Gathering I

The dim moonlight shines on the outskirts of Orario. On the open fields, countless ruins of old still stand despite their age. They are evidence of the ancient war against the dungeon. These ruins of fortification and castles still survive even to this day, a feat that compliments the forgotten struggle of humanity against the dungeon. Among these ruins was an old castle surrounded by a mysterious fog. Gita and Crozzo approach the deep fog slowly with guard.

"We're here," Crozzo said as he examined the map.

In all honesty, Gita didn't want to go here. With all the dangers this gathering could represent, she was hesitant. But the revolutionary magic paper was of interest to her. But looking at the mysterious foggy castle that screams danger, she could only shiver inwardly. The host of the party should have a sufficiently strong adventurer to keep up the magic fog that surrounds it. Or perhaps a specialized magic item.

"D-do we go?" Gita murmured

Honestly, she was scared. This gathering should have been a simple information-gathering mission for her. But now she regrets it looking at the mysterious venue.

"We're here so we might as well go inside," Crozzo replied seemingly unperturbed by the possible danger.

Gita doesn't know whether to applaud his bravery and adventurous spirit or clutch her face at his idiocy. Currently, both of them are wearing a mask. It was the specification for the gathering. 'Secrecy is utmost.' she remembered the remark on the invitation. Now she can not help but think this is an evilus gathering. Gita sighed inwardly.

'Be brave Gita!'

Without a word, Gita marched forward bravely toward the deep fog along with the excited idiot. She held her breath first inside the fog, but noticing nothing wrong with her escort, she sighed in relief.

Soon they entered the gates of the castle, passing the walls. What she expected was a ruined castle filled with debris, not a clean one. Surprisingly, behind the walls was a clean courtyard. It seemed to be recently cleaned she noted.

Finally, they reach the steps of the castle's keep. They both were shocked at the sight. Instead of a door to the keep. It was a boundless wall of deep fog that streamed downward and completely hid the other side. Her danger alarms start acting again. She was completely expecting the other side to have a boss monster waiting to massacre them. All her braveness disappeared upon seeing the thick wall of fog. She wanted to retreat now, but as she was about to announce her intention.

"Let's go inside!"

The idiot of the Crozzo's blood walked inside the fog without care. Leaving her all alone.

"W-Welf-niisan!"

She wanted to smack the idiot for what he had done. But no reply came. Now she was all alone, surrounded by fog, in nowhere and far from help.

After taking a deep breath and collecting her remaining courage. She followed Crozzo.

as the thick cold fog grazes her skin. She unknowingly felt whatever was on the other side will change her life forever.

_______________________________________

Unexpectedly, the other side didn't contain a boss monster but a group of people. Seven people are sitting in front of a long table obscure by fog, including Welf Crozzo. Gita sighed in relief seeing the participants of the gathering.

'So, it truly is a gathering.'

Gita started looking around and saw the man sitting in the center urging her to sit.

'He must be the host!'

The man in the center wore a plain brown robe and a simple wooden mask. Next to him was a doll. Why would a doll be there? On the other side was a little girl playing with a deck of tarot cards.

Gita sat on an empty chair next to Welf Crozzo. Although he was slightly obscured by the fog like her, she recognized the idiot easily.

She began observing the other members. There are three males and four girls including her. She starts her analysis of them.

Girl, wearing a simple mask, red hair, and a guild uniform? must be from the guild, she's guarded.

Girl, wearing a nurse outfit from Dian Cehct's familia, green hair, pointy ears but not long enough, a half-elf? eagerly waiting for the gathering to begin.

The little girl dresses like a rogue has purple hair, carries countless weapons around her body, has a huge bag near her, and likes to play with a tarot card.

Young Man, wearing a simple white shirt, and blonde hair, seems troubled by something and carries a musical instrument.

Looking at the participants, they all seem new to this other than the rogue girl. So this is the first gathering except for the rogue? Before her thoughts run wild, the rogue girl speaks.

"Joker-sama, it looks like my divination is right. Five people came!" The rogue said triumphantly and the man in the center replied. Joker? Seems familiar. Where have I heard it before?

