Since we were going to face such a momentous task like fighting an almost Silver level existence, we simply all stopped holding back. All of us started casting our chosen ultimate techniques while it was still distracted fighting the guy from the Gold family.
Although I hate to admit it, he is indeed really strong and is without a doubt the main force in this confrontation.
Sean: Light Magic - Summon Light Spirits!
I once again summon my little helpers to my side. This time, I let the group of them all concentrate their efforts for a singur powerful blow. Last time I had them constantly firing light bullets in order to distracting the enemy before. Now, I just need to do all I can to damage this Golden Scarab.
Millie: Spinning Ssh!
Like usual, Millie made her favorite move of spinning in the air with her weapon of choice. Coating her body with that same red energy she had revealed before, she sent a projectile sent from her inner energy that combined with that energy to create a strong flying ssh.
Because of this attack, the golden scarab was distracted to block it and Johnathon had a moment to check what was going on.
Johnathon: You brats. Have you checked on the other pces? I can still handle here myself.
Sean: We checked one pce-
Johnathon: THEN HURRY AND CHECK THE OTHER ONE! I got this pce covered.
Seeing how he reacted, we were all quite confused. It was not until Farrell arrived on our side that we knew the answer.
Farrell: Oh, you all are here. Great timing! Help us with this big guy will you?
Sean: When we tried to, that guy told us off.
Farrell: If that is the case, just send your summons to back up. If they fly high enough they may be able to see what is going on from a distance while we stay in the fight. If your summons can't go that far, I will try my best to hold on here with my old bones.
He then went and rushed again towards the giant beast in the hopes of helping Johnathon.
Seeing that Farrell trusted Johnathon's judgement, we decided to head over there ourselves. My light spirits summon is not so strong that they can operate that far from my body so I told everyone my decision. Although Marianne was a little concerned, we eventually were able to convince her.
Because of the situation here, we went and hurried over to the st location of a base. Because we were coming from the lord's mansion in the center of the town, the way to the final destination was visible directly from there so we just hurried along.
On the way to this area, the town was quite quiet since the evacuation has been going on for so long. Most of the streets here were completely cleared of all obstacles so we just headed forward.
When we neared the area in question, there was a sudden loud crashing noise from behind us. As we turned back, we saw a massive cloud of smoke coming from the lord's mansion that we were at before. This gave us a bad premonition so we hurried along here with all our might.
At the location, we saw that the fight was almost completed. On the knight's side, the knights were all in fairly good condition. On the other side, there were multiple cultists id sprawled out on the ground. There were only a few stragglers remaining from the cultists side so after we joined the fight became child's py.
The st body fell onto the ground and the knights all sighed in relief. Marianne then went forward to speak with the knights.
Marianne: Do you have anything we need to help with?
Knight Leader: No need. We just have to take care of these corpses and we will be done with this.
Marianne: Can you please hurry, we will rejoin with the main fight in the center. If you can make it, please come and help.
The Knight Leader nods in agreement and the six of us go ahead and march back to the Lord's mansion.
We retraced our steps and eventually made our way back into the mansion. This time, the pce was even more damaged than it was before. We looked over to the battlefield and Marianne's eyes widened.
Once again, Farrell's body was id down on the ground. This time there was additional rubble covering his body. When we walked over, Marianne went to check his body. It was still breathing.
After giving a sigh of relief, Marianne told us that she would stay here to heal him as fast as possible and to let the five of us go to help support Johnathon.
When we arrived at the main battlefield, we saw that he was in a far more tattered appearance than we saw him before. He could not even maintain his golden armor anymore. The Golden Scarab, while slower, looked like it had suffered minimal injuries.
As we reached closer, Johnathon finally noticed our presence and gave us a scowl.
Johnathon: Have you brats taken care of that st spot? Never mind that, leave here. This battlefield is not a pce for kids.
When I heard that, I further disliked this guy. I held back my displeasure and responded.
Sean: We have all chosen to fight here. No need for you to dumb down our enthusiasm at a time like this.
I heard a tongue click as the guy donned his golden armor once again.
Johnathon: Fine then, if you are willing to throw away your pitiful little lives, you better not hold me back or else you won't like the consequences.
