In a city by the English Channel, formerly known as Brighton, now renamed the City of the Seas, a grand castle stood at its heart.
Meeting Room
"Seriously, we're bored! You summon us every week, same day, same time, for nothing! For once, I thought we'd finally go on the offensive, or even get attacked. That would've been fun," Dola grumbled.
"You know very well I have no choice," Shia replied calmly.
"Do you at least have any information about what's happening outside the city?" Verna asked coldly.
"The groups we sent to threaten the Red Shadows are all dead," Shia announced.
"Now you've got my attention! How did they die?" Dola asked, suddenly intrigued.
"That's the most troubling part. We only found their bones, buried in the ground," Shia explained.
"Could it be those cannibals in the northern territory?" Dola suggested.
"Impossible. They're all dead," Verna stated.
Surprised, Dola stared at Verna. Shia, however, wasn't shocked; she knew her sister well.
"And how do you know that?" Shia questioned. "Did you go out there yourself to kill those poor wild beasts?" she added with a hint of mischief.
Maintaining her icy expression, Verna replied, "I had nothing to do with it. I heard that the scum calling themselves the Resistance have a base in the north, specifically in the ruined city they call London. So, I sent a group under my command to verify the information."
"Why didn't you tell me, Verna? I could've finally left this damned city and felt the thrill of battle!" Dola growled, standing up from her chair.
"Please, Dola, calm down and sit," Shia said, still smiling.
Despite her urge to argue, Dola heeded Shia's words and sat back down.
"Good. So, Verna, what information did your search yield?" Shia asked.
Sipping her tea, Verna replied, "First, regarding the cannibal village, by following the tracks, my men confirmed the presence of nine other people, unaffiliated with the cannibals, who wiped them all out.
Then, upon reaching the city called London, my men spotted a man captured by the hunters. They followed him and ended up in the hills not far from here. The man had been sold to the Red Shadows and is likely dead by now. But the most surprising thing is that among my soldiers infiltrated among the hunters, a rank-eight cultivator managed to kill over thirty of their members single-handedly before being captured."
"What are your conclusions, Verna?" Shia asked.
"I think those two men came from the London base. Especially since I was told a fierce battle took place in the hills. All the Red Shadows there were found dead. Based on the traces, there was a frontal assault followed by a ranged battle down the hillside. A lot of dried blood was found there."
"And the prisoners?" Shia inquired.
"Vanished. No bodies, but I doubt they're dead," Verna replied.
"I agree with you. Given how they're closing in on us, I think they'll either pass through the city or the city is their target… Hmm, I see. You think these people are members of the Resistance base, don't you?" Shia said.
"You can't hide anything from you, Shia," Verna replied.
"I estimate they're a group of eight to ten, based on their previous battles. They must fight as a unit," Verna added.
"Very well," Shia said, clapping her hands. "Verna, you'll inform the five guard captains of the city's forces that an enemy group of eight to ten people is approaching the city."
"And me? What do I do?" Dola asked eagerly.
Crossing her legs, Shia said, "You have free rein. I'm sure you'll spot anyone suspicious. You can fight them, as long as you don't kill them."
A wide grin of excitement spread across Dola's face. "Don't worry, my sisters, I'll find them first! Finally, some action!"
"We're done here. Happy hunting," Shia declared.