Good, Nanami got a good head over her shoulders, and he was really glad because of that, however once the others began speaking, Basilio rapidly gave up on trying to argue with those guys. He knew that underestimating others was a foolish decision, but well, the Empire sure was a powerful group, even the NPCs themselves were made as high class individuals, the druid was not one to argue with their capability. However, he brightened up a little as Grey began talking. He was honoring that leader role that was bestowed upon him. A small smile came across Basilio's face as he spoke up. "I'll make Nanami some company, after all, despite being kind of my mentor in here, she'll probably get lost in the way." And a small chuckle was delivered after, clearly he had no intentions of taking stuff too seriously. Being called a "Greater Being" was odd for him in the end. He was just a guy, and that's what he wanted to be. "You said we are departing by the night? I'll get ready and brew us some potions just in case. I kind of have the feeling we won't need them though."

"That would be ideal. Civilians are being hunted likely by the knights in this scenario, that means wounded people is almost guaranteed. We may need to fulfill our role as peace keepers if need be, and help the civilians. The word of the Band of the Bear's name will spread that this new mercenary group helps innocent people. If we make ourselves out to be heroes we will learn more in the end. All the while the Empire will have its name hidden. We can even incorporate this 'Band' label into our empire eventually and then boost our own fame. If only a portion of our people are heroes in the eyes of the common folk think of what our entirety may hold." commented Dolton as he pressed his poleaxe onto the ground with a thud. Grey considered this for a moment, and thought it would be best to be prepared. "Yes that sounds good indeed. I'm sure the alchemist center is still up and running?" questioned Grey as Claudius almost seemed offended, "MY LORD YOU WOUND ME! I WOULD NEVER LET ONE PIECE OF ARCE BELLUM FALL INTO DISREPAIR! NEVER! OF COURSE IT IS UP IN RUNNING IF NOT THEN ASK ME AND I SHALL BUNGLE THE CLERICS NEEDED TO MAKE IT OPERABLE!" commented Claudius as Severnus grumbled irritably. "We need to be quick about things then the more time we waste the more we will waste the lives of those people. They seem to have some value I suppose."

Shadow blade gave a simple nod to grey as he said he was grateful that he was there but in all honestly Shadow blade knew that he was the low man on the totem pole so to speak but he didn't care. Shadow blade followed an NPC because they were predictable besides he was meant to be the assassin in the group grey was a prick but if it meant Shadow blade could kill and do what he was made to do then he didn't care what he thought. Shadow blade simply said "One knight captain prisoner coming up" he said simply before he gave a nod to his boss Severnus and he left walking through the door with no interest in listening to grey anymore.

He went to the section of the empire where those of his kind were welcomed and he ordered a few of the spies to come with him so they could leave immediately to go and get the leader of the knights and make him talk. He wasn't sure if he wanted to interrogate on the spot or bring the captain here for a proper interrogation but then that may endanger everyone if the captain was let free so he was leaning more towards doing it on the spot. While Severnus was the leader on paper it was Shadow blade that did most if not all the real legwork.

"Severnus hasn't come back yet. We have yet to be ordered to go out, and we aren't fully prepared yet. Shadow Blade you may be a technical 'Greater Being' but don't think that you hold a place over Master Severnus. More over we aren't fully prepared with the knowledge we need. The clerics are still receiving information from the scouts. We go where he says to go. That includes you remember not to overstep your boundaries, and get ready for our work." grumbled one of the Frumentarri in their lair. A few of them were still stocking up on poisons, and knives. The others were working out bows, and arrows. Some were sharpening their knives. "You're stronger than some of us we're aware but you're also brash. I will remind you we are the Emperor's silent death. We are betrayal, and destroyers of politicians. We aren't rash. We aren't immediate. We strike when it benefits the Empire itself." one of the others said aloud as he fired an arrow into a target stand deciding it needed tweaking he unstrung the bow, and prepared to re-do it.

Kharne just shook his head on the matter of pride, the smaller npc wouldn't understand what he meant and he didn't have the patience to deal with the apparent youths mindset. The kid had been programmed to talk and think like this and it was possibly impossible for him to think any other way. Never mind the fact it wasn't his place to try and re-educate the kid, Grey possibly could but he doubted that would ever happen. Ah crap now he's going on about a previous guild leader.

He groaned audibly at the mention of bureaucracy. "That's why I never got into politics...I'd rather cave in their ass dragging faces than sit around and talk things out for weeks or months..." He muttered more to himself than Quinn. "As for having a say, I'm an outsider. I'm not a part of your empire. Do you really think any of your allies or friends would listen to me? Maybe if I were human, but I'm not." He explained. It wasn't hard to see distaste or distrust in others. Especially those in the empire type mindset, why hide what you were thinking when you were the vast majority?

