"Hmmmm..."
Mateo slowly opens his eyes but before he even access the surroundings, his survival instincts kicks in as he jolts his upper body up."
"Dereia! Owwwww!"
The moment Mateo moves his body, pain engulfs his abdomen. Then at that moment, he remembers what happened as Mateo notices that he's now on a huge room. He look on his side and he feel a sense of relief watching his friends sleeping peacefully.
Then shame replace his relief as his party's defeat stings a lot to him emotionally. As it's the second time they let Dereia escape.
The door opens and reveals Gilmore. Mateo only see a glimpse of his concerned expression before Gilmore sigh and goes back to his stern appearance.
"Oh you finally awake. Good grief."
"How long we sleep here."
"Two days. For a single wound, it cause a lot of damage to your body."
Mateo scoffs softly as since their escape on the Reverse Tower, he's on constant cycle of injury and long sleep.
"Heh. Deja vu."
"What?" Gilmore's confused question.
"Nothing. Anyway, is there an update about Dereia?"
Gilmore shake his head slowly.
"Her escape after you fought her is the last sighting we have. We already sent a lot of hunting parties on the direction she ran with but we find nothing except very few remnants of camping sites. Looks like she purposely avoiding any human contact now, very opposite on her previous encounters."
"I see. It means she's completely aware that there's a bounty on her head now."
"Zelestre already increased their defense as they expecting Dereia to try enter the city. But what concerns me are the small villages that Dereia might encounter." Gilmore states with concerned look at his face.
But Gilmore goes back on his serious demeanor.
"We can send adventurers to several villages near Horic and Zelestre. But we need all vital information from you and your party members as you fight her face-to-face. We underestimated Dereia so much and that stupidity leads us with so many casualties. We can't let that happen again."
"Understood. Should we wake up the others."
"We can try. But base on your recovery, I believe it's safe to wake them up now."
After some time waking up the other members of Grand Ecstasy, everyone is now sitting next to a table. Only Claustrine Mateo are present on Geand Ecstasy's side as the other three thinks they can't provide any input and just feel bored and disrepecful for the others. Gilmore is present alongside other people who ready to write any important details. A Zelestrean representative is also present alongside her writers.
"No wonder the adventurers got caught off-guard. What a disgusting ability." Gilmore is pondering as he remembers the row of dead adventurers he saw days ago.
"The surviving adventurers also says the same sentiment. Everyone talks about Dereia wielding some sort of invinsible weapons but their knowledge are so limited due to the chaotic nature of the restaurant massacre." The guard captain states his opinion.
"Excuse me. Can you give us finer details about those so called "weaponry?"" One of the female writers asked.
Mateo gulps as he don't know how to explain the variety of weaponry which doesn't exist in Grimael. One wrong word and he might tickle the curiousity of everyone in the group.
"I don't think it's some invisible weapon but more like a personalized magic of Dereia."
Mateo looks to Claustrine who sitting next to her. She nods as she hold Mateo's hand under the table.
"Hmm... That make sense. The adventurers says Dereia looks like using a variety of long range weaponry yet we don't find nor detect any form of used ammunation. If she just use cloaking magic to hide the weapons, the magic must been already dissipates days ago."
"Thank you so much Sir Gilmore! I gonna add more drinks on my next tribute!" Mateo screams to himself.
"That make sense. With this age, personalized magic is such a huge trend so it must be a very unique form of magic Dereia cultivated herself." One of the female officials wearing a Zelestrean attire agrees. She's a representstive sent by the kingdom alongside a writer.
"Well then. As the only group who manages to fight Dereia. Can you demonstrate us how her magic works?" The female writer asked again.
"Sure." Mateo takes a deep breath as he stand and face the officials.
Then, Mateo shows all of the hand gestures Dereia is doing and demonstrate how she use them while also being careful to not reveal any key information that might show them as real thing. The handgun, the SMG, the Assault Rifle, the Shotgun and more. Despite being bewildered, the officials and writers do their best to understands everything Mateo says.
After the explanation. Mateo sits down and drinks water.
"That's.... Truly disgusting. Really. Dereia is literally armed to death with weapons for all occassions." The Zelestrean officals shakes her head slowly as she make a cringed face after learning the danger Dereia possessed.
"Invisible magic thats sends concentrated blobs of mana in different ways, various explosives including what she used in Nattunnia, and a fire magic with flames that can not easily extinguished. And the fact that she can use all of them with no mana issues." The Horic Guard captain ponders.
