In the hours before the meeting at Icefall Manor, I went around Icefall City getting some personal errands done. First, I went to the armorer, the one that crafted my leather armor. During the fight with the hungers a few days ago, one of them slashed my side, leaving me injured and my armor damaged. I wanted it repaired, if at all possible. It served me well. Without it, the hunger would've gutted me.

The armorer grumbled at the damage done, muttering something about careless and reckless adventurers. However, after I explained how it happened, understanding lit up the armorer's eyes. Thankfully, it was possible to repair the damage. We negotiated a price, before I left to finish the rest of my errands.

I checked my rented house for any messages from my parents. However, there were none. I found this strange. The last letters I sent to them warranted some kind of reply. I found the lack of one surprising. Had something happened? Or perhaps their reply got delayed somehow.

Afterwards, I left to get some food for my friends. I knew they were in good hands, since the healers at the Icefall Adventurers Guild knew their work. However, that didn't stop me from worrying. My friends endured a lot over the past few days. Delicious food would lift their spirits and help them recover their strength.

My friends greeted me with cheer after I returned to the Icefall Adventurers Guild's infirmary. They grew even happier when they saw the food I got for them. I made sure everyone got something, before settling down to eat as well. I even saved some for Anna and Lorelei, both of whom had left for their own reasons.

Anna returned about an hour after me. She thanked me for the food and started eating. As for Lorelei, she never returned. This worried me a little, but I assumed she was with her mother.

After Anna finished eating, the two of us got together with Andre and discussed the upcoming meeting at House Icefall. Leroy and Richard chimed in, saying they wanted to come along as well. However, Andre and I refused.

The healers had tended to everyone's injuries, but everyone still needed time to rest and recover. Leroy and Richard in particular, since they endured the most out of our entire group. They held the line against the pack of hellhounds. The two brothers protested, but Andre and I convinced them in the end. However, they were both unhappy about it.

Hours later, a servant from House Icefall came by to escort Anna, Andre, and myself to Icefall Manor. When the three of us arrived, the servant brought us to the same drawing room as before, the one where Leroy and I first met Lord Icefall. It remained much as a I remembered it. Well appointed, with comfortable furniture and several pieces of beautiful artwork. A light and relaxing floral scent that lingered in the air. Several windows that let in plenty of sunlight.

However, unlike before, the drawing room was filled with people. It was just large enough to hold everyone without feeling cramped. Aside from the three of us, they were separated into three distinct groups.

First was Lord Icefall and Cally, surrounded by House Icefall retainers. Anna and I waved to Cally when we saw her. She waved back to us with a smile on her face. I wanted to go up and talk with her, since it had been a while since we last saw each other, but I refrained due to the nature of the meeting.

However, I noted that Cally was now at Second Circle. She must've focused on her own cultivation while confined to Icefall Manor. Good. With everything going on, we needed all the strength we could muster.

Second there was Guildmaster Charity and Lorelei, surrounded by their own people. I wondered if they were retainers of Clan Frostheart or high-ranking members of the Adventurers Guild. Perhaps both. The Adventurers Guild as a whole was a cover for the Martial Arts Alliance, so it wasn't improbable.

The third group consisted of priests and priestesses from the local Church of the Sun. At their head stood a man in his thirties that looked like a scholar with fair skin, short blond hair, and brown eyes. His slight and slender build reinforced that impression. The man wore what could only be described as a benevolent expression on his face. If he was the head of the local Church of the Sun here, then he was at least a high priest.

This drawing room held the most powerful people in the Icefall region, in terms of both personal and political power. Almost everyone here was a Third Rank Awakened, while the leaders of each respective group were Fourth Rank. As Second Rank Awakened, my friends and I were the exception, including Cally. A part of me found this amusing. We were like children that had been allowed at the adults' table.

When Anna, Andre, and I entered the drawing room, we drew a fair amount of attention. Everyone looked unsurprised to see us. I assume either Lord Icefall or Guildmaster Charity informed them of our arrival. They wore varying expressions on their faces. Some seemed curious, others indifferent, and a few were dismissive.

The three of us chose our own spot, separate from the others, forming our own little group. On the surface, we seemed like the weakest in the room. However, in many ways we were on par with the others in the drawing room, if not above them. Funny how life worked like that.

"Lord Gabriel," Lord Icefall said, greeting us with a nod, "Thank you for coming. Now that you and your companions are here, we may begin." He turned to address the rest of the room. "Some of you already know why I called you here. However, the rest of you are no doubt curious."

A murmur of agreement swept through the room. This included some of the House Icefall retainers.

