Chapter 244 The War "Inside" [15] [Resolve]

The Strayed Dungeon, "Cemetery of Oblivion", where the first Virtual War of the A-1 Class of the First-Year had transpired in the first semester, was just an ordinary dungeon for the one who had written about it in his unpublished novel, which he considered as a failure. However, as time went by and as mysteries continued to pile up and haunt him, he learned that such a dungeon possessed one of the mysteries that might be related to his reincarnation.

The detail of the Cemetery of Oblivion in Russell Moon's unpublished novel was vague and didn't possess any depth apart from its structure and the kind of powers and behavior that such a place would possess. Then, upon receiving the Star Quest from the Goddess of Night, which Russell Moon needed to fulfill in consecutive order, the latter came to know, with the help of one of his professors in the Obelisk Academy, Ayleen Mayfield, that the Boss Monster, who could be considered to possess such intelligence similar to that of a human and who could discuss the System itself, Lunaria, happened to be the one who had such traits that seemingly broke the human logic.

In other words, Russell Moon never expected that Lunaria, the one he needed to free from the confines of the Obelisk Organization, was the Boss Monster of the Cemetery of Oblivion, which he thought to be only relevant during the First Virtual War, where the mentioned dungeon was the one where Samantha Hall and Han Jiho had compete for something, though the result crushed the latter.

"I'm surprised that you knew about her, especially since she's one of the most confidential, or might be the most perhaps, existence that the Obelisk Organization has encountered."

Ayleen Mayfield spoke in a wondrous manner, somewhat seeing the peculiar and mysterious side of the young man again as she sat on her in front of her office desk. With the help of Amelie, the Spade Warp, everyone left first the capital of the Elnira Kingdom, though the Elves, now together with the Dwarves, had done preparing to assist the Humans, whose lands were being ravaged by the Vampire Race.

"Well, I'm grateful that you unexpectedly answered my query. You just broke the law by telling me confidential information about the exact location of Lunaria."

Russell Moon, sitting on a couch situated on the side of the office, replied in a casual manner.

"It's my token of gratitude for the solution to the Failure Penalty of the Tower of Growth. I mean, with that, I've quite a few interesting things about my Constellation, Witch of Dreams."

Ayleen Mayfield said, with a faint yet genuine smile spread across her gorgeous face. But Russell Moon, who was somewhat feeling a heavy emotion within the former's heart, just fell silent before speaking about a certain matter, which was related to the action that Russell Moon and his younger sister would commit.

"Anyway, Miss Ayleen, did Artorious tell you anything about me…? I mean, anything that might be related."

Ayleen Mayfield was somewhat caught off-guard by the unexpected question. After pondering for at least ten to fifteen seconds, she then responded in a casual manner as she tapped the office desk subconsciously.

"About you… Hmm. I can't think of anything related that Artorious said about you except when it's related to business like you know, calling you to do and that."

"I see. Thank you, Miss Ayleen."

Russell Moon said as various thoughts started to surface in his mind. If Artorious Hall didn't inform Ayleen Mayfield of anything related to the favor that he got on him, then it's better to be safe than to tell her about the plan of infiltration into the secret facility where the subject, "Lunaria" was being kept.

Although Ayleen Mayfield didn't question further about how he knew of such an existence, Russell Moon was certain that it was probably because the former simply got used to the latter's enigmatic bearing. In other words, from the moment when Russell Moon had informed them of the solution to the Failure Penalty of the Tower of Growth, and at the same time benefitted Ayleen Mayfield in the process, the latter believed that the former was on humanity's side – which was right, to begin with, at least partially.

"Alright. Good luck with whatever you'll do."

'If you know that I'll be infiltrating the secret facility where Lunaria's being kept, will you still bid me good luck…?'

Russell Moon inwardly lampooned, glancing at his younger sister who was silent the entire time, seemingly thinking about various things.

"Okay. We'll go now."

He then stood up from the couch, as Freya did the same. Then, as the siblings reached for the door, Russell paused for a moment, causing Ayleen to tilt her head. A second or two later, Russell's whispering voice echoed in Ayleen's heart, which made her somewhat flinch as her purple eyes blinked.

"Miss Ayleen, you know it's not your fault. So, don't burden yourself."

With the unexpected invasion of the Vampire Race against the Human Race, and with the supposedly useful information they had acquired through drilling the memories of a Vampire Commander and several Vampire Soldiers, Ayleen Mayfield at least anticipated that things would go smoothly or with lessened casualties. But this expectation was destroyed as the meeting of the Vampire Lords coincided with the meeting the Three-Way Alliance did, which meant that for the Vampires, it was too early compared to the information gathered.

The sound of the door then followed as the siblings left the office room. Ayleen Mayfield fell silent and contemplated the words of the young man, whose mind was truly mature.

Being as fragile woman as she was when she was alone, crystal-like tears started to flow down her flawless face.

***

In Russell Moon's dormitory room, apart from Samantha Hall, the entire Umbra Mercenary gathered.

As everyone took a seat, waiting for their leader's words, Russell Moon then addressed Ken Raven first.

"Ken, I need you out for the next circumstances because it'll affect your family greatly, and don't tell Samantha anything about it."

After some time, before invading the capital of Rainfire, Russell had decided to tell them about the crime that he would commit. Although he may be hypocritical as his concern was Ken Raven's family and not his own, Russell just wanted to emphasize that Ken had the right to be out of this mission.

Ken Raven nodded, appreciating the comradery he had with the ones who helped him get back up from his downfall.

"Then… Amery will also be out of this mission. I know for some reason you're not visiting the orphanage even though you seemingly have the time in the world, but we cannot risk them being questioned, especially if there are kids around.

"To put it simply, this mission will be handled by me, my younger sister, and Amelie. Also, don't worry about the Orb Of Truth's interrogation that will come later, not because we possess the Nihility, helping us to conceal the truth."

After some time, Russell Moon briefed them on what was about to happen. He also the two: Ken Raven and Amery Blight, what they wanted to do for the time being. The response was as expected – to send them into a war that's being fought at this very moment.

Knowing the place where Anya Amasawa was at the moment, Russell then agreed to their wishes and asked Amelie to transport them discreetly.

"Always watch out for those bloodsucking creatures!"

Russell Moon's words before Amelie warped them in the designated location.

***

"Aren't you going to change your mind…? Whatever decision you make, I'll appreciate it since both are equally painful in the end."

Alone in his room with his younger sister, as Amelie went for them for a moment, Russell Moon asked Freya Moon, whose mind was occupied by something. However, as the elder brother, he knew that her thoughts were a mess and were certainly about the possible consequences of their action.

'But… I can't leave Oppa alone-!'

If the infiltration of the secret facility transpired, then the Soul Contract established with Artorious Hall would be broken as Russell's act would be considered harmful against humanity. This would lead Russell to be on the constant run from the Obelisk Organization.

"I've decided. I won't let you bear this alone."

"Well, if you think about it, I won't be alone since Amelie's there also."

"It doesn't matter. I'll accompany you, Oppa."

"Sigh, I have no plans to change your mind in any way. But do you think it's better not to inform Mom and Dad…?"

Russell Moon had been thinking about it for some time – what if he told his parents of every predicament he and his younger sister were in? Would it yield better results and would have them free reign to do what's necessary?

"Oppa. Stop being crazy. I won't let them be compromised because of our actions."

"Alright then. There's no use arguing about it."

At that moment, Amelie Rose Merveil came back through the Spade Warp.

She then asked:

"Shall we proceed?"