The festivities of the day continued into the night at the Governor's expansive estate. Garrett City, where the Hero Parade took place, acted as the epicenter of political events.

  The arrival of the Heroes offered the politically inclined an opportunity to grovel and kiss their feet to gain political power and influence.

  Ernbrand, being the Governor of Garrett City, pounced on this chance and held a banquet for the Heroes and their party members. No expense was spared in outfitting his estate for this banquet.

  Red satin drapings, golden cutlery, and deep cleaning within the dining hall where the banquet would take place. He even retrained his staff to ensure the highest quality.

  High-ranking officials, military personnel, and affluent members of Garrett began to file in, followed by the many party members of the Heroes. Ernbrand nervously welcomed each guest with beads of sweat running down his face.

  Ernbrand returned to his usual upright posture as the members of Garrett City socialized with the party members of the Heroes. Business owners attempted to tender deals or poach talented party members to join their businesses.

  Many party members would be without active employment after the Heroes defeat the Death Emperor and return home.

  Ernbrand exhaled in relief, but stiffened when he saw out of the corner of his eye a boy wearing a dark green suit swipe a jelly biscuit off one of the dessert trays and bite into it.

  "Boy! Put that down this instant! How could you be so impudent as to eat before the Heroes? The food has not even been served yet!" Ernbrand shouted as he walked over to the boy.

  Izick stared back at the fast-approaching Ernbrand and took another bite.

  "Sorry, I didn't know they were off limits. You should have put up a sign or something if you didn't want people to eat them," Izick said as he took yet another bite before scrunching up his face.

  "Nonsense! And why are you still eating that?" Ernbrand said while pointing to Izick with the jelly biscuit in hand.

  "I mean, I can't just put it back after taking a bite out of it. But I'll probably stop eating since it's pretty dry..."

  Klint quickly walked up and placed a heavy grip on Izick's shoulder.

  "Governor, forgive my party member for his ignorance. As you can see, he's quite young and foolish, so this type of behavior is unfortunately to be expected," Klint said with a practiced grin in his most professional voice.

  A look of horror came over Ernbrand's face when he realized he might have offended a member of a Hero party, so he quickly shifted back into his bootlicking personality.

  "Apologies are not needed, my good sirs. I spoke much too harshly to one of our esteemed guests. Please proceed to eat to your heart's content," Ernbrand said with a slight bow to Klint and Izick.

  Klint yanked Izick away by the shoulder before any more eyes noticed what was going on at the dessert section.

  "I brought you along because I figured you were the most well-mannered in our party besides Milletta and me, but here you are stirring things up with the governor, no less," Klint said in an annoyed voice.

  "How am I supposed to know what's bad manners or not? You never trained me, and Alister made it his personal mission to keep me from attending high-roller parties like this. I don't even know why I was allowed into this one," Izick said as he lightly pushed Klint's hand off his shoulder. Klint's attitude sobered after hearing Izick's retort.

  "Alister did want to leave you behind, but he let you come after he found out the other Heroes were bringing at least eight of their most trusted party members with them. We were barely able to come up with seven presentable party members, counting me, Alister, and Milletta, so you were the obvious choice. Anyway, I need to find Alister before he does something stupid," Klint said before walking away and exiting the banquet hall.

  Izick noticed Mill walking up to him, wearing a red dress, a simple golden necklace, and red pumps. Izick smiled as he nodded his head.

  "Wow, I think red is your color, Mill," Izick said as he wrapped the jelly biscuit in a napkin and stuffed it into the inside of his jacket pocket.

  "You think so? I thought about going all black, but that would be a disaster for something like this, no matter how vain I think it is," Mill said as she scanned the banquet hall.

  "Yeah, I don't see much of a point to all of this, but I'm starting to think it's all about money and flaunting status. Seems pretty meaningless when we're about to lay siege on the Death Emperor."

  They arrived at the designated seating area for the Heroes' party members, separated by party role. Warriors, Healers, Mages, Paladins, and Scouts. Mill held up a hand to stop Izick.

  "Izick, don't die over some written promise. Stay alive and bring that money back to Cylvia yourself."

  "That's the plan. Everything will be fine as long as the Heroes win."

  Mill and Izick separated to their assigned tables. The Scouts' table was a sad one, farther away from the tables with other party roles, which were close together.

  They all either sat silently or talked in hushed tones until Izick took a seat in an open chair, bringing all of the eyes at the table onto him.

  A young woman waved at him across the table.

  "Hello, I'm Mikky! I hate to admit this, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who's young here."

