[center][h2]Akamagaseki[/h2]
[h3]Otomo Village[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Riffus Maximus], [@Xaltwind], [@Rune_Alchemist], [@AzureKnight] (KIR, VRA & LAV) ~[/center]

[quote=N'ylaatothk][color=a187be]"I'm so sorry I was so busy cleaning, cooking, and making everything super ready for you so I can still be here even when I'm away and-and I made some special cakes you like! Left them! A-and if you change your mind I'll come running back in moments!"[/color][/quote]

Before Lady Kyouko could respond to the first questions, her Shoggoth maid [u]Nyla[/u] crashed into her with an embrace, uttering apologies and assurances. The Ryu only chuckled and made no response to the climbing eldritch tentacles on her body. She even lovingly caressed [u]Nyla's[/u] head before reassuring the distressed maid. "[color=aqua]I am absolutely fine, Nyla! Haha, all thanks to you. You have served me well but I need you with them now. And please, do not worry about me. I can take care of myself.[/color]"

Pulling the Shoggoth from her bosom, Lady Kyouko looked at [u]Nyla[/u] directly in the eye. Or at least, the eyes on her "head" appendage. "[color=aqua]And do not be sad, Nyla. While I still have business here that I need to attend to, I plan on going to Shizuyama myself. So we [b]will[/b] see each other again.[/color]"

She then issued her final order, for the time being. "[color=aqua]Oh and, if you... if you see someone of the Oja Clan there, please treat them as you would treat me. Please?[/color]"

[quote=Stella Maria Esperanza][color=6ecff6]"Aye, there be somethin' I was hopin' you could answer, Lady. Ye been talkin' of "a huge Varjan fleet" earlier. How huge? Would they be able to wipe the island off with this armada? If so, why not call on the sea dwellers to sink 'em before they arrive?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=aqua]While I am not certain of the exact size, I believe it is huge enough to encircle the island and completely blockade it.[/color]" Lady Kyouko answered [u]Stella's[/u] question. "[color=aqua]And with the way Varjo works, if the war goes in their favor, they will have reinforcements as many will want to take part in the pillaging and plundering.[/color]"

"[color=aqua]...I cannot request to the denizens of the sea to risk their lives to aid a people that hates them.[/color]" Lady Kyouko continued to answer. "[color=aqua]I'm afraid all that I have in this situation are the resources and manpower I have gathered over the years and volunteers that answered my pleas. That would be you, Miss Stella.[/color]"

[quote=Gwendolyn][color=violet]"Before any of that, my lady, I must ask! Is it wise to entrust such a vital task to this young... [i]Boy?[/i] I trust your judgement of course, but this one cannot be more than two decades or so, yes? Surely, there must be [i]someone[/i] more suitable to act as leader for the group?"[/color][/quote]

The question was already answered by the aforementioned 'Boy', but Lady Kyouko decided to weigh in on the matter too. "[color=aqua]Fufu... I assure you, Miss Gwendolyn. Sir Kirei is much more than he looks. Able to navigate, too, in matters unique to this part of the world.[/color]" She then could not help but glance at [u]Kirei[/u] himself. "[color=aqua]...Hopefully.[/color]"

[quote=Vară Riemsianne][color=firebrick]”Good Morning Lady Whitescale. Hail to the rest of you. Rejoice, for you now stand in the presence of the esteemed Vară Riemsianne. Soon, my demon clan’s name shall be known far and wide. I am also someone who would much rather be in bed right now…”[/color][/quote]

Lady Kyouko giggled. "[color=aqua]I'm afraid that to be known far and wide, one must need to be an early riser, Miss Vară.[/color]" She remarked to the noble Flame Demon. "[color=aqua]Nevertheless, you grace us with your presence and know that I am grateful for answering my call for help.[/color]"

[quote=Lavinia Isabella][color=lightskyblue]”Don’t fret, Lady Riemsianne, the voice came from me. My name is Lavinia Isabella, a caster here on behalf of the Witch’s Association. But, you can just call me Lavi. My apologies for being late, but I’m ready and waiting.”[/color][/quote]

"[color=aqua]I will admit, I did not expect much from the Witch's Association so color me surprised.[/color]" Lady Kyouko then smiled. "[color=aqua]Your aid is very much welcome here, Miss Lavi.[/color]"

[quote=Kirei Kannazuki][color=beige]”Alright, I believe that’s everyone. What are your plans for actually getting to the island, Kyouko-san?”[/color][/quote]

"[color=aqua]Like I mentioned earlier, I will be teleporting you all to my contact in the island. Follow me.[/color]"

[center]---[/center]

Lady Kyouko led her taskforce to her estate up the hill, taking them to a courtyard where there was a huge stone platform in the middle. The platform had lines, both straight and curved, engraved on the surface. No doubt, this was some sort of a magic circle. "[color=aqua]Please stand in the middle, everyone. I will begin the spell shorly.[/color]"

Once everyone assembled, Lady Kyouko smiled warmly at them as she began to glow with magical power. "[color=aqua]Before everything, I want you all to know that I am deeply thankful that you will be aiding Shizuyama. In behalf of the island, know that I am in your debt.[/color]" The line engravings on the platform then glowed with magic too. "[color=aqua]Lastly, however, I want you all to stay safe. I want to see you all again when I come to Shizuyama.[/color]"

The taskforce's vision was then enveloped by white light...