"But something is bothering me. You understand her magic easily using your experiences as adventurers. But I can't fathom why you guys still got defeated in the end? Grand Ecstasy is one of the peak Gold ranked adventurers and you guys are a lot stronger now. What happened?"
The mood in the room shifted to gloom as Grand Ecstasy stays silent and just look down.
"Why you can't answer?" Gilmore asked.
"We didn't expected that she suddenly have a huge power surge." Claustrine says.
"Power surge?"
"Yes. We almost defeat her but out of nowhere, Dereia's mana output increase 10x and on that point..."
Claustrine is so embarassed and shamed to continue.
"I see. You guys really caught empty handed."
Grand Ecstasy nods slowly as Gilmore finish Claustrine's recollection.
"It's our fault for underestimating Dereia." Mateos's opinion.
"I agree a little on that statement but no one would expect that our target wield such powerful ace on her sleeves. So don't feel consumed by shame and keep moving forward." The Zelestrean representative gives a little pep talk.
"Thank yo madam."
"Can you enlighten us on what Dereia's power surge looks like?" The female writer asked.
Claustrine describes Dereia's power up. The moment Gilmore and the Zelestrean representative heared that Dereia was wielding a sword made of pure mana, the two becomes even more concerned. Even the others notice the suddens shift of mood in the room.
"Sword made of pure mana?"
Gilmore looks on the Zelestrean representative. Both just give small nods to each other, each having a concerned look on their face. Then Gilmore comb his hair and when his hand reach the top of his head, he grab his hair out of stress.
"With all this information in hand. We should increase threat level of Dereia into Platinum rank." Gilmore gives his suggestion.
"But the adventurers guild already sent so many posters. It might take a while before the update reach every branch and adventurers." The Zelestrean representative shows concern.
"All we can hope is for Dereia to hide for a while and recover her injuries. So we can prepare ourselves for her return." Gilmore added.
Mateo and Claustrine just watch in silent as the politics happens in front of them as everyone thanks on different proposals and counter-arguments.
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"But if we let Dereia recover her strenght. She can use the Arcanist Sword again. And we have no estimate on how powerful Dereia really is. In the worse case scenario, she might also overwhelm the Platinum ranks using her trump card."
Gilmore and the Zelestrean woman are having a debate on what the counter-measures they should do as the threat of the mysterious power up that seems really concerned both of them is added in the equation.
"This is turned for the worse." Gilmore is unsure on what to do.
"Excuse me. But can I interrupt your heated debate?"
The two officials look at Mateo who confidently look at them.
"What is it Mateo? Do you have any suggestions?" Gilmore asked.
"Not a suggestion. But a theory."
"Theory? Spout it boy and make sure its relevant or else..." The Zelestrean woman is slightly annoyed since the crisis is still unresolved.
"I think Dereia would never use her power surge again base on what we observed during our fight with her."
"And how so? I'm not understimating your group but if Dereia manages to defeat you so easily with that power and escape death. On what reason she would not use it again?" The Zelestrean goes into criticism.
But Mateo is unfazed and instead shows seriousness on his face.
"Because, if Dereia use that power again. She would never recover again. Or more accurately, she would lose control."
"Hmmm... Safe assumption. Such power should have huge consequences." Gilmore ponders.
"No. Not like that Sir Gilmore. More likely... The one controlling Dereia would lose access on her body."
Everyone in the room who's not Mateo and Claustrine makes a quick stare at him. Some are bewildered while others are in disbelief. Claustrine meanwhile just intently listen.
"Oi Mateo... Why you suddenly spouting nonsense?" Gilmore is in disbelief.
"Give us a good explanation boy on why is that the case." The Zelestrean questions Mateo.
Mateo takes a deep breath.
"My theory is... Dereia is being controlled by an unknown entity. Not mind control nor puppetry. But an entire takeover of the body as the original owner is hidden deep inside the conciousness."
"How is that related on the power surge?" Gilmore asked.
"The moment Dereia or lets say the one possessing her used that secret skill. The original owner which is Dereia is suddenly got a little access back to her body."
"Hmmm... I connected the dots. You say that before she even kill all of you, she suddenly gets an intense headache right? Is that related to what you implying?" The Zelestrean is starting to get invested.
"Yes madam. Also the fact the she's screaming Dereia's name as she getting extreme pain. It's like Dereia is the one causing the headache.
"Hmmm... You got a point Mateo. But still, how it would ensure that Dereia would not use Arcanist sword again?" Gilmore asked.
