The Yatan Church's Gambit

While Davian and Vecna were readying for the second stage of their plan, in another part of Travian Sierra Range, inside a War Tent of the Orc Warchief Gorruk Bloodmaw, the formidable Orc Warchief, sat atop his imposing "Throne" Chair, a massive War Axe at his side. 

He was an intimidating sight, with his tall, muscular frame and brown skin adorned with scars earned in countless battles. The room itself exuded power, filled with the trophies of the Orcs' conquests, from the skulls of defeated enemies to the battle standards torn from vanquished foes.

In contrast, Neberius, the human Necromancer serving the Yatan Church, appeared small and frail within the grandeur of the War Tent. He wore a black robe adorned with symbols representing his Dark God, and his long white hair framed a goatee beard. Despite his aged appearance, Neberius carried an air of eerie authority.

As Neberius addressed Gorruk, the tension in the tent was palpable. Gorruk, known for his brevity in speech and his formidable presence on the battlefield, listened intently but with a hint of impatience. He was a leader who valued action over words.

"If you don't attack the humans now, you'll miss the opportunity we created," Neberius pressed, his voice carrying a disconcerting tone. 

He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locked onto Gorruk's.

Gorruk responded with a nod, a sign that he understood Neberius' point. However, the Warchief's next words revealed his own perspective on the matter.

"Human, I have my own plans on how to win this war," Gorruk declared, his tone resonating with authority. "While I appreciate the efforts of your human group, you're overthinking this. The humans who came from Summit's Crest have informed me of the situation, and they have fortified their defenses."

He continued, "If I wait a little longer, those humans may offer me the keys to their castle willingly. There's no need for Orc blood to be shed on the sacred lands of my ancestors."

"Do you understand, Human Necromancer?" Gorruk concluded firmly.

Neberius maintained his composure, despite the frustration he felt beneath the surface. "If this is the wish of the Warchief," he replied, his tone professional and respectful.

With that, Neberius exited the War Tent, leaving Gorruk to ponder his own strategy. As he stepped out into the Orc camp, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The newcomers from Summit's Crest were indeed planning something, and the Yatan Church's role in the unfolding events remained shrouded in mystery.

'What is that bastard thinking he is doing in the Maw of the enemies? Doesn't he fear those Orcs?'

As Neberius made his way through the sprawling Orc camp, his presence didn't go unnoticed. Many Orcs turned their heads, acknowledging him with a mixture of awe and fear. 

To the Orcs, Neberius was a representative of the enigmatic Yatan Church, a group that wielded dark magic and held a place of mystery and power within Satisfy's world.

These hulking, muscular creatures, with their coarse features and formidable strength, regarded Neberius with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. Some gave respectful nods, while others exchanged hushed whispers about the human who dared to walk among them.

As Neberius walked along the outskirts of the Orc camp, his finely tailored black robe billowing behind him, he couldn't help but mutter a line under his breath, a testament to his disdain for the Orcs.

"These lumbering brutes," he hissed, his voice dripping with contempt, "a necessary evil, but still nothing more than savages."

The Orc camp was a chaotic blend of activity, with warriors sharpening their weapons, shamans preparing their spells, and scouts returning from missions. 

Yet, even amidst the tumult, Neberius commanded a certain level of respect. It was clear that the Orcs recognized his role in their impending war against Summit's Crest, even if they didn't fully understand the motives of the Yatan Church.

As Neberius finally returned to the Yatan Church's camp within the Orc settlement, his annoyance and disdain were palpable. He had little patience for the crude and brutish Orcs, regarding them as inferior creatures compared to the dark mages and necromancers of Yatan Church.

Inside the Yatan Church's camp, the atmosphere was markedly different. The members of the Church, like Neberius, exuded an air of calculated sophistication. Their black robes were adorned with symbols representing their Dark God, and their embodiment was a testament to the allure of the forbidden.

"Lord Neberius, how was it? Is that foolish meathunk willing to act, and start Chaos upon the Saharan Empire?" asked one of the men from this group, evil intent in his eyes.