"It's simple." Lord Icefall continued. "The demon summoners are still out there. The hideout we destroyed was a fake meant to deceive us."

"Impossible." One of the priests from the Church of the Sun said. "We were there with you, Lord Icefall. There is no way the hideout we destroyed was fake."

"Exactly, my lord." a House Icefall retainer said. "We killed dozens of demon summoners, demons, and fiends. Are you saying those were… Decoys?"

"Yes." Lord Icefall said in a decisive tone. "Lord Gabriel and his companions found out the truth, at great risk to themselves." He gestured to me. "Please, tell everyone what you told me and my cousin."

I gave everyone a brief summary of what happened when my friends and I discovered the enemy hideout. However, I left out the part involving Crispin and Vivian's team. For now, at least. When I finished, one of the people from the Adventurers Guild and/or Clan Frostheart, a man, scoffed.

"A fanciful tale." He said in a scornful tone. "How do we know that this isn't a fabrication on your part? I find it suspicious that almost every time there is news about the demons, you and your companions are involved somehow."

I snorted and opened my mouth to respond, but Lorelei beat me to it.

"I was there." She said in a frosty voice. "I witnessed it myself. Or are you going to call me a liar as well?"

The man who spoke up turned white and tried to stammer out a response, but Guildmaster Charity cut him off with a gesture.

"We have enough reason to believe that the demon summoners are still out there." She said, giving the man a sharp look. "Or at least the demons. Crispin and Vivian's team were attacked by a swarm of mind eaters. If Lord Gabriel and his companions hadn't rescued them, they would've died."

This piece of news astonished almost everyone in the drawing room, including Cally. They regarded my friends and I with newfound respect in their eyes.

"The purpose of this meeting is to share what we know." Lord Icefall said. "Or rather, learn what we can from Lord Gabriel and his companions, before coming up with a plan to deal with our enemies once and for all." He pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. When he unfurled it and laid it down on a nearby table, I saw that it was a map. "If you would show us where you found the enemy hideout."

I nodded.

"Very well." I said. "However, I warn you that my friends and I didn't have much time to explore the enemy hideout before we had to flee."

"It doesn't matter." Lord Icefall said. "We are thankful that you have any information to share with us at all."

I went up to the map and marked it as best I could. I even shared the information that Aurora found out and shared with us, but we hadn't been able to make use of, such as the existence of the building at the center of the tunnel complex.

"This is worse than we thought." The blond high priest said, who hadn't spoken up until now. "We don't know how large that tunnel complex is. We'll need to utilize all of our manpower in order to explore it, let alone deal with the enemies inside. This will leave Icefall City vulnerable. What if our enemies attack the city in our absence? They've already proven themselves cunning and deceptive."

Hmm, that was a fair point.

"You're right, High Priest Allen." Lord Icefall said. "I've already thought of a solution." He gestured to Cally. "My daughter will see to Icefall City's defense in my absence."

This caught everyone off guard, including the House Icefall retainers. The only ones who weren't surprised by this bombshell were Lord Icefall, Guildmaster Charity, and Cally.

"My lord," one of the House Icefall retainers said, "Are you sure this is wise? Lady Calla is young and inexperienced."

I resisted the urge to scoff. From the expression on her face, Anna felt the same way. If we took into account Cally's life during the First Timeline, she was the most experienced person from House Icefall.

"I may be young," Cally said, calm and composed, "However, I am the heir to House Icefall. Our family has ruled over the Icefall region for generations. I will not shirk my duties."

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Despite her words, several people in the room still seemed unsure. On the one hand, I understood where they were coming from. Defending an entire city from a potential demon attack was a heavy burden to place on a fourteen year old girl's shoulders. On the other hand, I knew what Cally was capable of. She would be fine.

"If it makes you feel any better," Cally said, "I won't be defending the city alone. Isn't that right, Auntie Charity?"

The guildmaster nodded.

"I'll leave my daughter behind to help defend the city." She said. "You won't have any trouble from our side of things."

While some seemed confused by this, most people in the room nodded with knowing expressions on their faces. It was safe to assume that these people were the ones who knew about Murim's existence. Guildmaster Charity's words reassured them. Or rather, Clan Head Charity's words reassured them.

"Lord Gabriel and his companions will also remain behind to help defend Icefall City." Cally said.

We will? This was my first time hearing about that. I glanced at Anna and Andre. They looked as confused as I felt. We weren't the only ones either. Even Lord Icefall and Guildmaster Charity seemed puzzled.

I caught Cally's eyes and raised an eyebrow at her. She gave me a "go with it" look in return. Well, damn. I wanted to participate in the attack on the enemy hideout. It looked like that wasn't happening.

