Their final meal went down quite slowly thanks to Luna and Cassandra struggling to destroy the white bunny with their forks and then attempting to savour every last bite for as long as possible.
By the time they finished eating the sun had set, just a couple hours until the operation was set to begin.
Leo left the dinner table early to prepare. He needed to contact Ryuu and Bastion as well as prepare potions, armour, weapons, magic devices etc… The Furano household had a few vaults filled with such items in preparation for possible war and or monster stampedes. Leo felt a little guilty using their reserves for something that could be considered an internal family matter, but he didn't have much choice. His uncle had more men and more money; they'd surely be outfitted well.
If Frost hadn't bought the peak 3 star glaive from Borris, he would have supplied him with one from their vault. Leo himself retrieved-with his father's permission of course- the sword of Furano, the weapon to be wielded by the territory's ruler. It too was a peak 3 star weapon that had been used by their family for generations. His father, Douglas wielded this blade whenever he left the territory, as a symbol of their house.
The blade was to be used only in the name of the Furano household, using it as an adventurer was forbidden but tonight, he was acting as the heir to the Furano household, not an E-rank adventurer so his father gave his blessing. Douglas couldn't exactly use it in his current condition anyway.
Leo had servants he trusted explicitly aid him in retrieving items from the vaults before placing them in storage rings. He retrieved the Sword of Furano himself.
Sitting upon an elegant stand, protected by a glass case was a 3 foot sword made of high quality duram steel alloy, forged by the royal blacksmiths of the capital. The handle was made of glacial poplar, a tree found only in the inner regions of the Glacial Mountains and despite its age the blade was pristine, revealing just how well maintained the Furanos kept it. Leo carefully lifted up the glass covering and removed the sword from its stand. It had a pommel at the base also made of a duram metal alloy, decorated with the sigil of house Furano, an ice griffin.
"It's heavy" Leo muttered under his breath as he gripped the sword and gave it a few practise swings.
Shwing shwiiing
The air was easily rendered apart; one wouldn't even need to be touched by the blade to find themselves cut.
Holding the sword of Furano filled Leo with strength and confidence, alas with his current abilities he was unworthy of wielding such a fine weapon. He only knew a single sword skill [slash] and his mastery was only at the basic level (2nd level).
"One day I'll be worthy, but for now I need to borrow your power." Leo donned a determined smile before placing the sword in its partnering sheath which also adorned with the image of an ice griffin.
Placing the sword at his side, he continued to look through the vault for things he could use. Not all of the adventurers would have weapons worthy of their stature, the Furanos had a decent supply of 2 star weapons kept in good shape, outfitting the aiding adventurers or even some of the gangs with such weapons would surely increase their firepower.
"Split everything up equally into storage rings, the lower class ones with 5 years or less stability left."
"Understood young master." His servants filled up multiple low class storage rings with potions, spare weapons, some smoke bombs and a few other nick knacks. If Cassandra hadn't been so thorough with her cleansing Leo wouldn't dream of accessing the storage vaults. Adam would have been notified immediately and made preparations.
'It'll take some time to organise with so few people but at least we can.' Leo thanked his mother internally for doing such a good job before continuing to work.
Meanwhile over at the adventurers guild Bastion was welcoming the group of adventurers who'd be aiding him in their vendetta tonight. Some of them came in disguise, covered head to toe hiding their identity. Adam most likely had eyes on the guild so if a large group of high rank adventurers showed up, he'd start to get suspicious.
The adventurers were discreetly led towards a secret room in the guild whenever they arrived. Bastion had already gone over the details of the plan with each of them when they agreed to help, this was simply a summons.
Once the last member arrived, the door to the secret room was bolted shut and a magic device that established a barrier activated, isolating the room from the world.
The group all removed their disguises the moment the barrier was activated.
"Phewwww that was getting uncomfortable." A large beastman complained as he revealed his muscular body that was constrained by the heavy black cloak he was wearing.
"Yeah, I'm a wizard not an assassin, way too many clothes." A beautiful female human agreed with the large beastman, underneath her cloak she was wearing very little, even her stomach was exposed.
"Quit complaining it was only for a couple hours!" A rugged dwarf with a large scar down his face rebuked.
"Hahaha" A few light-hearted giggles were released from a pair of elven twins.
"That's enough you lot we've got work to do!" Bastion was seated at the head of a large table surrounded by the adventurers. 14 people answered his call for aid. There would actually be more, but they were either currently too far away to help or would be too conspicuous.
The 14 adventurers all took their seats and waited for Bastion's instructions. They all knew one another and if fact many of them were good friends, they had no issues working together especially on behalf of Bastion.
"When do we begin the attack?" the Large beastman smiled, showing off his sharp teeth as he spoke, he was itching for a good fight.
Bastion turned to face him and smirked.
