>>3267559
After explaining what the mercenaries are going to find tomorrow morning, there's a prolonged silence. Nobody wants to talk to their 'boss', and the man himself seems to have some trouble finding his words again.

As uncomfortable as this silence is, you set aside your sword and take a seat on a log by their fire. You take up a small, hollowed-out tube that you recognize to be an improvised tea kettle of sorts, and add a few leaves to it before setting it down at the edge of the ember bed.

By the time your preparations are concluded, the boss has finally found his strength once more.

“How did it happen?” he presses you in a firm tone. “And why are you here?”

>I suspected a yōma involvement, so I'm gathering what information I can for a formal report.
>Bandits are most likely, the whole town was burned to the ground. Yōma don't do that.
>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.

>>3267560
>I suspected a yōma involvement, so I'm gathering what information I can for a formal report.

>>3267560
>I suspected a yōma involvement, so I'm gathering what information I can for a formal report.

>>3267560
>>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.

>>3267560
>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.

>>3267560
>>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.

>>3267560
>>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.

>>3267560
>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.

>>3267560
>I suspected a yōma involvement, so I'm gathering what information I can for a formal report.
Add in AND BANDITS.

>>3267560
>>Two 'witches' were here, now one is dead and a town has been razed. I want to know why.
I want to be honest with this guy. His brother is dead, he deserves a little honesty.

>>3267560
“There were two of us 'witches' here around the same time,” you explain carefully, watching for any sudden outbursts. Noticing none you decide to finish your thoughts quickly before you can be interrupted. “Now one has been killed by the other and a town has been razed. I want to know how that came to pass.”

“Isn't it obvious?” one of the men replies, his voice slightly raised.

You quickly interrupt. “Killing even a single human is grounds for execution under our Organization's rules. If that did happen then the Organization should be made aware, but there are several possibilities.”

“How many possibilities?” the 'boss' demands, his tone bordering on what you would consider an attempt at menace.

“The first warrior could have killed one of the townsfolk and been executed for it,” you begin listing off the permutations. “Or they could have killed a bandit in a vain attempt to protect the town, or as revenge, and been executed. There's also a possibility that the junior warrior did nothing wrong at all, and was executed by her senior for other reasons. Three equal outcomes, but three very different truths.”

“And which do you find more likely?” the boss presses, steel glistening as he draws his sword. “Speak quickly, witch.”

“Speaking openly,” you continue calmly, “the senior of the two I mentioned has a reputation for raising her blade against our own. I wouldn't be surprised if the destruction of that town had nothing to do with it, save to serve as cover for our top-ranked warrior's sororicide.”

“Sororicide?” one of the men repeats.

The eldest of the group hushes him. “Means killing your sister.”

“Ah.”

“And you've been there?” the boss demands.

>It's gone. There were no survivors, unless anyone was away from town when it happened.
>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information.
>I've been piecing together some information. Evidence of a swift, violent end.
>Other?

>>3271060
>>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information.
>I was hoping you lot could give me more information. If this was a cover up for sororcide, I want to nail her to the wall for it.

>>3271060
>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information.

>>3271060
>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information.

>>3271060
>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information

>>3271060
>>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information.

Ehh that might be a bit forward to tell them, they'll now spread rumors of witches obliterating towns.

>>3271060
>>It's gone. There were no survivors, unless anyone was away from town when it happened.
>>Not much evidence. The... remains... were too badly burned to preserve any information.

i apologize to be the bringer of bad news, but from what i could gather you were a local and should at least know as much of the situation as i could piece together.

>>3271060
“There wasn't enough evidence to make sense of,” you admit. “Everything was thoroughly burned, too badly to suggest how any of the residents died.”

There's a conspicuous silence.

“And you don't believe that the surviving witch killed all those people?”

You're not sure who the question comes from, but it wasn't entirely unexpected.

“I cannot prove it either way, the way things stand,” you point out with a heavy sigh. “I wish I could give you a more conclusive answer.”

“And if it turns out that she did kill them?” the boss presses.

After a few seconds you admit your own doubts. “She is the top-ranked warrior for a reason. She's stronger than the rest of us, meaning it would be difficult to enforce our own rules even if it were conclusively demonstrated that she broke them.”

“But I suppose someone would have to try.”

