Misdirection And Deception

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POV: Astaros

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"So then, what are you here for?"

I turned around to face Raven, who had taken a seat at the round table, her hair now long and flowing.

Her teal eyes were slightly hesitant as she answered.

"I want to say thank you." {Raven}

I tilted my head in confusion.

"What for?" {Astaros}

She winced as I said these words before pushing her hair out of the way and recovering with a cough.

"I wish to thank you for what you did during the battle with the drake. Without you we would've never made it out of there battle alive." {Raven}

"Your Welcome." {Astaros}

It was an answer devoid of continuance. I have no intentions of entertaining her and while I no longer held a grudge against her I certainly didn't like her.

"Astaros I really am sorr-" {Raven}

"For what? You have done absolutely nothing as of late so what could I possibly hold against you?" {Astaros}

She looked at me in surprise. Her normally piercing arrogant eyes held none of the former. Just pure and plain confusion.

"Wait what? But what about what happened with christine? I thou-" {Raven}

I sighed heavily, cutting her off as I leaned forwards, using the table to support my shifted weight.

"That has already been solved. If Christine the victim does not wish to carry a grudge then what right do I, a bystander, have to do so in her place? It would not only be improper, it would be disrespectful towards her efforts to mend ties." {Astaros}

I sat back in my seat taking the pressure off of the creaking round table. Now what will she do?

Her curiosity now seemed to burn with an underlying anger as her suppressed arrogance from before now leapt out at me.

"So then why do you dislike me so much?" {Raven}

I laughed as I heard this, the sound reaching all corners of the room.

"What happened to being timid? Forget it, it didn't suit you anyways. My dislike of you is character based. It's personal. I don't like you. Your personality and character don't mesh with mine as I see it. Anyone who could see their disciple on the verge of tears and use that to comfort themselves is someone I can't relate to. It's something I don't understand." {Astaros}

I pushed the chair back, standing as I prepared to leave.

"Wait!" {Raven}

Now this was becoming annoying.

"What is it?" {Astaros}

She steeled herself for a moment before exhaling and calming herself.

"I would like to tell you why I did what I did." {Raven}

I raised an eyebrow at this. Her persistence was… odd. Most would have accepted it the moment I had said I didn't like them and would come to resent me as well.

"Why do you persist on this subject, I have told you I wish to have nothing to do with you. So why continue?" {Astaros}

She closed her eyes and exhaled again as she prepared to speak.

"It's because having the person who saved my life resent me is not an accomplishment I wish to have. I don't want you to personally hate me." {Raven}

I stayed silent this time, placing my hand below my chin.

"The reason I acted like I did was out of jealousy. She was experiencing something I never had. It was something I had always wanted. So seeing her topple offered me some solace. However it wasn't long lasting. The moment you told me what I was doing I regretted it. I was disgusted with myself. "Had I no pride?" is what I asked myself over and over and then I finally found the answer as I watched you burn to protect everyone in what I thought were my last moments. I had too much pride. I who had barely been able to aid you and could barely flee had enough pride that when I thought someone had been placed back on my level I took joy in it. I was acting childish. No. I was acting foolish." {Raven}

She paused for a moment as her mind stirred deep in thought.

"That is why I-" {Raven}

The doors burst open as Kali returned.

"We have a problem!!" {Kali}

Raven sighed as she got up and turned away from my unchanging face. Behind it though my feelings had softened. She truly had reflected.

"So let's see where you go from here." {Astaros}

I whispered this to myself, catching Kali's eye.

"And you come too because I need every bit of help I can get. Priestess Aurora has been kidnapped." {Kali}

I want my reverence back. I was almost shocked. Almost. Next time I am just going to outright reject anyone who wants to meet me. I feel like it'll solve at least five of the problems I have at the moment.

'Oi eavesdroppers, did you hear that? Let's get rolling before things get any worse.' {Astaros}

I then began following Kali as Fillia and Dryis hurried to the armory.

…

"We're here." {Fillia}

Fillia, Dryis and Katia arrived moments after I left and Raven began preparing a teleportation circle back to the town. In battle a spell like this can have its casting speed sped up in exchange for extra mana, however when just being used for transport like this there were no risks to the user.

