Several days ago, before the initial operations from both sides – the alliance between the three races against the Vampire Race – commenced.
"...My son, what do you mean by that? Isn't it safer if we live near the Obelisk Organization's Main Headquarters?"
As the family sat in front of a small rectangular table in the dining room of their home, Russell Moon and Freya Moon's mother, Melina Moon, asked in wonder as she looked intently at her son, who was sitting on the other side of the table.
Russell Moon just told his parents that they should relocate and leave their home situated in Southern Obelisk City, part of the capital of Olympia. As Russell contemplated, Melina continued:
"You two just got home after spending a while on a foreign land and these are the words I'll be hearing, sigh… Please, stop overworking yourselves."
Shooting a glance at her son and daughter, her expression was painted with concern.
"...Dear, I think our children are making the right call here, you know. Think about it carefully. The information regarding the existence of the so-called Vampires was just publicized recently by the Obelisk Organization and was deemed a threat.
"After that, the other reason for the Three-Way Alliance between us, the Dwarves, and the Elves was also announced, which is also the reason why security throughout the Obelisk City and the other cities is tightened."
Russell Moon and Freya Moon's father, Arche Moon, supported the idea of his children. On the other hand, Melina, who listened intently to her husband's words, frowned and said:
"...Just as you said, the security is tightened throughout the city, and that's all more the reason to not leave where we are right now. And where are we going to relocate, just in case?"
Melina Moon asked, looking at her two silent children, who seemed lost in their own world of thoughts.
"...Mom, Dad. This is controversial information, but…"
Russell gritted his teeth, trying to muster up the courage to speak. According to the latest news, the "other" reason why the Three-Way Alliance was founded, apart from economic development, was because of bolstering security or the military. Although it was given with this kind of partnership, Russell's next words caused his mother and father to be painted with gloomy expressions.
"...there's a war coming."
Freya, who was silent, interjected.
"Mom, Dad. I know it's too late to tell you two about this matter, but…"
As the siblings decided to tell "almost" everything to their parents, they recounted their experiences and the important status and roles they possessed in society even though discreetly.
From the time Russell Moon founded the Umbra Mercenary, to the point that the daughter of the Rank 1 Player, Samantha Hall was also a member of it, then about the recent mission of subjugating or kidnapping vampires to extract information about strategic locations, and the audience with the Elven Queen and the Dwarven King, along with some notable individuals taking part in leading the war.
Listening to the story of the two siblings, as they didn't expect their children to achieve such great feats, Arche Moon and Melina Moon's expressions were mixed, but anxiety and concern were the most evident.
"...There's too much information to process… Sigh, I'm proud of you two, but!
"...Argh-! Why can't the Elves just take on their so-called archenemies!?"
Melina said, clearly pissed at the history of the Elves, who then decided to make an alliance with Humans and Dwarves for additional manpower.
'...I'm sorry, Mom. I'm the one who wrote such a complicated history between those two races. Sigh, we haven't seen anything yet and we're now in this mess.'
Russell inwardly lampooned, but he was delighted that this matter, especially their story of being mercenaries, was someone taken by their parents lightly. Although he was aware of their concern as though it was palpable. Even so, there were traces of proud expressions on their parent's faces as they told them what they went through.
"...Mom, Dad. Please, let's relocate."
Freya asked tersely, anticipating a positive response.
Melina and Arche looked at each other for a moment. Sometime later, Melina queried:
"...If a crowded city like the Obelisk City is more prone to surprise attacks, then where do you suggest we go then?"
Knowing he would be scolded for a moment, Russell breathed deeply before making a response.
"To the Royal Palace of Enfiya, Nereia's capital."
***
Two days before the mission assigned to the Umbra Mercenary, along with a portion of the Elven Army situated on the Northern Elnira.
"...Your Majesty, there are two people looking for you."
On the underground basement of the Royal Palace, where Rumia Flora's body was sleeping yet not breathing within a majestic coffin, the equerry said in a polite manner.
The Queen of Nereia, caressing the top of the coffin's lid, didn't look back as she heard those words, rather, she asked in a casual yet somewhat absent-minded manner.
"...Who?"
"...I quickly did a background check, Your Majesty.
"They are siblings and students from the Obelisk Academy, Russell Moon, and Freya Moon."
Upon hearing the name of the former, Rosalin somewhat flinch, recalling Russell's reaction when Samantha had called him under her orders to inquire about Rumia's strange condition.
A second or two later, Rosalin spoke, trying to compose herself.
"...Guide them in a guest room, and tell them that I'll come in a minute or two."
"Uh, actually, Your Majesty. The reason why I've considered telling you about the two students is due to the student named Russell Moon.