The unspoken conclusion... if it turns out that Clarice murdered Claudia as a trap for you, then perhaps the only one capable of safely executing her would be your mother. And if your impression of Sabela is accurate, you think she wouldn't hesitate to track Clarice down and take her head.

“And so what do you want from us?” the boss asks.

>Nothing. I was searching for bandits who might be responsible and overheard your conversation. I thought you deserved to know.
>I wanted your help searching. I need to know if anything is out of the ordinary, beyond the obvious.
>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.
>Other?

>>3271424
>I wanted your help searching. I need to know if anything is out of the ordinary, beyond the obvious.

>>3271424
>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.

>>3271424
>>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.
>Nothing. I was searching for bandits who might be responsible and overheard your conversation. I thought you deserved to know.

>>3271424
>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.

>>3271424
>>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.

>>3271424
>>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.

So when and if we get an actual survivor do we have the testify to the baron? To our fellow not!rebels?

To... the organization?

>>3271424
>I'd appreciate it if you could search for anyone who was out of town. Please send a message to the Byron estate in Acerrae if you find anyone.

>>3271424
>Nothing. I was searching for bandits who might be responsible and overheard your conversation. I thought you deserved to know.
Why are we making so much noise in Acerrae?

If we tell them to carry the message, we should also tell them to be quite about what they are doing....

Having them search around on our behalf could alert Clarice. These things tend to happen for plot reasons.

>>3271424
Backing
>>3273287

>>3271424
“I would like you to search for any survivors who were out of town when it was destroyed,” you tell them quietly. “And if you find one, let me know.”

“And how do we do that?” the boss demands.

“Send a message to the Byron Estate, in the town of Acerrae,” you clarify your request. “Do so as subtly as possible, and remember that any message you send there I will interpret as notification that you have done as I asked.”

“The 'Byron Estate', you say?” he nods, seemingly considering your request. “Is that some sort of fancy place?”

“I frequently stable my horse there,” you explain. “When the current mission demands it. It's among the few places I frequent with any regularity, so it's the only place you can expect any message to reach me.”

“And you asked for subtlety?”

You nod, favoring the man with a particularly grim expression. “It's a precaution. Our warriors often possess a 'combative' personality, which serves us well in dealing with yōma... less so with each other.”

The 'boss' swallows hard, obviously in some degree of anxiety over the whole situation. And you can understand that: his brother is probably dead, and in exchange for not really giving him any clear answers to how that happened you've asked for his help in your own investigations. He may even understand to some extent that you're pursuing this for personal reasons, potentially putting him in the middle of internal Organization politics.

“I'll do it,” he mutters. “Assuming anyone survived.”

“Thank you,” you incline your head.

>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.
>Return to Acerrae, see if you can find Sabela before Tomas finds you.
>Other?

>>3274120
>Return to Acerrae, see if you can find Sabela before Tomas finds you.

>>3274120
> Return and find Tomas

We don't need Sabela. Clarice.might win any 1v1 but if she's really a traitor we can just come at her with 5 of the top ten at once.

>>3274120
>>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.
Waiting for more intel on this before making a decision seems fine to me.

>>3274120
>>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.

>>3274120
>>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.

>>3274120
>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.

>>3274120
>>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.
I really really want to talk to Sabela but I think we've spent too much time out as it is.

>>3274120
>Return to Acerrae, retrieve Alysheba, and find Tomas for a new mission.
Sabela eats people, anons. She's not best mom at all.

>>3274381
How dare you.

>>3274120
>Return to Acerrae, see if you can find Sabela before Tomas finds you.

>>3274824
Remember one of my favorite sayings these days: "both things can be true".

Sabela might eat people from time to time, but she might also love Noel and sincerely want to see her succeed in life. Both of those things could be true at the same time.

>>3275994
Ignore that zombie prejudice.

>>3275994
>She's not best mom at all.
She tries given her circumstances!

>>3275994
You decide not to press your luck, and instead of seeking out your mother you retrieve Alysheba and ride southward into Cuilan. It does not take you and Tomas to find each other again.

“So what did you learn?” he quizzes you quietly, across a small round table in a dim, smoky tavern.

You have to quickly make a judgment call on how much to tell your handler, and whether any of that should include your suspicions or your interactions with Helen.

“Clarice will be filing the official report,” you inform him. “The gist of it is that she ran across Claudia and executed her. Then, in a separate incident, the small town she sent that message from was destroyed by a large-scale bandit raid.”

