"So, you managed to gather all this information from all these various people?" Kuroki asked, amazed at the information gathering skills of Riza, who he thought was probably an idiot who was just really powerful. Not that he voiced that sentiment out loud. That could invite trouble after all.
In fact, Riza was currently giving him a look that he knew exactly what Kuroki was thinking, so maybe even thinking it was dangerous. Still, Vartra gave his dad a look.
"Stop assuming what people are thinking".
"Is it really an assumption when I am always right?"
"Yes. And you are not always right".
"Really? Name one time I was wrong".
At that jab, Vartra had no counter to his father's words, and just gave out a disgruntled grunt. Amyris just let out a sigh.
"So we think this is a lab owned by Sebas?"
"We have no evidence its linked to him, but the guy is so shady I wouldn't put it past him. To him, everyone else is just someone to use to gain more power. The guy is a complete and total egomaniac, and experimentation on people is one of the best ways to get the best results unfortunately. Living Weapons especially, but also research into homunculi, magical abilities, and so on. Biomagic is one of the biggest unknowns out there, and unfortunately this research might have been discreetly sanctioned by someone. After all, the Empire, which is constantly looking to invade us and gain more territory, is believed to be doing advances in it at great length in secret. As well as Monster Blood Science".
At those words, Riza scowled. It was very rare for Kuroki to see Riza show a negative emotion, and it made him and the others tense up when he did.
"What is Monster Blood Science, and just how bad is it?"
"A long time ago, it was created by Knights who wanted to be superior and dominate mages, who were getting more attention due to how much more flashy magic is. As such, they did not want to use magic at all, and instead began to experiment with monster blood. They created various elixers that, while making it harder to use magic, would give them greater strength, agility, and endurance. However, they took it way too far, and they became mosterous and threatened the world. Countless knights forced it upon civilians to add to their ranks, and they tried to enslave all the mages. Thankfully they were defeated, and those exliers became taboo, however...they are in fact still around".
"No one in my order uses them, but we have caught signs of others using it. A single dose or two is safe, but the issue is these guys always want more and more, to feel strong and powerful and dominating. So they keep using it. Its like steriods, but way more potent and addictive. To use a term I heard Starfallen mutter".
Silver Storm winced when they heard that. The way they talked about it, especially their tone, showed a certain level of disgust and hatred. People already seemed to be able to gain physical abilities beyond the norm in this world, especially by slaying monsters and training, so he didn't even want to think what they would consider potent in terms of physical enhancements. He was also deeply afraid his father might end up using something like that, so he would need to train even harder then before and learn more magic for when the two would finally face off. Zak seemed certain they would in the future, although it would take awhile, which was good news for Kuroki.
He still had some questions on how Zak knew so much, but he realized probing any further was pointless. Whether his tongue was sealed by magic, or he was simply secretive, he doubted he could get anything more out of the detective who tried to handle his case properly. The fact that he was unwilling to share despite feeling guilt hinted that it was serious enough of a reason not to share, so Kuroki had to respect it. At least for now.
Incidentally Zak had joined them as well. After he heard all the clues, he got out a map and deduced the most likely spots among the ruins for a secret lab to be held. Kuroki wasn't sure if any of the others knew he was a Starfallen yet, he had asked Kuroki and the others not to say anything after all. Apparently, he was hiding it. Likely related to him being secretive about his sources too, but Kuroki couldn't say for sure.
While Kuroki was thinking about that, Zak had his own thoughts.
Things are progressing differently then I intended, but at least its better now. Kuroki is out of danger, and now his story wont include a slave arc. Still, one of the leaders of Cherry Road should have been caught. It is all very vexing. And this lab getting discovered so soon...it should help assemble the case, and will avoid future tragedy. But with this, I won't be able to predict Sebas' movements as well. He may crack down on any potential leaks, so getting information on future movements will be all but impossible. And...I don't think I can avoid the conversation much longer, which means I need to do it while the others are distracted. So long as I word it right, I should be able to keep things under wraps for at least a little while longer. The more I remain unmarked, the better odds we all have to survive what the enemy has planned, whatever this enemy is.
Zak was being especially cautious and a bit cryptic, even in his thoughts. A habit of his old job, and his new situation.
Perhaps his head was also being jumbled whenever the carriage hit a bump and they all shook around, such as right at that moment. He grabbed hold of someone and just barely held on tight. His victim ended up being Amyris, who seemed to be using magic to not be affected by the high speed carriage ride.