"If you really want to get technical I guess Yuna would listen to you. She's Grey's Squire. She's pretty good at listening to folks. Samson, and I aren't great talkers but we'll hear ya out. And if all else fails Dolton will listen to you if you ask him politely, and say its important. Its a part of the Lawbringer's code that he hear you out. 'Thou shalt not ignore the blighted' something like that He's code bound to help people in need as long as it doesn't break the core tenants of his vow of loyalty to his maker, and his allies." Quinn told the grumpy individual as suddenly a priest in white robes approached. "Greater Being...Kharne was it? Lord Grey has asked you to follow me to the war room. We're preparing to move out to help some civilians on the edge of our borders. If you do not come that is fine but Lord Grey has dictated that both you, and his sister are to leave the castle by daylight if you fail to confirm your status to stay, or not." The cleric said as Quinn pushed himself off the balcony and looked up at him. "Well you heard the cleric not much I can do for you now but follow you there if you like." Quinn offered simply as he fidgeted in place.

@vancexentan

Shadow blade grit his teeth a bit though they wouldn't be able to tell as he was just ordered by a npc that they needed to wait for severnus to come back with info. He listened to them and he said "don't preach the rulebook to me peon. I know how to be an assassin killing is a necessary evil I will kill whomever and however I need to so I can make sure justice is served" he said as he went to his equipment chest to get what he needed. He honestly wished he could have led the Frumentarri if only so he could take his proper place as a greater being as they called them. He served an npc because they were simple and followed their programming other humans were moronic and self serving.

He went into his chest and he grabbed his blades that he would need including basic healing potions and the like. He doubt he would need them of course since he was an assassin through and through needing only one strike to end it. Once he was ready he waited for severnus to Corbin with the information so he could get everyone moving to the target.

The whole group turned towards Shadow Blade angrily as they stared him down one of the members came forward and pointed his sword at him.
"Justice? Keep your ideals to yourself. We serve the Empire. And if you continue to act like this we will report you to Lord Severnus, and thus to Lord Grey. How do you think our sworn Basileius, and liege would think if he heard that you espoused your own beliefs above the needs of the Imperri? We are servants, we are not justicars. If you want justice go swear your allegiance to Dolton." the man said to Shadow Blade in a cold but placidly calm voice. "Or do you have a problem to report with us? Sit down, and get ready for war I mean no disrespect 'brother' remember our place in the order of things. I ask that you have patience...though I don't think I should have the need to tell you this you are no child. But even Quinn, and Samson are well behaved."

Kharne gave a derisive snort. "By blighted you mean those who aren't human, right?" He questioned before turning his attention to the suddenly appearing cleric. They could probably teleport anywhere they wanted within the guild zone. "Just Kharne, if I wanted a title I'd have joined a guild." He stated before tilting his head slightly. "I'll give him my answer when we get to the war room." He stated, keeping things simple.

Quinn piped up, getting the lizardmans attention once more. "Might as well come along, he might have orders for you." Kharne said before going to follow the cleric. He honestly had no real desire to stay within the castle nor the village surrounding it. He had always been a nature person, even in the real world his work was always somewhere out in the wilderness. He followed the cleric, his long stride allowing him to keep up easily despite his unfamiliarity with the surroundings.

"Um no by blighted I mean people who are sick, in strife, or people who are unfairly treated. Dolton has sworn to uphold the peace with all civilized folk." commented Quinn in return quickly. He followed along oddly enough he flipped over and started to walk on his hands with deft dexterity keeping himself upright rather easily. The rogue class certainly wasn't wasted on the young boy. "Lord Grey should be able to figure this out anyway he was always a strong guy even before he was emperor." commented Quinn cheerily as they walked through the castle briskly eventually entering the war council room. As Grey looked to Kharne he nodded at him. "Before I go onto more important business I felt I should tell you why I was called here. Apparently there are some knights harassing some nearby villagers...not the ones we have some other village. I was wondering if you would like to go along with Dolton, and Breeze. I'm not sure if you're the hero type but innocent people being butchered is not something I enjoy hearing about so I'm sending that group out there. Afterward however...there's the matter of you staying here. If you wish to I can allow you to stay here as an advocate of the Empire. You may stay in the castle, and or near it and join us on our quest to find what is exactly going on...alternative you can leave...and you can just ignore us. That is your choice." Grey said calmly, and very forwardly as he looked at the massive Kharne with no hesitation despite his size he did not frighten Grey. He would prefer he stayed lizardman, or not he was still human underneath that.

@vancexentan

Shadow blade was ready to go and soon he noticed the others seemed to be angry at him and when one of them pointed a blade at him he couldn't help but laugh at the idea that a NPC thought they could seriously pose a threat to him. He then laughed a bit harder In such a ghastly way that would send a shiver down most mens spines as he mentioned judticars. Mainly because it reminded him of mass effect from the real world.

