Chapter 136 - Orphanage under attack part 5

[Diana point of view]

"Everyone, may I have your attention please!" [Diana]

With that single line, all those who had gathered here focus their attention to me. Adventures, merchants who profited from the training hall, acquaintance as well a those from around the neighborhood, they're all here right now just to lend a hand toward the orphanage

"I know we are now running out of time, with each passing minute, the threat surrounding the three of them will only become larger, but that's exactly why we should discuss what each and every one role is rather than blindly rushing in" [Diana]

After Rean told me about the incident, my intuition straight away tells me that those three are currently imprisoned by the church, and we have to use the underground tunnels to get there, but we are running out of time, so that's why

"We will divide ourselves into three groups accordingly, so listen carefully and choose as to what team are best suited for you" [Diana]

First group, direct frontal assault to the church.

"Isn't that dangerous?" [Adventure A]

"Plus, what about your position?" [Merchant A]

"It's fine, the orphanage are under my subject, and them assaulting and kidnapping the kids is a direct declaration of war toward me, and if we act now, they will have no time to properly rest" [Diana]

~Gulp~

There are several problems and lies in that statement. Technically, they're only my students but attacking someone associated with the royal will face a consequence, but Ash himself doesn't want this orphanage here to be right under him, not anyone else. Needless to say, I can just force Ash and the orphanage to come under my wing should they charge a legal action toward us.

As for my position, truthfully, it will hurt me a lot, at least among the noble and the old follower which dead set on hating me. They hold the majority of power among the administration and thus, it will be harder for me in the future, but, I don't plan on relying on them at all. Ever since the endemic disease incident, my popularity had rose up especially among the citizen, and various changes that I made alongside Ram and Gizzere have been popular even though they come with resistance from certain site (with the school project for commoner in orphanage being the most popular one). Not only that, I have been gathering people from all sort of life such as the young healers, the dwarf engineers and The Valkyrie, with more to come

"Alright, I'm in" [Samurai Jacks]

"Same here!" [Female elf adventure]

"I will join in as well!" [Patrolling Guard C]

"We better prepare our equipment first then, or it will come back to stab us" [Spearman adventure]

"Agree, but given the time, a quick and simple inspection should do" [Axeman adventure]

"My shop is just nearby. Take whatever you need, I'll give a huge discount" [Merchant B]

"Is that alright?" [Samurai Jacks]

"It is. The training hall here has saved my business, so it's time I do the same to them" [Merchant B]

They started to gather in a single group. Good. Plus, me, Qis and the other hidden bodyguards will be joining this group as well

"Next, I will need the largest number of people in this group as they will be further divided into two" [Diana]

They're the "scouting and stopping team". Some will enter the tunnel just to prevent the church members from running away. Some will scout the Duke's army from afar and stop them through small distraction so that we can delay the army from coming to the church. I don't really want them to fight the duke army directly as casualty are ensure should two large groups started to confront with each other. Still, they're adventure, so they should be able to access the situation and act as they seem fit. As for stopping them with brute force (officially speaking)

"Can you do it?" [Diana]

"Leave it to me your highness" [Bladel]

"I'm counting on you" [Diana]

"Yes!" [Valkyrie A]

"We will not let you down!" [Valkyrie E]

Looks like the Valkyrie will handle the duke army should they're mobilize to help the church. As for those volunteering in this second group

"I'm in" [Syah]

"I'll scout the tunnel. Hey dwarf there, help me will you" [Mimi]

"You don't even need to ask" [Dwarf adventure]

"I'll join the Valkyrie when they're fighting!" [Borg]

"Much appreciated" [Bladel]

"Distraction huh... just leave settings a simple trap or two to me!" [Hunter adventure]

"And should the pedestrian get accidentally involved, I will guide and save them, only the lady though!" [Swordman adventure]

"Do your job properly!" [Ram]

"I'm just joking!" [Swordman adventure]

As they all started to gather, I will tell the third and last group function. They're to stay here in the orphanage and help them, as well as protecting them should our enemies are foolish enough to launch a second attack

"I'll be in this group" [Lin]

"Same here" [Alice]

"We will leave guarding the orphanage to you" [Lily's mother]

"Count me in!" [Patrolling Guard A]

"I can help to clean the orphanage" [Clothing shop aunty]

""Let do our best then!!"" [Alice's parents]

"I'll repair anything for them" [Erinmorlin]

"We will continue to heal Rafiah and Zerolith" [Yefefiah]

"In that case, I'll take a look at Housey" [Flinar]

"Well, I will stay here and settled anything that requires legal compensation then" [Gizzere]

Looks like almost all of them are ready. I should give some times for the indecisive one to decide

"You aren't helping them?" [Muse]

"I..." [Female paladin adventure]

"Well, the duke and the church are the one recognizing you, that's why you can become a paladin, but is that really alright?" [Muse]

"..." [Female paladin adventure]

"That's too bad, but master being here did give us some sense of security" [Muse]

Looks like Muse are talking to her master, and as for these two (or three should I say)

"You sure about that?" [Qis]

"We are!" [Rean]

"Please, let us join the first group!" [Elise]

"Meow!" [Behe]

I can let Rean enter the assault group given that he had proved himself in the past, but as for Elise. I did want her to become a member of Valkyrie group in the future, but is it really alright to bring her as well

"What do you think Qis?" [Diana]

"Alright, but promise me to be extra careful" [Qis]

""Right!!"" [Rean, Elise]

I can guess why Qis let Elise enter the assault group, basically the same reason as mine

"Alright! For those who are still indecisive, make your decision quickly! Otherwise, I will put you in the third group!" [Diana]

Time is moving fast, plus, I need them to prepare themselves whether it's preparing their equipment or taking a good look at the underground map

(Whether we succeed or not, I have a feeling that today will be marked as one of importants day in history of Estel) [Diana]

O goddess, please, lend us your strength