Sanctuary: Safe Haven

After the meeting concluded, the various groups dispersed, each retreating to their quarters to discuss the day's events and decide on their next steps. Among them, the delegation from the Kingdom of Arenthia was particularly restless.

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Known for their disciplined military and strategic acumen, the Arenthians had come prepared for war, only to find themselves in a state of limbo, waiting for a mysterious figure who might never appear.

The leader of the Arenthian delegation, General Alaric, was a seasoned warrior and a shrewd tactician. He had been chosen to lead this mission not only because of his combat prowess but also for his ability to navigate the complex politics of inter-kingdom alliances. As he paced the floor of his quarters, his frustration was palpable.

"We came to this far and remote kingdom to help, and now we wait here for a figure that might not even come," Alaric muttered, his voice laced with irritation. His lieutenants, loyal and equally frustrated, exchanged uneasy glances. They had been in Avaloria for nearly five months, and while the initial crisis had passed, the uncertainty lingered.

One of his lieutenants, a sharp-eyed woman named Elara, spoke up. "General, the men are growing restless. They've been on edge since we arrived, expecting battle. Now they're confined to the city, with nothing to do but wait and train. It's affecting morale."

Alaric nodded, his brow furrowed. He understood the sentiment all too well. Arenthian soldiers were not accustomed to idleness; they thrived on action and purpose. The rumors of a lone figure capable of defeating an entire monster wave had initially intrigued him, but as time dragged on without any sign of this individual, his patience wore thin.

"I understand their frustration, Elara," Alaric replied, his tone measured. "But we must be careful. The king of Avaloria and his people believe in this man's return, and we cannot afford to alienate our allies. Still, I can't help but question the wisdom of waiting for a single man. Even if he does return, what guarantee do we have that he'll be willing to cooperate with us?"

Another lieutenant, a burly man named Garen, chimed in. "With respect, General, perhaps we should consider other options. We've already invested a significant amount of time and resources. If this man doesn't show up soon, we need to think about our next move. We can't stay here indefinitely."

Alaric sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "You're right, Garen. We've given this enough time. If there's no sign of him in the next week, we'll need to make a decision. Either we continue to wait, risking further delays, or we withdraw and report back to Arenthia. But leaving empty-handed isn't an option.

We came here to protect Avaloria and strengthen our alliances. We can't return without results."

Elara leaned forward, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "There's another possibility, General. If this man truly has the power to defeat great calamities, he could be a valuable ally—or a dangerous enemy. It might be worth gathering more information about him. The locals speak of him with reverence, but we need concrete details.

If we can find out more about his abilities and intentions, we can better decide our course of action."

Alaric considered her words, nodding slowly. "Agreed. Discreetly gather what information you can from the locals. Focus on the grand mage and any others who might have direct knowledge of this figure. We need to know if he's truly as powerful as they say, and if so, what his goals are."

As the Arenthian delegation planned their next steps, the atmosphere in Avaloria grew increasingly tense. The kingdom's people were curious and hopeful, but the soldiers and mercenaries from other realms grew impatient. Whispers of discontent spread among the ranks, and even the king felt the pressure mounting.

The meeting had ended, but the questions remained: Who was this man that everyone spoke of? What were his intentions? And most importantly, when—or if—would he return?

General Alaric and his team knew they were running out of time. Every day they stayed in Avaloria without results risked undermining their mission and the trust of their allies. As the sun set over the kingdom, casting long shadows over the city, Alaric made a silent vow: one way or another, they would uncover the truth about this mysterious figure and secure the future of their alliance.

_________

Meanwhile, the figure everyone was eagerly awaiting was currently enjoying a mud bath.

Kael, his expression twisted in disgust, remarked, "I've seen you drenched in blood, taking on enemies that no one else could defeat, and here you are, wallowing in this filthy mud. You know what? I don't really care. Just do whatever you want." With a shake of his head, Kael decided to take a walk, leaving Canna to his unusual pastime.

Canna shouted after Kael's retreating figure, "Mud baths work wonders for your skin, you idiot!"

The trio should have been on their way to the Kingdom of Avaloria to collect the mana cores, but things were not going according to plan. Every few steps, Canna would stop to admire something—whether it was a leaf, a tiny stone, or anything else that caught his eye. His curiosity seemed boundless.

Just like now, when he spotted the mud, he had immediately stripped and jumped in, relishing the sensation.

The forest they were traversing should have been filled with monsters, but Grimruk's aura as a Great Calamity rank being deterred any potential threats. At least, that's what they thought until they heard a noise coming from the bushes.

Grimruk glanced at the rustling foliage, not even bothering to raise his weapon. He sensed it was only a medium-rank monster, hardly worth his concern. In stark contrast, Canna was suddenly dressed and staring intently at the bush, ready for anything.

After a few more rustles, a creature emerged. It was a pig-like monster with a peculiar, rounded body shape. The creature's fur was a rich, earthy brown, blending seamlessly with the forest floor. Its eyes were beady and curious, and its snout twitched as it sniffed the air. The body of the creature was oddly circular, making it look almost comical despite its potential threat.

Canna quickly assessed the creature's stats and identified it as a "Ground Hog." The name seemed fitting, given its burrowing nature and stout, grounded appearance. The Ground Hog didn't seem particularly aggressive, merely curious about the group. Canna couldn't help but smile at the creature's odd shape, finding it amusing rather than threatening.

"Well, what do we have here?" Canna mused aloud, his earlier annoyance with Kael's departure momentarily forgotten. He crouched down to get a better look at the Ground Hog, intrigued by its presence.