"Let''s raid the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance. We''ll kill all of them and purge the Lyma Region of their existence once and for all."


    For a moment, there was silence in the room.


    ''E-eh? That''s his n?'' Duke Damien Lyma watched in stunned silence as the adventurer, Luke, boldly suggested a head-on raid against the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance.


    He hadn''t expected such audacious words from Luke, whom he''d perceived as a resourceful, intelligent individual.


    Yet, here was Luke, proposing a n that seemed more akin to a show of brute force rather than strategic thinking.


    ''D-did I make a mistake? Maybe it was apse in my judgment…''


    Luke was, after all, just an Adventurer. Perhaps he overestimated his strategic abilities.


    Luke continued to speak, detailing the advantages of a direct assault. It would be fast, it would be efficient, and it would certainly throw the Alliance into chaos.


    Duke Damien couldn''t deny the logic behind Luke''s words. He was aware, just as everyone else in the room was, that the straightforward approach had its merits.


    ''But we''ve all considered that. It''s basic. There''s a reason we didn''t choose that approach.''


    Manpower was the issue that stood in the way of implementing such a n.


    The Nine Headed Dragon Alliance was a formidable foe, one that couldn''t be underestimated. A direct confrontation could result in a catastrophic loss if they were not adequately prepared, especially if the Alliance anticipated their attack.


    As expected, one of his rtives in the room voiced this concern. The man''s stern gazended on Luke as he expressed his doubts.


    "Luke, while your n is bold, we cannot ignore the fact that we are significantly outnumbered. The Alliance is expecting our move, and given our limited forces, the likelihood of our sess is slim. How do you propose we tackle this issue?"


    ''Precisely…'' Duke Damien studied Luke''s face for any sign of falter, curious about his response.


    ''Everyone here is already skeptical of Luke''s involvement in this, but… I still believe in him. What will you do now, Luke?''


    Would the adventurer, who had miraculously saved his life and exposed a plot within his own family, have a usible solution to this predicament as well?


    ''Prove me right!''


    ********


    [00 Months: 13 Days: 11 Hours]


    As the weight of everyone''s expectations settled on my shoulders, I took a deep breath to collect my thoughts.


    These were some of the most influential people in the Lyma Family, their eyes filled with skepticism. The question posed was valid, but I was ready with a response.


    I cleared my throat, locking my gaze with the man who questioned me.


    "The Lyma family has enough manpower," I stated confidently. "We have a significant number of Adventurers from different regions. The forces amassed for the expedition, despite its canction, can be repurposed for our cause. Alongside the Lyma military, we can challenge the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance."


    A murmur spread through the room, and I noticed a few people exchanging thoughtful nces.


    However, another man interjected before I could continue. "Even with thosebined forces, they might not be enough to face an organization as formidable as the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance."


    The man''s words hung in the air, and a moment of tense silence fell over the room. I felt a flicker of annoyance but didn''t let it show. I knew they were scared, unsure, and it was my job to assure them that we could ovee this hurdle.


    "I understand your concerns, but given the covert nature of their ns, the forces of the Alliance in the base we''re attacking will most likely be small. If they had the full strength of an army, they would''ve just taken over the Lyma Region or caused chaos in the Southern Kingdom by now. I''m confident that their current forces aren''t asrge or formidable as you might think."


    If they had to send the doctor to eliminate Duke Damien, and an Assain to kill me, it meant they wanted to resolve this inconspicuously.


    ''After interrogating the doctor, their ns are now clear. Making Eugene a puppet governor over thisnd while they rule it from the shadows and expand their influence.''


    That meant they currently didn''t have a very stable stronghold here.


    ''The n is more than feasible!''


    There were murmurs and reluctant nods, but I could still see the uncertainty flickering in their eyes.


    I needed to give them something concrete, something that could quell their doubts. So, I smiled andid my final card on the table.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll be joining the raid," I announced, meeting each gaze in the room. "If the Duke entrusts me with themand, I promise you this: we''ll wipe out everyst member of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance. We will be victorious."