“You must be disappointed,” Tomas muses with a grim smile. “Not to have any answers, I mean.”

You simply shrug, maintaining a neutral disposition. “The most likely explanation is that she chose a single-digit, for whatever reasons she used to make that decision it happened to be me.”

“And how did you find our number One?” he asks.

>I can tell she's the type who wouldn't think twice about killing one of our own.
>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.
>Have all the top-ranked fighters but Olivia been such psychopaths?
>I have no particularly strong feelings about her, why?

>>3277040
>>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.

>>3277040
>"She attacked me!"

>>3277040
>I can tell she's the type who wouldn't think twice about killing one of our own.

>>3277040
>>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.

>>3277040
>>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.

>>3277040
>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.

>>3277040
>I can tell she's the type who wouldn't think twice about killing one of our own.

>>3277040
>>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.

>>3277040
>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.
>Have all the top-ranked fighters but Olivia been such psychopaths?

>>3277040
As much as I want to say "she wouldn't think twice about killing one of our own", that would give the Org more information about us and our personality than we should want, and make get them thinking about how we would act in "exceptional and uncertain times".

So gonna go with
>Her combat ability is obviously high, but her attitude could use some improvement.

>>3277040
“Her combat ability is clearly high,” you admit, “though her attitude could use some improvement.”

“Some would say the same about you,” Tomas points out calmly. “Though I understand what you mean.”

“So that is my report,” you conclude. “What is my next assignment, Tomas?”

“You've been singled out for a special assignment, by the recommendation of our number Ten of all people,” Tomas tells you with a smirk.

Zoe recommended you for something?

“What sort of mission could that be?” you ask, brow furrowed in confusion.

“You recall at the beginning of your career,” your handler begins to explain, drawing your memory back to a time many years past, “when you were sent on your first 'live' mission?”

You nod, frowning slightly as you strain to remember the details yourself. “A single-digit by the name of Naomi was assigned to babysit us, if my memories aren't completely failing me. I never got her exact rank, I just recall the color of her hilt.”

“She was ranked Eighth at the time,” Tomas clarifies. “She's been dead for years, killed by an awakened being in Tamu.”

“Why does that come up?” you ask.

Tomas' grin widens. “How would you feel about a fascinating new career in 'babysitting', as you called it?”

It slowly dawns on you what he's actually asking: your next assignment, should you choose to accept it, will be to lead three trainees in a mission to eliminate at least one yōma. Ideally you'll be expected to bring back not just three living trainees, but detailed observations about their abilities and general readiness to be deployed.

It's no small task.

>I'd be thrilled to offer my wisdom and skill to such a cause.
>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.
>I really don't think I'm ready for that sort of responsibility.
>Other?

>>3280406
>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.

>>3280406
>>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.

>>3280406
>I'd be thrilled to offer my wisdom and skill to such a cause.

>>3280406
>Sure thing bro

>>3280406
>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.

>>3280406
>>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.

>>3280406
>I'd be thrilled to offer my wisdom and skill to such a cause.
>>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.

>>3280406
>I'd be thrilled to offer my wisdom and skill to such a cause.

Who wants to bet that these trainees are intended as a trap to see whether we will try to induct them into an anti-Organization ideology?

>>3280536
They could be? I'd advise against doing things like that just yet. Granted don't lavish praise on the organization, but don't do that whole "BY THE WAY I'M AGAINST THE POLITICS OF OUR COMPANY AND HAVE NO STIGMA"

I'm more worried that it'll be a "Young recruits in danger, we get wounded protecting them"

And then possibly even worse, one is actually a plant to get us into danger helping her then strike us down.

>>3280536
Not really. It's the exact same protocol we went through when we started.

>>3280565
Of course if that 'plant' scenario happens wouldn't it be hilarious for Sabela to show up for that.

>>3280406
>>I'd be thrilled to offer my wisdom and skill to such a cause.

>>3280406
>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.
>other: It'll be just like taking care of my pet weasel.

>>3280406
>>I'd be thoroughly terrified, but also a little excited at the chance.

File: Claymore_Aquileia.png (728 KB, 1375x707)

728 KB PNG

>>3280406
“I would feel terrified,” you admit openly, “but at the same time, I'd feel a little excited at the opportunity.”

“And why is that?” Tomas asks curiously.

“Because it would be a chance to give something to them,” you explain carefully. “I have had many teachers over the years, so it seems appropriate that I now take that role myself.”

