Agent Casey is Off On a Mission!

Kirana and Lilinette returned to Arcadia two days later. 

They scheduled the departure for the delegation team to Westya and Mandora for the day after tomorrow.

Upon Lilinette's return from her training in Death Valley's forest, she didn't immediately rest. Instead, she went to her office to meet with Casey and inquire about the things she had missed in the past week.

After reviewing every report provided by Casey, Lilinette finally went back to her comfortable bed at home and slept.

The next day, Lilinette instructed all members of her division to gather.

In the meeting, Lilinette provided guidance to her subordinates. She assigned several tasks for each of her team members to complete while she was away.

Furthermore, it wasn't just Lilinette who would be leaving the Social Division. Casey, her deputy, would also be heading to Divinia as part of the delegation attending the Conference of Kings alongside Cien.

So, the Social Division would be without its Head and Deputy Head for quite some time.

After completing the task assignments, Lilinette briefly discussed matters with Casey and then went to her uncle's house or shop. 

She reported the effects of the Elixir she had consumed, the progress of her powers, and, of course, shared a meal with her family.

Lilinette returned to her home after nightfall and began preparing for her departure before going to sleep.

The next day, the departure time arrived.

Lilinette saw that those who would be leaving had gathered in the southern area of Arcadia. 

Upon her arrival, she greeted some familiar faces and began loading her belongings onto one of the caravans.

Among the important individuals on this journey were Princess Kirana, who would lead the journey with her soldiers acting as bodyguards. Then there were Lilinette, Sienna, and Luis.

Luis was joining the group to play a role in diplomacy when they reached the northern city of Westya and, of course, Ethyria.

Luis and Cien hoped to persuade Duke Grenhall to halt the invasion of Huntara. 

Simultaneously, Luis also wanted to uproot the evils that had taken root in the Ethyria region. 

Despite his retirement, Ethyria remained a city long overseen by his family, the Grenhalls. 

As a Grenhall, Luis felt a responsibility to care for it and set his son on the right path.

As the sun began to scorch, the delegation group set off. 

Cien and Ethel watched their silhouettes recede into the darkness of the forest. 

They gazed at the backs of the two young women who were like daughters to them. Lilinette had become their adopted child.

"May everything go smoothly," Ethel hoped, tightly holding her husband's hand.

Ethel herself sensed that the delegation's journey would be a difficult one. Full of conflicts and dangers. 

She couldn't hope for the absence of conflict, as that was impossible. So, she could only hope that they would handle every problem smoothly.

"We can only trust," said Cien. "Heh, but really, seeing Kirana lead them. I truly miss our daughter's growing years."

"Hm, you missed everything," Ethel then smiled warmly at her husband. "Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it."

"..."

They both then shared a warm gaze, as if the entire world belonged to them.

"Ahem!"

"!!!"

Cien and Ethel turned to the woman who had cleared her throat next to them.

"There's still plenty of work for you, oh My King and My Queen. This isn't the time for romance! Plus, look at the place and time, look around you! Many single people are jealous!" Mia said with a sour expression.

Cien grinned mischievously, "Including you?"

"Yes, including me! Goddammit!"

"Hahaha, let's hurry back. We need to prepare for the next group's departure," Ethel invited, wanting to reassure both the King and the Prime Minister.

***

A week had passed since the delegation set off for Westya-Mandora.

The journey from Arcadia to the northern border of Westya took approximately five to seven days, depending on various factors such as obstacles and the number of monsters they encountered.

However, at this moment, Cien had confirmed that the new delegation had just arrived at the North Gate of Westya. They were currently queuing to enter the city.

After confirming this, Cien turned his attention forward, where another delegation was ready to depart.

This time, it was the delegation to Divinia, sent to participate in the inter-kingdom conference there.

Originally, in the initial plan, Cien was supposed to accompany this delegation. After all, he was the King of Arcadia. 

However, those plans were postponed because Cien received an Event notification on his phone.

The Event instructed him to go to Divinia during the Conference of Kings and find two things. 

One was a Proxy of the Creator God, and the second was to obtain the Sacred Flame.

Upon receiving this news, Cien had to admit that he was surprised. He hadn't expected that there would already be a Proxy appearing in Kastia at this time.

The problem was that the Proxy was located in Divinia, a kingdom still highly suspicious to Cien. And there was no information circulating about the appearance of this Proxy.

This led Cien to consider three possibilities. 

First, Divinia was hiding the Proxy to use as a secret weapon. 

Second, the Proxy had not revealed its identity to those around it, including the leaders of Divinia. 