  "I know how you feel, though I don't work with too many groups. I'm Izick, by the way," Izick said as he noticed the other Scouts remaining silent before returning to their individual conversations, ignoring him completely.

  Mikky smiled grimly as she waved her hand dismissively.

  "Don't worry about them. A lot of Scouts are shy like that. Especially those Dark Elves over there from the Bow Hero's party," Mikky said while staring at the three white-haired and coffee-colored skinned elven women who stood and whispered amongst themselves on the other side of the ballroom.

  "They're just standing off to the side instead of sitting with us. I wonder if it's forced or they're just loners..."

  Izick glanced over to them before turning back away.

  "They're probably just waiting for the Bow Hero to arrive, honestly," Izick said as he leaned back into his chair.

  A middle-aged man with an eyepatch over his left eye sat at the head of the table as he analyzed Izick for a few moments before grunting.

  "The name's Vezzel. You obviously have to be a Scout with a build like that, but I don't recognize you. Are you from the Bow Hero's party?" Vezzel said, continuing to scrutinize Izick.

  "The Staff Hero's," Izick said as he inspected the three forks in front of him with confusion. Low murmurs sounded off around the table after hearing Izick's words.

  "Oh? The Staff Hero's scouting corps is pretty tight-lipped about their members despite being extremely efficient, though you look pretty wet behind the ears. I'm surprised they let a kid like you in. Will any more Scouts from the Staff Hero's party be joining us?"

  "No, it's just me."

  "Well, have you ever been on a scouting mission before, boy?"

  "Yeah, quite a few actually," Izick said as servers came by and set down a bowl of brown cubed nuts covered in a sugary glaze.

  Vezzel glared at Izick as a server placed a metal tankard beside him.

  "I don't like your eyes, boy. They're full of pride. You only get those eyes from being a reckless youth. I've seen many young Scouts like you die from their own inexperience and hubris on missions like this," Vezzel said as he took a heavy sip from the tankard.

  "This upcoming mission won't be like anything you've been through. The success of the raid on the Death Emperor possibly hinges on the people at this table. Are you ready to face death, kid?"

  Mikky stared down Vezzel and crossed her arms.

  "Stop scaring the boy, Vezzel. There's nothing to gain—"

  "Yes. Of course, I'm ready to face death. It's what I've been doing my entire life. I don't care if you call it pride or confidence, but I'm more than qualified to stand amongst everyone here. I won't hold you back," Izick said before taking one of the candied nuts and biting into it.

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  "Oh, this tastes like money."

  The Scouts looked at Izick, unsure of how to process what he said. Vezzel cleared his throat and looked around the table.

  "I'll hold you to your word, boy. Anyway, those Dark Elves from the Bow Hero's party won't even join our group since they are reconnaissance specialists. Our current information is thanks to their efforts. Now, let's go over our important role in this operation. The other groups are doing something similar right now," Vezzel said as he pointed to the other party groups behind him with his thumb.

  "The Spear Hero wants each group to cover the main objectives individually since this will be a large-scale operation. So let's start with this," Vezzel said as he flicked a red cube from his hand, which tumbled across the table before emitting a series of red circles and dots that connected into a floating map of sorts.

  He made a few movements with his fingers, and the many dots on the map rearranged themselves into a battle formation.

  "The large dot represents the Death Emperor's castle, the formation of dots in the middle is the main combined forces of the Heroes and their parties, while the small formation on the left is us, the Scouts."

  Vezzel moved the dots representing the Scouts toward the Death Emperor's castle.

  "Our job is simple: get the doors to the Death Emperor's castle open so the main forces can charge in. The Scout team will then separate and scout the inside of the castle to find the throne room for the Heroes."

  The Scouts meekly grumbled and uncomfortably shifted in their seats.

  "I know how you feel. Based on all of our preemptive scouting reports, the Death Emperor's castle is notorious for its heavy wards and Shielding Mysteria built into its walls that are strong enough to resist the destructive blasts of the Staff Hero. However, we will not be the only ones on the frontlines. A small team of Warriors will join us and four of Arekia's finest ward breakers at the castle gates," Vezzel said as he split the group of dots representing the Scouts in half and moved them away.

  "The small group of Warriors will protect the ward breakers as they work, while we Scouts will draw as many enemies away from the Warriors and ward breakers with our speed. Any questions?"

  "I do. What type of enemies will be facing?" Mikky said, with an unsteady, nervous voice.

