It was safe to say that she was having a bad day.

She continued to walk and soon stopped at the end of the hallway, where a large, single - white door with a gold plated sign on the top stood still. This room was the most expensive room they could possibly rent in out of all the inns in the city of Altair. This room was their base; the hero's party's base.

Without hesitation, Alicia put her slender hand on the k.n.o.b and opened it.

An elegant interior was revealed to Alicia. White glittering furniture filled the room. There were no candles or any source of light that was lit up inside, the only thing that strayed the room from complete darkness was the natural ray of the sun that was coming from the large human size window at the end of the room.

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[ I've already sent someone to report to the capital. ] Alicia said the soon as she entered the room.

[ Is that so? Thank you, Alicia. ] the voice of her companion answered her. She can immediately guess from the sound and the tone of the voice that it came from Hana, their leader.

[ ... ]

Alicia turned to the corner of the room where Hana's voice came from, and there, she saw three of her teammates, sitting across a large table.

Without any hesitation, Alicia walked towards them and sat on an empty seat. Seeing her doing this, her companion, Anna, Caiden, and the hero, Hana - nodded at her.

After that silent exchange, Hana, their leader, looked at all of them and started to talk.

[ Now that's Alicia's here, we can finally start our meeting. ] she said.

[ Caiden, tell us anything you found about that guy... Vlad. ] Hana asked Caiden with a serious look on her face.

[ I hope I don't disappoint you... But the only thing I found out about him was that he just arrive in this city before... I wasn't able to find out anything about his history or where he lives at. ] Caiden answered.

[ Is that so... Well, we still have a lot of time to investigate him. Let's talk about everything we need to do for now. ]

Hearing these words, a frown appeared on Alicia's fine face. She started to recall what had happened -

Recruiting for people that might help them subjugate a demon, they have encountered a very large disaster instead.

Thinking about it, Alicia felt a very displeasing feeling in her stomach.

[ First, we will need to postpone the subjugation. We will need first Arthur to recover. ]

They have sent Arthur to the church, but they said they're weren't, and won't be able to do anything about Arthur's condition, and so the group has decided to send him back to the capital where the highest level of healers exists.

[ So, what do you plan us to do now...? ] Caiden asked.

[ Hmm... Of course, our priority would get in close touch with Vlad Alucard... He said that he would want to meet with me alone, but he did not say any specific date when... ]

[ Umm... I really just can't understand it... Hansan... Why do you want us to get close to that guy...!? He's very arrogant and dangerous...! He almost killed Arthur, you know! ] Alicia asked in a loud, angry voice.

[ Alicia... I understand why you feel that way towards him... Since Arthur was your childhood friend, I know you'll get angry about him. But you need to first calm down. ]

That was right. Alicia and Arthur have long since become friends. In their time at their academies, they have parted ways and Arthur's att.i.tude suddenly changed. But still, to Alicia, he was a very dear friend, hence the reason why she was the angriest.

[ Why...!? If we didn't stop him then, he was sure to kill Arthur! Are you really going to allow such a dangerous guy to walk freely in this city like that!? ]

[ Alicia... Hana also... ] Caiden interrupted and suddenly muttered. He then crossed his fingers and lean his elbows to the table.

[ I know that this might get you angry, but... I honestly think that Vlad... is a good guy. ]

[ Hah!? ] Alicia exclaimed in anger. While Hana remained calm and has a blank expression.

[ What makes you say that... Caiden? ] Hana asked.

[ Un. When we were about to fight, he was not like any of the powerful and strong people I ever fought before. Even though the gap of our strengths was obvious, he still showed me respect and did not look down on me. He was the ideal fighter. ] he answered with a nod.

[ Ho-How could you say that!? He didn't even show any hint of mercy towards Arthur! He toyed with him in their match. ]

[ I know... But I also overheard their conversation... Arthur had said some really bad things to him. I can understand why he would get angry at Arthur... No, even I would beat the c.r.a.p out of Arthur if he says those words at me. ] Caiden muttered with a complexed look on his face.

[ Caiden... Are you really going to side with the bad guy!? ] Alicia muttered at Caiden with deadly looks on her eyes.

[ Stop that, Alicia. ] Hana voiced to Alicia to calm her down.

[ Alicia, the reason why I wanted us to get closer to Vlad, is to know his true personality... I personally think that he's neutral... when I asked him why he did that to Arthur, he said maybe it was because of his emotions getting over him. That matches with what Caiden has said just now. So maybe he doesn't really do bad things unless he was driven by his emotions. ]

[ Why are you both at his side? Anna! ] Alicia complained, she then turned her head over Anna, who was just watching the three argue from the side.

[ I-I don't know...! But... If I would honestly state my opinion... Then I'll say Arthur-san is... a lot creepier than the Vlad guy... ]

[ What...!? ] Alicia whispered the word, baffled by what Anna had just said.

[ Anyway, there're many reasons why we should stick ourselves close to Vlad. Alicia, as you said, he's a very dangerous guy... I honestly think that even if we fight him alone with the five of us, we still won't be able to stand a chance against him... ]

[ That's... ]

[ Just think of what might happen if he turns to this country... ]

Hearing those words, Alicia was only able to turn her head down.

[ It might be a good idea to tie him down to this country... that was why... with that power, I think we should get him somehow tied with the n.o.bles... or even with the royalties of this country themselves... ]

[ I agree. ] Caiden nodded without a glint of disagreement or hesitation on his face. While the other two women, Alicia and Anna, just continued to stay quiet

[ I hope you will not get angry with me saying this, but, I wouldn't mind if he marries one of my sisters... Like I said earlier... He's the ideal fighter... No, he's the ideal man. I would gladly accept him to my family. ]

[ Caiden... really... I never heard you compliment another man before... Not even your father... ] Hana muttered with a laugh.

With those words, the atmosphere of the room turned a little lighter.

[ Okay... I get what you're saying... I'll join your plan of investigating that Vlad guy, but I won't get friendly with him. ]

[ That's fine enough. ] Hana nodded to Alicia.

[ Anyways, we will stay in this city for a few days while we wait for the instructions of the palace. ]

[ [ Un. ] ] everyone nodded at Hana's words.

[ Then, while we have some free time on our hands, we will use them to investigate Vlad Alucard. We will judge if he's really a good person or a bad one. If he turns out a threat to the kingdom... Then we will need to stop him with all we can... ]

[ Of course... ] Alicia was the only one who responded.

Silence now filled the room and it marked the end of their conversation.

...

...

With there meeting now finish, they were able to gain a new mission -

To investigate the threat of an individual - Vlad Alucard.

~~~

This happened two days after Arthur's and Vlad Alucard's battle.