Chapter 22
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Spent some extra time proofreading this chapter should be more polished. As for the dialouge I am trying to keep a quick pace. I didn't plan on this arc being near this long when I first started it just sort of happened like that.
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Raid on Atlus part 2. Preparing for the Assualt on the Palace
“Lara what happened here? Who is this girl” It was Siena and the other members apparently they had just beaten the team set up to stall them and now had caught up to me I noticed that Luke wasn't among them.
“I heard this girl crying they were draining her blood and mana. I was able to make it here in time to save her. It was a close call though.” I explain to them.
“That nifty teleport ability you used I have seen it before it is an assassin ability called shadowstep.” Lux quickly made sure she let me know that the cat was out of the bag.
“Yes you are right Lux, I was scared what you would all think about me if you knew the truth about my class. I thought people would dislike me for it. I am sorry for hiding that.” There was no sense in hiding it now.
“There was no reason for you to be concerned assassin's in parties are relatively rare but not unheard, to be frank they are very useful. Being able to take out one specific target is very handy sometimes.” Diana consoled me
“Reid are you ok?!” Leon said in a concerned tone as Reid had collapsed to one knee. He was in the middle of healing Skyler who was still unconscious.
“Lady Lara an assassin? Surely this is a farce.” Oh this is good maybe he will leave me alone now. Leon helped him back up.
“This circle is for a blood-pact. This is very advanced and that marking on you hand looks like a pact brand.” Calidina pointed out. I guess as a Summoner she would have knowledge about pacts.
“I had no choice she had an abnormal condition called mana deficiency, it was draining her health and health potions weren't enough if I didn't pact with her she would be dead right now. Now what is this about a pact brand” I said
kinda of in shock because sure enough there was a marking of a white and blue dragon with green eyes on my left hand and Skyler had one on her hand of white battle maiden with golden hair in the same spot on her left hand.
“Yes when a pact is formed there is a brand that forms on each parties bodies signifying the pact.” Calidina said matter-factually. While I am well versed on many thing pacts were something that I was not. I planned on getting books from the library when we got back to Zyrus because I had pacted with Grena and wanted to learn more about them..........wait a minute.
“So Calidina does every pact get a pact brand?!” I ask in a very concerned tone.
“Well of course, I am surprised you don't know all this if you were able to draw such an intricate pact circle.” It is weird because I didn't notice a pact brand from Grena.
“Thou is wondering where thou pact brand is situated. Fear not champion I placed it on thou right glute for discretion.” Grena communicated with me telepathically.
Right glute? She gave me an ass tattoo? Well I guess atleast its not a tramp stamp but still this is very concerning. I am far too young to start tatting up.
“This girl seems to be fine, however her status is weird it is saying she is a dragon princess. Surely she is a human?” Reid said in a confused tone but everyone else went dead silent. A missing dragon princess is surely going cause trouble dragons were not the type to creatures to forgive those who would hurt there children and this girl was a princess.
“You know dragon's have human forms as well as dragon forms as a matter of fact most dragon children stay in there human form until they mature.” April explained to Reid.
“Well this just got a whole lot more complicated.....” Diana said defeatingly.
“Lady Lara let me look at your injuries.” Reid who was done with Skyler now turned his attention to me.
“I told you not to call me 'Lady' anymore. You shouldn't have to heal much, the only one who caused damage was that red guy.” I let Reid do his priest thing. Diana decided to let everyone rest up for a bit
I wonder how pissed Kormon is that his little sick ritual was prevented. I sit and rest to regain my mana. I had rapid mana regeneration so it wouldn't take long.
“Help me” like I heard Skyler call out to me earlier I hear another voice. This voice was very close too like just outside the temple. I go to check it out sneaking by the other party members so they can continue to rest. Outside the temple I see a woman who is chained up to a statue.
I want to go and rush up to her and release her but her voice calling out to me earlier was not the same as when Skyler called out to me it lacked the genuine feel of despair. Having witnessed and having myself experiencing true despair I wont be fooled by this imitation. I cast dispel illusion on the woman and she disappears revealing a drawn circle that I identify as space-time magic a very advanced teleport spell atleast level 6. I now use earth magic to destroy it in case anyone else isn't as clever as me to see through the trickery.
“So you could see through that illusion I thought I had done a good job with it. The fact that you were drawn here means my suspicions about you are confirmed. That was a telepathic call which means you have psionic abilities. Also just a little bit ago powerful psionic force was being channeled in the church. Sanite let me know the force was familiar to him. He told me it is the same as the aspect wrath Grena the very person who defeated him centuries ago.” Kormon had manifested another phantom image where the trap had been set.
“Well if you have figured that out then you know what has to happen. We are both champions to rival demi-gods cast in a death game restarted by Lord Magnus. Why don't we both settle this between the two of us there is no need to concern others.” I say very directly we have already lost 2 people and I would be able to avoid future blood shed if I can cut the head off the snake.
