Bab 32: Preparation (4)
Aurora Earhart
When the massive lizard-like creature noticed us, its enormous body surged forward in a frenzy, shaking the cavern so violently it felt like the ceiling was about to collapse. I exhaled slowly, feeling the mental fatigue from the previous battle, but readied myself for the next fight.
My knights also took up defensive positions, bracing for the incoming onslaught.
The creature's heavy footsteps thundered through the cave, creating shockwaves as it charged, but, to my surprise, the cave held firm despite the tremors. I dodged its massive swing, pressing myself against the wall, and quickly checked on my men. Fortunately, none of them were harmed.
Focusing my mana into my hand, I summoned five fiery daggers, hurling them at various points on the beast's body—one to the head, two to its legs, one aiming for its eye, and the last targeting its tail.
But to my frustration, each blade simply slid off its thick, impenetrable hide, leaving no visible marks.
Damn, its defense is too strong.
My mind raced for a solution. The problem wasn't just its overwhelming strength; the creature was also enhanced by the red crystal embedded within it. The longer it rampaged, the fewer clues we'd have left. The task was clear: we had to take it down quickly.
— Hah… — I sighed heavily, attracting Kiall's attention.
He glanced at me, catching his breath between the creature's attacks.
— My lady? What's the plan?
I surveyed the cavern once more, calculating our chances, then returned my gaze to Kiall.
— Fall back. I'll handle it myself.
Without hesitation, Kiall and the knights retreated, leaving me alone to face the beast head-on. I leaped from the ledge, positioning myself directly in the monster's path. It turned toward me, sensing my intent, its red, glowing eyes locking onto mine.
Our eyes met, and I furrowed my brow. This wasn't just a mindless creature—it was something far more dangerous.
Where did they find it? And if they were willing to let this one go, what else were they hiding?
Pushing those thoughts aside, I focused my aura and mana into my sword.
— Third Divine Technique of the Earharts — Dragon's Spiral! — I shouted, swinging my blade.
A torrent of black fire erupted from my sword, rising into the air and forming a massive dragon with a wingspan of at least thirty meters. With a single command, the fiery beast lunged toward the stunned lizard.
The flames coiled around the creature's body like chains, creating spiraling vortexes that began to burn through everything they touched. Despite its thick, impenetrable skin, against the black flames of the Earharts, it might as well have been made of paper. The lizard's body ignited, its agonized screams echoing through the cave as it thrashed, trying to break free. But it was too late.
Within moments, the creature was reduced to ashes, leaving nothing but a smoldering pile behind.
I dispelled the dragon and approached the spot where the lizard had stood, surveying the remains.
— My lady, are you alright? — Kiall's concerned voice broke the silence.
He and the two remaining knights hurried toward me, checking my condition.
— I'm fine, — I nodded, though my breath was still uneven. — Search the cave for any records or clues. Bring everything to me.
— Are you sure you don't need assistance?
— I'm sure. Just follow orders.
— Understood.
Despite the lingering exhaustion from using two family techniques, I still had energy to keep going. Unlike the others, I hadn't yet reached my limit.
I glanced back toward the spot where the lightning mage had vanished. Her severed arm still lay there—the one I had managed to slice off.
I crouched down, inspecting it closely. In the heat of battle, I hadn't noticed before, but now I saw it clearly. Near the shoulder, wrapped around her arm, was a red band with a symbol of a dark lotus.
A dark lotus… What could that mean?
It was clearly significant. Perhaps an emblem of their organization or something linked to their goals.
I tore the band from her arm and tucked it into the pocket of my trousers, deciding to investigate it later. Then, I placed the severed arm into my spatial ring.
The cages that had once held the beasts were now empty. I didn't find anything new in them—they were just standard cells for creatures being prepped for transformation into the crazed monsters we had encountered in the forest.
Returning to the center of the cavern, I approached the bloodstained table. It was partially scorched from the battle, but enough traces remained to understand that this was where the experiments took place.
It seemed this was the place where they implanted the red crystals into the creatures.
— Lady Aurora! — one of the knights called out, pulling me from my thoughts.
— What is it?
The knight ran up to me, holding a thick stack of papers.
— We found what looks like research notes.
— Hm?
I took the documents and began skimming through them.
Day 54.
Experiment #78.
Result: Specimen #152 survived for approximately three hours. However, after that, it lost control and began attacking everything around it.
My brows furrowed as I continued reading.
Day 64.
Experiment #123.
Result: Specimen #341 lasted a full day before going insane. We've concluded that the dosage and volume of the red matter must be reduced to maintain control over the subjects.
