"What is it?" one of the Exorcist Union leaders asked.
The Exorcist Union was led by the combined alliance of all major Hidden Clans.
Their leaders were all Rank 5 Exorcists.
Each one was a respected elder in their Clan.
"They want us to send only Rank 3 Exorcists to recruit or kill the Rune Sage, depending on what we decide.
"Also... they say they have spoken with New Order. New Order will also send only Rank 3 Exorcists to et the Rune Sage," the middle-aged Exorcist said.
None of the leaders looked surprised that Pri Five found Rune Sage’s location.
Sothing this big was bound to leak to their enemies.
"Good job bringing the news. You may leave," one elder said.
"Y-Yes, sire!"
The Exorcist hurried out after handing the letters to the Council.
The elders unfolded the letters and began reading.
They could understand why Pri Five only wanted to send Rank 3 Exorcists.
It was guaranteed that a fight would break out as the organizations who could not recruit Rune Sage try to kill him.
A battle between Rank 4 Exorcists or Rank 5 Exorcists would lead to death or grievous injuries.
No one could afford sothing like that.
All Rank 4 and Rank 5 Exorcists were precious.
A new discussion broke out.
"This could be a trap by Pri Five."
"I doubt it," one elder said. "Except for the Nightforge Consortium, all of Pri Five hate each other as much as they hate us.
"They won’t work together to take the Rune Sage from us. They gain nothing from that."
"If they each send two Exorcists, that gives them ten. And we can send only two? That’s too dangerous."
"It’s not. They will keep each other in check. So sending only two from our side should be enough, as long as everyone keeps their word."
"Can we trust them to keep their word? I don’t think so."
"I believe they will. Rune Sage is already dangerous. If any Pri Five group breaks the agreent and sends soone above Rank 3, they will paint a target on themselves. A war would start against that organization. No one wants that kind of risk."
"We should send our strongest Rank 3. That will balance the strength compared to the ones they send."
"Should we bring a God too? The letters don’t say we can’t."
"Sending a God into the domain of a Rank 5 Cursed Spirit is reckless. I don’t agree."
"We should send a God. That way we can fight them off even if they all try to kidnap the Rune Sage together."
"I will go!"
Thalwen’s voice roared through the council hall, and the sound shook the air around him.
One of the elders looked at the God.
"Thalwen, you should stay here. This could be a trap set by the Rune Sage."
"I am afraid of no trap."
The elder nodded slowly.
"That is normal. Soone as strong as you has no reason to fear a trap. However, why should you even go there in the first place? The Rune Sage is not very strong. Going to et him will lower your prestige."
"He insulted . I must have my revenge."
The sa elder sighed and shook his head.
He was Miyamoto Musashi, the Rank 5 Exorcist from Japan.
"Thalwen, he is like an ant compared to you.
"Do you get angry when an ant bites you?
"Yes, you will swat it if it bites you, but chasing after it is only insulting to yourself. Just wait. If the ant crawls toward you again, crush it with full force.
"But if you chase after it, others will laugh and say you cannot control your temper," said Miyamoto Musashi.
Thalwen beca silent.
He thought about his words.
After a long silence, he said, "Fine."
The elders exchanged glances.
Several of them let out quiet breaths and looked gratefully at Miyamoto Musashi.
Another god at the table leaned forward.
"We still need to send soone powerful to recruit the Rune Sage. It should be soone strong enough to face the people the Pri Five might send if they think of ganging up on us."
"I will send Tomoe," Miyamoto Musashi said.
The elders turned toward him with surprise.
"Isn’t she busy dealing with the Rank 4 Cursed Spirit in Japan?" one of them asked.
Musashi smiled.
"The Rank 4 Cursed Spirit should be exorcised by tomorrow. She can go et the Rune Sage the day after that."
The elders fell silent.
Even the gods looked surprised.
Then several of them stood and began congratulating Musashi.
This would be the first exorcism of a Rank 4 Cursed Spirit in a very long ti.
The last successful exorcism of a Rank 4 had happened two hundred and thirty-three years ago.
The news was even bigger because Tomoe, the one leading the exorcism, was only a Rank 3 Exorcist.
The Rank 4 Cursed Spirit known as The Blackout Priest had been roaming Japan, and its nature made it extrely difficult to deal with.
Even Rank 5 Exorcists struggled against it.
No amount of sheer strength helped.
Only soone with a sharp and calm mind had any hope of exorcising it.
Tomoe was that person.
She was currently the oldest and strongest known Rank 3 Exorcist.
Many believed she could advance to Rank 4 whenever she wanted, but she had been holding back her advancent for reasons she had never explained.
The elders kept congratulating Musashi.
One of them said, "It feels good to finally hear so good news."
Another nodded. "Yes. It has been too long."
They continued talking for a mont before reaching a decision.
Tomoe would be sent to et the Rune Sage.
She would go with another Rank 3 Exorcist for diplomatic talk with Rune Sage.
An elder called in the middle-aged exorcist who had been waiting outside.
When the man entered, they gave him a clear order.
He was to inform the Pri Five that the Exorcist Union had decided to agree to their demands of sending only Rank 3 Exorcists.
In return, no one was allowed to et the Rune Sage until the day after tomorrow.
The middle-aged exorcist bowed and hurried out to deliver the ssage.
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