Point-of-View: Sylvar Miirphys

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  "So, it's four Halflings, two Fairies and two Elves in total……sure we shouldn't have included any Dwarves?" I inquired doubtfully.

  The Elves included Esta Grefiel, but only because she volunteered……after me, she's the most talented Elf when it comes to combat, a bit more experience and she'll be second only to the Elemental Sages.

  So I didn't want her to go on this suicide mission, especially since I like her. She often comes to me for advice when it comes to Wind Magic, so we've spent a lot of time together, she's almost like a little sister.

  Oh, and during the attack on the Rustlands, a Demon had tried to possess her, but she was able to resist and is now a whole lot stronger than she used to be. Even so, I didn't want her to go on such a risky assignment.

  But denying her would be favoritism, and that would probably be problematic, so I couldn't argue too much. I really don't like this, I don't like it at all……no matter how I slice it, I just don't see anyone surviving a mission like this.

  "I believe so……Dwarves are not very adept at stealth and agility, so it is likely that they would only hinder the team," Pointed out Bell, answering my question.

  "Alright, I'll trust your judgment. By the way, how long has it been since I showed up at your place?" I asked her.

  "W-well, let me think……," She stuttered, her face turning a bit red, "I believe it has been a little over ninety minutes."

  "Good, then there's still time. Hey, do you mind tagging along? I, uh……I don't want to face Lord Laus alone, it's really stressful," I remarked sheepishly.

  "I cannot deny that I feel the same way……very well, I will accompany you," She replied with a reluctant sigh.

  "Alright, everyone, we are going to teleport to Lord Laus now, he will inform you of your assignment in greater detail. Are you all ready?" I inquired, looking around at them.

  Once they all responded affirmatively, we linked up and teleported, appearing just outside the gates to Sant's place. The guards let us in after I informed them that Sant was expecting us, and we headed inside, Sant looking up as he heard us approaching.

  "It took you long enough, Sylvar……now, then, is this the team you assembled?" Remarked Sant with a frown.

  "Yes, my lord. Bell assisted me as well, and-," I began to respond.

  "There is no time to waste, so I shall now relay to you the task I require to be carried out……hm? You, you are one of the three that acquired Demonic powers as a result of the last battle, correct?" He suddenly noticed and addressed Esta with a frown.

  "Yes, my lord. When Sylvar explained the situation, I volunteered for this, so that I may put this newfound power to good use for the sake of the Laus Domain and yourself, my lord," She replied with a respectful bow.

  "Hm, but it would be a waste if……no, I misspoke, I am pleased by your devotion," He responded with a slightly conflicted look on his face.

  Did he just……damn it, he knows that they'll most likely die on this mission……fucking bastard! Tch……I need to calm down. There's no sense in me getting this riled up, it won't accomplish a thing.

  "My lord, we were told that this would be a reconnaissance mission……is our task to investigate around the Rustlands?" Asked one of the Halflings.

  Yeah, I didn't give them any details……I figured I'd be better off letting Sant do the honors.

  "No, the Rustlands is irrelevant for now……first, we must erase all trace of Abyss. Find weaknesses in their protective barriers, it is unlikely that their barriers are on the same level as the barriers around the Rustlands, as Belia herself likely created those. Humans cannot achieve that level of complexity in spell creation. You will journey to the large crater to the south of Abyss, where we have set up a fortress and several campsites to expand further. From there, you will head south, cast invisibility spells upon yourselves to avoid detection," Instructed Sant.

  "Understood, my lord. When would you like us to leave?" Inquired the other Elf.

  "Immediately. Gather any equipment you require and head out as soon as possible. And contact me instantly if and when you find any information, no matter how trivial. This will be a dangerous assignment, and it is imperative that we succeed, as we plan to attack Abyss soon," Commanded Sant, before adding, "That concludes the description of your assignment. Are there any questions?"