"Arcanist sword? I hear you say that but I forgot to ask. What is it?"
"It's a made-up name I make to call the sword of pure mana Dereia is used against you."
"I see... Back to the topic. What I want to say is, the one possessing Dereia would never use the Arcanist sword again because it's not her own magic but instead a magic created by Dereia herself. If he or she used the Arcanis sword again, there's a good chance Dereia takes the control of her own body back."
The room stays silent because of Mateo's explanation.
"From what we saw on our fight. The one possessing Dereia might just using her body as some sort of mana source because Dereia herself have vast quantity of Mana. And the magic he or she used are so unique except the Arcanist sword. I can say that those invisible weapons are the personalized magic of the one possessing Dereia." Claustrine added.
The room is filled with soft blabbering as everyone is debating if they should trust Mateo's words.
"Not gonna lie. There's some reasoning on his words." The Zelestrean contemplates.
"But the real question is... Who is strong enough to create such powerful magic? I imagine that even the high ranked mages would struggle to even create it due to how complex it might be. And the mana cost must be absurd to the degree a legendary hero. Or monster only have."
But the last sentence makes Gilmore think. His eyes widen as he thinks the only creature he can think of that can do such feat.
"Unless... It's a Vielarata..."
The Zelestrean lady gasp. The others in the room feel dread after hearing the wicked name. Except Mateo and Claustrine who already knows the truth.
"Are you telling me this is also connected to the discovery of Eight horned Vielarata in the Reverse Tower?" The Zelestrean lady asked.
"Yeah. The Vielarata we discovered. After further examination. We find out that it died in the Reverse Tower just few years ago. 3 to 5 years to be exact."
Sweat drops form on the Zelestrean lady's face.
"Are you telling me... They already started their move?"
"That's the only conclusion we can have. It seems that the Vielaratas are thriving again somewhere in the world and slowly but surely making their move. Afterall, few years is nothing compared to their life span."
Everyone takes a breather after the heavy revelation.
"Shit. I expected it to be just a criminal extermination. How things end up this way?" The Zelestrean lady's stressed question.
"Atleast we still get a good news. Now we can continue the hunt of Dereia without worying about her trump card."
"Misted Gilmore. It's a Vielarata we're talking about here." Zelestrean lady's concerned words.
"Madam. What I said earlier is just hypotheticals. We can only know the truth once we pulled it out on Dereia, no. To the one's controlling her."
"I see. Well then, let's update the wanted posters while also sending available Platinum adventurers. I'm going to inform my queen."
"Thanks. As for me, I'm going to visit Bolaire and learn about Dereia's life. I now conclude this meeting."
~~~~~~°~~~~~~
In the infirmary. Grand Ecstasy also have a meeting on their own.
"Did they eat our false info?" Beltrand asked.
"Yeah. Sir Gilmore is a suprising help despite him unaware on our plan."
"What do you mean Mateo?" Beltrand asked.
"He connects our info to Vielarata we discovered on the Reverse Tower."
Instead of happiness. Beltrand instead feel guilt.
"Are you sure about this Mateo? I'm saying this in advance. This is going to be difficult."
Mateo avoid Claustrine's gaze.
"To be honest to all you you. At first, I thought that Dereia is no more and he is just Josh now and I just wish for us to stop him for destroying Dereia's image further."
Mateo looks back on Claustrine, eyes with sincerity.
"But you also see it right Trinne? Dereia is still there somewhere. She even saved us despite her own circumstances. Dereia is still fighting and we should help her to regain control of her body."
Claustrine frowns, feel ashamed for even doubting the conviction of her leader.
"I understand the sentiment Mateo. But if Dereia manages to regain control of her body, we still need to deal with the vengeful nobles from Bolaire because it's a guarantee that they want Dereia dead and we all know Bolaire nobles are prententious scumbags. They would ignore our words because we are disgusting commoners according to them." Beltrand states his piece while making a double quote hand sign in the "commoners" part.
"That's why we agreed to slowly divert the blame. And now that the Vielarata becomes a good scapegoat thanks to Sir Gilmore, we should ride that momentum until we clean Dereia's name."
"Ughh... I still feel like puking for fooling Gilmore. He's a huge help for us yet we only pay him with lies."
"Do you think I don't fell the same? Lying on our mentor?" Mateo questions Beltrand.
"Technically. We didn't lie as Dereia is really possessed by someone else." Claustrines reassurance.
