, some enthusiastic, some watching the fun, and ultimately nodded his large head solemnly once more, uttering two words in a low, clear voice:
"Thank you."
After the welcome, he briefly introduced everyone in the conference room to Radahn.
Xiling pointed at the Tarnished, "This is our Court Mage."
At Kevin, "Court Knight."
At Luo Tianyi, "Court Artist."
As his finger slid towards Houraiji Kyuushou, Xiling frowned, lost in thought. "This... um..."
Houraiji Kyuushou immediately glared at him fiercely.
Xiling quickly smiled and waved his hand away, "Oh, I'm just explaining everyone's roles! Don't worry, don't worry! Um... the court's... uh... 'special talent'? To liven up the atmosphere?" Xiling vaguely brushed it off.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Kyuushou let out a soft protest.
Houraiji Kyuushou puffed out her cheeks and glared at Xiling fiercely. Ignoring the high school student, Xiling pointed at Lemuen, calling her "the new god."
Radahn's gaze lingered on Lemuen for a moment.
Xiling had previously informed him of Lemuen's special qualities, so he didn't express excessive surprise, merely nodding in greeting.
Xiling finally pointed at himself, shrugged, and smiled, "As for me, I don't think there's much introduction needed, right? The title of Silver King probably suffices."
Xiling turned to the silent Morgott: "Morgott, you two have fought on the battlefields of the Shattered War. You're old acquaintances and rivals. You probably know each other better than I do."
Morgott's eyes briefly met Radahn's, and they both nodded slightly. Xiling clapped his hands vigorously, a resounding sound that brought everyone back to the present moment.
"The welcome ceremony is over, and old friends have greeted each other. Now, our meeting—officially begins!"
A parchment map depicting the entire Lands Between was spread out in the center of the long table. Three crucial locations were circled in striking cinnabar on the map:
The Academy of Raya Lucaria.
The Volcano Manor.
The Miquella's Haligtree.
Three red circles, circled on the Lands Between map, represented the locations of the final three Great Runes, the very places they would conquer.
"As shown on the map, these are the final three targets we must advance on: The Academy of Raya Lucaria, the Volcano Manor, and Miquella's Haligtree. By retaking these three Great Runes, we will complete the reshaping of the rules of the Lands Between and lay the true foundation for the Silver Age."
Xiling looked at the crowd. Kevin raised his hand. "Are we still going to disperse like last time?"
Surprisingly, Xiling shook his head decisively, his finger firmly tapping the cinnabar-circled mark on the map—the Volcano Manor.
"No," Xiling said with unquestionable resolve. "This time, your main force will concentrate its forces and attack a single location!"
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the Volcano Manor.
"Radahn, Morgott, and Kevin, you three charge directly into the depths of the manor, find Rykard... and kill him completely!"
As the word "kill" emanated clearly and forcefully from Xiling's mouth, the temperature in the conference room seemed to drop a few degrees. This was the first time Xiling had issued a kill order in such a clear, unwavering tone since launching the Silver Journey.
Xiling's gaze turned to Radahn, whose massive frame seemed to freeze even more at the command. Xiling's voice deepened, a heavy tone of explanation weighing on his face.
"Radahn, I know he's your blood brother, but the current Rykard..."
Xiling paused, as if searching for the most accurate description.
"He's no longer the man you remember. He sacrificed himself to the God-Devouring Serpent... and has become something... twisted and terrifying."
Xiling looked at him. "When you see him with your own eyes... you'll understand why I must issue such an order. He's no longer the relative you know, but an incarnation of blasphemy that needs to be ended."
"..." After a long silence, Radahn finally nodded. He would see for himself.
Xiling then looked away, at the other two red circles. "As for The Academy of Raya Lucaria and the Haligtree... there's no need to rush."
"If possible, try communicating verbally."
"But only if they're willing to 'understand human language.'"
Xiling glanced around, tapping the table lightly with his fingertips.
"Any final words, anyone?"
Houraiji Kyuushou immediately raised her hand, her eyes gleaming. Xiling raised an eyebrow at her: "Hmm?"
Kyuushou impatiently said, "Are there no other tasks?"
Xiling grinned and gave a thumbs-up: "Your task is to study."
"Ah~ Why?" Kyuushou's face fell.
Xiling glanced at her unhappily: "Don't you understand the principles of leveling in RPGs? Can you handle this dungeon? You can't, just keep leveling up."
Kyuushou waved her fist in defiance, her fighting spirit high: "When I surpass you in level, I'll return this sentence to you!"
Xiling nodded with a smile: "Then you better hurry, then I'll be your confidant."
Xiling glanced around at the group again: "Anything else you'd like to add? It doesn't necessarily have to be related to this meeting, after all, there's nothing much to discuss here."
---There really wasn't much to discuss. With their lineup, they could hit anything they pointed at, with 100% certainty of victory. No need for any arguments.
Just then, Radahn slowly raised his hand. Xiling turned his gaze to him, a gentle smile on his face.
"Anything to add? Please speak."
Radahn's deep voice echoed through the conference room:
"I once sealed the Fallingstars, but now I have personally unleashed them. Those Fallingstars that descend upon the Lands Between will likely cause considerable trouble."
Xiling tapped his temple lightly, thoughtfully: "Ah, that's indeed the case..."
Xiling's eyes suddenly lit up, and he turned to look at Houraiji Kyuushou with a sly smile:
"Didn't you want a mission? It seems you have one now."
Kyuushou blinked, bewildered: "...Huh?"
Xiling nodded to Radahn, his tone relaxed but unwavering: "Leave the problem of finding the Fallingstars to us."