Neberius sighed deeply, his frustration with the Orcs apparent. "Still the same," he replied with a hint of annoyance. "It seems the newcomers from Summit's Crest are scheming something, and it gives me a distressing sensation."

Turning around, Neberius faced a gorgeous woman. She possessed long, flowing black hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of shadows. Her figure was both alluring and dangerous, clad in a form-fitting mage attire that accentuated her every curve. Her dark cloak billowed behind her like a cape of darkness.

Her eyes were a mesmerizing shade of deep violet, and they seemed to hold a mysterious and seductive power over those who dared to meet her gaze. Her lips were a deep crimson, perpetually curved into a knowing smile that hinted at hidden secrets and desires.

"Deacon Yura, I want you to investigate the intentions of this 'Arthur Vinespine' of Summit's Crest. Approach him and ensnare him into our way. If required, use the Greater Elixir to get him to work for us."

Yura inclined her head gracefully, her dark violet eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Understood, Elder Neberius. Can I kill the target if he doesn't accept my invitation?"

Neberius considered the question for a moment before shaking his head. "Don't do it yourself," he advised, "make use of the Orcs we corrupted."

As Yura nodded in agreement, a system interface materialized before her, announcing the receipt of a new Quest from Elder Neberius.

'Interesting. While this Quest Chain progressed slowly, I got plenty of quests to fill my time inside NEOM.'

[Ding!]

[You have received a new quest 'Silence the Summit's Crest Messenger(S)']

'Inspect Quest Details'

[Silence the Summit's Crest Messenger(S)]

Infiltrate the human settlement of Summit's Crest and investigate the intentions of Arthur Vinespine. Subdue or manipulate him if necessary to secure his cooperation with the Yatan Church's goals.

Quest Clear Condition: 

- Gather information about Arthur Vinespine.

- Ensure Arthur Vinespine does not pose a threat to the Yatan Church's plans.

Clear Rewards: 500 Yatan Church Influence Points, Greater Elixir of Subjugation

Quest Failure Penalties: Reputation loss within the Yatan Church, and potential exposure of our plans to 'Lord Vecna'.

.

'Considering this is an S-tier Quest, the Conditions for Clear are manageable. As long as this Arthur Vinespine isn't against the Churches plan, I can easily clear it.'

'These Church Influence Points are in dire need so I can get promoted to a Priestess Rank.'

[You have accepted the quest.]

Yura's lips curled into a confident smile as she accepted the quest. This was an opportunity to demonstrate her skills and secure her position within the Yatan Church.

"Elder Neberius, you can trust me with this task."

"I know, afterall, you're the most promised from the Blessed Ones. However, shall you fail this Request of mine, your position will be questioned in the Church."

Yura nodded in acknowledgment of Neberius's warning. "You have my word, Elder Neberius," she replied, her tone even and unwavering.

Yura didn't switch any emotion on her beautiful face, but her violet eyes were dead cold as she glanced at Neberius, this abomination of an old man, whose exploits and cruel acts were nonsensical from her perspective.

[Neberius - LV. 255] (Boss)

The elder mage watched her with an unsettling intensity, his eyes betraying a hint of sadistic pleasure at the thought of consequences befalling her. He was not to be underestimated, a fact Yura was acutely aware of.

'Damned monster. You give the impression of a frail old man, but you can wipe us like headless flies.'

As nightfall blanketed the Orc Camp, Yura moved with calculated grace, her steps silent and purposeful as she made her way towards the camp belonging to Arthur Vinespine and his companions. 

Under the cover of darkness, she cast a scouting spell, summoning several Dark Mirrors that surrounded the tent.

From her concealed vantage point, Yura observed the NPCs within the tent. They appeared remarkably relaxed, given the dangerous territory they were in. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed Arthur Vinespine's level, which was a modest 210—higher than her own level of 197, but not by a significant margin.

Arthur Vinespine was a distinctive figure, even in the dimly lit tent. Tall and broad-shouldered, he possessed a commanding presence that demanded attention. His skin was weathered and tanned, a testament to a life spent in the harsh wilderness.