"3 hours, in 3 hours we'll move for the attack. Each of you will leave the guild hall at different times to avoid suspicion and make your way to Adam's manor. Ryuu and I will be walking in through the front door with Leo as a distraction while the lot of you will attack from the sides. Try to be as quiet as possible, the more you can take down before Adam becomes alerted the better our chances will be." Adam would most likely scamper away immediately if he saw the 14 adventurers ride up through the front door alongside them thus the they planned to temporarily split up their forces.
"This will be your last chance to ask questions."
The 14 adventurers looked at one another before a few of them replied
"Who's protecting Leo and Luna?" An old male human asked, looking far beyond his prime.
"Don't worry about that we've already got that avenue covered." Bastion answered confidently. He wasn't worried in the slightest about Leo and Luna's safety given Frost's capabilities. He was even less worried about Douglas and Cassandra given the fact that that unfathomable woman would be guarding them. Bastion got a shiver down his spine as he remembered the feeling he got from looking at her.
One of the elven twins asked next.
"You mentioned that the Furano house would be giving out supplies, where will we pick them up?" Although not all of them needed it, it was always best to have extra and not need than to need and not have.
"Before you leave, you'll be handed a storage ring with supplies, do with them what you wish." Bastion wasn't going to ask for the remainders back as it would be in poor taste.
"Anything else?"
"Nope, I think we're all set Bastion" The oldest of the group answered on behalf of his colleagues. Not a single one of them was nervous or afraid at the idea of fighting against Adam and his horde of goons. Adventurers lived everyday with their lives on the line, something like this is a walk in the park compared to fighting vicious monsters. The pay was also considered fairly high plus supplies were given, only in war time and monster stampedes would they see such benefits.
Leo wasn't going to skimp out on payments; he fully intended on recovering large amounts of the embezzled funds when they raided Adam's compound plus when he's killed due to a crime of treason against the ruling lord his bank assets can be legally forfeited albeit with the bank receiving a 10% stipend of the total amount.
"Good…thank you all for your service." Bastion stood up from his chair and bowed deeply in gratitude. This operation was off the books and technically didn't exist, as adventurers they had no obligation to accept such a risky venture yet each of them did and without any hesitation.
The large beastman loudly spoke
"Pshhhh guild master there's no need to thank us, we're happy to help you out, you'd do the same for us." The large beastman spoke loudly and motioned to help Bastion up from his bowing posture. The group of 14 adventurers felt weird seeing their guild master and friend bowing towards them like this.
"Yeah, Bagua's right, there's no need for thanks Bastion." The old human male agreed with Bagua's statement.
The rest all nodded and agreed encouraging Bastion to straighten his back.
"You lot" Bastion could feel a few tears forming in his eyes.
'God damn what did I do to deserve such loyal friends and subordinates?'
After a few laughs and general chatting about how everyone was doing and their plans after the operation it was time for them to start leaving.
One of Bastion's most trusted subordinates handed the adventurers a storage ring whenever they left, it was filled with supplies given by the Furano household as well as some from the adventurers guild and even the merchants guild. Sebastian the merchant guild head couldn't really get as involved as Ryuu and Bastion, but he was able to provide money and goods under the table.
Back in the Lord's manor, Frost and Maya stayed in a guest room while waiting for Leo to finish his preparations.
"Remember to run away if you come across an opponent you can't handle." Maya started lecturing Frost like a concerned mother or older sister causing Frost to feel both cared for and embarrassed. Although he was only born recently, he wasn't exactly a child, he knew how to act.
"Yes, yes I promise." he wouldn't argue.
"I'll stay in the Lord's bedroom along with Cassandra, anyone who tries to attempt anything will have to first get past my killing intent. But I won't waste my protection on two humans if someone does get past." Maya clearly stated her position. If she wasn't restricted in her actions, she may very well act on their behalf given her young master's fondness for them but with Dark's restrictions she didn't dare waste a single one.
Frost frowned slightly at Maya's stubbornness but understood her reasoning and in fact agreed with her, it was just hard to admit it.
"Got it, I won't ask you to do any more than that." Cassandra had arranged for the two of them to rest in this guest room, it was fairly large and well decorated and was one of the few rooms still kept free of dust. Leo said that he'd be preparing for the operation and that they could rest until then. Cassandra took Douglas back to his bedroom to rest, his sudden surge in strength could only last so long.
'He'll probably pass in a couple days.' Frost thought about Douglas, his limbs were involuntarily shaking as he left the dining room, a guard had to assist lady Cassandra since she couldn't support her husbands' full weight. Frost still felt iffy about not saying anything earlier when Douglas forced himself to walk.
"Douglas won't last long." Maya spoke when she saw Frost lost in thought. If Douglas couldn't even hide his state from Frost, then there was no way he could hide it from Maya. She noticed the moment she entered the dining room but didn't say anything because it was none of her business. She wasn't attached like Frost was, but she couldn't' blame him, technically other than herself these were the first people Frost had ever interacted with, of course he'd be rather influenced by their lives.