"Well, of course." I said, smiling. "We're more than happy to help."

After that, the meeting turned towards the actual attack on the enemy hideout. Since I wouldn't participate in this, I didn't pay too much attention to the details. In summary, the attacking force would march to the enemy hideout and use a combination of Holy magic and Earth magic to seal off the area. This was to prevent any enemies from escaping. They would launch their attack afterwards and scour the Icefall region clean of the demonic threat once and for all.

As for Cally, she would remain behind with the bare minimum number of retainers and soldiers to protect Icefall City. Of course, Anna's people and the warriors from Clan Leone would also help defend the city. I assumed this was the reason why Cally wanted us to remain behind.

When the meeting ended, people started to make their way out. I wanted to speak with Cally in private and figure out what her plan was. However, someone else intercepted me before I reached her. It was High Priest Allen, the one in charge of the local Church of the Sun.

"Lord Gabriel," he said, wearing a benevolent expression on his face, "May we speak in private? I have an important matter to discuss with you."

A part of me wondered if the whole "kind priest" persona was genuine, or all an act.

"Is it urgent?" I asked. "I wished to speak with Lady Calla regarding the defense of Icefall City."

High Priest Allen nodded.

"Yes," he said, "In fact, it is related to the upcoming attack on the demon summoner's hideout."

I studied him for a moment. However, the benevolent expression he wore made it difficult to get a read on him. While I was tempted to brush him off, I decided to hear him out. I could always talk with Cally afterwards.

"In that case, I accept." I said. "Let me speak with my companions first. Afterwards, I'll be all yours."

High Priest Allen nodded, before walking off. I informed Anna and Andre that I was heading off to speak with High Priest Allen. They told me that they would talk with Cally and figure out where to go from there. I'd join them afterwards.

With that done, I turned towards the high priest and found him sharing a kiss with Guildmaster Charity. That caught me off guard. However, no one else reacted with surprise. It appeared that this was a normal occurrence. Well then.

After Guildmaster Charity and High Priest Allen separated, the latter turned towards me and gestured for me to walk with him. To my surprise, we made our way out of Icefall Manor and headed towards the local Church of the Sun. I started to suspect that I knew what this was about.

Like the rest of Icefall City, the local Church of the Sun was a tough and sturdy stone building meant to withstand the harshness of the Icefall region. Despite this, I thought the church looked beautiful. Its architecture reminded me of the gothic cathedrals back on Earth. The gray and overcast sky above reinforced that impression. I could easily imagine the church as the setting for a story full of drama and intrigue.

As we walked towards the local Church of the Sun, I kept glancing at High Priest Allen. When he noticed this, an amused smile spread across his face.

"Is there something you wished to say, Lord Gabriel?" He asked without looking at me.

"Yes." I said. "I know this is a rude question, but are you Guildmaster Charity's husband?"

Aside from a few fringe holy orders, the priests and priestesses of the Church of the Sun weren't forbidden from marrying. In fact, they were even encouraged to marry, especially those that served gods related to fertility. There were entire families dedicated to serving in the church.

"Yes." High Priest Allen said. "My family name is Sinclair."

Ah, so that's why the guildmaster called herself Charity Sinclair, at least when dealing with mainstream Luminian society.

"Huh." I said. "That's surprising. I never expected someone like the guildmaster to marry someone who, well, looks like you."

High Priest Allen chuckled.

"That's a common reaction." He said. "Charity and I make for an interesting contrast." He gave me a sideways glance. "However, I'm surprised to hear that from you, considering your relationship with that adventurer, Anna."

I stopped and frowned at him.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

High Priest Allen stopped and raised an eyebrow at me. "You and I aren't so different. We have similar builds, and the same taste in women it appears."

I… Had no response to that. High Priest Allen made a good point. While I stood taller than Anna, she was more muscular than me. I looked more delicate compared to her. Like the high priest and the guildmaster, we made for an interesting contrast.

"Were we that obvious?" I asked. "Anna and I, that is."

Anna and I hadn't hidden our relationship, but neither had we advertised it.

"I don't know about others," High Priest Allen said, "but it was obvious to me. It was the way you two moved in-sync with each other. That suggested a high level of awareness towards one another."

Anna and I moved in sync? I hadn't noticed that.

"Now then," High Priest Allen said, "Shall we continue? As much as I enjoy meeting a fellow with similar tastes as myself, we have an urgent matter to deal with."

I nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. The two of us headed towards the local Church of the Sun.