He had a rugged handsomeness about him, with chiseled features and a strong jawline that gave him an air of authority. His dark hair was kept neatly trimmed, framing his face in a way that highlighted his piercing blue eyes. There was a hint of stubble on his jaw, adding to his rugged charm.

Arthur's attire was a mix of practicality and style. He wore a dark leather coat adorned with intricate embroidery that hinted at his status as a prominent figure. Beneath the coat, he donned sturdy leather armor, well-suited for the dangers of the wild.

Around his waist, he wore a belt with various pouches and pockets, a testament to his preparedness for any situation. His boots were rugged and well-worn, indicating a life of constant movement and action.

Listening in on their conversation, Yura couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about their confidence under this situation of being under the watchful eyes of the Orcs.

"Sir Arthur, how long will we be with the Orcs?" one of the attendants inquired, his expression etched with concern.

Arthur leaned back, his features calm and composed. "Until we can no longer keep them guessing our intentions," he replied with a hint of determination. "So far, the strategy is working. 

With Lord Vecna's ideas, we've sowed the seeds of doubt in the Orc Leader. How long do you think it will take for him to turn against the Goblins?"

The attendant hesitated before responding, "I don't know, I haven't met the new Lord yet. But Lord Davian reminded us to be respectful around him."

Another member of the group chimed in, offering reassurance. "Elran, stop worrying like a sissy. Trust in Lord Davian's judgment, and trust in Sir Arthur. Do you think he would have chosen this path if it were suicide?"

As Arthur's attendants continued to speculate about the enigmatic figure known as "Lord Vecna," Yura's curiosity grew. Their hushed whispers and conjectures only added to her intrigue.

One of the attendants leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I heard he's a powerful knight, an adventurer from Titan. As powerful and charismatic as the famed Red Knights.

Another chimed in, "Before we left Summit's Crest, I heard he was the reason why the Goblins and Orcs have stopped attacking the town so frequently. Folks at the tavern say he playing a dangerous game with the Orcs and the Goblins, but no one knows what his endgame is."

Yura's sharp ears caught every word, and her thoughts raced. The pieces were falling into place, and the puzzle of Lord Vecna's identity was becoming clearer or not.

"Actually, someone I know who was present when the group of adventurers arrived in town, noticed the leader being a Cursed One. I'm not against those outsiders since here he is fighting to keep our homes safe, but rumors are that we shouldn't trust them."

"They think of us as nothing but brainless puppets."

"Now, now, don't go into a rabbit hole. You'll never exit that hole if you search for nonsense. The fact Lord Vecna is fighting for us is certain. I'll tell you that you guys, he destroyed a whole Goblin Tribe whose leader got demonified."

"... Their leader was a demon?? Wow, then Lord Vecna is powerful."

Arthur only nodded slightly at his attendants before shifting his thoughts to something else. He was focusing on a presence far into the distance, as if it was watching them directing in the tent from afar.

From what she could deduct was that Vecna was an Adventurer NPC from Titan with connections to Summit's Crest leadership. Nonetheless, another piece of information shattered this idea, the fact that Vecna was a Cursed One.

'This Vecna should be a Hidden Ranker. Otherwise, I can't explain the involvement of a player in such a High-Risk Quest as the ones handling the Orcs.'

'There's been some idiots forming parties to wipe out the Orc Leader, but they got wiped in a matter of seconds. Those morons only knew how to complain about how broken the Orcs are, what they fail to grasp is that the Orcs of Travian Sierra are a key component to a Global Event.'

The attendants continued to speculate, unaware that Yura was eavesdropping on their conversation. She knew she had to gather more information about Lord Vecna and his true intentions. 

"Guys, I'll excuse myself, but the Wine of those Orcs is quite potent. Is worse than Dwarven Mead."

It was when Arthur suddenly decided to go out to 'Piss' that Yura become alerted noticing how quickly this man was rushing towards her. 

Yura's heart raced as Arthur approached her with a purposeful stride, his blue aura emanating an unsettling energy. She couldn't help but be impressed by his ability to sense her presence so quickly, but she had little time to dwell on it as he spoke to her.