"Well yeah. Then go back and say to everyone that the one who possessed Dereia came from Mateo's world and thus explaining the weaponry. Lets see how it would end up for us." Beltrand's jokingly said.
"Is the thought of you being half right not making you feel better. We can only feel half as guilty after all." Claustrine's dead pan answer.
"Hmmm... Well yeah. But we still lied to everyone. I hope the Goddess forgive me." Sophia says.
"I wish this is worth it." Shirna says.
Mateo just looked to his friend.
"This is about doing what is right Shirna. Afterall, Dereia saved our ass back there so we should do our best to clean her name from the atrocities Josh did."
The group stay silent for a while before Beltrand breaks the silent.
"A very steep goal."
"As if our adventures are always easy." Shirna replies.
Mateo stands up.
"I know this is difficult but I just can't stand and watch someone already suffering being used on immoral ways. So, lets save Dereia with all of our best. Lets repay the chance she given to us and kill that piece of shit once and for all." Mateo makes a confident grin.
The others nods slowly then give a faint smile. Watching their leader's conviction and desire to help someone in need. The trait they like the most about him.
~~~~~~°~~~~~~
"Hmmmm hmmmmmm hmmmm..."
A Zelestrean man is humming a calming tune. He just finished gathering wood that he's wife use to cook soup for his family later. With a postive vibe, he's excited eat a food his beloved wife make.
On the way to connect to one of the beaten paths deep in the forest which would lead her outside. The man stops when he notices something.
"Hmmm... What's a young girl doing here?"
.
.
.
"!!!"
Then realization hits him. Cold droplets of sweat flows on his face as he drops the bundle of wood he's carrying and hid behind a thick bush.
"Shit shit shit shit! What the hell she's doing here?!" the man whispers but his voice is full of panic.
Meeting the infamous murdered that killed a lot of nobles and adventurers is not on his to-do-list. His breathing shorten, the terror and panic making the deal on him.
"C-calm down. You just making it worse panicking."
He breaths heavily several times until the man finally calms himself. With little courage the man manage to gather, he makes a small hole on the bush and peek to see what Dereia is doing.
"Thank the gods. She didn't notice me."
The man watch Dereia follow the beaten path on the way to Zelestre. From his perspective, the girl seems really want to leave the Savagery Forest after hiding for several days now.
The man is conflicted if he should quietly leave the forest or stay. Both options have a chance of him being spotted by Dereia and getting killed. But before he even decides, Dereia suddenly stops. In front of her are two tall hooded figure revealed themselves and walk towards Dereia who justifiedly become alert.
"Huh?" The man is confused.
"Who are you?" Dereia asked the two hooded figure, her hand is in form of two pistols.
"Worry not young girl. We're not your enemy." The figure with femine voice speaks. Dereia scoffs.
"Ironic. You two being mysterious with those hooded cloaks of yours doesn't speak trustworthy to me."
The two figure looks on each other before returning their gaze to Dereia.
"Sorry about these. Well then, we would reveal ourselves."
The hooded figures unveiled themselves. Dereia is confused, but the reaction of the man hiding in the bush reacts differently.
"N-no way... H-how?" The man's knees shake out of extreme fear after seeing the identity of the hooded figure.
Pale snow white skin.
Pure whole black eyes darker than the moonless night.
Height taller than an average human with slim body.
The male have 3 horns while the woman have 2.
The man is in disbelief, but there's no denying it. The description is similar to what potrayed on the centuries old books and fantasy tales. The bane of humanty - The Vielaratas.
"Do I supposed to know you?"
The Vielaratas look at each other again. With no expression nor emotion on their faces.
"Truly peculiar. To think that someone is not knowledgable in our existence, it seems humans are being lazy on telling our tale." The male Vielarata talks.
Memories of Dereia learning about them appears on Josh's mind.
"Ah, I remember now. So what brings Vielaratas here?"
Silence...
.
.
"We're here to recruit you on our side. Afterall, the enemy of our enemy is our friend." The male Vielarata's offering.
"Your actions proves that you hate humanity and other beings in this world as well. And there's no way you can go back on their side. So how about you join us and let's help each other?" The female states a proposal.
But Dereia just shrugs off their advances.
"Thanks but no. I refuse. So can you move aside and let me leave."
The two follows and let Dereia walk between them. The two just watch for a minute as Dereia walks away until the male Vielarata says the word that might interest Dereia.
"Instead of refusing. You should just join us, afterall. You're full of our God's pressence."
Dereia stops and slowly looks back on the Vielaratas.
"What... Did you just said?