THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"So, basically, you will have to enter the Longinus's nest that we found and retrieve a certain item for us."

After the small commotion created by coward Lucas, we are back on track and he explains the content of the mission.

"Retrieve a certain item? Is it a relic?" The old man asks with curiosity. He really is like Excafol.

"Whatever it is doesn't concern you. What is important is that we need to retrieve it. And it is even more so that the Longinus are protecting it, going as far as erecting a dome around the cave where we have identified it to be."

"Still, more than a hundred people to retrieve a book? You aren't telling us everything, are you?"

"You don't need to know anything else."

"Hm…" This old man is acting like he is the chief around here.. Why is nobody else speaking? I am bored here.

"And when do we leave?" Let's cut to the chase. I am tired of staying here.

"Hey!" One mercenary turns to me like I wasn't supposed to speak. No, all of them do.

"What?"

"Can't you-"

"It's okay. Let him speak. I am not the group leader here after all."

"But…"

"Don't worry."

"So?" Leaving them alone, I look at Lucas.

"You will leave tomorrow morning. While we will be holding down the Longinus and create a breach in the dome, you guys will enter and retrieve the book. You will have four hours at most to do it and come out. After that, we will leave the area and you will be on your own."

"What?! So little?!"

"That's clearly impossible!"

"Those are our conditions."

Lucas answers like he doesn't care about the reactions he gets now. You got yourself wiped clean by the Saintess, huh. So disappointing. I had high hopes for you though.

"Commander, four hours is a very little time."

"And we cannot wait indefinitely for you. I cannot risk my men's lives."

"Still…Okay then, what if we were to destroy the source of the dome?"

"The pillar? If you do that then won't they just come out with even more numbers?"

"From what we heard, it is extremely difficult to use Angas inside those domes. It also gets depleted really quickly. Is it true?"

"You seem well informed. Yes, it is."

"And still, you think we can do it in four hours."

"I don't think you can. But if you really manage to, then it will certainly be fantastic. If you can't, we will have to readjust our plan. But for now, this is what we want you guys to do."

"This is really…"

"They are sending us to our doom…"

"Four hours to fight without Angas…"

The different leaders start thinking long and hard. What is there to think about?

"And how much does it pay?" I don't see what they are thinking about. They once again all look at me. You said it yourself old man, we came here as leaders, not followers.

"You…" But even the old man seems pissed now. Well, sorry.

"Recently, the kingdom of Sacoxs has confirmed its participation in the war. And although it is not official yet, Yris and Wendhalm will soon do the same. As such, the financial situation of the war will increase significantly."

"You guys are planning to sell out Titanium and Floras to them, right?" I just read the commander's mind and the other kingdoms' participation isn't free. It is far from it in fact.

"What?!" The three heroes all jump from their seats when they hear that. Even the Saintess and her protector seem surprised. They really are all easy-believing people. But the commander doesn't budge or shudder at all. This sneaky bastard.

"Sir, it would be good of you to shut your stupid and ignorant mouth when you don't know what you are talking about."

"Is that so."

"Anyway, the pay for your mission-"

"Commander, is it true? What he said…" But Farner doesn't let it up.

"Miss Farner Saint Axelandria. We are in the middle of a meeting."

"It is true or not?!!"

She releases her aura and the three chairs on which they were sitting all fly away. The desk in front of the commander does the same and even some of the mercenaries lose their footing and fall on their butts. This is one gnoll you don't want to piss off.

"It is obviously not. Please calm down first. Those are just the rambling of some crazy fool who doesn't know his place."

"Don't call him a fool ever again." This time, it is murderous intent that is released and the air becomes heavier, darker.

"Hey, stop. It is enough." Thankfully, Farner has sisters to remind her of the place. She calms down and the air becomes breathable again.

They just go behind the Saintess and stand up with the protector. Their chairs are all broken after all.

"Ahem. Where were we? Ah, yes. The payment. The base salary for this job was 50.000 wellis."

"So little…"

"This is basically insulting us…"

"Are you mocking us or something?!"

"But!! With the various help coming, it has been increased to 150.000 wellis for all the mercenaries., dead or alive."

"Dead or alive…" The old man looks intrigued

"That means we will receive the salary of those who died as well." And the woman who felt insulted asks with a happy face.

"And divide it as you see fit. Yes."