  "Bersi, would you like to explain?" Vezzel said, nodding to a young woman beside him. Her fierce expression made Mikky jump when her eyes locked onto the timid Scout.

  "We will be facing the Cerubi, the Death Emperor's personal winged two-headed guard dogs. They are fast, but we should be able to handle them with our reflexes. Our main worries are disabling the wards and the possible arrival of Dark Soldiers."

  The Scouts mumbled while nodding their heads in affirmation, but Izick lifted his hand, causing Vezzel to scoff at the gesture.

  "This isn't a school, boy. Speak up," Vezzel said, eliciting laughs from the other Scouts.

  "We're all going to die. Almost instantly, if we follow this plan."

  The laughter was silenced immediately as a disturbed look crossed the other Scouts' faces.

  Bersi stared at Izick with a serious but annoyed expression.

  "That's a cowardly and disrespectful statement. Most of us here are highly trained Scouts with years of experience. Aren't you being a little bit too pessimistic?"

  "No, I believe you're all being too optimistic. This plan hinges on our ability to outrun and maneuver the enemy forces to buy the ward breakers time. But as Vezzel said, this mission will be like nothing you've seen before," Izick said as he stared down at his tapping finger.

  "The castle's legion of flying guard dogs, the Cerubi, will be coming to kill you from all directions once they figure out someone's trying to mess with the wards and break the gates down. Their speed increases once they discover someone tampering with the castle's defenses. Forget about the Dark Soldiers, these Cerubi will send your head flying before you can even run or realize what's happening. Only highly trained Warriors can keep up with the speed and power of Cerubi. Scouts like us have no chance."

  Astonished gasps and grumblings followed as everyone looked at Izick. Vezzel fumed as he slammed on the table to quiet everyone down. He pointed at Izick.

  "I'm the head Scout of this operation, and you're speaking out of turn, boy. I've faced Cerubi before on the outskirts of the Death Emperor's castle. You're talking like a veteran who has seen one of the Death Emperor's Cerubi up close."

  "I have. I was a part of the failed raid on the Death Emperor's castle one and a half years ago," Izick said before eating another candied nut. The Scouts laughed again as the tension drained from the table.

  "Vezzel and I were present at Hero's failed raid as well, but I don't remember seeing you there at all. We would've noticed a child like you running around three years ago. And how old are you now anyway? 12? Can you even hold a knife?" Bersi said, laughing with the other Scouts through her twisted smile.

  "I was on a different team back then, so we never met during the first raid. Also, I'm fourteen, going on fifteen. Not that it matters. But, if none of you want to believe me, allow me to explain it like this," Izick said as he got a handful of nuts and spread them on the table until they matched Vezzel's map exactly.

  "This is what will happen with the plan you mentioned. First, Cerubi from the northern gate will kill the Scouts closest to the ward breakers, but the ward breakers and most of the Warriors will likely survive due to the skill of the Warriors. Meanwhile, the surviving Scouts will panic, scatter, and run. Some of us will escape while the rest will get mowed down due to our weakness. This will cause more problems for the Warriors, who will put up a good fight, but will ultimately be killed along with the ward breakers within five to eight minutes."

  "S-so, what do we do?" Mikky asked in an uneasy voice as she pondered Izick's words.

  "We switch responsibilities," Izick said as he rearranged the candied nuts on the table. "The Warriors will intercept the Cerubi and hold them off while they protect both us and the ward breakers. Each Scout will be armed with Pinrockers, so we can kill any straggling Cerubi that get inside to attack the ward breakers. We will be pinned down, but have to take a defensive stance, not an offensive one."

  "Nonsense. That's not how this works, kid. I'm the most experienced Scout here. The Spear Hero gave me full authority over disarming the gate. Protecting the ward breakers takes top priority, and the speed of a highly trained Scout is nothing to sneeze at. We'll be fine if everyone follows my orders instead of going off on foolish tangents. We're doing things my way. You can sit this one out if you're scared."

  The banquet hall quieted down, and Vezzel stopped talking when Garrison walked through the entrance.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Honored Summoned Heroes of Arekia!" Garrison said as he stepped away from the double doors and bowed his head.

  The five Heroes—Richard, Alister, Helen, Raul, and Warren—walked through the golden double doors, waving to their excited guests. At the same time, their party members were too focused on scoffing down appetizers or talking amongst themselves to care.

  Richard's white military suit, adorned with gold and medals, beamed almost as brightly as his smile. He shook the hands of every politician.

  The other Heroes followed Richard's lead with their political show of fellowship, except for Alister, who ignored everyone as he walked behind everyone else.