"Sorry".
"No problem. I will spread my spell to everyone else".
"Please do!" Kuroki pleaded.
"Yes! This is very difficult!" Riku added.
"I wanna hurl..." Ryuu moaned, as he leaned outside of the carriage for a bit and did indeed hurl. Vartra held onto him so he didn't go flying off however.
Incidentally, this carriage did indeed have a shock absorption and suspension system, but it was also being pulled at about 40-50 kilometers per hour, which well exceeded the normal speed of a carriage. This was due to what was pulling the carriage, and this was meant to be a rapid response rescue raid, which Kuroki was sure was not named like that by chance. That was a bit too much alliteration after all.
Once Amyris used his magic to help, it was a lot less shaky and they were able to handle things a lot better. Apparently they would be using old roads soon, so this was absolutely necessary anyways.
"So..." Vartra started, looking around. "Are you sure you should be taking the kids on this? This is a rather high level mission".
"For combat or support? No. But they should see this, to learn how to fight the darkness...and the resolve they will need to save people".
Vartra seemed to understand what they meant, and nodded.
"I see. I suppose after these events, you are expediting things?"
"Considering we don't even know who or what caused the Starfall yet, we have to. The true force behind it has yet to make their move, and I doubt we will be able to tell what is going on before it happens. We need to get ready, faster and stronger".
As they were talking, they were approaching their first destination. It was the closest one of the few Zak identified as likely targets, so while it was unlikely, it had been quite a long distance away. Had they not used a high speed carriage with high speed creatures to pull it, they probably wouldn't have made it this far so quick. And yet, Amyris frowned when he saw the ruins.
"Can't believe we got it right on the first try".
"Eh? For real?"
"I can sense an unusually high amount of magic from my detailed active scanning. There is a facility underground that is shielded, normal magic probing would never pick it up, mine just barely registered it. That should tell you just how well its been hidden".
"I don't suppose you can tell anymore?"
"No. This magic helps me sense things despite concealment, but in exchange, I cannot sense too many details about anything. It is the widest range possible though, and given how deep its underground and how well it has been warded, whoever is behind this is incredibly careful. More then likely, they will have some rather nasty security around to keep us occupied".
Riza suddenly called forth two swords.
"So, its up to me to be the doorknocker then?"
Kaede looked confused.
"Door knocker?"
"Its a term for someone who goes in first into a ruin or structure. Conversely, any main entrance to a ruin or structure is nicknamed the front door even if it probably doesn't really apply in a sense. Front door can often be used as a term to describe the first line of defense, which you might hit before you ever reach any actual door".
"Oh, I see".
Riza took a step forward, when ancient elven runes appeared all over the various rubble around him. In an instant, beams of light began to sweep the area. Riza cursed, dodging the beams as he took out a mirror, and used it to reflect the beam back at itself. In an instant, the rune and the piece of rubble it was on just straight up disappeared, as if it was erased from existence itself. Or at the very least, teleported.
Riza proceeded to dodge the beams, desummoning his swords as he used his hands sometimes to dodge the beams, and then using the mirror to reflect them back at each other. Their eerie green light left nothing it hit remaining, it was just erased with no evidence of it ever being there. Not even ash to indicate anything was vaporized. No sound was made either, which made it incredibly spooky to those who watched.
Eventually, Riza successully got all the beams to hit themselves or each other, displaying countless acrobatic movements in the process.
"Looks like we are clear...is what I want to say" Riza muttered, when he held out a palm to get them to stop. "But be careful where you step. I am sensing minute traces of mana on the ground underneath. I somehow managed to avoid them when doing all that dodging, but they are probably a separate system of traps rather then the trigger for that trap".
"Indeed. The first trap was frightening, eerie, and startling. The perfect distraction for the true trap. This is quite the nasty layout".
"Remember, Sebas has been in the guild this whole time, which means someone else likely accepted the shipment" Vartra said, as he looked at the ground. "There are wagon tracks heading through here, same kind, heading into those old elven ruins over there. It matches what we saw before".
Amyris quickly stepped forward, and coated the entire ground in ice.
"This should neutralize any remaining ground traps. Now we can head towards the ruins proper. Thanks for dealing with the front door, Riza".