"Very good, Looks like your divination studies are doing well." His voice was too charming yet felt old, a god?

The man then stopped and began tapping the table as he looked at the participants one by one.

"Before we start this gathering, I would like you to pick your codenames. This seems troublesome, but this is for your protection if our gathering gets leaked. So please draw a card here. Each card will decide your fate, so choose however you feel."

The man started putting cards side by side, a total of 19 cards were laid side by side on the table, and they were all facing downwards, so the contents could not be seen. They all began picking their cards, and Gita picked the nearest to her. Looking at her card, she concludes they were all tarot cards.

'The Star?'

Looking at her card, she began to feel dubious, the Star card doesn't fit her at all, if this is my fate, I highly doubt it. The hosts began speaking again when he stood up with open arms.

"Very good. My codename is Mr. Lover, but you may also call me Mr. Joker."

The man said. Gita and the others were sure of it now, the hosts are a god. All gods despite sealing their powers have something in common, which is that they all have regal authority, they all feel charismatic beyond normal, and they all give a mysterious breath. Looking at the man in the center of the gathering, He should be a god. Gita began to sigh inwardly, just what did she get into?

"Please introduce yourself, one by one"

The man returns to his seat as he eagerly waits for the others. The Blonde mask man first introduces himself.

"I'm the Sun... Ano-... Is it true you'll teach me how to sing better Mr. Joker?" The troubled blonde man inquired.

Sing? He's a singer? Perhaps a bard? His invitation is about entertaining people. That's odd. Then the excited green-haired nurse stood up and introduced herself.

"I'm Ms. Moon, please teach me how to make better potions!"

Hers is about potion making. How varied, is this gathering about teaching others lifestyles? The Guild Girl stood up tensed.

"I-I'm Ro... Ms. Justice... I would just like to know Your Highness's intention with this gathering and Orario..."

She just came here to ask that. Ms. Justice from the guild sure is hardworking. What about the contents of your invitation? Please tell us. Gita inwardly screams.

The God who hosts this gathering began tapping the table. And said

"All your questions will be answered once you all finish your introductions."

Hearing that, the other three sat down again. Thinking it was Gita's turn to introduce herself, Crozzo stood up first. They were both standing up now, Gita felt embarrassed but she persevered.

"I'm the High Priest... Tess! I don't like that it sounds girly so just call me Priest... Also please teach the contents in the invitation."

He was an idiot! Gita shockingly thought. How can this guy still keep asking for things after what the hosts said? Gita wanted to smack the idiot but decided to introduce herself. Might as well do the same, to save the idiot from embarrassment.

"I'm the Star. Please teach me how to make the magic paper used for the invitation. . ."

Gita said tiredly. She noticed it was Chibi's rogue's turn to introduce herself. The rogue didn't even stand up. just leisurely sitting while her feet are on top of the table.

"Oh? I'm the Empress."

You sure don't look like one, Gita commented inwardly. Ms. Empress seems to be a coarse person. Gita also notices she did not pick a card like others but already has a codename reserved for her, and Ms. Empress seems to be showing off her seniority to others. Had she been in a similar gathering before?

"Well then, to start this gathering. I would like to explain the parts of this gathering. This gathering will be divided into different parts, as today is the first day you have joined the gathering, the first part will be the introduction of beyonders. Ms. Empress will be the one presiding over this event. The next part is Requests, where you can request for missions and whatnot, the proceeding part is Exchange, where you can trade for information or items. The last part is free exchange, in this part, you can freely discuss anything you want. Finally, an extra part will help, In this part, you can ask me a question, and I might answer your question or not, this all depends on my mood. I'm a God who likes equivalent exchange. You can trade books related to history, myths, legends, or mystery to me, in exchange I can answer your questions of things you want to know."

The God presiding the gathering said. Gita can't wait anymore, she just wants to ask how the paper is made. Unbeknownst to Gita, her worldview is just about to be changed.

_______________________________________

Thanks for reading

Chapter End.