Elemental Zodiack

Chapter 28: A new mission

--- Two days have passed since the Zodiack Tournament, whose winner was decided to be The Aries: Sarus. Yoso remembered Sarus' request, and so, right now, a new Zodiack Council was finally formed, following with their next meeting.

 Standing up, at the round table of the meeting hall, was Yoso that picked up a remote, and then turned his view towards a large monitor, that was situated behind him.

 After using the remote, a list consisting of twelve names was shown to everyone present. There were at least thirty people present in the meeting hall, but only eleven of them would appear on that list.

"This is the final decision we've made after the results of the Zodiack Tournament. Henceforth, those are the actual Zodiack of the Kingdom of Dinsfurd,"

 Many were watching with astonishment, and others weren't so surprised by the results.

                                                                       The Zodiacks of Dinsfurd 

12. Osamu Jin - Sign of Cancer: Sound

11. Keigo Murasawa - Sign of Libra: Poison

10. Alex Iulio - Sign of Capricorn: Thunder

9. Ye Cai - Sign of Taurus: Steel

8. Geoff Stinger - Sign of Scorpio: Earth

7. Masato Kazuya - Sign of Pisces: Water

6. Diana Astera - Sign of Aquarius: Moon

5. Kein Shimada - Sign of Gemini: Wind

4. Solaria Tay - Sign of Virgo: Sun

3. Sarus - Sign of Aries: Smoke

2. Taka Tsubasa - Sign of Saggitarius: Light

1. Yoso Edroch - Sign of Leo

"The ones that didn't make it are mister Ryuuen Akasa, and mister Kirino Dirk, however, from now on, they will be members of squad one, under my direct command," adds Yoso

 After analyzing the results, everyone agreed, and so, the topic of the meeting changed altogether.

"Now... Mister Sarus, I would like you to tell everyone the details of the mission you've prepared..." says Yoso, while inviting Sarus in the middle, to stay next to him.

"Yes, sir..." after quietly answering Yoso, he moved towards the monitor, while passing all the other Zodiacks,

  After getting next to Yoso, on his right side, he faced the other Zodiacks and started explaining the mission related to the second Zodiack, Taka Tsubasa.

"This is a mission that will require some experienced soldiers, and maybe even some of the Zodiacks. It is related to a problem that almost all of you might be well aware of. It is the problem regarding Sir Taka, the Zodiack with number 2. As you might know, he always had a carefree nature and left the kingdom a few years ago, no one seeing him afterwards. However, the fact that he still holds the spot of Zodiack, even though he doesn't have any troops anymore, nor showed up in the kingdom in years, it's a true matter. I feel like I am talking in everyone's name when I say that we need him to come back, or at least drop out from the Zodiacks," explain Sarus

"So this is the matter of cause..." says Yoso while facing the others.

"So, this is a 'rescue-like' mission... Or is it just a hunt?" asks Kein while looking at Sarus.

"I see... It will be a truly hard mission since we don't have any proof of where sir Taka might be at," says Masato

"That was the first problem of this mission in the past, and the cause of which it was impossible to meet Taka Tsubasa back then... But now, it is a different matter," explains Sarus

"Oh? So you say you found him... Nice mister 'Rising Star'..." exclaims Geoff with a smug smile on his face.

"I've had one of my most talented men search for him for a few years now... Some of the old Zodiack might know the name... 'Street Cats'." says Sarus

"What?!" shouts Keigo

"You mean... You have someone from that group in your squad?!" asks Ye Cai with an astonished expression

 Many years ago, the Street Cats were one of the strongest units in Dinsfurd, that fought in numerous battles and had zero losses against Authorania in the war. They disbanded after their leader got assassinated in the past, and no one knew where the former members were hiding.

"Yes. The vice-captain of my squad, Arthur Leon is one of the former members of the Street Cats... He is a very talented individual, so I gave him the mission of chasing Taka Tsubasa, two years prior to his disappearance," says Sarus

"From what I know, Taka Tsubasa disappeared without a trace, one year before I arrived in Dinsfurd when I was still eleven years old..." thinks Yoso

"I see... So you want someone to hunt down this Taka Tsubasa or what his name is! I'm in!" shouts Solaria

"It's not going to be that easy... I will also personally go, and I request the help of other Zodiacks since we don't know how Taka changed in the past years. I got some information about what he's doing, but it would be rather hard to explain. I don't want to travel with a really big group, but I want some strong individuals to come..." explains Sarus

"~Okay! So, first thing off, I want the ones that disagree with this mission to raise their right hand!" says Yoso

 Everyone heard him loud and clear, but not a single hand was raised.