"My pleasure, teach. I suspect the interior might be simpler, since if its that arrogant Sebas who set this up, he probably thinks that the first and second lines of defense he came up with is far too superior for laymen magicians like us".
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
"Maybe, but this place absolutely has guards. Living ones too".
Amyris made a valid point, but Riza seemed concerned.
"Then perhaps I should just break the ruins".
"Please dont. There are children inside, underground. We cant risk some weird magical chain reaction sealing the entire place off".
"Awww. Thats no fun".
Kuroki looked over at Amyris.
"Is it too late to ask Ozlo or Vanessia to come join us?"
"Yes. They are handling matters back in the city while we do this. We can't all go after all".
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, back in the city, Ozlo and Mazri were side by side, dealing with a giant paperwork snafu.
"I swear! Why do they even need these redundant forms! This is the sixth one!" Ozlo shouted, his frusteration boiling over.
"Thats what I keep telling them, but they say its important to have a variety of data and forms everywhere so its easier to find things".
"BUt now we have to match up each form with each other, and then sign our own forms for each group of forms that we checked out, and then Mazri, we have to make sure it all gets filed at different offices!"
"I know! Its a major pain! I have no idea why they spread out our offices and paperwork like this, but its absurd!"
"Uhg! If only my shitty guildmaster could actually do his own paperwork properly".
"I know! My boss shoves his work on everyone else as well!"
Mazri and Ozlo looked at each other, as if they had found a longtime friend and companion who they had been missing for over a decade. They gazed into each other's eyes and found the same great pain they themselves had suffered through. They held each other's hands and gave them a firm shake, their expressions full of relief of finding a companion who understands them. No words needed to be spoken, for no words could truly describe the pain and suffering they had endured.
The guildmaster, who watched this unfold, felt a bit perturbed.
"I feel like my character is being attacked".
"Only by the truth" Vanessia muttered, retorting his claim.
"Mean!"
"Accurate".
"I just have a lot on my plate as guildmaster!"
"Patroling the southern forest is the task for adventurers, not the guildmaster".
"Its litterally why I was assigned here".
"But you still should do your actual work instead of forcing me and Ozlo to handle it all".
"I don't see you doing any paperwork right now".
"I did the night shift while Ozlo covers the day".
The scorn in her words went right for his gut, since it meant there was paperwork continuously getting done between the two of them, and it just proved how terrible he really was at doing his own work.
"Maybe I should hire a secretary".
"You are paying Ozlo the money from that".
"I am?!"
"Ozlo is currently getting paid for three different jobs. Your secretary, a guild receptionist, and as the third in command at this Guild building. I mean, we kinda have to, he is way too capable".
"...well, as a guild master, I can have two secretaries I think, so it should be fine".
"Maybe then Ozlo can take some greats. Might need to have a chat with Booker's boss too, it seems like he is getting worked way too hard also".
"...I do work hard too though, I just want to make that clear".
Vanessia glared at him, and he sheepishly retreated back upstairs to his office. She then walked over to Ozlo, and knelt down and whispered something into his ear.
"You have a dragon on Sebas?"
"Yeah. He hasn't moved yet".
"I will go and monitor as well. Keep it on him though, just to be safe".
"He is a him, not an it".
"Right, sorry".
Vanessia quickly left the Adventurer's guild and began to make her way towards the Mage's Guild.
Its possible he might expect some sort of counter surveilance, and might not make any overt moves. If he was that easy to take down, the Vice Guildmaster and Vartra would have taken him down already. Still, maybe we will get lucky.
Vanessia wasn't as optimistic as the others. She didn't think they would deliver a final blow against their adversaries today. She thought they might hurt them and give them a run for their money sure, but she doubted they would deal any meaningful impact against any of them from this. They were reacting, and the enemy tended to prepare for their reactions. No, they needed to find a weakpoint and make the first move, catch them off guard. That was the only way they would be able to deal a decsive blow she felt. At least not without someone making a monumental mistake.
There is a reason criminal organizations and people like this were not things they could just take down so easily. It wasn't a matter of power, but of connections, caution, and secrecy. They couldn't take anything down without evidence, and when they went after places without evidence, it only weakened them for future encounters.
That was why she knew that this was by no means an easy task. But while the others had been antagonized by the kidnapping attempt, she was taking her own measures.
She disappeared into the crowd, and vanished completely from sight. By the time that the people who had been watching her tried to look for her, she was far away and unfindable.
