By now EXC was becoming prominent as the alliance was beginning to grow in influence. Eden would spend her time in the office reading about the different formations your army should have. She mainly invested in her archers. She kept wondering, how will she get her alliance to participate in war. Then she smacked her forehead, of course, lead by example. Eden looked over her forces and reviewed the current challenge, Enemy Realm. The realm name was Valkaries and it was in 4 days. She went to her library to read about the realm battles. How you can travel to the realm temporarily but you leave your shield down on your city. That reminded Eden of the open slot she had for a General. She went through the list and decided on a general that specialized in siege. As she was looking at more information on how to participate in the challenge she received a message from FOX Rock. He was requesting a friendly conversation. Eden furrowed her eyes questioning what does friendly mean.
Eden agreed to chat with FOX Rock for a bit to find out if perhaps she can get some input on the realm war.
"Hello Miss Eden, How are you doing today?" asked Rock
"I'm fine, looking at the realm war info, do you happened to know anything that isn't in the intro page?"
"I see you aren't interested in regular chitchat"
"I assumed that's why you messaged me"
"That's part of it, but I just wanted to talk to you as a friend"
"I think friends don't set their friends on fire" replied Eden while irritated at the memory of him pillaging some members and reading the reports.
"I'm just doing a defense inspection. It's community service. They should learn to lock their doors"
"How about we test your defense instead?"
"You are welcome to try Miss Eden, but just you"
"I think I know a trap when I see one"
"Smart lady"
"Flattery won't get you anywhere, you haven't agreed to a peace treaty with us"
"FOX doesn't need a peace treaty from anyone, we can handle the wars"
"Okay, seeing that you are not interested in a treaty or sharing information on the realm battle, then I have to say thank you for saying hello, but I must say farewell. I have other places to be."
"Come to FOX, leave the ones who aren't interested in pvp. We can help you but you need to be in our alliance"
"I don't just abandon my people. They come with me, all or nothing"
By now Eden was used to people trying to poach her from the alliance and telling her to discard anyone who isn't useful. She getting frustrated because part of her wanted to advance to complete the requirements to go home and the other part was telling her she couldn't leave anyone behind.
A new message came in, FTG Jericho, someone she has been talking to for a bit to gain favor with so her members benefit from his friendship. He was the strongest in the realm and most recruited. Eden didn't want to come off as the same as all the rest, she just wanted her members not to suffer from an attack from him. His army could kill most of her alliance alone. She decided making friends with him was better than making an enemy of him.
"For the real war, we need you here to support," He said right away
"I need time to prepare since I haven't made arrangements with my alliance regarding this challenge" She replied while biting her nail, hoping he didn't pressure her. She was thinking of who would support her members while she was out.
"Eden, as your friend, I just want to show them we aren't to be picked on and ensure the survival of our alliance, that includes yours"
After a deep breath, Eden replied "I'll be there"
Eden got up from her chair and walked to the stable to find Thunder getting groomed. The servant girl only gave her a bow and left. Eden mounted her horse and began to head for the gate. Arthur and the rest of her knight commanders were at the gate waiting for her. "Chief-Commander, the armies are ready" said Arthur as he saluted
"I only want my attacking archer formation, have troops ready to replenish the injured."
Then she rode off and found the target she was looking for to test her attack power. The unsuspecting City had its gates open as Eden rode through them. She stood up on Thunder and pulled out her swords as she jumped off into a flip and struck the first troop in her sight. She moved so fast through the army leaving behind a trail of dust still rising up from the ground. Her two swords seemed unscathed or touched by blood. She pressed on and moved to the next tier after the next. She was accompanied by Arthur who was almost equally fast and strong. The archers would take out the troops not far from them. Eden was standing in front of the bed of the castle owner. She walked over to him and tapped his face with her sword. He woke up in a shock and quickly tried to jump away but she pinned him down to the bed with her sword. He looked around as if executing someone to enter. "They're all dead, I've already taken some prisoners who would serve as free labor and the rest were eliminated. You have two options, have a stealthy death or live but swear you will not seek revenge. If you do seek revenge, you will wish for a stealthy death." Eden's eyes flickered in red as her mood became ominous. How can you live with yourself the way you are? Don't you have a moral compass?" "I obviously lost it the past few days I've been stuck here in this realm. Either make your choice or I'll make it for you." "You Bit.." His voice was cut short with a sword that was shoved into his mouth. "You got my sword dirty with your filthy mouth." Eden removed her sword and cleaned it on his bedsheet. She took out a bottle and tossed it onto him. His body combusted and the fire began to spread through the room. Eden walked away without a shred of emotion in her face.