"He said that he'd like to see Princess Rumia's condition."
Upon hearing the unexpected, Rosalin turned her gaze to her equerry and quickly nodded her head.
"...Bring them here."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
***
"Did any of my daughter's friends tell you about this?"
Russell and Freya arrived at the underground basement, which was so spacious and extravagantly looking, after being discreetly guided by Rosalin's equerry.
The Queen of Nereia's words resounded in their ears as the two of them glanced at Rumia, lying peacefully.
A sharp pang seemed to crush Russell's heart, recalling the inhuman scenarios that the Young Princess would experience in the ancient world according to his unpublished novel.
However, considering what would happen in the near future in this inevitable war, Russell had no option but to rely on the information he possessed to make a bargain of letting his parents stay in this Royal Palace.
"No."
Russell succinctly answered. His response clearly implied one thing – that he knew of Rumia's circumstances despite not being told by anyone.
Rosalin fell silent. Without waiting for the Queen of Nereia to make a response, Russell continued:
"...Your Majesty, let us make a deal and I will tell you about Rumia's condition."
"...First, it's the way to solve the Failure Penalty of the Tower of Growth, and now about my daughter's condition.
"To say I'm not curious will be my greatest lie, but not prying to mysteries intended to not be discovered is also my forte. So, young man, what do you want?"
Rosalin responded. Opposite of Artorious Hall, she's tired of the mysteries that kept happening in her perspective since the Tower of Growth opened.
All Rosalin wanted to witness was her daughter's lovely smile as she also longed for her noble voice.
Letting out a sigh of relief for this smooth flow of bargain, Russell spoke of his condition.
***
"Let my parents and some others reside in the Royal Castle of yours until the end of the incoming war.
"You know very well that it's inevitable."
Apart from Russell's parents, they also included the parents of Ken Raven; the people in the orphanage where Amery Blight was raised after the enigmatic death of her parents, and with consideration of Samantha, he included Celine and her parents.
"...Is that all? It seems like that condition of yours isn't equal in value to the information about my daughter's condition you'll be giving, though I'm not even sure what it is to make an assessment this quick."
"Yeah, you're right. Then, how about this additional condition then..."
Russell glanced at his younger sister before he continued. Hearing his words, Rosalin's eyes constricted in disbelief.
pαпdα`noνɐ1`сoМ "...I don't know how you know about that 'place,' but I'll trust you with it.
"So just tell me my daughter's condition."
"Sigh, alright."
As the two reached an agreement, Russell told Rosalin, though not every detail, regarding the latter's peculiar condition.
***
"...She's in another world, you say?"
"Yes, she transmigrated to another world. But... It's not just her.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry about your burden, but you should probably let your equerry speak and watch some news these days about the mysterious deaths of some players who probably raided the Tower of Growth and received the Title: Ocean's Child.
"It's unfortunate for the others because they are buried due to the lack of information or simple ignorance, but that very same ignorance will help your daughter to wake up wherever she might be right now."
Rosalin couldn't believe her ears, but there was this unfathomable feeling within her of being unable to question the words of the young man.
After processing whatever she had just heard, she spoke with curiosity in her voice.
"...T-then, if what you're saying is indeed the truth, is there a time difference between this world and the world where my daughter was sent into?"
Rosalin thought of the one thing that concerned her.
"There is... But... I can't tell you that."
At those words, Rosalin's heart seemed to shatter at any moment. Because not telling her the specifics would only lead to one conclusion – that the time on Earth was slower.
"..."
The Queen of Nereia fell to her knees as she muttered in the air.
"...My baby... P-please come back the way you are, alright...?"
Seeing the scene, Russell and Freya shifted their gaze to the coffin.
<...Oppa, I feel bad for her, but I can't blame you, too. I mean, I'm still far off from processing the reincarnation thing or having a novel turn into reality.>
Through telepathy, Freya spoke. After pondering for some time, Russell responded with his expression somewhat cold.
<...Don't sweat it.>
"Your Majesty, are you okay?"
Although Russell knew that the Queen of Nereia was far from being okay, he couldn't help but ask.
Rosalin then responded with a question.
"...About where in the Royal Palace your parents and the others temporarily live?"
A faint smile appeared on Russell's face, but it was Freya, who was silent throughout the conversation, who answered.
"Your Majesty, uh... This may be weird, but we'd like for our parents to live in this underground basement, at least a few meters from where Rumia was lying."
"...Ha-?"
Perplexity spread on the Queen's face, who almost teared up upon realizing the reason behind the rejection to answer her question about the time difference.
Four to five seconds later, Russell interjected.
"...Your Majesty, we will be safer when we are near Rumia Flora's presence."
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