Then when he was done speaking shadow blade turned to him and said "I don't need to remind you not to point your blade at someone unless you aim to kill them. You have neither the skill nor the ability to harm me so I suggest you put the blade down. Understand this I will fight and I will kill as ordered but I do so on my own terms. I kill how I see fit if I'm ordered to kill I will ask why, can you honestly say you have a mind of your own if you follow orders blindly? Now either attempt to kill me or shut up and wait, I'm getting bored with you" he said as he sat down in a chair to wait for severnus so they could get the show on the road already.

Kharne listened while he walked as Quinn explained Dolton's code for helping blighted people. Well he technically fit, being unfairly treated given his race. Kharne's huge thick tail swept towards the rogue lazily, a little harmless test of the boys agility while they moved and he walked on his hands. It wasn't long before the reached the war room and Grey almost immediately began to talk to the lizardman.

The paladin-like man explained the situation, which earned him a shrug. "I don't mind going, just to get a feel for this new world." He replied before folding his arms across his chest while Grey told him about either staying or leaving. "Personally I'd rather not stay here, or in the village outside. If there's a forest type area nearby I can make a shack or something there. Doesn't hurt to be nearby and help if needed." Kharne said. He was taking a sort of middle ground. Not staying in the immediate vicinity but not shying away from helping if asked.

A sudden cold piece of steel touched the back of Shadow Blade's neck he could feel enchanted magic coming from it. Before he could react a hand was placed on his shoulder. He made no noise, no motion, and no sound. He was just as much a shadow as the player in front of him was in name. "Make NO assumptions. I WILL kill you if you keep talking like that. You disgrace the Empire. Greater Being, or not I will throw you to the way side, and leave you a bleeding carcass on the side of the road. I would do the same to ANY of the men, and women here if they said what you just said. We are all tools. The Emperor, the Lawbringers, The Clerics, and the soldiers. All fingers, vital organs, and other such that make up a single living breathing organism. You will NOT kill needlessly or I will expell you from the Frumentarri as you would clearly be unfit for the position. If you harm your brothers then you commit the ultimate sin. Harming your brethren is disgusting, vile, and inexcusable." growled Severnus as he made his cold chilly voice known the other spies bowed their heads to the lead assassin. "We have NO minds of our own because we serve a greater purpose. We serve the people, and the Emperor. We do the dark deeds that plague our people need done. We are mindless instruments. Tools. To think so otherwise is foolish. Now should I I ask The Grand Patriach what he thinks of your words? Or perhaps Lord Grey? No more words. Just nod your head." commented Severnus plainly as he pulled his weapon from the back of Shadow Blade but made well to show him the communication scroll in his hand, and walked in front of the other spies. "Omnes enim non confidere liceat populo dominos." Severnus said to them as he bowed his head to his spies. They acknowledged their leader, and bowed back. "Nos sumus spes autem protectores obumbratio." replied the spies. "Together then. Inform the others we will ride to meet them shortly finish preparations." Severnus said to all the frumentarri.

"OUCH! That was uncaled for!" He said as he was jabbed in the arm, BY A MONK, that hurt him for sure, he could even feel his HP dropping, and yet, he laughed it out in the end as usual and couldn't help but smile back as Nanami said they would be working together again. "Yea, I guess so, huh." And in the end, he nodded his head, agreeing to her determination.

As she pulled him by his sleeve, he opened a slight smirk. "If you wanted to do this." And so he held the smaller monk's hand. "You should have done it all along." And without letting it go, glancing to the side with a hint of a chuckle, he tried to watch her reaction. Now that they could move freely, it would be fun to see what kind of teasing he could bring upon her. In the end he turned towards everyone and casually waved. "Byebye!" No respect whatsoever, what a troublesome individual, but it couldn't really be helped.

The two of them walked through the castle, as he slowly remembered his first day, as Nanami showed him the Arce Bellum. He was reluctant about joining at first, but she bothered him so much that he did, even if he became one of the most absent members around. But in the end he took the courage to say. "Y'know. If I have one regret, was to not spend more time here. I loved exploring the world of YGGDRASIL and I met a lot of people but, I felt like I didn't make enough memories with everyone. But I guess that can change now." A single chuckle came from him and soon they would reach the Alchemy station.

"All right, watch and learn, I'm not the rookie who you first taught Alchemy! I'm at the top level of the class now!" The male skillfuly began separating the ingredients for the potion, not only and Alchemist, he was also a Pharmacist, which gave him a better overview over the medical properties of the ingredients. His hands were quick and so were his feet as he pulverized herbs, prepared solutions and once everything was set. "We need to hurry the production so...Widen Maximize Magic: Instant Brewing!" A flash of light would wipe through the table and instantly about 6 bottles of potions were ready and set. "How was that?" He asked with a childish smile.