“How noble-minded.”

“That better not be sass I'm hearing,” you grumble. “There are very few topics where I will draw a firm line, and the future of our trainees and lower-ranked warriors is among them.”

“That was not mockery,” Tomas assures you. “I simply mean that I understand what Zoe must have seen. Despite being trained specifically to fight against her own kind, she has always shared that sentiment.”

“How is this supposed to work?” you ask, abruptly changing the topic. “Where am I to meet them?”

“You are to meet at the port of Talje, in three days' time,” he tells you, essentially giving you your orders. “I take it you understand the details, but in case you've forgotten you will be taking command of three trainees. Those three will be accompanied by a handler of their own who will give you your mission details.”

“I understand,” you nod quietly. “I will return here when the mission is concluded.”

The next morning you set out early with Alysheba, riding him hard southwest towards the border between outer Tarsus and west Bretonne. You pass from the high mountains of Cuilan into the foothills of Hazaran, skirting north of the Inqusitorial hotbed of the northern Bretonnian woods... of all the many complications this mission might run across that's one you really don't need in your life right now.

Eventually you pass into the rolling hills of Tarsus, following a road by a shallow river that flows towards the sea. The third morning sees you riding into the outskirts of Talje, a familiar seaport which you've now sailed out of a few times most recently with the crew of the Snekkja.

It's not a longship you're looking for this time, but a larger clipper.

You spend the morning sitting in the salty breeze, watching boats load and unload. After a few hours you find a small stall that's been producing an amazing smell, and come away with a pair of small folded flatbreads made from maize flour and filled with spiced, grilled shrimp, crumbly white cheese, and chopped tomatoes with a crisp, acidic taste to them like they've been soaked lightly in vinegar.

As you polish off the second, you notice that there's a clipper dropping anchor at the far end of one of the long docks at the waterfront.
>1/2

>>3283580
You can see the three warrior-trainees even as they disembark, alongside a younger-looking man who is obviously their handler. Two bear green hilts denoting that they've been classified as 'defensive' types, and the third carries a sword with a red hilt making her an 'offensive' type. You'll have to watch over the latter in particular, since her regenerative abilities will be even poorer than most offensive types who have been given their emblems and numbers.

Too severe a wound now and she might not be able to recover.

They seem to notice you several seconds later, and approach you directly. You keep your seat, making them come to you. The offensive-type seems put off by something, maybe the fact that you haven't moved to meet them halfway, though the other two seem calm. Or rather one seems calm. The other seems like she's too seasick to hold a grudge.

“Long trip?” you ask, focusing your attention on the ill-looking trainee.

She nods, and immediately regrets doing so. She leans heavily against a nearby wall, obviously struggling to keep herself from vomiting.

“You would be Noel?” the handler asks.

You nod once. “You would be the handler I was instructed to meet?”

“My name is Aleksei,” he informs you with a subtle bow as a greeting. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“And these would be?” you press.

“The one trying not to empty her stomach is Vanessa,” Aleksei declares, taking a few steps to give the girl a pat on her back. “Easy there. Our other defensive type is Alexandra.”

Alexandra, a girl with bright eyes and white hair in a tight bun nods once. “We'll be in your care.”

“And our offensive type here is Jenna.”

Jenna, a short-haired girl who seems to spend every second scowling at something, glances away from you. Charming.

Eventually, Jenna decides to speak. “So who are you supposed to be?”

>Noel, ranked Seven. Formerly defensive type, according to the Organization.
>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.
>That rebellious attitude will be trouble. Knock her down a peg immediately.
>Other?

>>3283638
>>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.

>>3283638
>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.

>>3283638
>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.

>>3283638
>>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.

>>3283638
>>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.

What does the first option mean by "formerly defensive type"?

>>3283686
Since we're top ten we lost the color coded sword handle that would make it clear to them.

>>3283638
>>Noel, ranked Seven. Formerly defensive type, according to the Organization.

>>3283686
Single-digit warriors are in a different category, and Noel's classification as a "defensive type" may not even have been all that accurate in the first place as specialized "types" like sensors are also possible.

The latter point, nobody else really needs to know IC.

>>3283638
>Noel, ranked Seven. Formerly defensive type, according to the Organization.

>>3283638
Get the mission details from the handler, then start moving. Interview then in turn, asking both about the hardest opponent they have fought and the actual hardest thing they have done.