  Richard slowed down and stopped Alister in front of the Scout's table by grabbing his shoulder.

  "Brighten up, Al. You're usually more politically inclined than this. Wasn't your father a senator or something? Don't tell me you're still hung up over that whole Dragon of Light fiasco."

  "Of course, I'm not bitter about that. The almighty but humble Sword Hero stole the show by riding in on a mountain before wiping out my Mysteria. There's nothing to talk about," Alister said as he smacked Richard's hand away.

  "Hey, the mountain was necessary, according to Helen. The people needed to see me when I made my speech," Richard said as he raised a finger to Alister.

  "Also, I didn't dispel your dragon for show. I did it for safety. Animation Skills like that can be unstable, and a lot of people could have gotten hurt if you lost control. It could have crashed into the people or exploded. I've seen you lose control before when using the Dragon of Light, causing destruction—"

  "I'm not the same Mage as before!" Alister shouted as he got into Richard's face, instantly catching the attention of those around due to the brewing argument.

  "Don't insult me, Richard. My Mystic powers and knowledge of Mysteria now rival that of Arekia's Grand Mage Yaria. I have even climbed the Moonlight Tower and read the most cryptic tomes to gain power. Dragons of Light are nothing to me now."

  "Richard, Alister, this is neither the time nor the place for this. We have the eyes of the public on us," Helen said in a serious and hushed tone as she walked up with Warren and Raul behind her and got between Richard and Alister.

  Richard took a glance around to see worried glances from each of the guests. He smiled and placed a hand over his heart.

  "Apologies, Staff Hero. It was not my intention to disrespect your Mystic prowess. It was naive of me to assume you were at the same level as before when you, and likely the other Heroes, have improved your abilities steadily over the years of being in the world of Estra," Richard said before turning to the guests and spreading out his arms with a smile.

  "Nerves, my esteemed guests. Even Heroes get them from time to time before monumental moments like this. Let's carry on with festivities, shall we?"

  Relief came over everyone in the banquet hall as the confrontation between the Heroes ended amicably. The last thing a civilian wanted to be caught up in was an explosive duel between Heroes.

  Warren stepped beside Alister and tapped him on the shoulder while pointing to the Scouts sitting at the table near them, who were uncomfortably watching things unfold in front of them.

  "Alister, since we're here, why don't you introduce us to your Scouts? Your Scouts have been a popular topic in my party recently because of what you and your Scouts did at Agino Ruins, which helped many Dark Elves," Warren said, trying his best to change the subject.

  "I would like to meet your Scouts as well. Your main Scout's codename is Foxtrot, right? Ah, it's fine if you want to keep the Scout's identity hidden," Helen said as she looked over the Scouts sitting at the table. Alister's face scrunched up as he scoffed and walked away.

  "Why are you so interested in an NPC? He's the smallest one out of all of the Scouts. Besides, I only have one Scout with me for this siege since my other Scouts are too far away to make it. Now get off my back."

  The remaining Heroes all zeroed in on Izick, who stood out amongst the Scouts from their respective parties.

  Izick felt the Heroes' eyes on him and began to sweat. As a Scout, he preferred the background in the shadows, not the spotlight where everyone could see him.

  "My honored Heroes, thank you so very much for coming to my humble abode," Ernbrand said as he deeply bowed with his heart over his chest, bringing the attention back to him.

  "The honor is ours, Governor. Let's have a seat and talk for a bit," Richard said while shaking the Governor's hand.

  Raul shook the Governor's hand as well before grabbing Richard's shoulder with his now ungloved hand.

  "Richard, we need to go over the details of the siege once more after dinner. There are some things we need to hammer out."

  "Got it. We're all going home if we pull this off perfectly," Richard said as he motioned for the Governor to follow them to a grand table set in the middle of the banquet. Warren passed by Izick and gave him a nod before rejoining the rest of the Heroes.

  Vezzel crossed his arms and leaned back into his chair while looking away from Izick.

  "The plan remains unchanged, but I won't bring you with us unless I know that you will follow orders. Do we have an understanding here?" Vezzel said as he stared down each Scout at the table. There was a pause, but each Scout vocally approved of Vezzel's plan. Vezzel brought his focus to Izick.

  "Boy, your answer?"

  "My name is Izick, not 'boy'. But, I'll play along with you and fall in line."

  Izick sighed as he ate a few more candied nuts. He had to hope that this old Scout's plan would work out somehow, or he was going to be passing his pension over to Cylvia as a dead man if things went wrong as he expected.