“Fresh new Gullohorns, come and get them. Limited time. Limited supply.”

“Morbord’s new inventory release tomorrow. Make sure to get there first before it’s all sold out. New Bork series to be unveiled.”

“Kula’s exotic garden is going to open a 3-day stall next Julen. Rare Squrt bloom to be auctioned on the last day.”

On a bright morning, the market street was bustling and busy as to be expected of a thriving town. Various vendors and promoters went on shouting as they competed to get the attention of passersby. People huddled in dozens around each pf the stalls looking through the various displayed items.

As the crowds packed the streets to the brim with barely enough space to move, a hooded figure walked briskly through the street almost unhindered. As if invisible to the crowd or in reverse, it rushed through the congested streets as it made several quick turns through the extended market area until it arrived at a small alleyway.

It came to a stop at an inconspicuous, dark door, one of many, deep inside the alley, before giving a series of knocks.

*KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK*

*KNOCK* KNOCK*

*KNOCK*

*KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK*

After four series of knocks, thee door opened and the figure rushed inside. The door quickly slammed shut, with none the wiser. From entering the alley to the door and further, it took less than 2 breaths of time for all of it to be done. Even if one tried to follow the hooded figure, they would have been left lost.

Inside of the room was dark. It was dim and barely had enough light to see a few steps infront. Inside, 6 other figures could be noticed. Their faces hidden by their position away from the lights. The hooded figure that entered the room, quickly walked through the room, walking into a darker corridor, further back. The hooded figure continued to walk through the path that was long and complicated, with several portions of flights of stairs going upward.

It soon arrived at a door at the end. It was a single door. It was different than everything until now. If the rest of the places can be said to be dirty, at best, the door looked magnificent. A white, elaborately decorated door stood before the figure.

“Enter.”

As the figure came to a stop infront of a door, a voice called out from inside without notice. It continued to enter through the door, to arrive at starkly different place.

The room behind the door was a charming and pleasantly large space. The room was bright with much natural light filtering through the large arching windows running along two-thirds of the far sidewall. The windows offered a breathtaking vantage view of the townscape outside, with elegant architecture, white walls, and green roofs. One could also see the odd terrace gardens among a sea of greens. Also popping up, where some of the grander buildings and locations of the towns in the far horizons. These included a few domes, towers, and pyramids.

Turning back to inside the room, various luxurious furniture was spaced slightly far apart but in an inviting manner. The interior décor arrangements of this room was a mix of royal blue furniture, bronze ornamental decorations, and cream-colored walls.

At the center of the room, a pair of well-dressed figures stood at guard. They had turned towards the windows, stock still as if standing guard like statues. Their focus was at what was in front of them, as they watched with rapt attention, a third silhouette standing at the edge of the windows.

The third figure, stood as if gazing at the outside, enthralled by its view. It was bathed in the warm and bright sunlight coming from the outside. As the figure stood there, unmoving, the hooded figure approached it from the right-hand side.

It arrived until a few steps away from the back of the third figure, before kneeling on one knee with its head bowing down.

“So, how was it?”

A young voice came from the figure by the windows.

“Ha. Investigations across town have been completed.

Our intelligence reveals that this is the town of Valdor belonging to the Viscount family of Varder Yuwein. The town is the capital of the Varder territory in the West-North-Western region of the Ishbaala Kingdom.”

“How far have we established?”

“They have been sent into every sector of the city, at the noble’s manor, the guilds, auction houses, exclusive pavilions and into the guard fort as well. Additionally, we have ‘friends’ in the large and active merchant groups working through the town. We are expanding through them.”

“How are our records doing?”

“In batches of three’s and four’s, team have been registering alternatively in the various guilds. They are rotating among the adventurer guild, merchants guild, alchemist guild, smiths guild, thief guild, dark guild and at the academy learning center.”

“How many so far?”

“80, 25, 15, 20, 30, 57 and 73 respectively. And only in the adventurer’s guild and dark guild are there any cooperative teams working. That too is groups of 8 and 3 respectively.”

“That is good. You can withdraw. Have a good rest.”

“Ha. Thank you very much.”

The conversation continued with pauses after each question and answer. A slow paced and concise dialogue. After completing the report, the hooded figure withdrew as ordered, leaving the room as swiftly as it had arrived.

After it withdrew out of the room, a sigh could be heard, coming from the figure by the window.

“So, it’s going well it seems.”

“Indeed commander. And it was only due to your wonderful insights.”

Another, deeper voice responded to the light statement made. Turning to face the figures, it was Ryu and Tolle with one more soldier, left inside the room. And as per his usual antics, Tolle went on to further compliment Ryu, with excessively sweet words.

“Stop with the flattery already. We only discussed our steps thoroughly before taking actions. Its everyone’s credit.”

In what is their usual skit, Ryu spat back grumpily at Tolle for his excessive flattery, in his words.

After the hooded figure – the Intel officer had left, Ryu paced back inside the room before flumping on to a large sofa seat at the center. After a moment of silence, Ru continued his questioning.

“How are our setups going?”

“Thanks to the splendid preparatory work of the teams, we have secured more than enough funds for all of our current operations.

Additionally, we have setup 6 safe locations in addition to base with the different teams scattered around. Only 40% of forces are at base. Others are evenly distributed.