If I had to describe the interior of the church in one word, I'd use sacred. As corny and obvious as that sounded, I couldn't think of a better term. A solemn quiet permeated the local Church of the Sun, even though the priests and priestesses inside moved about with urgency. Compared to some of the other churches I've been to, the interior of this one was bare bones and plain. However, that added to the solemn atmosphere rather than detracted from it.

Like the outside, the inside of the church was stone. The worship hall, which took up almost the entire building, consisted of a rectangular room with a high vaulted ceiling. I sensed Holy magic. It seemed to suffuse the very bones of the church. Ornate glowstone lamps hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in warm light.

At the far end of the worship hall stood a round stone altar, flanked by statues of Sol and Luna. These statues were abstract and gave off impressions of the gods rather than depict any concrete details. In this case, Sol came across as stern but benevolent, while Luna came across as mysterious and enchanting.

A golden flame created by Holy magic burned atop the round stone altar. Alcoves ran along the walls to the left and right, occupied by smaller shrines to the other major gods. A few people prayed at these shrines, burning sticks of incense as an offering.

A pair of wooden doors occupied the far corners of the worship hall, leading deeper into the church. High Priest Allen led me to the one on the left. As we walked through the worship hall, the other priests and priestess greeted him. High Priest Allen returned their greetings, though he didn't stop walking.

The door we entered led to a stone hallway. High Priest Allen led me down the hallway and through another wooden door. We entered what looked like a private meeting room. It wasn't much. Just a windowless stone room with a wooden table, two wooden chairs, and a single glowstone lamp hanging from the ceiling. It was the textbook definition of spartan.

A single man waited for us inside the room. He had a burly build, with pale skin, short blond hair, and blue eyes. A trimmed beard covered his face. Based on his appearance, I guessed he was in his early to mid thirties.

I sensed Holy magic from him, about equivalent to a Third Ranked Awakened. However, he didn't seem like a priest to me. Too muscular. Plus, his clothing looked similar to an adventurer's: tough and practical. He seemed more like a warrior or a martial artist. A paladin, then?

Ah. I think I knew who he was.

The man leaned against the far wall, keeping his eyes on the door. When High Priest Allen and I entered, the man's gaze sharpened. However, he relaxed a moment later.

"Paladin Charles." High Priest Allen said, greeting the man with a cheerful tone.

"High Priest Allen." The man, Paladin Charles, said. His voice sounded rough, like he gargled gravel on a regular basis. He looked at me. "Is this him?"

The high priest nodded.

"Yes. Paladin Charles, this is Lord Gabriel Sturm." He looked at me. "Lord Gabriel, this is Paladin Charles Motley. He arrived in Icefall City a few days ago."

I nodded to the paladin, while he gave me a slight bow.

"I apologize, Lord Gabriel," Paladin Charles said, "but may I see your face? I need to verify your identity before we continue. You have a rather… Distinctive appearance, so that shouldn't be difficult."

I snorted. That was one way to put it. I removed my wooden mask to give Paladin Charles a glimpse of my face.

"Satisfied?" I asked.

Paladin Charles nodded. I put my mask back on.

"You may be wondering why I brought you here, Lord Gabriel." High Priest Allen said.

I gestured to Paladin Charles.

"He's part of the group sent by Grand Priest Darius." I said.

High Priest Allen gave me a stunned look, before he chuckled.

"So you already know about them." He said. "That makes explaining things easier."

"Of course I know." I said. "I'm the one who requested for them in the first place." I glanced at Paladin Charles. "However, I expected you to arrive a while ago. You're rather late."

Paladin Charles nodded.

"I apologize for that, Lord Gabriel." He said. "We encountered a small cabal of demon summoners during our journey here. Dealing with them proved more time-consuming than expected." He gestured to his outfit. "Our orders also said that discretion was required, which delayed our arrival further."

"Yes." High Priest Allen said. "Other than myself and a few of my most trusted subordinates, no one else in the city knows about Paladin Charles and his people."

Ah, that explained a few things. Hmm, considering the current circumstances, it seemed pointless to keep the presence of Paladin Charles and his people a secret. Then again, maybe not. If our enemies didn't know that a group of paladins and priests sent by Grand Priest Darius was in Icefall City, they couldn't account for them. Paladin Charles and his people could be our hidden trump card.

"No matter," I said, "you're here now. That's all that matters." I grinned. "Just in time too."

"And thus we come to the crux of the issue." High Priest Allen said.

I frowned at him.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

High Priest Allen nodded towards Paladin Charles.

"I have no authority over the good paladin and his people." He gestured towards me. "You do. They're under your command."

I stared at him in shock.

What?

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