Chapter 550 Muffled Harp Strings (1/2)
Gaya gazed silently at Gillian swinging her huge, fluffy tail before her. ”Interesting, Miss Gillian. But I don't think that I'm obliged to help you.”
”I didn't insist on having you help us, Little Gaya,” Gillian chuckled. She stuck out a finger and swayed it to the left and right delightfully. ”I'm only informing you of this matter and I hope that you can provide us some assistance. Isn't this effortless for you? Come on, don't be this petty. Since you have the strength to resolve this problem, no one would know about it if you don't show off, right?”
”What about you, Fire Elemental Lord?” Gaya's pitch-black pupils continued to scrutinize the fox-eared young lady before her. Gillian giggled and leaned back to her seat leisurely. She interlocked her fingers and twitched her ear complacently. ”My situation is a little special, Little Gaya. But I'm still trying my best, okay? Look at you. You've been hiding in this ice-cold, damp room all this while. Wouldn't it be more fun if you take a walk under the sun and kill some people or something?”
”Please don't compare me with you, Miss Gillian.”
Gaya looked down and gently caressed the harp in her hands. ”You have your own thoughts and I have my considerations. I'm not here because I want to. These are Royal Highness Lydia's orders. I don't know who thought of this battle plan, but this is your problem and not mine. If they wish to be victorious, they'd better rely on their own hands and not expect others to assist them. I hate the weak, especially those who constantly hope to rely on the strength of the strong. The weak are nothing more than ants, and I have no interest to the ants' request. I guess you understand what I mean, Miss Gillian.”
”Of course, of course. I understand, Little Gaya. But the way you rejected me breaks my heart, even though I shouldn't be the one who should be sad. What a pity. Little Lize finally bucked up her courage for this, but it seems that she has to think of some other solutions now.”
Gillian jumped to her feet and showed off a smile to Gaya. She approached the door and reached out to the door handle. At this moment, she came to a halt abruptly and turned around with a passionate smile. ”Ah, by the way, Master wanted me to pass a message. He hopes that Royal Highness Lydia will reward him generously for accomplishing his mission, okay?”
”…” Gaya looked on without any change in her expression.
Gillian waved goodbye cordially and left the room. The black-haired young lady held onto the heavy harp and her right hand stroked lightly on its strings. She closed her eyes slowly.
A melodious tune filled her enclosed, chilly room.
A gentle breeze from the window freshened the depressing room. Lydia picked up the intelligence report and scanned it thoroughly. The corner of her mouth curled up. ”It seems that the nest of mice is finally moving out… A wildcat is indeed the correct choice for chasing away the mice. Housecats are meek, but they must be tired of hiding their claws, I suppose…”
The young lady laid on the red, soft velvety sofa, smiling at the report in her hand in satisfaction. She flipped to the next page and her long, slender fingers came to a stop abruptly. She read the report curiously and after a few moments, she chuckled and stood to her feet, tossing the report to the side.
”This is interesting…” Lydia turned to the picturesque view outside the window and mumbled to herself.
Golden radiance flickered on her back and a silhouette of light wings emerged gracefully. She paused for a while before reaching out for a little bell on the side table. Ding-a-ling. A female servant entered her room shortly after.
”Your Highness, what can I do for you?”
”Get Grand Mage Amund here and pass on the word that I will be holding a roundtable conference in the evening. Also, get General Lannick of the 7th Fleet here. It's about time to deal the final blow to the mice scattering in my territory.”
A glittering, lightning-like radiance glinted in her eyes for the first time.
”Phew…”
Lize placed the feather pen down and let out a bitter smile as she looked at the messy map that she had drawn. This battle plan was prepared solely by her and the following would be her most important challenge. She had to explain her battle plan perfectly to the others and gain their understanding and cooperation.
It's almost time.
Lize stood up and clenched her tiny fists. She swung a punch with all her might as though to boost her morale. Then, she picked up the map and exited the room.
When Lize arrived at the meeting room, everyone was fully prepared. Although they had plenty of such meetings, this time, they appeared much more curious and surprised. After all, they had been gathering according to the rules to follow up on the situation. But this time was different. This was the first time that Lize had taken the initiative to gather them together.
Everyone including Joey and Randolf was surprised. To be honest, it wasn't that they looked down upon Lize and went hard at her purposely. After all, Lize was the most senior member in Starlight. She had a gentle personality and was a life-saving Cleric, so no one would find trouble with this young lady for no particular reason. However, one shouldn't allow emotions to affect one's work. In the previous few meetings, Lize was as though a puppet who would agree to anything that anyone said.
After all, mercenaries moved out as groups and they needed a pillar to command them. They weren't worried about this problem with Rhode back then and there were multiple occasions when Lize had behaved like an uncommunicative clerk instead of an Adjutant who stepped up in place of the Leader. Fortunately, there weren't too many incidents that required Lize to make decisions and no one objected to her presence.
But now, there were finally some changes to the situation.
The Reformist Party's army was arriving at their doorstep and they could see that they were determined to win this battle. This was finally the time to put the mercenaries to the test. Even when there were ten thousand enemies, the mercenaries would fight fearlessly with Rhode commanding. But the mercenaries were worried now that Rhode wasn't around and Lize had been hesitant about her decisions.
Attack? Defend? Or retreat?
Everyone had had this conflict several times and they were thankful for Rhode in leaving Gillian behind to guide Lize. Although they were rather worried about the upcoming battle, at least they had this wily, formidable fox-eared young lady by their side. Besides, Rhode had told them that Gillian would be supporting Lize and with her around, they wouldn't be flustered out of their wits.
They thought that Gillian would be guiding Lize along when they heard that Lize had gathered them for a meeting. After all, there wasn't much time left and they would have a tough fight if they couldn't come up with any great strategies.
Due to this reason, almost everyone revealed a surprised expression when they saw Lize enter the meeting room alone. Joey stretched his neck to see if there was anyone behind her. However, Lize turned around and closed the door firmly.
What's this about? Joey thought.
As expected…
Lize felt a little down after noticing their expressions. She was a great observer and a meticulous person, and she understood their reactions. After all, even though the meetings had been organized in her name, Gillian was always the one with the leadership role. Will I be able to perform since Gillian isn't around?