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Even though I had reassured them that the new Ian, was the same Ian as before, I could tell there were some doubts in their minds. However, with no evidence and with the new Ian not fighting us, they could only accept it. Although, I could see Nina trying her best to solve this mystery as I catch her glancing at Ian every so often. Quickly, I divert their attention to another topic as I move the meeting inside the main building of the Krepost. Sitting around the wooden table, we start an open discussion of our plans for the Glemt.

"Our main concern currently is who do we send into the Glemt, and up the Abyss. Looking at the losses we took from the recent battle, it looks like there will be only elite people going in, and less focus on having a larger group." - Yor

"Well, of course, that is what it is, you haven't really addressed anything other than stating the obvious, Yor." - Gibing

"Solving a problem starts by stating the obvious." - Yor

"Yor is right, we have fewer people who can fight, and we have no idea what might attack us while our manpower is lowered. The Krepost especially lost a lot of its fighting potential as at least 75% of the monster population that Celine has been taming has died…" - Rebecca

"The monsters equaled over 50% of our total manpower, as each monster was as strong as 2 or even 3 goblins and could even rival a hobgoblin." - Frank

"Some goblin scouts, unfortunately, lost their lives as well during the fire, so there are fewer scouts altogether." - Gewari

"So, fewer eyes as well as fewer reinforcements." - Nina

"What about HavenFall? How about asking them for more troops?" - Howard

"A plausible solution, however, we don't know if HavenFall will be attacked as heavily as we will be during the expedition." - Yor

"Just because it might happen, doesn't mean it will happen right? Instead of thinking of worse-case scenarios and figuring out solutions to them, how about thinking of solutions for the easier scenarios?" - Frank

"What Frank is saying isn't wrong… We should just send out whom we think will be more than enough to deal with the Glemt and just have the rest stay back. It might be a small number, but if they run into any danger, they will have an easier time retreating." - Rebecca

"In that case, we bring the best of the best while trying to balance the team." - Nina

"And that is…?" - Melody

"Ian, Sylvia, David, Frank, Rebecca, and me." - Nina

"Wow, wait, right there. Are you sure only 6 people?" - Howard

"And why me?"- Frank

"I'll come, to help. 6 people sound quite small." - Gibing

"ArchWizardo, Nina, what are your thoughts on this?" - Yor

"My thoughts? I came up with this number what do you want me to say? Yor, I'm sure you are smart enough to understand the reason behind only these 6." - Nina

"It is not for me, but for the others." - Yor

"I would like a small explanation if you don't mind. Becca and I are more or less the same, so why can't I go as well?" - Melody

"I would like to come as well." - Gibing

"Alright, if you want an explanation, I'll give you one. Ian and Sylvia are able to handle themselves in a fight, we all know this. David is strong enough to take hits, while also dealing them back whenever needed, however his strength is in protecting, rather than attacking. Frank's skill excels in attacking from the shadows, and while Gewari would also work, she is more suited to leading the scout force that is stationed here.

Communication between HavenFall and the Krepost is vital if there are any attacks, and the only ones who are the most equipped to fight in that scenario are Stellar and Gewari. Meaning she cannot be the one to leave the Krepost when we are low on manpower. Moving on, we have Rebecca and Melody. Melody, you say that both of you are the same however, I do see a difference.

Rebecca has more courage than you and is able to take initiative during a fight. If we are in the heat of battle, I do not know if you are capable of making your own decisions, since I will not have the spare time to look after you when we are fighting. Rebecca, can handle this to a certain extent and while she isn't that much better, she is able to handle it herself." - Nina

"Hey! I can definitely do this." - Rebecca

"My point taken, and finally, myself. I am one of the only true ranged dealers in this whole place. Yes, there are archers and yes, Gewari, Gibing, and Howard are able to use a bow and arrow, but at the end of the day, your strengths are not with ranged weapons. There are more important battle fronts for you, and the Abyss is not one of them. Your strengths are better in different places. That's why I believe just us 6 is more than enough." - Nina

"But-" - Gibing

"No buts, Gibing. I understand ArchWizardo's point of view, and I agree with it as well. These 6 people who are responsible for the expedition toward the Abyss, are one of the strongest 6 people we have. Unfortunately for us, Kingston has gone missing, otherwise, he would also be part of this 6." - Yor

Taking a moment, for the information to process, eventually, everyone agreed to it and with that, we plan to depart within the hour. In the meantime, I pulled Mikki, who didn't say a word during the meeting off to the side. Making sure no-one else was following us, I start to integrate Mikki.