>>3283638
>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.

>>3283638
>Noel, your team leader and proctor on this mission. Your life is in my hands.
If they want to know, they can ask.

>>3283638
Your eyes dart towards the trainee, and you hold them there.

“My name is Noel,” you inform her in a firm tone, before gesturing towards the hilt of your sword with your thumb. “And if it wasn't clear I'm the one in charge here, the proctor who will be assessing your performance and the leader responsible for your survival.”

Jenna spends a few seconds staring back at you, but eventually relents.

“Well, if that is settled,” Aleksei muses, sounding a lot more like Tomas all of a sudden, “shall we get to the briefing?”

“Vanessa, is your stomach any better?” you ask carefully.

The blonde-haired trainee glances up, quietly flashing you a thumbs-up gesture despite what you suspect is an unusual pallor to her face.

Aleksei leads the way to a small pub, where the five of you take up a small table. After ordering a pint, he unfolds a map of the border between Tarsus and Petraea onto the table.

“This is the situation,” he begins, before sparing you a glance and stopping abruptly. “Is there something wrong?”

“You have a map,” you point out.

“Of course I have a map,” he replies, obviously confused. “We are always issued relevant maps prior to giving a briefing to warriors in the field.”

You practically collapse in your seat, head knocking against the table in exasperation. “Goddess... damn you, Tomas.”

“Proceed.”

Aleksei nods, tapping lightly at the map right along the border. “There have been reports of about three yōma having been sighted in this area, around a small village on the border called Montelena.”

“One for each of us!” Jenna grins. “Perfect!”

“Don't get ahead of yourself,” Alexandra sighs. “This is what Zoe was talking about.”

“You underestimate me?” Jenna scoffs. “Last I checked I was the natural killer around here. Not you.”

You cough lightly into your fist. “Are you sure? Are you sure about that, Jenna?”

“Why, what type are you?”

>I was initially classified as defensive... but I guarantee I'm still stronger than you.
>'Single Digit'. That's all you need to know.
>I'm a specialist. My technique defies classification.
>Other

>>3289269
>I was initially classified as defensive... but I guarantee I'm still stronger than you.

>>3289269
>>I was initially classified as defensive... but I guarantee I'm still stronger than you.
hmmm, their balance sensing is much more human than I thought...
Perhaps we can do something with this?

>>3289269
>Single digits only reach Single Digits because they are good enough on both the attack and defense to be considered a peer or better at both.
>If you must know what I was prior to reaching my current rank, I was classified as a defensive type. I could still punch a youma in half without needing to use my blade.
>Classifications only serve as the broadest generalization for ability anyways, why they don't matter at all once you're reached single digit. They don't take into account youkai use, efficiency, manipulations or sensing.

>>3289269
>>'Single Digit'. That's all you need to know.

>>3289269
>'Single Digit'. That's all you need to know.

>>3289269
>"Defensive. But answer me this, Jenna. why am I given a blue hilt instead of the usual green?"
>other: "If you're that confident, then I'll give you a test. We'll hold a spar. Force me to yield and I'll acknowledge that you are ready."

>>3289269
Supporting >>3289296

>>3289269
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 9, 10, 5 = 24 (3d10)

>>3289894

Rolled 2, 10, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>3289894

Rolled 2, 10, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>3289894

Rolled 2, 4, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>3289894

Rolled 8, 10, 5 = 23 (3d10)

>>3289894

>>3289894
“I was originally a defensive type,” you admit, and you can tell that Jenna feels like she's scored a point. “But typing has nothing to do with power. In fact the strongest warrior I've ever had the privilege of knowing was Olivia, a former number One. She was a defensive type whose overwhelming yōki placed her in a league all her own for decades.”

“My own promotion to the single-digits occurred after I devised an offensive technique of exceptional characteristics.”

“Yeah?” Jenna presses, seemingly a little less confident now. “How so?”

“It's the only technique I'm aware of that grows more effective the stronger my opponent is.”

“Interesting,” Vanessa mumbles. “So you're like Zoe.”

You nod warmly. “By her own words... you have a specialty in sensing, correct?”

She stares at you in complete shock. “You could tell so quickly?”

“It's part of why you were so seasick,” you explain the reasoning behind your guess. “My guess is that it's not just your yōki sensing ability, but your inner ear as well, affecting your balance and coordination.”