"As I thought. It is indeed a true problem to have a Zodiack seat occupied by someone that wasn't even present in his own country for five years..." says Yoso

 Everyone nodded in agreement when hearing this statement.

 "Good. So the mission is confirmed... Then, mister Sarus, I suggest you some people that would benefit you in this mission," says Yoso

"Of course, sir Yoso... I am listening to your advice..."

"Nice... Then, first thing is that I want to go, period."

"If that is your wish, I have no right to decline..."

"I want to see mister Taka Tsubasa in person myself, and also, I suggest that mister Kein comes as well. His support abilities will be of help to us in the long term, and he is also my secretary in the Zodiacks!" says Yoso

"... I didn't say that I want to go... I'd rather spent my free time in your jacuzzi, Yoso... Sarus, please decline..." thinks Kein while looking at the two of them with a serious expression.

"Of course, I also think that sir Kein's abilities are an asset that would benefit us in this kind of mission..." says Sarus

"My luck is really my biggest issue... It's like when I used to play video games, and get useless teammates... Or when someone escaped low HP when I fought him... That's why I gave up playing them... I wouldn't have thought that the lack of luck was universal for all domains..." thinks Kein

"If that's what you want, Yoso... I will come," says Kein with a rather disappointed look on his face.

"Anyone else, sir Yoso?" asks Sarus

"I don't think that taking too many Zodiacks is a wise choice, so I feel like we should keep the number low. You might take anyone from your division that you find trustworthy and useful. I and mister Kein will do the same, but please try not to pass the number of ten people in total for the group," says Yoso

 Laure couldn't help but watch Yoso from aside, and let tear a little.

"I wouldn't have thought that he'd mature so quickly... I am so proud!" thinks Laure

"Then this is it... Mister Sarus, would you mind telling us the location of our mission?" asks Yoso

"The location of Taka's new residence is... The Kingdom of Swanford..."

"S-Swanford?!" many shouts could be heard throughout the room.

"What's wrong?" asks Yoso with a questioning look on his face.

"Swanford is the only neutral kingdom, and is also called 'The House of the Mercenaries'. It is a huge kingdom with a vast history and many things that are not present in Dinsfurd. It is not an advanced kingdom by any means, but it is a powerful one nonetheless. They also have the 'Guild System', in which regular people can create big groups, and get recognized as guilds, varying in power. Many of these guilds are as strong as entire armies, and are a host of many powerful fighters..." explains Saki that was watching the conversation from the side.

"I see. Then I don't see any problem!" says Yoso

"Yoso... They are a neutral kingdom! That means that anybody can enter or leave it... So it would be just natural that they also have ties with Authorania!" shouts Masato

"Ah... Well, I still don't see any problem!"

"You are helpless..." says Kein with a sigh

 Most of the worried faces start turning into a smile, following Yoso's cheerful behaviour.

"Then it's set! We'll give the start of this mission in a week from now! Those are all the details of the mission, so let's discuss some other important matters that I thought of!" says Yoso that quickly follows up with:

"I want to see all your ID cards!"

"I knew he will ask this..." quietly mutters Laure

"Why though?" says Kein

"Umm... Pure curiosity?"

 Everyone was staring at Yoso with a dumbfounded expression, that slowly turned into a disappointed one. 

"Ah... about that..." Saki intervenes

"If you are so curious, why don't you check the stats on your own ID card?" she continues

"Wait... I can see others' stats on my ID card?" asks Yoso 

"Well... The ID cards are not actual cards... They fall closer to the smartphone category... Zodiack ID cards have a special feature that lets you see the other Zodiacks' stats..." explains Saki

 Everyone was looking at Saki with an astonished expression, giving a sign that not even the older Zodiacks knew about this feature.

"Why do you know this...?" quietly asks Jin with a dumbfounded look on his face.

"Ah... Because I created them. I was the leader of the Scientific-Division in the army before transferring into Squad one of Zodiack,"

 Everyone fell into a deep silence... Not many of them knew anything about Saki after all...