"Okay, what is your goal? I know you are not Ian, and that Selino has sent you here but why? Is it just to play pretend and keep and eye on us?" - Rebecca

"Oh, please, you flatter yourself too much. I don't understand how you figured it out to this extent but my queen has her reasons for why I am here. As for those reasons, I cannot tell them to a lower being." - Mikki

"I'm. I'M! A lower being? You are an insect!" - Rebecca

"Not an insect but a spider. A superior race called the Arachne. What are you? A human. A lower species that is similar to that of goblins. Pathetic." - Mikki

"Remember who saved your spidery ass before. Your cover would have been blown." - Rebecca

"Worry not, my disguise is perfect. Only the queen knows who I am, and for the reason how you found out, I can only believe you have some sort of telepathic powers, like that of a seer or a witch. That, I cannot beat." - Mikki

"I am neither, tell me why you are here or I will expose you to the rest of them and kill you." - Rebecca

"Fine, mysterious woman. I shall enlighten you. My queen has sent me here on the request that I will make sure your journey into the Glemt is a successful one. I will aid in your quest, however, making sure to not directly interfere with anything. In a fight, I will fight them, but it will be slow and I will toy with whoever shall face me, making it so that you and the rest of your pathetic humans deal with the enemies." - Mikki

"Great, Selino sent us a babysitter." - Nina

Turning behind me quickly, I see Nina, emerge from behind one of the houses. Closing the book that is in her hands, she looks between me and Mikki.

"Rebecca, I don't know why you didn't expose this idiot immediately, but now that this is the case, I guess we got no choice but to roll with it. So, what is your name, spyder?" - Nina

"Oh, another human woman. Hmm, you are different from this one… My name is Mikki." -

"Nina, I-" - Rebecca

"Don't worry about it, Rebecca. I'm not upset or anything, but you will have to tell me what you saw. It was already somewhat suspicious that you were standing there for a few moments silent after you touched, Mikki. Vision? Foresight? Something along those lines right? Regardless, my curiosity is not on you right now, but on Mikki." - Nina

"I cannot answer to anyone but my queen." - Mikki

"No need to answer, just think about it for me. You see, there is something that has been bugging my mind for a while now. Maybe you can enlighten me." - Nina

Stepping closer as she talks to Mikki, Nina glances toward me, before locking her sights on Mikki.

"A simple question or maybe a simple statement. What is the reason for your existence? What is this world to you? Your queen, Selino, what is she to you? What is she to the rest of the world? What is she to the Horde? Why is she so adamant about a human?" - Nina

Smiling, no, grinning like a child, growing larger and larger with each question that Nina asks. As if the monster anticipated that Nina would ask these questions. As Nina finishes asking the questions the first sound that comes out of the monster is nothing but a slight chuckle. Slowly it turns into laughter, the kind of laughter that crawls under your skin. Seeing Ian laugh like this, makes me want to hurl but I keep calm as the monster stares widely at Nina, bringing its face closer to hers.

"What is the reason for my existence? What is this world to me? My queen! What is she to me, you ask? HAHAHAH! You already know, so why ask these senseless questions? I serve my queen. Nothing more and nothing less. I will bend mountains and slice through forests for her. Anything for her. I-" - Mikki

"What if she leaves you?" - Nina

"Leaves me? Then so be it. It does not matter. That would only mean my job is done and a job does mean a good job." - Mikki

"Interesting, it is like you have no personality. No free thoughts. Tell me, Selino are you there? Are you the one that is looking at me through the eyes of this puppet?" - Nina

"Unfortunately for you, I am no puppet. However, my life is for my queen. That I can admit to being puppet-like." - Mikki

"Hmm… Whatever, Rebecca. Time to move out and Mikki, no I should call you Ian for now. Ian, make sure you don't die becasue if you do, I will kill you." - Nina

Turning away from the situation, Nina walks past me, glancing slightly toward my direction as if signaling me to follow, and follow I did. Quickly, I rush behind Nina, still slightly bewildered about the experience, but not questioning it. Before I could open my mouth and question Nina on why she did what she did, Nina interrupts me.

"Don't speak. We do not know how many eyes and ears are on us right now. The Krepost has been compromised by Selino. I'm sure she is watching us and listening to us, one way or another. We need to get out of here before we discuss anything important." - Nina

"Alright, I'll follow you. Let's head out to the Abyss as soon as possible then." - Rebecca