Chapter 188 Looks Like The Start Of A New Adventure!

"I will be temporarily leaving this city for an urgent task."

I heard my voice echo in the still room. My assembled subordinates remained silent, though I could see a few expressions change, it seemed they decided to let me finish.

"Something important has come to my notice, and it requires immediate attention. I'll be leaving tomorrow, but there are a few things I'd like to leave settled before my departure."

Once again, my statement was met with silence.

The Demons didn't seem to have any idea about what my plans were, which meant Heshu didn't say any word to them.

Zabdel seemed a bit worried, probably because he didn't like the idea of me leaving Dulum. Lucy maintained a calm expression, most likely because she intended to come with me whenever I was going.

As for Asa, she was the only one who appeared to have a positive response. Her cheeks were bright pink, and it was very obvious that she was doing her best to hide her glee.

This whole thing was because of her, after all.

"I-If I may ask... what is this urgent matter that has come up?"

Finally, Zabdel spoke. He probably couldn't contain his curiousity—perhaps even fear—any longer. I understood the man well.

"I'd like to keep the matter private, if you don't mind. Perhaps I'll divulge the details once I return." My reply was straightforward, maybe even a bit too blunt.

"I-I see. I apologize. Please do not take offense." Zabdel bowed in reverence.

It was getting tiresome for me to see this kind of behavior from him, but I practically ignored it at this point.

"It's is fine. No offense is taken."

Normally, I would have told him and everyone else in the room about my intentions, but I couldn't afford to do that now.

'For one, Asa doesn't seem like she wants anyone to know about her Identity as an Elf. She tried so hard to hide it. The least I can do is respect it.'

There was another reason behind my decision, though.

'I don't want anyone to know the details of the mission in case anything goes wrong or something unexpected occurs.'

So far, I had always won—at least, according to the eyes of my followers.

If I told them I was going to save the Elves and something ended up occuring that prevented me from doing so—perhaps making it more difficult for me to achieve my initial objective—then my mission's completion would be flawed.

'I... I want to succeed! I'll do my best to ensure victory.'

This was just a contingency.

"I'll be departing with some people, while I'll leave behind others for the wellbeing of this City. Do not worry, I do not intend on abandoning anyone here."

Even though it was a tough job, I still planned on taking care of Dulum. In fact, one of my major motivations for going on this quest was to cater fit these people.

"Lucy, Asa, Heshu, Hogun, and Adu... you five will be coming with me." I glanced at my chosen candidates.

"Understood."

Lucy wasn't going to stand for being left behind, so I had to bring her along with me. As for my choice with the three Demons, I needed them as my guards.

'I'm ridiculously weak now, after all. If I don't have muscles, my life will basically be in danger.'

Hogun, Adu, and Heshu were very powerful—even among the ranks of the Demon Generals. Adu also had his spacial abilities that would come in handy in this situation.

Asa was the most integral member of this mission, so she had to be with me.

"Pierrus and Kiko, you'll be left in this city. I'll explain the duties of your tasks after this meeting, but you'll basically be in charge of the day-to-day management of this place. You will ensure that things operate in the appropriate order." I continued.

Pierrus was the most adept at management and his intellectual abilities were top notch. Kiko was like his twin sister or something, since I noticed the two went everywhere together, so I decided to pair them up to take care of the city.

"Understood."

'I would have loved to take the whole gang with me, but... no way.'

In case of an unprecedented enemy assault, I needed a few capable members in the City. I didn't have enough materials to erect a large scale Magic Barrier around Dulum, so I was just going to let my Golems and the two Demon Generals take charge of security.

'I'll set up an alarm system that'll trigger if this place is under attack, though. That way I'll be able to teleport back.'

Moreover, Adu's range of teleportation was limited to 100 Meters per use, it was going to take me a while if I decided to return to Dulum—in case the city got attacked.

'That's why I need capable people holding the fort here.'

I would have also loved to bring my army with me, but that would be too conspicuous. Fortunately, I had a backup plan in case we had to face off against an army.

'Let's pray it doesn't come to that, though...'

"Zabdel, just as always, you'll be coordinating the workers. Ensure food and materials are properly distributed. Assign trusted officials to handle tasks that you can't directly supervise."

"I understand!" The middle aged man stiffly answered, causing me more cringe.

"There are a few people I'd like to meet. First, I'd like to address Pierrus and Kiko privately. Then I'd like to speak with Asa after this. Finally, I'd like to talk with Lucy."

The redhead, in particular, looked a bit surprised when I mentioned her name, but I simply smiled at her.

"If my business has been concluded with you, you may leave this building and prepare for our departure at dawn. As for those I have intention of speaking with, leave this office and await your turn."

Instantly, they obeyed my words and left my presence. All they had to do was loiter in the corridor, or something, pending the time I called them.

'They won't be able to overhear anything since I made the doors and walls soundproof.'

Thus, the first persons I had to address were Pierrus and Kiko.

'Let's just get this over with so I can prepare that other thing...'