“Oh we will fight but I don't want just pay back on Grena I want to resurrect Sanite too, and I also want you and all that you love to suffer from meddling with me. I want to see your expression as I torture and kill each of your companions one by one. Then I will take my time with you in particular. I guess I am greedy, I want it all. I have prepared a welcome party here at the palace make sure you bring yourself you are the guest of honor.” I think I have have upset him slightly I let out a slight giggle at his rant.
“What is so funny you and your companions will fail and die miserable deaths!” My little giggle had made him even more angry.
“Tehehe its just right now its you seem a lot more like the champion to the aspect of wrath then me I find irony in that.” With that I left to go back into the temple.
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When I get back inside I go to our enchanter Oliver I have a plan to deal with Kormon's illusion's and I need his help. I want him make some runes to dispel illusion's to be carried by our party member's. He was quite shocked when I gave him black lotus to make ink with. I had been holding on these black lotus flowers for a while now, I had want make a super poison with them but I didn't have any of the other compounds and this was for a good cause. I go and check up with Diana I need her to support me in me leading us in the battle upcoming it is time to unleash one of my gifts.
“In this next battle let me take lead directing the party, you have done a good so far but in this next battle we need to take advantage of everything at our disposal. Here take my hand I am going to show you something that you must keep a secret.” I grab Diana' hand and send her some information magic detailing my Blessing of the War God.
Blessing of the War God
moderate boost to strength, agility, and vitality
Excited during battle, increasing abilities effectiveness
Gain deep understanding of tactics and strategy of battle
subordinates get large boost of morale granting bonus stats and coordination
Diana looks at me in shock for the third today or maybe its the fourth time. After a few minutes after collecting her thoughts she finally gave me an answer.
“Lara I have no idea who you truly are. You kept the fact that you were in fact an assassin from us. You have intel that no one else has. Judging from your reaction when we met Kormon, it seemed as if you already knew he was here. You can speak and read ancient Karthian. You preformed an advanced pact ritual in the matter of minutes and in combat your strength is surreal you could easily be the best fighter in this whole party. And now you show me that you have a greater god blessing of the war god that only the greatest of war generals and warriors possess.” She then paused for a few seconds and continued.
“But even through all your secrets and lies, I know where your heart is. The heart doesn't lie and I can tell that you deeply care about Zyrus and this party. Without you I seriously doubt we would be at this point. If you can do a better job of directing us then me then so be it. I am not so prideful that I would not take advantage of your blessing. The problem is how are we going to explain this to the others without revealing your blessing to them. There is a certain someone who will definitely take objection to you leading us in battle” She then looked at Rictor who was diligently sharpening his broadsword.
“A man like Rictor is a man that only respects strength, I will make him respect me with force if need be.” Diana and me gather up everyone to go over everything.
“The upcoming battle will test all of us. We need to use everything at our disposal and because of that particular reason I will lead us in the next battle. I happen to be a very good battle strategist and I think if I lead us we can maximize our potential.” I go ahead and put it out there. There is a lot of murmurs among everyone.
“Prove it to me as a battle strategist how would you go about defending this temple from an attack.” Rictor offered me a chance to show him my abilities.
“If an enemy was to attack this temple they would have 3 possible routes to do it. The first obvious route would be a frontal attack this would be the best outcome for us the defenders. These stairs and statues offer great strategic advantage for our ranged units as they get cover from the statues as well as the high-ground against a the enemy. If we were to knock down that huge statue to the east we would force them into a tight bottleneck. There are also several tombs in which we could hide ambush parties to harass there back lines. If they managed to make it up the front entrance the gate is made of solid granite we could construct a magic barrier preventing any earth magic on it making the enemy bash in the door with physical force a tall task. Meanwhile we have several archers and potentially boiling oil barrels ready to rain down on them.” I point to the barrels that are stacked up by the far side of the temple.
“The second route they would attack would be at our flank likely they would do it in combination of attacking the front. The back entrance is a lot easier to defend though unlike the front there is no need to cause a bottleneck since there is one naturally there is no windows or points you can enter except for a long hallway. We would reflect light down the hallway with those mirrors blinding any assualters and harassing them with arrows and offensive magic. This is the strategy I would expect to see from a decent commander.” I continued.
“Now the third possible route into this temple is not obvious. There are several fountains that are no longer running in the front courtyard. This indicates that there was a system that pumped water into them. Likely underneath us connected to the river dividing the town. I suspect there is a trapdoor probably tucked behind one of these pillars somewhere. To defend against this I would set up a trap to collapse the water tunnels on top of our intruders making use of earth magic.” I explain the basic strategies I would employ for each entrance. Rictor started to clap.