We all gave a nod and ran into position. Millie and I went to take on the fnk of the beast with one of the mages on each side. On Millie's side was Lily who acted as a debugger to potentially slow down attacks enough that Millie could dodge them all as well as to act as a sub commander. Kris arrived by my side to help me deal damage to this beast. Mist went and hid in the surroundings to help back us up when necessary and to find a good opportunity to attack the beast in-between our attack intervals.
When we participated in the fight, I could see that the pressure on that guy Johnathon was definitely lessened. It was not to the point that he could rex, but our presence definitely gave him some wiggle room. The longer we fought together, the better our team chemistry began. Although I would hate to admit it, this guy truly has the skills to match us.
As the fight went on, we all eventually showed our skills. Although Millie and I had just used our skills just before and we all had used our ultimate skills back when we killed that minotaur, we all disregarded the strain as the target in front of us was still at rge. When we returned to the main base, we would see if we could get fixed up.
The strain of casting our ultimates so frequently would put a not so small strain on our body so if we do not get it checked out in time, it may cause some major problems down the line. So we should probably suspend this adventure when the fight is done. I mean, the casualties that the knights of the church had sustained as well as our own extreme exertion would make us unfit to adventure to the frontlines.
Unless we were to get cured soon after here, but that is quite unlikely.
Soon the fight went to another turning point. After chanting for a longer time than usual, our mages finally had the opportunity to cast spells at the Golden Scarab.
Lily: Ice Magic - Frost Lance!
Kris: Fire Magic - Fire Flurry!
Both of our mages finished casting at the same time. Since they were separated, the spells they casted were not as powerful as the combined blow that stabbed into the minotaur. This time, the attacks had nded on both sides and the impact of both blows stunned the beast for a second.
Soon after, the beast recovered from its stun and continued fighting at such a pace. Seeing that the situation was getting nowhere, Johnathon sighed and steeled his resolve.
Johnathon: Brats, by me some time. Our family has a secret method to deal with this situation.
We all nodded and Millie and I quickly rush to the front to protect Johnathon. Because of his absence in the fight, the situation quickly grew dire and Mist needed to step up directly to help on the front.
Soon, close to half of a minute passed as we held off the beast. When we were fighting before, we did not need to worry about it firing a ball of energy as Johnathon would have cut the bst midway. Now we had to not only distract ourselves to hold off the beast and prevent any distraction from interrupting that guy, we also had to deal with the occasional charge up bst.
Enough time had passed and we felt the energy radiating off of Johnathon. Instead of being cloaked in golden armor, he was now chained up in golden chains that wrapped all around his body. He then opened his eyes and warned us to step back.
Johnathon: Bloodline Skill - Cursed Chains!
The chains wrapping his body suddenly expanded and on each end of the chains grew a rge fanged maw that rushed to cmp down on the golden scarab. It likely sensed the danger of these chains and tried to move out of the way, but it was too slow and was eventually bitten on by the chains.
When they bit on, the golden glow on the beast began to slightly fade as the beast's movements grew slower and less frantic. Although it was not completely safe, it was now much easier to deal with.
Then, we were able to actually deal some damage as when we scratched it now, the injuries did not immediately fade away.
Seeing this, hope grew in our hearts as we hurried and tried to take advantage of the current opportunity to deal as much damage as possible. Since we have been in constant fights today, we did not have much more oomph in us.
As we were all getting exhausted, there was a sudden movement from behind us and a familiar set of moves was heard.
Farrell: Light Magic - Dash of Light!
Marianne: Light Magic - Golden Cannon!
First a golden ray beamed toward the Golden Scarab and nded straight at the beast's head. Then a bright figure fshed over and thrusted forth a fatal blow into its carapace.
These two strikes seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back as the Golden Scarab's body was mostly destroyed by the two's attack. The beast finally fell down from its injuries before it could even let out a dying roar.
With its head bsted apart, we stood there waiting to see if it would continue to move. After waiting a few seconds and getting no response, we finally blew a sigh of relief. Although this battle was not as dangerous to us as the fight with the Minotaur, it was right afterwards so our exhaustion was reasonable.
As we all calmed down, the adrenaline stopped pumping and we all fell in exhaustion. Soon the group of church knights arrived fashionably te and quickly came to us and checked up on us. When they found that we were all exhausted, they brought us to a more open area and started to build temporary resting areas.
Since the mansion was attacked, there was not much of a pce to rest so we were all pced in a nice and open area to rest at while the knights cleaned up the battlefield.