“That's a single-digit warrior for you,” Aleksei shrugs with a smug grin. “Now Jenna, if you're quite finished making an ass of yourself I would like to finish my briefing now?”

Jenna grumbles something to herself, but doesn't protest... at least, not discernibly.

“Very good,” he nods, tracing a road that's marked on his map as going through Montelena. “There have been attacks on the caravans following this road across the boarder in the last three weeks. So it is on that road that we will have you focus your efforts. You are to examine the situation, eliminate the yōma of which there are three, possibly four at most, and return.”

“Noel here will watch over you as you do so, and report on your combat effectiveness. Any questions?”

“Who is our client?”

All eyes turn to you after your question. “The regional commercial guild?”

Aleksei begins rolling up his map. “It's exactly as you said. It truly is a pleasure to work with an experienced warrior such as yourself.”

>What are the estimates that we might be walking into more yōma than predicted?
>Any word from that bitch Luciana about this village? It's HER turf after all.
>Fine then. Kids, do exactly as I say... I say kill you kill. I say run, you run. Got it?
>Other?

>>3290061
>>What are the estimates that we might be walking into more yōma than predicted?
>Because if they are attacking caravans so brazenly there are likely more than 3, or even a "Voracious Eater" backing them.
>And has Luciana said anything? This IS her territory.

>>3290061
>What are the estimates that we might be walking into more yōma than predicted?
>Fine then. Kids, do exactly as I say... I say kill you kill. I say run, you run. Got it?

>>3290105
this

>>3290061
>>Any word from that bitch Luciana about this village? It's HER turf after all.

>>3290076
>>3290105
>>3290061
agreeing with both of these, information wins the battle

>>3290061
>Where's Luciana?

>>3290061
>Fine then. Kids, do exactly as I say... I say kill you kill. I say run, you run. Got it?

>>3290061
>Any word from Luciana about this village? It's HER turf after all.
>Fine then. Kids, do exactly as I say... I say kill you kill. I say run, you run. Got it?
Somebody remind me why we don't like Luciana please.

>>3290061
>Any word from that bitch Luciana about this village? It's HER turf after all.

>>3290061
>Fine then. Kids, do exactly as I say... I say kill you kill. I say run, you run. Got it?

>>3290061
“And have you consulted Luciana?” you ask, crossing your arms lightly over your ribs. “This is after all her territory we're talking about.”

“Luciana was not consulted,” Aleksei admits.

“And there it is,” you sigh. “First lesson, kids: the briefings can't always be complete and perfect, because while the Organization's intelligence gathering is impressive its agents are only human. Our information will always be at least a few days old, and may not include all the details you might want.”

Aleksei nods enthusiastically. “She has a point. You should remember it well.”

“That doesn't change the fact that someone has to carry out the mission of course,” you continue, “you just have to be aware that you're not really going to really know what to expect.”

“Now, follow me closely. If I tell you to kill, I expect you to kill. If I tell you to run, I expect you to run. Do you understand?”

“What do you mean, run?” Jenna scowls.

You lock eyes with her. “If I tell you to run, it's because in my judgment the only way you will survive is if you run. So if I tell you to run, I expect you to run.”

Jenna opens her mouth, but Alexandra silences her with a swift gesture of her hand and a stern look.

Aleksei finishes his drink and takes his leave of you, leaving you to determine the next move.

>Your move would be to shadow a caravan that may be targeted. The trainees can learn from you.
>You want to try and find Luciana first. Show that even warriors who hate each other can cooperate.
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.
>Other?

>>3294450
>You want to try and find Luciana first. Show that even warriors who hate each other can cooperate.

>>3294450
>Your move would be to shadow a caravan that may be targeted. The trainees can learn from you.

>>3294450
>You want to try and find Luciana first. Show that even warriors who hate each other can cooperate.

>>3294450
>>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>>3294450
>>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>>3294450
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.
Then tell them that
>Your move would be to shadow a caravan that may be targeted.

>>3294450
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>>3294450
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>>3294450
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>>3294450
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>>3294450
>>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.
This is a learning experience, I want to get the most bang for our buck.

>>3294450
>>Your move would be to shadow a caravan that may be targeted. The trainees can learn from you.

>>3294450
>Ask the trainees what they think the plan should be from here, assess their decisions.