150.000 wellis per person. There are more than a hundred mercenaries present so that makes a hefty sum of money. But I guess if all kingdom joins together to pay then it is possible.

"Now, you all know what you needed. Those who are up for it, we await you tomorrow morning at the city's entrance. The others will have to leave by tomorrow morning. Dismissed."

***

When we leave the building, the other mercenaries walk to me and encircle me rapidly.

"And where do you think you are going?"

"We have got something to tell you, mate."

The old man then advances and stands in front of me.

"The first thing I would like to know is why you came to this meeting instead of Willhem."

"Can we do this later?"

"What?"

"There is something I have to find right now so can we do this later?"

"Who do you think you are?!!"

"You fucking!"

"Stop." The old man stops them as they were about to bring their weapons out. "You aren't even afraid even though seasoned warriors are encircling you. Are you that strong or just foolish?"

"As I said, let's talk about all this later." I fly above them and their eyes all turn into owls' ones. Even the old man is surprised for a moment before going back to his calm state. "See you later."

Let's go to the mountain Samson indicated.

***

The mountain is located southeast of the town. It is not too far since I could see it when I was hovering already. While I fly to it. I also see the dome at my right. It is as big as those covering. Now that I see it, it might be hard to do what they want us to.

I arrive at the mountain and there is nothing particular to see whatsoever. Why did Samson tell me to come here? I look around while circling the mountain but there is nothing out of the ordinary here. Just a bunch of flowers growing on a cliff of the mountain. But nothing else to be seen here.

"Let's take those just in case."

The flowers don't smell especially good. They do have a pink and white color that looks good though. They are shaped like a water droplet, with a round downside and a spike at the top.

I dig through the ground and take some with some dirt as well just in case they would die without it. Now, I am all dirty. It better be worth it, Samson.

I fly back to the city and land at the soldiers' quarters.

"Hey, do you know a girl named Lanuvel?"

I ask a soldier passing by but he just looks at me like the mercenary I am, and goes away without saying anything. Sigh, can't I just break his legs?

"You are looking for someone?"

A woman then walks to me, a soldier as well.

"Yeah, a girl named Lanuvel." What kind of idiot am I that I didn't even ask where they are staying.

"Oh, the queen of ice. She is with the heroes right now. Where you ask to deliver those to her?"

"Yeah, sort of."

"I see. Follow me then."

The woman turns around and walks. Why is she helping me?

"Why are you helping me?"

"Why? What do you mean?"

"The other soldiers don't seem to like me one bit."

"Are you a mercenary?"

"Yeah." She turns around and looks at me from the corner of her eye. "Hm…Is that so? Well, I guess I have to help you since I am a soldier."

"…Okay."

"We have arrived."

We stop in front of a house that looks cleaner than the other ones. Wait, so all the soldiers are using houses and we are sleeping in tents? You guys are such busybodies.

The woman knocks on the door of the house then enters.

"Heroes, I beg your pardon for disturbing your rest but someone wishes to see your friend."

"Someone?"

I hear Farner reacting so I just enter casually.

"Hey."

"What are you doing? They didn't give you the permission to enter yet."

"It's okay, Bertha. You can leave now."

"But-"

"Don't worry. He is our friend as well."

The girls are all sitting on couches. It seems they were playing a game. They are dressed in casual clothes, all of them. Samson is not with them though.

"I understand. Then, please excuse me."

The woman finally leaves and Lanuvel immediately glares at me with all the anger she got.

"And what do you want?"

"Why are so dirty in the first place? Are you a kid?" No, I am not, Excia.

"A real pig." Thanks, Roxcia.

"Just to give those to you." I had hidden the flowers behind my back before entering. As I present them, all of their eyes start glistering and Lanuvel even stands up.

"No way!" She runs to me and takes one of the flowers then smells it. "It's really Love. Where did you find them?!! They are still fresh as well!!"

The heroes come as well and smell the flower in turn. Starting with Excia.

"It really smells as good as the rumors."

"Yes, indeed. Such a pleasant and relaxing smell."

"It just calms you down. Like the gentle breeze of the summer wind."

They all comment on the smell of that flower. I didn't find it relaxing at all though. Also, Lanuvel called it love? Is that the name of the flower?

"Wait, let me bring a pot."

"Okay." I guess Samson was right. Her mood got completely flipped.