Also, the work on compiling all known records, information, and knowledge is progressing at a reasonable pace. It is expected that we can completely copy the entire wealth of knowledge in this town in the next 2 months’ time.”

“That is wonderfully fast. Pass my appreciation to the teams involved.”

“Understood.”

Speaking up to here, another small pause comes to the conversation. Ryu shifts his gaze towards the town.

“This truly is unreal.”

“…”

“This is a metropolis. Unlike any of my expectations for an Elven settlement, it is a complete, bustling, and crowded metropolis.

Teaming with millions of elves living inside a fortified and slightly congested town. Buildings built on ground, rising several stories high. Only a few houses embedded into the trees.

Further, not only are their elves living here, humans, beast-man, druids, fairies and more, are all living inside this settlement.”

“…”

“Among the few places built onto the great trees, are the towns’ fortifications and the Noble’s manor. One occupied the great trees that are to the perimeter, and the other, occupies the great tree near the center.

But, as expected of the elves, all of it is built quite well with beautiful and elegant designs. Everything accounts for maximum efficiency in organization and arrangement. The unimaginable highways, multi-tier passes, all help the movement of things in the town. It feels advanced, modern and still, it is only of medieval aura and settings.

How totally messed-up.”

Ryu melodramatically spoke out his thoughts as he blankly gazed at the townscape below. A wry smile crept across his face. Standing on the balcony, high above most of the towns' buildings, Ryu had the vantage point even few of the upper spectrum of elven society enjoyed.

Almost 11 stories above ground, 5 more than regular buildings, he had a spectacular view. To the center of his view, stood a great tree of Valdor. In it, rested the great mansion of the Viscount family and their main fortress. From a far he had a view of the entire town, that was several square miles large. He could barely make out the city wall on the other side.

Ryu enjoyed this vantage point, because the building he stood inside was the base of operations for him and the expeditionary forces he led. And due to Tolle preferential arrangements for him, Ryu enjoy the best view the building had. This was first made into his private lounge by Tolle, before Ryu turned it into a general lounge for his group. Ryu’s point of view – everyone needs a relaxing place, and having one with company makes it better. He overrules Tolle who grumbled in slight dissatisfaction at the decision.

After reminiscing for a while, he turned to face Tolle as he continued his questioning.

“What is our compilation on Ishbaala?”

“Ha. We have identified all of the territories and their most general information. Well known industries, specialty produces and significant personages have been listed. We do not have much more significant information or details at present. We will need some months to clarify and comb through piles of information.

As mystical as the elven race is, it has its own folklore, mysteries, legacies, and rumors among its various territories and regions.

All of the confirmed reports will be in the yellow binders and significant rumors and hearsays will inside the cream binders on the shelf in the commander’s office.

Other than the territories, we have compiled a very interesting report on the powers of this country and its colorful history. It will be the green cover folder I have left on the Commander’s desk.

Lastly, we have the reports on the Sorcerers Tower and Alchemist Towers. So far we only know general information about both of them. They are powerful authorities within this country with each having their own special territory. They have authority as significant as a Duke has, and can exercise military might under certain conditions. A basic biography and recent history is compiled in the blue binders, also on the commander’s desk.”

“I see. I will see them later this evening.”

With a slight smile on his face, Ryu gestured for Tolle to take a seat in front of him and asked the soldier beside Tolle to prepare some drinks. He was in a happy mood due to significant progress in setting up operations in Ishbaala.

As the drinks, hot tea, was set down on the side table, the conversation continued.

“But it is still amazing. Only 15 days since we arrived here, you have managed to organize everything so well. Negotiating our ID’s as well. Tier-3 residency was it? Did this class exist before?”

“Thank you for your praise.

The matter of the ID was quite simple. After all, with a good and hearty conversation and you can have anyone talk with loose lips. The secretary at the general office told of a special category of residency that can be applied for, with a little incentive, as long as we met the requirements. And quite remarkably, we met the requirements for the category easily.”

“Ho~ you… didn’t do anything out of line, did you?”

“Of course not! I would never do anything to Bismarck you commander.”

“I trust you on your word.”

“I am most delighted.”

Tolle had a look of heartbreak at Ryu’s doubt, which quickly transformed into a look of pleasant shock and beaming smiles, Ryu’s words of ‘trust’. Ryu couldn’t help wonder at the vibrant emotions of Tolle, when they are not ‘on duty’.

‘Slightly dreadful, his expressions are.’

“Moving on…

If everything we wants has already been initiated and well under way, I think it’s time I started my adventure.”

“Is that so? I’ll defi….”

“Tolle, you continue observations and handling of base while I am out. Grendal, you, Marv and Ponta will join me. Oh, also ask Chiya to join as well.”

“Understood. It will be our pleasure to join you.”

“W-wait! Comma…”

“Alright. We will meetup tomorrow morning and head to the guild to register.

I cannot wait to go around in person. Well, see you later.”

“A-a Hey! Commander! COMMADNER!”

Leaving the flabbergasted and distraught Tolle, Ryu merrily continued with his arrangements and left the room through a door on the other side. Completely ignoring the wailing Tolle, Ryu and Grendal the soldier left smoothly.