    And I meant every word of it.


    ''If there''s something I''m confident about… it''s my abilities in this world. After calcting the capabilities of the current forces of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance in the Lyma Region, I''m confident we can take them.''


    The only problem was… would they believe me?


    The Duke looked at me intently, his gaze searching.


    "Are you sure about this, Luke?" he asked, seeking reassurance. His eyes were those of a leader, someone who needed to be certain of the path he was choosing for his people.


    I met his gaze, unwavering.


    "Yes, I am," I affirmed with confidence.


    A moment passed as the Duke considered my words, before he finally nodded.


    "Then that settles it," he said, addressing the room. "We''ll put our faith in Luke. The man who has saved my life and uncovered a conspiracy that would have shattered our family. I trust in his n. I hope you all will too."


    The room was silent for a beat. Then, Theo, the Duke''s young son, shot up from his chair, a bright grin on his face. "I support Luke''s n," he dered.


    Drius, the seasoned Grand Knight, voiced his agreement next. "I stand with Luke as well," he said, his voice firm and resolute.


    Oswald, the family butler, gracefully nodded in my direction. "I too agree with Luke''s n," he added.


    After them, the others followed suit. One by one, hands raised in approval, faces nodding in agreement.


    ''What a relief…''


    Watching the room, I felt a surge of satisfaction wash over me.


    They all believed in me. They trusted me.


    ''Well, most of them are simply going with the flow, but…''


    I now had the green light. My ns weren''t in vain!


    "Thank you for your trust, everyone. I can already witness our victory." I smiled at the crowd.


    ''Don''t worry, you guys. I won''t let you down.''


    ********


    [00 Months: 13 Days: 13 Hours]


    Standing behind Duke Damien Lyma, I observed as he addressed the hall full of eager Adventurers that had originally been assembled for apletely different purpose.


    ''Seraphina did tell me there would be a general briefing for all the Adventurers gathered for the Expedition. So this is what she meant…''


    The field contained grinning Adventurers, most of them surprised to see the Duke in the flesh. I observed all of them, even spotting Benard standing inconspicuously in a corner.


    Our eyes met and he grinned at me. I responded with a simr gesture.


    ''He''s probably surprised that I''m standing close to the Duke, among the important members of the Lyma Family.''


    Yep. I was already moving up in the world.


    The Duke''s voice echoed in therge room, filled with the excitement of a new venture.


    "In lieu of the expedition, we have another mission to undertake," he dered, his voice booming across the room.


    "We have some bandits infesting our region that we need to clear out. They''ve been causing problems for our people, and we need to take care of them."


    I smiled once I heard the words of Duke Damien.


    A subtle change rippled through the room. I could see the adventurers exchange nces, mulling over the sudden change in n.


    ''Rather than telling them the truth of our new mission, he told them we''re facing bandits instead. So even the Duke can do this…''


    Technically, it wasn''t aplete lie.


    The Nine Headed Dragon Alliance could be ssified as bandits... just a lot more organized, a lot more dangerous, and on a much grander scale.


    "You are free to leave if you choose," the Duke added.


    His voice was even, leaving the decision entirely up to the adventurers.


    Unsurprisingly, however, not a single one of them decided to take him up on that offer.


    Maybe they believed that dealing with bandits would be easier than risking their lives in an expedition into the Wild Lands.


    ''Yeah. That''s most likely the reason why.''


    Most Adventurers were moved by profit. If they saw an opportunity that had less risks, but still offered the immense rewards, they would all jump at it.


    When the Duke finished, a thunderous roar of agreement echoed throughout the hall.


    The adventurers were willing to take on this new mission, ready to go at first light.


    I felt a thrill of anticipation course through me.


    The n was in motion.


    And tomorrow... we would strike.


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Looks like we''re slowly arriving at the climax. Be prepared for some nice action. Ah, and also... a twist at the end.


    Thanks for reading.


    Cheers!