And lastly, the Proxy might not even be aware that it had become a Proxy, making Divinia unaware of its existence as well.

Cien had to admit that the third possibility seemed foolish. But for some reason, his instincts told him that the third possibility was the most likely among the others.

Cien rubbed his temples when he recalled the contents of the mission he had to complete. 

Not only did he not know how to find the Proxy, but he also didn't know how to obtain the Sacred Flame, a sacred material tightly guarded by Divinia.

'Ugh, not only do I have to attend the conference, but now there are two other tasks as well. I might go insane.' 

Thought Cien as he watched the delegation to Divinia prepare to depart.

For this delegation, Casey would lead as the head of the group. As the Deputy Head of the Social Division, Casey would serve as a diplomat out there.

Casey's mission extended beyond just going to Divinia. 

Along the journey, Casey would also have several important meetings with officials from Huntara and Rivinera, two other kingdoms.

The Kingdom of Rivinera was one of the two kingdoms bordering Huntara directly, aside from Divinia.

So, for this journey, the delegation wouldn't go directly to Divinia. Instead, they would make stops at various places and pass through Rivinera.

In addition to Casey, several subordinates from various divisions would also be part of the delegation. 

The team responsible for the delegation's security was Squad Two, also known as the Sun Squad, and Squad Four, with an alias known as the Earth Squad.

The Earth Squad was led by Captain Jamie, while the Sun Squad was led by Captain Terrion. 

Between the two, Reiss, as the Deputy Head of Law and Defense Division, entrusted Terrion with leading the security of the entire team.

"Why isn't it me?" Jamie asked.

"Because you're an idiot," Cien replied.

"Careless," Mia added.

"Well, lacks self-control," Ethel chimed in.

"Whoa, this is surprising. How did you become Squad Captain with qualifications like these? Bribery?" 

Casey added, delivering a critical blow to Jamie's ego, causing him to kneel and lament the judgmental gazes of those around him.

Reiss could only chuckle dryly as he watched the antics of those in front of him. 

Truth be told, he entrusted Terrion not because Jamie was foolish or careless, but because Terrion was more experienced.

Terrion, not only experienced but also a veteran adventurer from Huntara who had ventured into Rivinera and even Divinia before. 

So choosing Terrion was the logical choice, as opposed to Jamie, who had never been to Huntara at all. Besides, during the Blackwinter War, he was left behind at Cien's Shop.

... well, Reiss couldn't deny that he also had concerns about Jamie's carelessness.

There were only four weeks left before the Conference of Kings would commence. With this timeframe, Terrion was confident that they could reach Divinia about two or three days before the big day.

"Well then, I'll be off, Your Majesty. See you in Divinia." Said Casey.

"Hm, take care. I'll contact you every night to check on the situation."

"Hmph, understood, Sir! I'll prepare myself every night to await your call."

"...I don't think that requires preparation, Casey."

"How could it not?! What if I'm sleeping? And what if you call when I'm using the restroom or... well, you know, having some private time? Wouldn't that be awkward?! Ah, or Your Majesty want to hear my sexy moa—!"

Smack!

Cien gave Casey's head a light slap. He truly couldn't fathom this girl's thought process.

"Ouch! Why did Your Majesty enjoy slapping my head so much? Why not Cherry and the others too? What if my brain becomes strange?"

"Isn't it already?"

"Hm? Hahaha, Your Majesty really likes to joke."

"..."

Casey then turned to Ethel.

"My Queen! Agent Casey is off on a mission. Goodbye!"

"Hm, bye! Don't cause trouble for your comrades."

"Understood. Bye-bye-yo!"

Casey suddenly disappeared from Cien and Ethel's view. Then, moments later, she reappeared on the roof of the foremost carriage. 

She saluted like a military soldier, waved, and then entered the carriage.

Then, a moment later, part of Casey's body emerged through the window, waving with teary eyes.

"Bye-bye-yo~!!!"

The group then vanished into the darkness of the forest.

"...what's with the 'bye-bye-yo'?" Cien asked with a blank expression.

"I have no idea," Ethel replied.

"I've always wondered. You didn't find her in some kind of insane asylum, did you?"

"No. Casey was a homeless, starving girl on the streets."

"Hmm... then there really is something wrong with her brain."

"Pfft, don't joke like that. You know, despite it all, Casey is incredibly competent."

"..."

Cien watched as Ethel lightly hit him and walked away, chuckling softly at his jest.

'Umm, I wasn't joking, my dear. Sigh...'