“That was good, I didn't even think about an attack from underneath. You clearly understand strategy but do you know how to use all of us to maximize our potential?” He brought up a good point a good commander not only knows basic strategy he also knows his soldier's strength's and weak points.
“Well for you I would move you from vanguard to the flank group. While you make an adequate vanguard your skill-set is a lot more tuned for offense. Basu and Leon are adequate vanguards and a third one is unnecessary. If a situation arises either me or you can step up and be a vanguard in a pinch.”
“What you say makes sense I guess I will go along with it for now.” Rictor was on board and so was everyone else. I would get my first taste at leading a group in battle, well second if you count the time I did it in a dream.
The first thing we need to set up a camp we had just rested for a little bit but more would be needed before our next battle in the palace. I am surprised out how most of these buildings are still standing and some of them are still maintained even after centuries of neglect. The mansion with the succubus was pretty much tip top shape. Staying here at the temple is would probably be the easiest but the enemy would be able to find us easy making us susceptible assassin's like the one that tried to take out Diana earlier, traps from Kormon, or other entities like the succubus. A new camp was necessary.
There looked to be an old theater not to far from the palace. It would serve nicely while we scouted out the palace. It took an almost an hour to get everyone there, this city was huge and we were carrying a prisoner and an unconscious dragonkin. Dax and Luke's bodies were being held in Diana's spacial ring so atleast we didn't have to carry them too.
After we got everyone in the building I had everyone rest and set up a watch cycle. I had recovered a lot by our brief rest at the temple so I would scout the palace, Melinus and Long-Fur both were willing to come with me but I convinced them that they needed rest and I could do this at little risk to me.
The palace was absolutely humongous, like I thought it was big from afar but I had underestimated it. The first obstacle was a giant wall and gate. I didn't sense any magic barrier though so that obstacle easily beaten by a tunnel underneath using earth magic. Once inside things would get much more interesting. There appears to be a garden on this part but upon using information magic many of these 'plants' are actually plantoid monster's all sub level 50 but there number and ability to cause status abnormalities are deeply concerning. The next level is the outer palace I assume this was where all the guests and servants stayed, finally deeper inside is the inner palace this is where Kormon was waiting for us. We would approach from the left where there was a natural ravine running to the wall that we could use for cover. I started to return back to our new camp.
On the way back I got extremely lucky I was able to spot one of Kormon's scouts who was moving about in the area. He was perched up on top of a building. I sneak up on him and quickly slip in a deep sleeper hold I make sure to fall backward to avoid a tumble off the roof of this building. I have much higher strength then him and he quickly falls unconscious. The scout is a young boy 16 years old and is only level 26. I can't believe Kormon is using kids like this. I have to get what information I can out of this guy and then I will keep him prisoner. Based on how regretful he is I may release him later before we return to Zyrus. I have a feeling he is way influenced by greed and there is part of me that is telling me not kill him. There is another part of me telling me loose-end are bad, but I don't listen to it.
I tie him up to a big round table and wait for him to wake up. Finally he opens his eyes and begins to frantically thrash to no avail against his bounds. I tie very tight knots it is futile to try and break out of them.
“John Isen why did you join Kormon you are so young surely you had better option's then this guy.” I ask him my first question.
“How did you know my name? I am not answering any questions just kill me now!” He very proudly proclaimed.
“You would die for scum like Kormon, do you realize he doesn't care about you. I bet he doesn't even know your name like I do.” I countered.
“You don't know that! Anyways like I said I am not talking, if I do I wont get paid .” After saying this I could feel his thoughts sort of like when I was fighting the red priest. 'If I don't get paid I wont be able to save my dad's farm'.
“Ok well if you don't want to talk. I guess you will just have to help me in another way, my training!” I pull out an apple and walk up to him I place the apple directly on top of his head.
“Ok so for this exercise I need you to keep the apple absolutely still I need to practice with my crossbow.” I retreat and pull out my crossbow loading it with a bolt and take aim.
“B.. b ..but what if you miss?” He asked me in a very panicked voice.
“Well if I miss I hopefully I don't miss low.” I say to him with a smile. I can see that he is now sweating badly as I take aim.
“Please don't sho.” Before he can finish his plead I shot the bolt directly into the middle of the apple. Some of the juice is draining down on his head.
“Looks like my skills with a crossbow are as good as ever. Ok now to try throwing knives!” I pull out a few throwing knives and begin to take aim.
“Stop! Ok I will talk please don't throw them. Though I don't know much so I doubt I will be very useful.”
“Tell me other then the gate is there any other entrance into the outer palace?” I ask him as I really don't want to go through the front gate.
“There is a several balconies in the guest quarters overlooking the garden those are all on the far side of the courtyard though.” He candidly answered.
“What kind of security detail does Kormon keep?”
“He has atleast 10 guards outside the throne room. Inside the throne room he stays alone he doesnt like anyone to be close to his gold.”
“Anything else that could be useful?” I ask.