----------------------------------------
At the same time, Riza kicked down another door as they ventured deep into the ruins.
"Dad, you could just try opening the door normally" Vartra mentioned, scolding him.
"I need to vent to this degree so I stay calm".
"Yeah no, thats a total lie. You are just doing that because you think its cool".
"Well if you want to appease me in other ways, give me some more grand kids".
"...that might take time".
"Then get to it".
Such a conversation was had between father and son as they explored the ruins. Riza had gotten them past a plethora of traps, and now they were heading down into the deeper levels.
"Looks like the carriage went this way" Amyris mentioned. Vartra and Riza came over to check it out, and they confirmed the carriage tracks.
Kuroki was a bit impressed, and also terrified, about the abilities he had seen. Riza seemed to not just be adept at magic, but was agile and possessed absurd combat techniques. He was basically a magician, a rogue, and a warrior all in one. Frankly he was probably too capable, but perhaps that was what happened when you kept a youthful body even when you were like 70 years old.
Riza seemed to like taking...colorful...approaches. Kuroki wasn't sure if he was suppposed to be respected or not. Often he acted like a loon, or someone with very low self control, but then other times he would be really inspiring and helpful and heroic. It was hard to get a real read on him, he was flashy but tended to really think things through, but never acted like it.
Frankly speaking, he seemed like he would either end up saving the world, or getting them all killed in some ridiculous way.
Kuroki went up to Amyris and Vartra.
"Do you have any idea what he is hiding? No matter how I think about it, there is a lot about himself he is keeping a secret right?"
Vartra nodded. "Dad absolutely is keeping a lot secret, including how he gained his immortality, or at least his unaging nature. Some say it was just because of how many monsters he slew at a young age, or some divine blessing of the gods, but I don't think that is all. He has an almost terrifying information network that rivals the royal spymaster if not exceeds it, he uses techniques and magic no one can place, and he has knowledge no one else can place. If it wasn't for the fact I have met my grandparents and confirmed they gave birth to him, I might think he was a Starfallen like you".
Not all oddities were otherworlders. Riza and Ozlo were clearly exceptional, but both were also clearly born in this world. Vartra knew this about his dad and nephew, but while Ozlo's talent could be traced, Riza's was this unfathomableness.
"Riza is something we may only get a few of every few hundred years. A true genius and innovator. That is about the best answer I can come up with. He doesn't just copy, but is capable of being entirely new. Getting inspiration beyond what we see and hear and experience".
Still, Kuroki couldn't help but feel that something was off with this. As if there was a missing piece to the puzzle. And he felt like Vartra was holding out on him.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Vartra looked away at first, but Kuroki could see he was conflicted about something. Even Amyris was able to pick up on it.
"What is it, Vartra?"
"Well its just...it is probably a coincidence. Dad is always doing weird stuff after all".
Amyris gave him a look, and so Vartra decided to continue.
"Its just, the day before the Starfall, he was preparing to be busy a lot. He called his entire Order to active duty, had them all prepared and ready to go. He was launching a big investigation into the human traffickers that have given everyone no end of grief, but rather then focusing on a single city, he spread them out across the kingdom. Not just the frontier, but the whole kingdom. He even got word to a famous artificer for assistance, and he seemed to almost know something was coming. And then, the night before, I met up with him to give him some documents he asked for, and I noticed traces of very old and powerful magic...and that he was bleeding".
"He used some form of Blood Magic? Why?"
"I don't know. I didn't see any signs he was doing anything dangerous, but he also didn't tell any of his family anything, including me, his own son. Aside from family related things and dark rituals, I can't think of what else he might have used it for that night. I didn't see any signs of Biomancy or homunculi creation either. He might have used it as a catalyst for a ritual, but...this was moments before shooting stars lit up the sky".
Amyris scowled as he heard that, looking back to Riza who was cutting through various golems that had come into their way.
"Are you saying...he might have had something to do with the Starfall?"
"Thats the thing. Whatever he did, the ritual shouldn't have had that much juice. Its impossible for him to have caused the Starfall. He doesn't have the power, or the support. I would have noticed, because he would need about a hundred mages all together performing the ritual".
The Starfall transported tens of thousands of souls across the boundaries between dimensions. There was simply no way Riza could do that covertly, even Amyris knew. But the timing was suspicious.
