The Abyssium extermination mission on Planet Morgulon had finally arrived. Valencia Regina was joined by several other captains who were also her close friends: Ren Kurosawa, Leon Crossfire, and Jack Gideon.
"I have a feeling this mission is going to be extremely dangerous for us. Considering it's a Rank 1 difficulty mission, it's usually handled by 'Atlas' rank soldiers or 'Sentinel' special forces, not 'Spartans' like us!" Leon spoke while his eyes were closed, arms crossed.
"And why did General Heliostra suddenly assign this mission to you, Valen?!" Jack asked sharply, staring at Valencia, who looked equally confused, her head bowed in worry.
Valencia stood there, arms crossed and head down, constantly ruminating on this mission which, in her mind, felt like a suicide mission.
"I don't know, I really don't. I just received a message from General Heliostra like that, and that's it. There was no further explanation regarding the nature of this mission."
As the four of them gathered near the UoS military starship intended for the mission, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed. Valencia and the others immediately stood at attention as the figures drew near; they were Kryos Graves, the first-ranked High Sentinel, and Foxana, the eighth-ranked High Sentinel.
"Are the four of you ready to carry out this mission?!"
"Remember, this mission will only involve a small number of troops, and there will be no additional reinforcements. I warn you to be cautious in every decision you make. Do you understand!"
Kryos's cold tone pierced straight to the hearts of Valencia and her comrades.
"You will be leading a total of only about 20 troops. On Planet Morgulon itself, the Abyssium monsters are numerous and highly aggressive. I hope you understand the weight of this situation."
Foxana warned Valencia, Ren, Leon, and Jack, her blue eyes staring at the four of them with intense sharpness.
"Yes, General!" the four replied in unison.
"Good. Now, wait for the rest of the troops to finish their preparations and board the starship."
Kryos gave the instructions, but his gaze remained fixed on Valencia.
"And you... do not disappoint him. Understood!"
Kryos bowed his head slightly, turned around, and left the five of them behind.
"Yes, General!" Valencia felt the burden on her shoulders grow significantly heavier as Kryos stared her down.
Foxana looked perplexed at Kryos's cold attitude toward Valencia and the others. She then decided to share something with Valencia.
"You three, head into the ship first. I need to speak with her privately!"
Foxana signaled for Ren, Leon, and Jack to board immediately, leaving Valencia alone with her. The three of them complied and entered the ship.
"Valencia, I want to tell you something." Foxana patted the girl's shoulder, noticing her visible nervousness.
"You have potential. The kind of potential that could make you a worthy leader one day. Remember that."
After finishing her piece, Foxana walked away, leaving Valencia standing there, stiff and bewildered.
"Y-yes, General Foxana!"
Once Foxana was gone, Valencia entered the starship named Ventura. Inside, her friends had been waiting.
"So, what was that about just now?!" Ren asked immediately, his voice calm yet sharp.
"Ah, just some small advice from General Foxana, nothing more." Valencia walked past the three of them.
"I heard a rumor that you're being considered as a candidate for the third High Sentinel rank, filling the position that's currently vacant. Is it true, Valencia?" Leon asked, arms crossed, seeking confirmation.
"I think so," Valencia replied quietly. "They've been watching me for a long time."
Valencia could only look down.
"In that case..."
"Hooray!!!! Congratulations!!! You're going to be our leader!!"
Leon suddenly jumped for joy, followed by Jack, while Ren could only shake his head.
"E-eh, what's wrong with you guys?" Valencia was suddenly pulled into a hug by her two friends, as Ren watched with a baffled expression.
"I-I thought you guys would..."
Valencia could only resign herself while her two friends continued their celebration.
"Thought what? Something weird? Of course not! You're our friend; we're definitely proud to see a friend get such a massive promotion!" Leon pinched Valencia's cheek, making her feel uncomfortable.
"Ihh, let go!!"
"You guys!!!"
Suddenly, from behind, someone appeared without any of the four noticing.
"Ahem, ahem!"
"Are you all ready?!"
The four of them turned around slowly and saw Vorta Caelum, the second-ranked High Sentinel, who appeared to have been watching them for a while. Leon instantly froze, as did Jack, while Ren and Valencia stood in stunned silence.
"G-General Vorta!!" the four shouted, shocked by Vorta's unexpected arrival.
"S-sorry, General. I-I was just trying to lighten Valencia's burden," Leon said, quickly snapping to perfect attention, followed by Jack, Ren, and Valencia.
"Hehe..." Vorta chuckled, which only confused the four of them more.
"It's alright. In fact, it's good that you're supporting her!"
"Kryos's words earlier... they put a lot of pressure on you, didn't they?"
Valencia realized he was referring to General Kryos saying, "And you... do not disappoint him," which had indeed caused her great anxiety.
"When Kryos said 'him,' he was referring to me. Sigh, Kryos always has trouble being honest with his feelings!" Vorta exhaled, thinking about how Kryos struggled to express himself clearly.
"Listen, kid. You will eventually fill the third rank, and that carries a very heavy burden!"
Vorta patted Valencia's shoulder. Leon, unable to contain his curiosity, asked about the reason behind the vacancy.
"General Vorta, may I ask... why has the third High Sentinel position been vacant for 700 years? Does it have anything to do with the massacre of the Kingdom of Lios back then?!"
Vorta was taken aback, not expecting such a question from Leon. He then sat on a nearby crate and began to share what he knew.
"So you—and perhaps all of you—want to know what really happened 700 years ago?!"
"To be honest, even I don't know for certain. The data has been thoroughly hidden, likely by one of the Primes!"
Vorta's statement shocked Valencia and the others, especially Ren, who often sought out and listened to rumors around The Haast.
"So... is it possible the rumors about the Primes being split into two factions are true, General Vorta?" Ren clenched his fist, his eyes widening slightly.
"Yes, those rumors grow stronger by the day. The most visible one from our perspective is the 'Prime of Community,' Napoleon Bonaparte!"
"He is a figure who seems to oppose Odinthia, Aresidon, and their three allied Primes. Napoleon is often seen with his four allies, frequently rejecting the proposals and plans of the other five!"
Vorta leaned forward, his fists clenched in front of his face, his eyes narrowing.
"If I remember correctly from the news, the Kingdom of Lios was slaughtered by their own prince, General? Is that true?!" Jack, also curious, mustered the courage to ask.
"That information, in our view, is still ambiguous. Considering the Kingdom of Lios was the home of our Archon."
"And I once investigated this alongside Heliostra, Foxana, Fang, and Raiden. There is definitely something being hidden behind the tragedy of that massacre!"
Vorta's voice dropped even lower, signaling that the information was highly classified. He motioned for the others to keep their voices down.
"The events 700 years ago are also linked to the leadership of the Science Division, which has also been vacant for 700 years!"
Hearing the mention of the Science Division, Valencia immediately thought of Marina Florence, who was a new member of that very division.
"My friend is a new member of the Science Division, General. Her name is Marina Florence—the blue-haired elf with glasses you met when we first registered!"
Valencia recalled the moment she and Marina had first met Vorta.
"Yes, I remember her."
"And I am indeed... interested in your friend!"
Vorta's statement startled the four of them, especially Valencia.
"I-interested? What do you mean by that, General?!"
Vorta stood up and walked toward the back door of the Ventura while leaving them with one final thought.
"Your friend... she bears a striking resemblance to the late leader of the Science Division, Queen Elysia Nora of the Kingdom of Lios."