@SuperNova9000

Shadow blade was soon treated to the feeling of an enchanted glad against his neck and while most other would be fearful shadow blade was brining like a Cheshire cat under his hood. Only the stronger creatures could send a chill up HIS spine like this. He was death incarnate yet this lone NPC was probably the only one that could send fear into his body. Yes shadow blade can be killed by the other greater being a or another powerful NPC but only severnus could send fear into him like this.

He had no intention to kill needlessly but that was entirely on his orders. He had no intention of disobeying orders but he wasn't a mindless drone. He didn't care what he reported to grey or the others he would stay himself that would never change. When he said to nod his head shadow did so. He didn't plan on killing his brother either but when a blade is pointed at him the proper response is to warn them against it that's all he did. Once he said they got the information shadow blade stood up "still frightening as ever" shadow blade admitted. He may be an NPC but shadow blade respected severnus to some extent which was why he would follow orders, at least for now.

Timeskip - 3 Hours later...

Outskirts of the village:

After performing the portal trick the group of Greater Beings arrived in a small patch of grass just outside the village with Dolton in tow. Dolton said he would refer to them as leaders though he would talk if need be. Grey would stay behind for the time being in order to prevent them from showing their full hand to the knights, and villagers. Though he wondered if he should've gone he decided it would be best to let the others do as they will as his agents in the matter trusting their judgement. As they arrived through the white portal that had been created by the Grand Patriarch's Clerics they were met with one of Severnus's spies. "Great Lords the village down below is currently being ransacked by the knights. Civilians are fleeing, and another group of knights in blue are fending off the invading orange knights. We have made no action to help. I await your orders." said the spy as he held his cloaked figure still before them kneeling. Dolton smashed his axe on the ground. "Dastards! My lords please we must hurry to help! If not you all then please allow me! I must fulfill me oath as a Law Bringer to destroy the tyrants!" Dolton humbly begged as he bowed his head though his voice was filled with urgency. Looking down the hill through a small forest of trees one could see smoke, and the sound of sword swings coming from the village as knights fought knights, and civilians screamed.

====

At the Knight's camp Severnus, and his company settled outside of the base after thoroughly interrogating the supposed enemy knights they found out where they had made their base. An abandoned foot a few miles away from the village. It was ruined by time but still serviceable. Severnus knelt down scoping out the enemy base looking through the ramparts observing some guards stationed as a commander stood in the middle of the encampment giving orders to his knights though what he was saying was muffled by the wind, and the distance. A few agents had already been sent out to serve as distractions though Severnus didn't intend for a frontal assault just yet.

What was she doing? Astrid had avoided her brother's guild, leaving first chance she got. Dressed up in a cloak, letting it obscure her terrifying visage. She just wanted away from that guild. She wanted far away. She wanted to take a break from it. To not have to deal with such a change. Yet, when she looked up from the city streets, all she could see was that pillar-esque tower that made her sick. This wasn't earth. She wasn't going to wake up in the morning. This dream had gone on too long for that, and the voice in her head! That pounding voice that kept pointing her to people and saying... _Kill. She turned away each time, hand over her blindfolded eyes.
"No. I'm not doing that." _{But why? You did it before.} "That was in a game! I'm not killing people with lives!" _{Look at you. You can't even be around your own brother, and his castle. Why?} "Because..."
She had no reply to that. There was nothing she could say to justify that. Maybe she didn't know herself that well. She just felt... So out of here element! She used to be the best! And now, she discovered she had to deal with the results of that choice. To be the best she had to kill others to own a Witchblade, and then... She was here, and if she did that, she'd be a monster. In a way, it was that realization that this wasn't a game anymore made her sick. And she couldn't keep playing this game.
"I want to go home."
_{You can't. You have to stay here and be my host.}

People in armor ran past her. Men in blue armor, and her mind was snapped to the world going on around her. "Civilian, you must leave, there are invaders and you must get to shelter!" One of the blue armored men said, a hand resting on her shoulder. "We shall pr-"
"Don't, I don't need protection." Astrid said, eyes narrowed at the guard, though he couldn't see it. "I'm a mage, I can protect myself." While she might not be a mage, revealing herself as anything but would be dangerous. Simple minded people didn't need to know what she was.
"Alright, but please, try to stay safe."
"Fine. Just, leave me alone." _KILL "No..."

@vancexentan

Shadow blade followed severnus as they kept moving fact was that they had a job to do and as much as Shadow blade had bad mouthed the others and made it clear he had a mind of his own he was on the clock now. He had a job to do and he intended to do it, it was why he was a great assassin, to begin with. He simply needed a target and he would do the rest. He knelt right next to Severnus waiting for his order to finally go and grab the captain. Since he could walk through walls he could easily go in and grab him before anyone even noticed. However, he also needed to wait for the right moment so he was intent on not moving without the order to go in and grab him while the fortress was distracted by the other NPCs