>3d10, best of two for the trainees

Rolled 2, 4, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>3297386

Rolled 7, 7, 7 = 21 (3d10)

>>3297386

Rolled 8, 9, 8 = 25 (3d10)

>>3297386

>>3297411
Hmmmmm

>>3297386
You decide to make this first step of the process the first 'test', and foist the responsibility for the decision of how to approach the situation off onto the trainees.

“So, how do we approach this?” you ask.

The rest of the group simply falls silent for a moment. Then, several voices speak in near unison.

“What?”

“I thought you were supposed to be the brains of this group?” Jenna scoffs.

“I am,” you assure her. “I just wanna know how you three would approach the situation were I not here. Your reasoning skills are also something I wish to assess.”

And so far Jenna's marks aren't looking too impressive.

“There are two possibilities,” Alexandra muses, stroking her chin thoughtfully. “We could follow a caravan through town, or go straight into town to start with.”

“There's a third option,” Vanessa counters.

“And that is?” Jenna presses impatiently.

“Miss Noel had a good point,” she replies carefully. “The Number assigned to the area may know more than what our own briefing contained.”

“Then again, she might not,” Jenna points out. Also technically correct, though in your mind having another warrior who knows your mission has a benefit all its own... albeit one which is more of a concern for you given the fact that you half expect at this point that the Organization has been giving you faulty information on purpose.

Jenna continues her thought. “If she doesn't have anything else to say to us then we wasted time, and more people will end up dead.”

Also a fair point.
>1/2

>>3297441
Eventually the three of them come to a consensus: that the best plan is to follow a caravan into town. Either that caravan will be attacked and you can get to work killing off the yōma you were sent after, or they won't and you'll re-plan when you reach the town of Montelena.

It's a solid plan, even if it isn't quite the plan that you would have come up with. But then again you have to admit that you have a different set of priorities than they do, being half-awakened as you are, as well as a different set of skills. Not to mention the vast difference in raw power between yourself and your charges.

“So, what do you think of our plan?”

You shrug, sparing Vanessa a glance. “I think it is a plan that will work for you.”

“Good to hear it,” Alexandra sighs in relief. “It's a relief.”

“Would your plan have been any different?” Jenna demands.

“Slightly,” you shrug. “But only because my own considerations are different, not through any disagreement with your judgment.”

Eventually you find a caravan along the road that will pass through Montelena, and arrange to travel with them that far. They're grateful to you for the unexpected protection, though they're also unaware that they're essentially the bait.

The trainees ride along in the back of a wagon, while you ride Alysheba alongside.

“I still can't believe you can ride a horse,” Vanessa muses, watching you from over the side of the wagon. I'm jealous.”

“Hazari,” you remind her. “It is in our blood.”

“What I don't get is why that horse can stand you...”

You spur Alysheba forward abruptly, cutting Jenna's comment off as you ride swiftly to the front of the column.

“Stop the caravan,” you insist to the lead wagon. “Right now.”

The man in charge at the moment does as you demand, and led by Vanessa the trainees come running forward to the front of the caravan to join you.

“Why'd you run off?” Jenna demands.

“This is ridiculous,” you grumble. “Vanessa, you sense it as well?”

“I sense something,” she frowns. “Yōki, up ahead... not a warrior.”

“They're in the town,” you inform your trainees. “And there's a lot more than just three...”
>2/2

>>3297587
>Next thread: the battle of Montelena

>>3297589
Whooooo

>>3297587
Wonder if an AB is here or if its just an ass ton of youma.

>>3297691
I'll wager, bunch of weak yoma, and maybe an alpha. Voracious eater?

I'm still paranoid and think it's a set up to get noel killed/maimed protecting rookies.

>>3297987
Voracious eaters are code for Awakened Beings not in the know. If there is one it’s going to be at best a pain.

>>3298102
Possible but unlikely. We’re a defensive type and crippling like that for us is nigh impossible. As for killing? More likely they just send number 1 at us.

>>3298337
Noel and Tomas privately agree that there IS a category of youma who could be termed "voracious eaters", however the Organization still uses their presence as a fig leaf for the existence of Awakened Beings. So you may at some point here the phrase "ordinary voracious eater" to denote a youma that's significantly stronger and more experienced than the baseline.

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71 KB JPG

>>3297589

>>3298337
What about the powerful yoma that was Sabela's lackey?

>>3301089
See
>>3298976
So it’s possible but unless said Youma is well above the norm it’d be more a threat to the girls than Noel.