When we were all rexing, the remaining soldiers and knights all arrived and began repairing everything around. Although the buildings were all done for due to the fights all around, the open space allowed for the knights to quickly put up tents and the like for all of the injured.
Soon the civilians were returned. Due to the destruction that has happened, any civilians who were dispced were brought to safe pces to stay in temporarily until their homes were rebuilt.
Because of the knights, a well needed time of peace had arrived for everyone involved. All the civilians could finally heave a sigh of relief. Now that the danger has passed, we could all finally rest.
A day passed like this and I awoke from my slumber. Above me was the unfamiliar appearance of an older style of tent. I arose from my position and turned around. Beside me was a note that I quickly scanned. The note quickly summarized what has gone on since we had passed out. All of which mainly included a small festival to cheer the people's moods as well as cleaning up the fallen rubble and corpses off the ground.
When I finished reading, I tried to move my body. While my upper body was mostly fine, I felt the bones in my arms creak. I guess that is what happens when you face multiple high level enemies all one after another. If I remember correctly, I first went and faced those cultists at the first base that released that darn minotaur on us.
That minotaur sure was a tough enemy. Especially since our group was the main combatants against it. It even helped us awaken this aura that Millie and I used ter on.
Speaking of which, I remember that William had that blue bear aura thing he always used when fighting us. Perhaps this is what he had?
Without a third party to confirm my suspicions I went on and thought of the other fights I took on after. Without much break, we helped deal with another base before hearing a bang from the lord's mansion.Then, we faced that giant golden scarab that I hit before we were called away to deal with the other bases.
Finally, facing the giant scarab in the end that we were eventually able to down with the help of the noble guy's ability to make magical chains.
That guy really wasn't as bad as I thought he was, right?
I then try moving my lower half, but find it quite difficult. If I can't even move my legs while on the bed here, I really can't expect myself to be able to walk on these feet right?
In that case, I guess I will wait on someone to come by and check me out. As I waited here, I notice that the opening fp of the tent fpped around and opened which gave me a glimpse outside. Out there, there were people busying themselves walking around and some barking orders.
Although it was not as busying as a battlefield, it was quite a sight to watch people working in unison like this. Soon there was someone who found me up in the tent. After calling some people, someone actually arrived to greet me.
Kris: Yo, leader's awake!
When I heard her voice, the entire team went and entered the tent. The others seemed to be quite worried. I appear to be the st one to have awakened. I guess being the main designated tank of the team really forces you to bear a lot.
I tried my best to sit up straight from my position, but I found moving a little difficult with my body as it is now. Seeing this, Kris came to my side and helped me up. After thanking her, I looked at the crowd at my side now. Marianne was not here so it was just our main five.
Sean: Is Marianne not here?
Mist: She is out there healing as well as helping the people. The knights are out there helping while protecting her. We chose to stay here and wait for you to get up.
I nodded my head before turning my head before asking a more important question in a quiet voice.
Sean: How is the base? Has there been any changes since I have st been awake?
Mist then went and closed his eyes and sensed around for a moment. Afterwards he gave Lily a nod and left the stage to her.
Lily: According to the base, everyone has gathered a rather ominous sign. Ever since we found the threat of cultists being around, traces of their appearance have been spotted in all the towns we have ever set foot upon. Although I don't know much about the cities since we have never set foot there, they are likely no different if they can be found all over the towns now.
I furrowed my brows at the news. Originally, the intelligence collection for our organization was to map out the general locations of areas of interest. Ever since we heard about cultists, we have all wondered whether the attack here is an isoted case or an organized action.
So, Mist went and asked the others through the communicator of our thoughts. This was done back when we were helping the third base since the actual troubles there were more of a waste of time then an actual problem.
Through this, Mist was able to send the most common marks and such that cultists like to pce around their pces of operation. Due to the cultists keeping a sheet on this at their base, we were able to send people around to check. It was only after they started checking that we all found that these cultists are more prevalent then we expected.
In just the town of White Lilies we were able to find the presence of at least the high level cult Abyssal Blood as well as several smaller cults all over. Thankfully, we were able to quickly crackdown on the cults there relying on our home field advantage. Due to the town being the main area of operations for our base, we were able to quickly send groups of teams down to subdue all of the cultists around.