  After a few seconds passed and no one said anything, Sant dismissed us……

  "In that case, begin at once! Sylvar, Bell, the two of you will ensure that the preparations for the upcoming attack progress seamlessly, I would like a detailed report regarding the progress made. That is all!"……

  "Are you alright, Sylvar?"

  "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine, it's just……I'm worried about the reconnaissance team," I replied with a sigh.

  It was the next morning, and I was exhausted. After Sant dismissed us, Bell and I went around to check up on the progress made by those who were going to be a part of the next attack, compiling the details into a report and then handing it over to Sant at 4 AM in the morning.

  It was now about half an hour later, we'd handed the report to Sant, answered a few questions and then left. I'd asked Bell if she could drop me off in the Elf forest, since I was too tired to walk.

  She teleported me into the forest and then to a vacant tree house, where she proceeded to collapse with a tired sigh too. I thought she fell asleep, and tried to do the same myself, but I was too worried about Esta to be able to fall asleep.

  So I ended up tossing and turning restlessly while grumbling, and Bell then got up, my restlessness bothering her.

  "Sorry, did I wake you?" I asked apologetically.

  "No……I was unable to sleep as well. Lord Laus……I cannot stop thinking about him, because the way he has changed……it terrifies me," She admitted with a sigh, before adding, "But I am quite exhausted, so it is rather annoying that I cannot fall asleep."

  "Heh, yeah, I know what you mean. Yesterday was so draining. And hey, at least you got some sleep before we started assembling the team," I pointed out.

  "……"

  Hm? Her face turned a bit red, what's with that reaction……ohhhh. I almost forgot about that.

  "I'm, uh……sorry about that, I was in a hurry and didn't think that you would be……you know," I said sheepishly.

  "You……do not need to apologize. I should have locked my door, I suppose. You were……staring a lot," She mumbled, averting her gaze.

  "Y-yeah, I was, uh……," I began with a stutter, before trailing off as my mind blanked.

  "I remember……you said that you were captivated……," She replied quietly, almost in a whisper.

  Holy crap……she's being so sexy right now, I think I almost died just then……

  "I mean, yeah……I meant to look away, but I found your body so attractive that I just couldn't and……," I blurted out, before trailing off as I realized that I was maybe talking too much.

  Crap, was that sexual harassment? Is that even a thing in this world?

  "O-oh, I see……," She muttered, the tips of her ears turning red, before she turned around and met my gaze, blushing heavily.

  Without breaking eye contact or saying a word, she slid her top off, before walking over towards me as my heart began pounding like crazy. Huh, suddenly, I don't feel all that tired anymore……she wrapped her arms around me as she pressed herself up against me, tilting her head up as she did.

  I could feel her heartbeat as her chest pressed onto mine, it was pounding even faster than mine, as I slunk my arms around her waist and pulled her closer, before kissing her. She responded immediately, kissing me back fervently as she pulled off my shirt and ran her hands all over my body.

  As she passionately caressed my lips with hers, my left hand trailed down to her butt and gave it a firm squeeze, before my right hand cupped one of her breasts, using my fingers to tease her slowly, as she let out a slight gasp and shuddered, pressing her thigh forward, rubbing it against my crotch as I fell back onto the bed and she landed on top of me.

  Her breasts were rubbing against my bare chest directly, her hands were exploring my body all over while her legs were all tangled up with mine, as our lips continued to collide hungrily.

  We then pulled away to catch our breath with a sharp gasp, as she met my gaze while running a hand through my hair, while her other hand slowly ran down my chest and abdomen, going lower……

  "I, um……I have never done this before……," She whispered while breathing heavily.

  Her eyes were glowing slightly, as shivers ran down my spine……wait, what did she just say!? Does that mean she's……?

  "……therefore, I shall let you take the lead……," She continued in that vulnerable, unbelievably sexy whisper, "……is that okay?"

  Uh, let me think for a sec and……hell, yeah, it's okay……!

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