“He is a very skilled magician adept at space-time magic. The other day when I was going to give a report to my captain I felt a very slight magic pulse coming from the Library in the inner palace when I went to investigate it I saw Kormon step out of from a hidden room in the library behind a bookcase I think he has a teleport circle set up there, It was on the west wall under the stairs.” Jackpot! I got way more then I thought I would.
“You have been very helpful I will make sure no harm come to you as I take you back to our camp, you will be a prisoner for the time being while we go to dispatch Kormon.” I throw my daggers perfectly severing his bonds. Somewhat stunned he collected himself. I pull out my sword and point him forward back to the theater.
“May I ask your name, miss elf? I don't think I have met such a beautiful girl before.” Aren't I too young to be considered beautiful? Perhaps he is a lolicon, maybe I misjudged sparing him!
“Its Lara, now move we don't have all day.” We continued forward back to the camp. We finally got back and people were surprised when I came back with a prisoner before I could explain the situation I got ambushed by a small girl whose strength was very misleading.
“Kara-tan! I am so glad you are back you had me worried sick. I wanted to go out and look for you but these people said you were scouting and were fine. I think I hurt elf-san on accident.” She then pointed at Melinus who was getting treated by Reid. I quickly look at Siena who is hanging her head in shame at this situation. I go up and whisper to Skyler.
“Please for now call my Lara, these people think I am an elf named Lara. I needed this alias to get into the adventures guild a long time ago.” I explain to her.
“Ok Ka....Lara anything for my wife!” Wait wife?!
“Wife? What do you mean by that?” I ask her this is news to me.
“Well in dragon tradition once a dragonkin makes a pact with a someone, that person and dragon are forever linked. The dragon and their dragoon are effectively spouses to the eyes of the dragon community. Since you are my spouse, and you are a girl that makes you my wife!” She gleefully proclaimed.
“But we are both girls doesn't that cancel out the married part?” I ask her trying to find my way out of this situation I find myself in.
“Nope! It does not, in fact same gender couples are common among dragonkin.” She added. I really don't know how I am going to explain this to dad. Atleast I married fellow royalty right?
“Surely blood-pacts are extremely rare dragon-kin aren't the type to mingle with others. How can you be so sure on the way the dragons treat a blood-pact.” I ask.
“Hmm what you say is true. I am just going off the story I was told as a little welpling of a dragon-princess and a her dragoon. They were both girls and fought off the demon invaders who were trying to take over Dragnor.” She explained.
“Well we will figure all this out when we return you to your family. Right now there is a menace that needs to be taken care of the one who tried to kill you, and tried to make Zyrus fall into greed. I need you to stay here with Diana, Siena and Grimblee. Grimblee I want your biggest bomb I have use for it.” I look at Grimblee.
“Anything for the wielder of Tachi and Tanken!” He proudly said.
“Oh hell no. I am going with you.” Oddly enough both Siena and Skyler said the same exact thing at the same exact time.
“Please Siena you are the only one I can trust to keep Skyler safe. Your skills are extremely good at protecting someone. Skyler even as a dragon-kin you are far to weak for this battle. You would only slow us down. If you want to help keeping yourself safe is going to help me a lot. Diana is here to help too. She knows the way back out if you need to escape.” I explained to them in a very serious tone.
“I am not weak! Let me fight besides you!” Skyler said pridefully.
“Skyler please I am very good at reading people's abilities I know for your age you are very advanced but you are only level 30 all these guards are going to be level 60s to 70s. Kormon himself is probably level 80ish. There is a difference between being brave and being a fool please for me stay here.” I ask her very politely.
“Ok but you will owe me one favor now wife! If you get hurt I will really rip who ever hurt you into tiny little pieces.” Oh no I think Skyler might be a yandere. I then look at Siena.
“You alright with this Siena?” I ask her seriously.
“Nope but you are leading us right now and I always follow orders. Don't worry though I will get you back for this later.” She said very sinisterly. What did she have planned? What favor would I owe Skyler? Shit maybe I should just disappear after this mission! I gather up everyone who was going with me to the palace. I give a little pep talk before we begin the operation.
“A lot of people think that adventurer's are just glorified mercenaries. I would beg to differ. A mercenary does his work only for the gold. For a true adventurer the gold is just the icing on the cake, the adventure itself is the reward. To be able to explore places few people have before, to enjoy the companionship of your fellow adventures, to keep small and large towns free of monsters, and to be able to find worthy opponents who push the boundaries of your abilities. This is what an adventurer is truly about. This man Kormon is a champion to the aspect of greed, if we don't stop him this very city we are in right now will be exactly how our home Zyrus will become abandoned.”
“So please whether you fight for the gold, the fame, for other people, or simply to be able to engage strong opponents. Please remember we are a team and as long as we fight as one we can overcome any hardship or opponent”