"Now you understand why I hesitated to say anything. It looks like he might have known about the Starfall, but it was also true he received orders from the crown just that morning, and its impossible for him to have caused it. Maybe, maybe he learned about it, but he would have no reason to hide that I think. It just seems like...a weirdly timed coincidence is all. My dad has always been secretive though, so its possible there is more that I don't know".
"...it is stranger then you think" Amyris muttered.
Vartra and Kuroki turned to him, confused by what he said.
"The one who mentioned the possibility of seals acting up, and sending me into the forest was Riza. He is the entire reason I was out there when I found Kuroki. And he met up with us rather quickly, now that I think about it...he knew that if I found a Starfallen, id take them to Ellie's...and would have a perfect excuse of his own".
"But that isn't guaranteed" Vartra pointed out.
"No, it's not. And it is far more odd then it all being a coincidence".
Riza was always mysterious, but it seemed like he possessed a surprising clue to the puzzle of their current situation. Unfortunately, getting that out of him might be harder than defeating Chiamthias. Still, it was suspicious.
Did Riza know something was coming?
Was he involved in invoking the Starfall?
Where does his power come from?
These were all questions Kuroki would need answered.
Riza meanwhile cut down a large door, and then looked back at everyone.
"Why do I get the feeling you all are gossiping about me behind me back?"
"No no dad, not at all".
"Riza, you know I am not one for gossip".
"Nope! No way!"
Riza let out a sigh. "You are all terrible liars".
As the pieces of the large, stone door collapsed down around them, they entered a rather strange place. The ruins so far had been all stone walls and pillars, all rather generic. It looked more like some random human castle. However, once these large doors had come down, the grey stone was replaced by blue and gold. The tiles had intricate geometric patterns all around them, various lines going everywhere. In the middle of each wall segment was a glowing crystal still providing light, and everything had a shine and cleanliness to it unlike the dusty ruins above. It even had its own set of doors right inside, and there was writing upon the floor in front of them.
"Someone built a human structure on top of elven ruins to hide them...and then it was abandoned. And now we have writing that says 'For the future, we go to the greatest depths'. Shit".
Amyris readied his magic, and placed barriers over all of them. Whatever this was, it had him spooked hard.
"What is going on? Is there something wrong with that quote?"
"That quote was used by a group of Ancient Elves. It represents those who would seek out the greatest mysteries and advance science and magic, regardless of the cost. Especially the people cost. They especially used humans as test subjects due to how many there were, but also fellow elves and Beastkin as well. Even Dwarves when they were available".
Everyone went tense at these words.
"So, this place might be a place that..."
Riza nodded to Vartra's question. "Yeah, this place could have produced a great many nightmares. Everyone, be at your highest guard. Whatever defenses Sebas has prepared down here, it might have the power of the Ancient Elves behind them".
----------------------------------------
At the same time, down and deep below in the ruins, a certain something was stirring. A darkened room began to spring to life, as lights flickered on, revealing what appeared to be an ancient laboratory.
A sort of blue glowing liquid went through many of the tubes, as things began to power up one by one. This blue liquid went flowing downward, through these tubes and into what appeared to be several large suits of armor. Strange metal spheres were pushed up as the facility came to life, and these spheres, these cores, were placed inside of openings in the back of the suits of armor, before they were sealed shut. Liquid then ran out of the tubes and into the suits of armor, but instead of spilling out all over the place, it remained inside of the suits regardless of the apparent gaps within the armor.
As the liquid spread itself around, it created a sort of body around the core that filled the armor, as they all began to come to life. Each one was over three meters tall, and they all had various weapons. Swords, staffs with bladed tips, lances, axes, even some bows with bladed edges. All of them began to creak to life, the metal shaking and moving as they stood up together, in a uniformed way. Almost like it was a cohesive military unit.
A few of the mercenaries who saw this went into the back room, and seemed to activate some sort of large, ancient parchment that was hung upon the wall. They placed a crystal into the receptical, and chanted a few words in front of it. In an instant, it became a living map. It would show the ruins, and everyone who was moving within it. Not only that, it even gave most of their names, although a few of them were obscured somehow by some power. Still, it showed their positions, and this let them know where the intruders were.
The mechanical, fluid filled knights began to move out, and head towards the intruders. They had only one goal. Eliminate all intruders, eliminate all threats, protect the labs. Twenty four of these knights headed out, an impressive force that could even make armies pause in fear.
Sometimes, secrets would do whatever they could to remain buried.