Veilbreaker! Oops I Bleed Again
Chapter 43: The Mission

Chapter 43: The Mission

Present time...

The meeting resumed.

Kael stepped forward.

"Boss, we told them we’re Crimson, like you said."

Naisha’s gaze sharpened at Draven.

"What are you planning?"

"I’m planting seeds again," Draven grinned and leaned back.

"Now’s the time. It’s not like they can raid and go as they please."

Mother Venice nodded.

"You’re right, but calling ourselves Crimson or Azure... I’m still confused about what you’re planning."

Naisha, however, remained cautious.

"I think it’s better to show them that the Verdant can use skills now."

Naisha, believed that once people saw the Verdants possessing powers, they would finally acknowledge them as equals.

Just like any other normal human.

"No."

Draven’s smirk widened.

"Many people will become bitter. For sure, people like them will overthink things. They might get worried that their slaves might flee after hearing that Verdants can also use skills."

To Draven, it was clear that after over a thousand years of treating the Verdants as lesser beings, people wouldn’t easily accept change.

Especially those who had spent fortunes buying Verdant slaves and forced them to work without pay.

"Do you really think they’ll just let them go as we please?" Draven continued, referring to Verdant slaves.

"You’re saying it will be more difficult for them to leave?" Mother Venice said.

"Ye..."

Before anyone could respond, footsteps pounded against the wooden floors.

Someone was running straight toward the meeting room.

The doors slammed open.

A scout burst inside, panting heavily, drenched in sweat.

Draven’s eyes narrowed.

"Bane. I told you to stay there for at least a month. What’s so urgent that you rushed back?"

Bane, still struggling for breath, swallowed hard.

"The Three Kingdoms... they’re planning to join forces."

The room fell silent.

"Join force for what?"

Bane wiped his forehead, his voice strained.

"Their target... is the core of Grimwood."

A cold pressure settled in the room.

Gil’s expression darkened.

"If that happens, their path could lead directly here."

The Northern region of Grimwood Forest bordered two major kingdoms.

Zarathon and Halab.

Further north, four more kingdoms connected to them.

And among them, the Bielnan Kingdom had also joined the alliance.

Draven’s smirk faded.

His fingers drummed against the table.

"Tch... interesting."

"Is it even possible for the three kingdoms to reach us?" he asked.

Since Grimwood has seven layers, each one holds its dangerous areas.

Mother Venice shook her head.

"We aren’t sure. One kingdom alone wouldn’t be a threat, and they can’t reach the Verdant Expanse. But three?"

She exhaled.

She was uncertain whether they could reach them or not.

But the possibility exists.

Especially now that many people live across different countries, unlike before."

"What should we do?" Naisha asked.

Mother Venice’s tone was firm.

"We still have time. It will take at least three months before they reach here in Riftwater."

Naisha shook her head.

"Three months isn’t enough time to prepare a full defense."

Draven scoffed.

"Looks like I’ll have to go earlier than expected."

Naisha’s gaze snapped to him.

"What do you mean?"

Draven smirked.

"I’m heading into town. Time to rampage."

Everyone was shocked but still waiting for his explanation.

Naisha gritted her teeth.

"We’re having a serious discussion here."

"Same here." Draven shrugged. "Just kidding," he grinned.

The tension in the room eased slightly.

"But we are going to town."

Mother Venice raised an eyebrow.

"To check the situation?"

Draven smirked. "Something like that."

But in reality, he had another goal.

He was bored.

For an entire month, he hadn’t been able to do anything he wanted.

At the same time, he had a second objective.

Akhibara lacked knowledge in steelwork, masonry, and resource manipulation.

If he could find a Verdant capable of working with steel and stone, securing the kingdom would become far easier.

"Deka, Bella, and I will leave tomorrow morning."

Naisha snapped her gaze toward him.

"Why Bella?"

Draven shrugged. "I need her skill there."

Naisha looked away, silent.

Draven turned to Mother Venice for permission.

She studied him for a moment before sighing.

"I don’t know what you’re planning... but I trust that you know what you’re doing."

"Go."

"Everyone Dismissed!"

Everyone stood up, leaving the room.

As they stepped outside, Draven caught up with Naisha.

"Hey babe, are you mad again? Or are you jealous of Bella?"

Naisha’s steps faltered.

"Why should I be?"

Her voice dipped slightly.

"I just wanted to go to town too... to check on the Verdants."

Draven sighed.

"Honestly, I want you with me. But I trust you more than anyone else to keep this small kingdom safe."

Naisha’s fingers tensed at her sides.

"Whatever."

She turned abruptly, rushing ahead.

Draven smirked.

"I’m gonna miss you, babe!"

Naisha glared sharply before disappearing into her house.

Draven chuckled.

Inside Naisha’s house, her Auntie and Ken sat at the table, waiting for her.

Her aunt tapped the wooden tray.

"Let’s eat before it gets cold. How was the meeting?"

Naisha crossed her arms, scowling.

"That guy. He’d rather take Bella than me. Does he think I’m useless?"

She grumbled, stabbing the table.

"I know I should stay here. But Gil, Crixus, and Kael are already here too. Why didn’t he choose me? I’m more useful than that girl."

Her frustration grew as she continued.

"I don’t even know what he’s planning with Bella."

Her aunt smirked.

"In short, you are jealous and you want to go with Draven."

Naisha froze.

She quickly shook her head.

"No! I’m saying I’m more useful than Bella."

"Then why don’t you just tell him that?" Auntie asked, amused.

Naisha clicked her tongue.

"As if I could. He’d just tease me again."

Her aunt chuckled, placing a bowl in front of her.

"Then eat. It’ll help you relax."

Naisha pouted but started eating.

Meanwhile, in Draven’s small house.

Lying on his bed, he scrolled through his status screen.

His eyes scanned over his skills.

"This one... yeah, this will be perfect for the mission."

He had awakened 32 Verdants already.

His skill count had reached 96.

But he could only equip six skills.

And according to Mr. Goodness, after 20 days from the first day that he used Veilbreaker, that lord Azure will pop again.

His gaze shifted to the ’Races’ section.

A pattern stood out.

Every single awakened Verdant... was half-human.

Fifty-fifty.

No one had a higher percentage of another race.

And the stronger the individual, the more perfectly balanced their human and non-human traits seemed to be.

There was something about this.

Something unnatural.

Draven couldn’t shake the thought.

Why were none of the Verdants purely human?

The system had awakened 32 people, yet every single one had been a mix.

Half-human, half-something else.

It didn’t make sense.

The Verdants looked completely human.

No strange features.

No visible traits from other races.

Yet, according to his status screen, they weren’t.

Seeking answers, he asked Mother Venice.

But she shook her head.

"I don’t know either."

For the entire month, Mr. Goodness hadn’t shown up.

The last time he appeared, he mentioned Lord Azure would come back in two months.

Now, with 20 days left.

Nothing.

Draven gritted his teeth.

"That old man... I have a lot of questions for him. The Races, About this Crimson lord."

But for now, he shut his status screen and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow, his mission will begin.