Due to how swiftly we took them all down, there was little noise from our fights. Especially since we sent down several assassin type fighters to quickly survey and take down whoever they found with several others awaiting should the worst come to happen.
Thankfully, these operations were all successful and we were able to quickly subdue all of these chaotic elements before secretly informing the knights to clean up after us.
All of that was done between when we were facing that Golden Scarab and when I fainted. Now the whole situation is that William has sent people to take care of the traces and even sent people to thank us. I guess they were spotted when they were cleaning up so they were given some rewards for their troubles.
With that situation completed, it was now time to check up on our current situation. From what I can understand, the town is currently in its recovery phase and our role here is to be intermediary assistance until the main reinforcements arrive.
Lily: We are especially important now that the lord of this town is unable to take action.
Hmm?
Sean: Did something happen to that guy?
Lily: The technique that that guy used st in the confrontation with the Golden Scarab was a bloodline technique passed down through the bloodline of the Gold Family. It restricts the curse on the beasts that are targeted with the technique. In return, the user must bear the curse himself while it is cast while also bearing the consequences for using an unfamiliar power to their own when it is deactivated.
Sean: Is he alright? I did not expect that the move he used so decisively to be so debilitating.
She said that he had gotten better and is now currently resting. With the town damaged like this, it can't take any more problems before it has time to recover. So we are needed to be here at this time.
We chatted for a long while after and when I was starting to get a little bored of the situation, Marianne showed up unannounced from the entrance of the tent.
Marianne: Hey, Sean you are awake! How are you feeling, do you need any help?
She rushed over with concern to my side. Kris showed a little dislike for the situation, but ultimately chose to not interrupt.
Sean: I am feeling aches all over and my lower half can't be moved much.
Marianne: Hmm, I got it. Leave it to me!
She then started healing me up. Soon, with her help, I was able to start moving my body again like I used to. I thanked her profusely and she simply said it was no big deal before heading out to help others in need.
Now what are we going to do?
Sean: Do we stay following Marianne? Is she going to still head out to the front lines? There have been too many casualties on the way already and should there be any more the trip might just get called off.
Lily: I had spoken to Farrell on this issue while you were asleep. It seems like he is of the opinion that they return back to the church headquarters because of that attack we had faced on our way here.
Sean: You mean that Vampire and Werewolf who sent that wolf pack after us.
Lily gave me a nod and began expining.
Lily: Their team was actually a vanguard troop sent by the Dark Race Alliance to check up on our situation. Since they were able to escape, they must have already informed the frontline of the situation and so they might be preparing for war already. Because of this, he has deemed the mission too perilous for our group as it is now.
I agreed with his decision in my heart, but I still yearned to see the Dark Race Alliance. I remember that when we were deciding where to go, our leader had wanted us to make our own decisions. I wanted to take this opportunity to come to the territory of the Alliance to see how they differ from the Church, but I guess the opportunity was all for naught.
Even then, I think that already being in the territory of the Church to begin with already skewed the results against the Alliance.
So I stood up with my now recovered body and told everyone of my thoughts. They all generally agreed and so I went out to go for a walk to move my muscles around a bit.
I stepped out of the cordon set by the knights and headed out to the streets of the town that were still being rebuilt.
Watching all of the life and vitality in all of the people wandering around and helping each other rebuild their homes put a smile on my face. It reminded me of back when we just entered the base.
At that time, I was a little scared since we had just been saved from what we knew as the evil orphanage by a horde of skeletons and two cloaked figures. Then I heard the gentle voice of the one who saved us and suddenly found myself walking behind her as we headed into the sewers.
When I had braced myself for the overwhelming stench, I walked through and surprisingly did not catch a whiff. Soon she had us walking through winding paths that seemed endless before arriving at a dead end. At that time I had been worried that we had just jumped from one danger to another, but then she somehow created an entrance that lead to the base we would call home.
Back then, and even now, I still don't know how that entrance works, but such a thing really gave us confidence that we could make a difference and that we were truly in the right hands.
Indeed, that thought was correct as here we are now. Although we are not all fully together, each of us now has the chance to seize our own destinies.
Seeing all of the life in the eyes of these people really brings me back. It was in this contemption that I found myself wandering into an area I never knew of before. Was this area always here?
I looked around and eventually found an unusual symbol at the entrance of an alleyway.