[Arthur Vinespine - LV. 210] (Boss)

'Wait, this NPC was a Boss-Type?? I thought it was only an Elite. Who in his right mind sends their strongest fighters in the heart of the enemy?'

'This is nuts!'

"Young lady, I'm certain you haven't lost your way from your Camp. What brings you to my 'humble' abode tonight?"

Yura, who usually was confident in her abilities as one of the Top Rankers in Satisfy, was surprised by how quickly she 'Aggro-ed' the mob, who in fact was a Boss Monster. 

The difficulty in facing Boss Monsters solo was hard to explain, what was for certain was that the difficulty increased by many folds compared to facing Elite Monsters/NPCs.

Yura's mind raced, and she quickly assumed the persona of a member of the Yatan Church, one who would extend an invitation to collaborate. Her words were carefully chosen, laced with a seductive charm that had often worked to her advantage in the past.

"Sir Arthur," she began, her voice a silky melody, "I represent the Yatan Church, and we have a common interest in the Saharan Empire. We believe that your uncle, Lord Davian Vinespine, would be an excellent candidate for the position of Mayor of Summit's Crest, and in the future Baron of Como.

"The Yatan Church is willing to offer our support to see this dream realized."

Her words hung in the air, and she watched Arthur's reaction closely. 

She was a collected and calculative beauty, quite the dangerous type when compared with other women. 

Yet, her charms only worked half-way against Arthur who was an Aura Master, after receiving all the fundings and support humanly possible from Davian to achieve this dream of the Vinespine Family, to have an Aura Master.

Arthur's grin was both cunning and enigmatic. "If you were one month quicker, maybe my Uncle would have been interested. Now? He would maybe capture you and squeeze all the information out of you."

With that, Arthur made a move to capture Yura, who reacted swiftly by conjuring a protective black shield. 

"Dark Shield"

The two were locked in a tense standoff, their powers clashing in a dense forest. Yura couldn't afford to make a sound that would alert the Orcs, but she also knew that Arthur's intentions were clear.

"Pointless," he taunted. "You'll just alert the Orcs. Give up quietly, I'm certain that Lord Vecna would be interested in you."

Yura's mind raced as she considered her options. She couldn't afford to be captured by Arthur, and she needed to find a way out of this predicament. As she maintained her defensive stance, her thoughts turned to the mysterious player who managed to make an Boss NPC do his bidding.

'I have to fight back a little bit. Otherwise, I will seem weak in his eyes.'

'Perception is usually the key to big fights.'

As the tension between Yura and Arthur mounted, it became clear to both of them that neither could gain a decisive advantage without risking exposure to the Orcs. 

Their magical clash was drawing the attention of nearby Orc guards, who were beginning to stir from their slumber.

"Tsk, young lady, are you willing to bear the consequences of having the Orcs spectate us? We might be fighting into one of their Arena's to the Death."

"While you seem to be a Cursed One, I'm aware you people suffer greatly from getting killed."

'He isn't wrong, I might drop two levels dying here.'

Yura's mind raced, and she saw an opportunity to maintain her dignity and escape the situation without appearing weak-willed. She decided to take a calculated risk and speak with a hint of desperation in her voice, as though she had been outwitted but not defeated.

"Sir Arthur," Yura said, her tone less confident but not submissive, "I see that you are the superior Aura Master here. You've bested me this time. I had hoped we could collaborate, but it seems that option is off the table."

Arthur, while still cautious, recognized the wisdom in her words. He didn't want to risk alerting the Orcs any further either. He eased his offensive stance, allowing the blue aura surrounding him to dissipate.

"You're right," Arthur conceded, his voice filled with a hint of respect for Yura's quick thinking. "Collaboration isn't possible at the moment. But if you value your life, you should leave this camp immediately. And remember, Lord Vecna doesn't take kindly to trespassers."

With that, Yura nodded in agreement, and they both withdrew from their standoff. She made a strategic retreat, leaving the tent and vanishing into the night. Arthur returned to the campfire, his attendants none the wiser about the encounter that had just taken place.