Leveling Up by Seducing Milfs-Chapter 102. Before The Eastern Wastes

There were a lot of serious and determined people in the Divine Temple’s war council chamber. Rick was sitting at the long oak table with Carmilla on his right and Natasha on his left.

Liora was sitting across from him, and her calm face hid the worry he could feel through their bond. Fredrich was at the head of the table with a detailed map in front of him while holding his head that started to hurt, and Guildmaster Roderick was going over intelligence reports with a worried look on his face.

But the most shocking person there was Sylvia Flameheart herself, who had just come from the Northern Peaks an hour before through an emergency portal.

The Dragon Queen sat at the end of the table in a human form. Her red and gold hair caught the morning light coming in through the windows.

Even while sitting down, she exuded power and authority that made the Academy mages standing guard along the walls move around nervously.

Fredrich started by tapping the map with one finger and saying, "Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

"We’ve gotten important information about the Eastern Wastes that changes how we plan to carry out this mission."

Rick leaned in, his focus sharp. "What kind of information...?"

Fredrich pointed to one of the Academy mages, who then stepped forward with a scroll. "Our scouts have seen a lot of movement in the demon army near the border of the Eastern Wastes."

"Don’t worry, these are NOT invasion forces."

"It looks like they’re reconnaissance patrols."

"Reconnaissance for what?" Carmilla asked, and her hand moved toward the hilt of her sword.

Fredrich went on, "That’s what worries us."

"Zara Bloodthorn, the Demon General, is responsible for these patrols herself."

"She’s a 42-year-old veteran warrior who has been responsible for demon armies for more than 20 years."

"She doesn’t usually lead reconnaissance missions unless something catches her eye."

"Holy shit...?! A demon milf who’s 42 years old...? I expected her to be a hundred more, but I’ll take that." Rick said in his mind.

Natasha’s eyes narrowed as she thought about it. "It’s probably something to do with that corruption."

"The demons are having a hard time with the barrier breaking down, just like we are."

"Exactly," Fredrich said.

"Our intelligence says that monster attacks in demon territories along the eastern border have gone up by 15% in the last month."

"Their barrier parts are breaking down at about the same rate as ours."

Rick felt a rush of hope. "So they have the same enemy as us."

"That’s how we start our diplomacy!"

"Maybe," Guildmaster Roderick said carefully. "Like I said yesterday, demons aren’t known for trusting people."

"There has been bad blood between our people for hundreds of years, even though we have a common enemy."

Sylvia spoke for the first time, and her voice was full of old wisdom. "Demons value strength more than anything else."

"That bitch will laugh in your face and then kill you if you ask her for help, but again... she might listen if you come to her as equals and offer her something in return."

"That’s where Rick comes in," Liora said. "He’s not just a diplomat for people."

"He is the Dragon Queen’s Consort, the Hero of Mature Hearts, and the one who is supposed to bring the Seven Major Powers together."

"That gives him more credibility than any other person."

Rick moved around in his seat uncomfortably. "Don’t worry about it."

Sebastian stood next to the map on the table with his little arms crossed. "The mission parameters are clear."

"Stop Demon General Zara before any possible conflict gets worse and negotiate an alliance based on shared interest in stopping the corruption."

"If you can, make a Spirit Bond with her right away and try not to start a war between species."

Rick said, "That’s fucking easy for you to say! I haven’t seen her with my own eyes!"

Carmilla sat up straight in her chair and spoke with confidence. "Even if the danger continues to increase..."

"I have to show that I can keep him safe! And I won’t let another failure happen on my watch."

Rick reached over and held her hand under the table. He sent waves of comfort through their Unbreakable Bond.

"It wasn’t a failure, and you’ve shown yourself to be more than enough."

"I’m still going anyway," Carmilla said in a final way.

Natasha nodded. "Of course I’m coming too."

"Someone needs to keep both of you alive by using real strategic thinking instead of rushing into danger."

Rick weakly said, "Oh, come on now..."

"Did I get it wrong?" Natasha raised one eyebrow.

Rick let out a sigh. "Well, no."

Liora put her hands together on the table and looked torn. "I’m sorry to bring on some bad news about this, but..."

"It seems like the gods wanted me to stay here because the temple needs me here, especially since things are getting worse with the corruption."

"The temple is going to be targeted, and I don’t know why I’m acting all stupid and naive trying to come with you to meet with Zara, but I’ll be there for you because of our bond and the Divine Aegis!"

"No matter how far away you are, you will be safe." Liora smiled.

Suddenly, Sylvia stood up, and her chair scraped against the stone floor. "If one of the major powers can’t come with you to convince that bitch, then I should go with you!"

"The presence of a Dragon Queen would scare demons and make them respect her!"

"Besides, if that bitch doesn’t trust my Rick, she’s in for some ass kicking!" Sylvia clenched her fist.

Rick also stood up and looked into her amber eyes. "I think it’s best that you didn’t come as well."

"It will start a war right away if you go into demon territory. And like Liora said, if her temple is being targeted by the corruption, then we know your territory is going to be targeted as well."

"Now that I see the Archon’s pattern... that asshole is going to love it even more if I were with a lot of the major power currently because he could immediately get you all right away." Rick said with his critical thinking for once.

Sylvia’s eyes flashed with worry and anger over what was hers. "You’re telling me to stay back while you go into one of the most dangerous places on the continent?"

Rick gently said, "Please trust me," as he walked around the table to stand in front of her.

"And to believe that the ties we have will keep me safe."

"You’ll know when I’m in real trouble, and we both know you will."

For a long time, Sylvia looked down at him, her dragon-like nature fighting with her logical mind. "Nrrgghhhh..."

Finally, she let out a frustrated sigh. "Hahhhhh..."

"Okay, fine... but I keep an eye on our bond all the time! If I think you’re in real danger, then I don’t care about anything apart from you!"

"I’m going to come and help my Consort!"

"Okay, fair enough." Rick said.

Fredrich cleared his throat. "Given the recent Shadow Covenant kidnapping incident, we’ve implemented five safety measures for this mission."

He started counting things off on his fingers. "First, the party never splits under any circumstances."

"Second, all three of you will have communication crystals that check in every two hours."

"Third, emergency teleport scrolls that can take you back to Valdris right away if you need to."

"Fourth, tracking spells that let me find you anywhere on the continent."

"And fifth, Liora and Sylvia will always be watching the bond."

Rick said, "That’s a lot of safety measures."

"That’s because we almost lost Carmilla last time," Fredrich said without any sugarcoating. "I’m not taking chances with the Hero of Mature Hearts walking into demon territory."

The rest of the meeting was about logistics, supply lists, possible ways to negotiate, and backup plans for different situations. Rick felt mentally ready but emotionally drained by the time it ended two hours later.

Liora walked over to Rick and his two friends as everyone else started to leave. "I’d like to do a blessing ceremony before you go."

"It’s for all three of you." Liora said while gesturing for them to come with her.

They went with her to the Golden Shrine, where she had already set up the ritual space with candles and other holy things. The afternoon sun shone through the stained glass windows and made colorful patterns on the marble floor.

Liora told Rick, Carmilla, and Natasha to kneel in the middle of the circle. She started to chant in an ancient language of the gods, and a golden light came from her hands and surrounded each of them in turn.

"May the gods keep you safe on your journey," Liora said, her voice full of divine power.

"May their wisdom guide your words, their strength make your bodies stronger, and their love protect your souls from evil."

"Walk in their light and come back to us safely."