♠The Oasis Of Spade ♠ [Ani/ Artemis Plot]

Horatio Borgese, a passionate seeker of ancient artifacts, sat slumped in his seat, his gaze fixed upon the ever-changing waves outside the window of his magnificent Balbad estate. Donning a luxurious velvet jacket, its long sleeves enveloping his hands, he seemed lost in contemplation. The jacket, adorned with a decorative band at the edges, boasted a narrow V-neck that teased a glimpse of the splendid shirt beneath. Secured by an intricately knotted cloth band, the jacket was a symbol of opulence and prestige.



"This is it," he murmured, his voice filled with determination.

As he scrutinized the meticulously crafted map detailing the Oasis of Spades, the final resting place of Cicida Spade and the enigmatic Spade family, Horatio's wineglass trembled, spilling a few droplets. The Spades were renowned practitioners of life magic, masters of intricate combinations and unique blends. Above all, they possessed the fabled restoration spell, capable of returning any item to its original state. While others considered his obsession with seemingly worthless relics madness, Horatio knew that this discovery held the key to fulfilling his grandest ambitions.

"Servants, gather 'round!" he called out, summoning his loyal attendants.

They presented him with a list containing the names of individual mercenaries and organizations available for hire. Horatio needed a capable escort to accompany him to the Oasis of Spades, nestled amidst the tropical routes. Though he bore the responsibility of payment, finding the right group proved to be a daunting task.

"Sigh! Are there no renowned heroes among them?!! Failure is not an option. The fate of the Borgese estate hinges on this endeavor!" he exclaimed, scanning the list until his gaze settled upon a mention of the Kou War. A mischievous grin appeared on his face. "The Azure Raiders, hehe. Yes, they shall be perfect! Fetch the High Kommandant!"

At long last, fortune smiled upon him.

---

A carefully crafted letter, accompanied by an advance payment, was dispatched to Ani and her group. The escort mission offered a handsome sum of 50,000 Huang upfront, with the remaining 50,000 to be paid upon completion. Boarding and travel provisions were also covered. It was an enticing opportunity, but would Ani accept and undertake the journey to Balbad once the funds were received? Delivered through official channels by her organization, the decision rested in her hands. The description provided limited details about the oasis, focusing solely on the secretive passage through the Balbad tropics.

"Hail, Kommandant! A message awaits you," a subordinate announced, bowing respectfully as he presented Ani with a document, thoughtfully imprinted with braille markings for her to read.