—"Subjects? What is this about?
Kiall, hearing the confusion in my voice, stepped closer, his expression tense, as if he too was trying to make sense of it.
— What? — I asked, frowning slightly, following his gaze.
He was pointing to the large glass cylinders I had seen earlier. Inside, humanoid figures floated in the strange yellow liquid. Approaching one of the tanks, I noticed the metal base below had a number engraved: 233.
233… Must be the specimen number.
I stared at the figure inside, wondering who or what it was. Without thinking, I slammed my fist into the glass, shattering it. The greenish fluid poured out, and with it, the figure inside tumbled to the floor.
— I-is that… a human? — Kiall gasped in shock.
I, too, was stunned. Inside was a person. Not a monster, not a goblin, nor an orc as one might expect.
But a human.
— Bairon?! — one of my knights shouted, rushing to the body as soon as he recognized the figure.
— You know him? — I asked, glancing at the shocked knight.
He remained silent for a moment before responding, his voice tinged with disbelief.
— Yes, my lady... He was one of the junior knights who joined our family two years ago. A month ago, he went missing. We thought he'd run away or perished during his last mission, but...
I turned back to the man, now revealed to be Bairon. I inspected his body, covered in an unidentifiable substance, and noticed a distinct scar on his chest—a precise incision. Kneeling down, I ran my hand along the scar, trying to piece together what had happened to him. But before I could draw any conclusions, Bairon suddenly grabbed my wrist.
His eyes shot open, glowing a deep red, the same malevolent hue as those creatures infected by the red crystals.
— W-what?! — I gasped in shock, while one of the knights stumbled backward in fear. Yet I wasn't frightened—just infuriated.
— They experimented on animals to then use these methods on humans... to create beings that could wield the cursed power of that crystal...
I rose to my feet, wrenching my hand free from Bairon's grasp. He wasn't human anymore. There was no salvation for him. With a swift, effortless motion, I decapitated him.
It was the only mercy I could offer.
The knight who had known Bairon hung his head, visibly shaken. A bitter pang of sorrow tugged at my chest. I had wanted to save him too, but I knew it was already too late. Once someone was tainted by the power of the red crystal, there was no returning to normal. Any attempts to save them would only prolong their suffering. The most merciful act I could offer was to end their misery.
I cast my gaze over the other tanks, still holding the remains of more people. My heart tightened with frustration and helplessness. They were all doomed to the same fate as Bairon.
— Continue searching the cave. I'll take care of things here, — I ordered the knights.
— Yes, my lady, — they responded in unison, dispersing to continue their investigation.
I began smashing the remaining tanks, putting an end to the lives of those trapped inside. Of course, I could have tasked Kiall or the others with this grim duty, but as a Guardian, I felt it was my responsibility.
It was my burden to end their suffering.
When I finished, the bodies of all the knights who had been declared missing or dead over the past two years were laid out in a row before me. I planted my sword into the ground, clasping my hands over the hilt, and offered them a moment of silence.
Once the solemn moment had passed, Kiall rushed up to me, holding a container filled with a strange red liquid.
— My lady, — he called out, slightly out of breath. — I found several vials of this liquid in one of the rooms. I believe this is what they use to create the crystals.
I took the vial from his hands and examined it closely. Bringing it near my nose, I caught a familiar scent—the same foul odor that always accompanied the crystals.
— You're likely right, — I responded thoughtfully.
But this isn't just any liquid... It smells too much like blood. Whose blood did they use?
Setting that question aside for now, I turned to my knights.
— Gather the bodies of the fallen along with their swords and prepare to leave.
The knights nodded and began collecting the remains. As I watched them, a dull ache settled in my chest. This wasn't just a defeat—it was a tragedy for our family.
Kiall, noticing my somber state, approached me.
— My lady, we will find those responsible and make them pay. I promise you.
I gave him a soft, but sad smile, trying to convey that I was fine.
— We will. For now, send a signal to the castle. Call for an investigative team to be sent here immediately.
— Understood, my lady.
With that, he swiftly climbed out of the cave, disappearing from view.
Now alone again, I leaned back against the cold stone wall, crossing my arms as I closed my eyes, trying to piece my thoughts together.
The loss of our knights weighed heavily on me, but something else troubled me even more.
That lightning mage... How many more like her are there in this organization? Who are their leaders? And how are the Earharts involved?
So many questions, yet so few answers. These thoughts gnawed at me relentlessly.
The only thing I was certain of was that something far worse awaited us in the future.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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