"So, this isn't exactly a country, but rather a meeting place, or one could say an intersection point between various dungeons and countries where everything and anything can take place?" [Ash]
"That's correct. It doesn't really have any official name, and different countries called it by different names, but the most popular one so far is "exchange land", because many exchanges took place here. Transaction between merchants, both legal and illegally. Cultural exchange, money exchange, even slaves. This exchange point here doesn't have any ruler nor nobility governing it. One could say this place is akin to the "cursed land" just a dungeon away from our headquarters, in fact, some scholars, like Mrs Aries little sister, Lisa do agree that this place here as well as the cursed land share some resemblance as well as history dating back to the creation of Achalasia itself" [Saint Louis]
"The similarity doesn't end there though. Both exchange land and cursed land share similar properties. The mirage, light and dark affinities in both of the land are higher as compared to other countries which are both reflected by the ground having elemental colour of these three elements, both having mysterious origin and history, both land abandoned, and coincidentally, just like how one could get to the new headquarters of the new religion through the cursed land, one could go to the holy palace part through the holy dungeon connected by this exchange land here" [Seraph]
"Though I heard unlike here, the cursed land is inhabitable" [Linda]
"That's correct. One could even say that the cursed land behaved almost similar to that of the dungeon, with random monster spawning almost regularly, and just like dungeon, you would be safe to travel there by using the main road. Though, random treasure chest keep on spawning as well, thus, making that spot a heaven for adventures and mercenaries alike" [Saint Louis]
"You learn something new every day" [Ash]
Currently, the four of us are roaming around waiting for Alaric to collect some info about the situation inside the holy palace. Here I am thinking he doesn't have any sort of connection just like me, but I guess I was wrong. The Ministry of Defense of Estel have few regular information brokers here that he wanted to utilize to full extent. Just when we are about to sit down and talk about the old teaching
"Any news?" [Ash]
"Big one. The Holy Palace prince and his convoys, they are here" [Alaric]
"!" [Other]
Now that's some big news alright. In a way, one could say our objective is already completed. To get the news of what's happening inside the holy palace, but
"Tell me where he is" [Ash]
"You couldn't think of..." [Linda]
"Bold one aren't you. Let me warn you, the guards guarding that prince is nothing to take light of" [Seraph]
"I knew you would say that, so here is the other information I manage to get. I even manage to heard where he is going shopping before setting out to his next destination" [Alaric]
"Estel, am I correct" [Saint Louis]
~Nod~
"Well, I sincerely don't want to trouble the other, but since this is a free land, what are the probabilities that other passerby will meddle with our affair?" [Ash]
"If the prince were in trouble and decided to pay any random stranger handsomely, then chances are almost nill, but I do recommend doing it somewhere secluded" [Alaric]
"Got it. I guess we should start planning then, is everyone ok with this?" [Ash]
"I hope this will turn fine" [Linda]
"I'll help, but do exempt should you interrogate him. Can just erase the memories should he see me but better not take any unnecessary risk" [Saint Louis]
"Then leave the interrogation to Alaric and me" [Seraph]
"Thanks, but first, we need to capture him" [Ash]
As I listen to Alaric giving out his intel, I couldn't help but to notice that something are staring at us. That thing have been doing it ever since we left the dungeon. Well, that thing wouldn't stand in our way, so I should just ignore it for now
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"I see. Going to the slave auction house next" [Ash]
"The way to that place can be pretty secluded depending on route taken, and I believe he will take the road where passerby rarely use as to avoid any unwanted gaze" [Alaric]
"Perfect for us. Guess he didn't want any unwanted attention is a fortune for us" [Seraph]
"But this also shows he has the utmost confidence in his guards" [Linda]
"True, plus, we need to make it quick or else trouble will follow us" [Saint Louis]
Going first to the possible road that will be taken by the prince (and after confirming with Alaric and Linda who are constantly relaying minute by minute info to us), I decide to use my earth magic to make a large pitfalls. Make a pitfall, cover the hole back and imbued my earth mana as well, that way I could activate this pitfall at will (don't want any random stranger, or worse any one of us to fall into it). Some magician might detect the mana, so I mask it with mirage, light and dark mana as well. The land here really have abundant of those three mana. It kinda strange
(I should also add silence spell, and a large one for that, so any commotion will go unnoticed) [Ash]
Just like how I set it up back then at Kiserre, I'll do the same, just at a much larger scope. Again, blend it with the free mana floating in the air
"You sure have a lot mana" [Saint Louis]
"Have to thanks Goddess Achalasia for that" [Ash]
"They are coming!" [Alaric]
"Then we should hide first" [Seraph]
"Goddess, please help us" [Linda]
(Yeah, really need the goddess on our side now) [Ash]
The prince, inside of his carriage, with 20 of his guard. I do know they don't want to attract attention, but just who bright idea was it to let the guard still wearing their uniforms? You might as well just use the damn common road to the auction house! Seriously, somehow I feel bad attacking them, feel like I am about to attack a child with this kind of incompetency. The least they can do as to not attract any attention is change their freaking cloth!
(Ash now!) [Seraph]
~Nod~
I feel like my internal monologue just now blow away all the little nervousness I have inside, which is good since
(Pitfall trap magic! Activate!) [Ash]
"What!"
"The ground!
"It's a trap!"
"Protect the prince!"
"I don't think so! Wind magic, great wind palm! Squeeze them!" [Ash]
Making a large palm like figure from my wind magic, I forcefully push them to the bottom of the pitfall, and holding them in place as to avoid any retaliation. Not only that, I also send in my six ice shark missiles golems to neutralise them
"Light needle! Destroy their equipment!" [Saint Louis]
"I should support you" [Seraph]
Saint Louis sent it countless light needle and continue to attack the guard. They sure are strong. I reckon most will already succumbs, but some of them are already back on their feet, but not for that long
Since the presence of light mana here is strong, Saint Louis astronomical affinity to light magic become even stronger, and with how Seraph supporting him, let just said I don't want to fight them in this kind of terrain. Seraph skillfully vibrate the air and thus stimulate the light mana to resonate with Saint Louis light needle, boosting it power even further (are all bards capable of doing this?), and as for the guards equipment, most of them are tailored as to increase the output of light magic, and that very same tailoring are being exploits by Seraph as to make it broke even faster. He overloads those equipment with light mana, breaking it from inside, couple that with Saint Louis constant attack, they stood no chance whatsoever. Anti climatic, but I would take it rather than prolong fighting
(Still, that damn carriage is still intact. I know that Saint Louis here purposely avoid damaging it to his best of ability, but damn...) [Ash]
"Seraph, help me teleport all of them" [Linda]
"You have somewhere in mind?" [Seraph]
"Found an abandoned building. We could use it" [Linda]
"Then one support magic to teleport them coming right up" [Seraph]
And thus, we are teleported (not before I cover back the pitfall)