A chalice with bat like wings as handles on its side. I have never seen a symbol like that before. Seeing as they do the same thing that the other cults do, maybe this is a gathering pce of a lesser known cult group?
Even if I don't specialize in infiltrating, I think that I am more than capable of pulling out a small occult group like this. So I snuck a gnce all around before I snuck into the alleyway.
When I was doing my searching in this area, I did not find that the entrance of the alleyway suddenly disappeared behind me. Nor did I find that there were secret eyes watching my every move.
Soon I headed down the alley and found myself face to face with an unusual red entrance to a building. On it there was a sign that said Bloody Temptation.
Sean: This is seeming to be more interesting than I thought.
I then looked around carefully before quietly taking my steps over into the building. When I entered, I found myself in an unusual bar like environment. The walls and decor were all covered with red and bck giving the area a quite gloomy feel. The bar was all empty, safe for a figure lying down drooling on the main bar.
She was on the waiting side so I could only assume she was an employee here. From what I could see, she was a blonde girl with elf like ears as well as a rather revealing dress that exposed her shoulder and back. From the looks of it, she only appeared maybe 16. Even if she looked that way, her elf ears and being here at a bar let me assume that she is definitely more than meets the eye.
After waiting for a while, I eventually made up the courage and shook her by the shoulder.
???: Mmm... Five more... minutes...
Seeing her reaction, I gave a sigh and started shaking her a little more firmly and she slowly came to awareness.
???: Huh, who are you?
Sean: That is what I want to ask you, the town just went through an attack and there is someone like you just sleeping here?
???: Oh, ok. My name is Verona. I am the bartender here at the Bloody Temptation. Can you tell me your name now?
It was only then I looked straight at her that I noticed her eyes. Her eyes were a vibrant red, like the color of a bright apple. It seemed like I was staring at her eyes for too long as she suddenly coughed which awoke me from my stupor.
Sean: Oh, I am Sean. I am one of the members of the Ptinum Stars and I am currently with a Church delegation that has stopped her for the time being.
I noticed the eyes of Verona widen a little when I mentioned the Church.
Verona: So you are with the Church huh. I remember that there was a big deal about there being a group from the church coming. I guess you were a part of that then.
I nodded in response. I then asked her about the tavern here and what was its history.
Verona: Oh, this pce is not that big a deal. My family actually comes from the Dark Race Alliance and we were thinking of expanding and so my dad sent me out with some money to build a pce in a town that I liked.
She then gave a heavy sigh.
Verona: Unfortunately, the currency used by the Alliance does not convert here so I had to sell some of my belongings for some money. Even then, I was ripped off and the money I had gotten was only enough for a remote pce like this.
As she said this, a sad expression showed on her face. Indeed, this pce was far back in an alley way and only the brave or foolish would go out of their way to a bar like this. I gave her a look of pity and she shook her head.
Verona: Although this pce is remote, there are some customers who come by regurly. You just missed the time they usually get together. And, I never really wanted to do this. My Dad just forced the role on to me so I find the peace and quiet here quite satisfactory.
We then chatted as I asked for a drink to myself. Of course, I was not getting any alcohol. Not only was I definitely too young, she would probably have not allowed it anyways. After she gave me a drink, I finally asked her what I wanted to ask.
Sean: Hey Verona, I noticed that your eyes are red, are you perhaps a vampire.
She showed me a look of surprise. She then pulled out a booklet from her back pocket and quickly flipped through it. When she found the page she wanted, she quickly recited the words on the page. Her eyes then changed from a crimson red to a bright blue.
Verona: Sorry about that. I guess my spell had worn out when I fell asleep. I hope my appearance did not deter you. I am in fact, part vampire. My Father was a vampire and so I inherited these eyes from him. Although I am one, I assure you I mean no harm to you.
She waved her arms about frantically while trying to expin everything. Her hyperactive movements really reminded me of a small animal like a squirrel trying to get your attention. I unconsciously smiled a bit before answering.
Sean: Don't worry, If I minded, I would have told you before.
She gave a sigh of relief at my answer. We then spent the rest of the time I was there chatting about her life at the Alliance territory. Soon I had a good idea what it was like living in the Alliance as a civilian.
This talk really reinforced the idea that I needed to go there in person to see how it is like before making the decision to join the church's side fully.
I soon said farewell and returned to the base to rendezvous with my teammates once again.