Later in Eden's Garden, Corruption was drinking her tea and looked at Eden with a worried look. She put her cup down, "You can't keep questioning yourself after every battle you speak to the actual person."
"That's the problem, it's an actual person. I keep telling myself it's all made up, these aren't our bodies, but sometimes, it feels so real and I question if the purpose of this game is to desensitize us to be ruthless killing machines" said Eden with a monotone voice.
"We don't know all the details. How do you explain some people dying and then after sometime returning with the story they have been dormant and have no recollection of even dying here."
"Yeah, that is weird. I even talked to one of the people I killed personally that doesn't remember me doing it and is shocked to see my report. But they don't have a report of their own, it's like a memory wipe."
"Did you get what you needed from his castle?"
"I didn't find proof of the traitor, but I found the items stolen from our members. Unfortunately I can't return everything, the system consumes some of them to increase my EXP Level and the level of my army. It's all on this report. I think it's best if we join in the battle and let the person take the lead, but the strongest will still take the majority of the goods."
"Even so, they should thank you for going into battle for them, so it's like a paid fee"
"Being on the battlefield gives me a thrill, but the final stage is the most draining part for me. You know, where I kill the monarch."
"That I can't help with, You know that I support mostly on the boss rallies"
"Yes, I know. It helps us all, Thank you!"
A familiar face arrived, Maur. "Have you ladies been waiting long?" With a cheery face, Maur greeted them both. Behind Maur, was Onibat.
Eden cleared her voice after everyone settled in."Well, now that you are all here. I wanted to announce that I will be heading out in 4 days to join the realm coalition. I was requested to participate by FTG Jericho. I figured since he has kept his word to not attack our people, I would honor his request. That means Corruption is incharge of the alliance as my proxy and Onibat will take the lead on defending the ones who need it."
"Why isn't Ron, Notme and Weeblow not here?" asked Maur.
"Ron and Notme are providing aid to the ones on the outskirts of the territory. They said they will follow Onibats commands on whatever he decides. Weeblow, she said she isn't a war person, so she decided to stay out of the meeting" replied Eden thoughtfully.
"If Weeblow isn't a war person, then why the fuck did she get stuck here with the rest of us. All she does is make statements about peace that no one is following anyway." Onibat said as he picked up his glass of beer.
"Don't you know her name has "blow" in it? She must know how to do that," said Maur while winking at Onibat. Onibat started choking on his beer and some even came out of his nose. There were a few chuckles, except for Corruption who covered her mouth with the sleeve of the kimono she was wearing. "I think she is still trying to establish herself among the realm to be an influential person. This helps for recruitment purposes, so I don't mind her leaving and going."
"I think you did that without leaving your alliance and traveling. Eden just is" said Maur as he refilled Onibat's cup of beer while Onibat gave him a glare. "I just say things and don't want anyone else to hold on to the burden. They can make their assumptions and think what they want as long as we stick together. We know who we are and what we stand for," replied Eden as she handed a napkin to Onibat.
"What's up with that merge that FOX said they wanted," asked Onibat as he took another drink from his cup.
"I think we can learn from them but negotiations are final. I told them we need everyone in the alliance or not at all. I'm not leaving anyone behind"
"You know they don't really want us, they just want the bigs in our alliance" said Maur.
"Makes sense to want to recruit power for war" added Onibat.
"We can manage, just need more time to learn the ins and out to help the rest grow" Eden interjected.
"Well, I will go where you think is best," said Corruption.
"Same" added Onibat and Maur in unison.
"Sticking together is best, eventually we will need to merge to hit those bigger bosses" Eden said as she had a pensive face.
"You still don't know how the information got sent to Rock?" asked Maur.
"He mentioned it and didn't say who told him. I sent that alliance mail on purpose to sniff out there was indeed someone sharing alliance information. He's very sneaky and pretends to be your friend. I play along, but he's convincing. Sometimes I think I believe him."
"Master of deception, it's probably best to keep him on friendly terms" said Maur.
"Nah, fuck that guy. He says he's your friend but then he goes around hitting every member he can, me included. He got me while I fell asleep during a scouting mission." Onibat said while putting his cup down with force on the table making the beer spill out.
"Well, you guys will keep me in check if you ever see me steer away from myself,"said Eden as she dried the table with a cloth.