So unlike last time we used it, Raven won't faint on the spot.

"Kali, can you now explain what happened. We need to deal with this quickly." {Astaros}

She nodded before beginning to explain the situation. How the guards had tried to kill her and how Aurora was whisked away in a magic circle.

"The enemy has a witch then." {Katia}

I grimaced as I considered how I would fight a witch. If caught off guard I could easily defeat a witch who's species uses long charge spells or low power spells to defend themselves in combat. However this witch has the advantage of a hostage and is likely preparing to face some kind of intervention. I have no way of dealing with grey mana as of now and while I can slow down the effects or block them if they are weak enough, a spell of high enough power could easily render me incapacitated or worse.

"Not necessarily." {Kali}

The magic circle grew brighter and Ravens chanting grew louder as Kali explained herself.

"A magic item can be used to replicate a certain spell so it's possible she was given a cursed item. Besides, I can deal with spells easily. If I couldn't, my position would've been taken from me long ago." {Kali}

As I took in this new information the gears in my brain began to turn as a plan was formulated. We need to move quickly to recover the princess and limit the amount of preparations our opponent can make. On top of that our most mobile and useful assets, the guild and town guard aren't aware of the situation. Alright. This is what I am going to do.

"Lets split up then. Kali, take Dryis and Katia with you to search the east side of town with the guild. Given the private nature of the west side, Fillia and Raven should come with me to investigate it. If we find anything I'll communicate it to Dryis. Is that acceptable?" {Astaros}

She smiled nodding.

"Just what I'd expect from you. I accept. By the way the guild has a mission planning seat open for you if want a less active roll" {Kali}

I sighed as the purple glow of the magic circle lit up my face.

Raven then finished her chanting as the violet magic circle beneath our feet began to brighten and hum as it reached the zenith of its power.

"Ready." {Raven}

I nodded as my helm deployed and covered my face locking into place.

"Let's roll." {Astaros}

The circle then shone brilliantly as we were teleported away in a flash of purple light.

…

We appeared at the town entrance as Kali split off with Katia and Dryis in tow. I turned to Fillia and Raven behind me and began to give my orders.

"Hey, Fillia, remember the wolves? Do you think you can track her? Assuming she is still in the city."

She put a finger to her chin as she thought for a moment.

"I think so maybe I ca-" {Fillia}

She looked at Raven who was taking in the conversation.

"What?" {Raven}

Fillia turned to me.

'I can track her through smell. So if we get close I think I can do it." {Fillia}

I nodded.

"Alright I'll conceal us and we'll head into the governmental district. Fillia, if you pick up something, tell us." {Astaros}

Raven's face contorted in confusion as an inquisitive look flashed in her eyes. but she shook whatever thought she had away.

"Alright then I'll follow you two." {Raven}

I nodded and activated concealment as Fillia put up the hood on her cloak and leapt up to the rooftops.

"Raven come with me I'll conceal you as well." {Astaros}

She came closer to the sound of my voice and I wrapped her in my mana too, effectively hiding her. I moved quickly under the cover of darkness as with my class up I was now capable of concealing us both with ease.

We ran for a few minutes and darted through alleys and dark side streets.

The quick sustained movement seemed to tire out Raven as we searched the city stealthily under the moonlight. As we neared the south west of the governmental sector she was completely out of breath. I hadn't considered the stamina of a teleporting mage when in combat. Well then I'll cover the difference.

"Raven come in close. You're not keeping up." {Astaros}

"Alright." {Raven}

And the moment she came close I swept her up in a princess carry and dashed off as she covered her mouth to not scream.

"What are you doing!?!" {Raven}

Her voice was quiet yet the tone was threatening. Something that meant nothing to me

"I'm picking up the pace." {Astaros}

I ducked under the archways as we neared the middle of the district.

'Astaros I got something.' {Fillia}

I skidded to a stop kicking up the grimy gravel as I put down raven.

'What's your location.' {Astaros}

There was silence for a second as Fillia confirmed.

'Deus Street just a little north east of here.' {Fillia}

I nodded. Before turning to Raven.

"Were headed to deus street." {Astaros}

She sighed.

"I'm kinda jealous of whatever ability you guys are using to talk over long distance." {Raven}

"You couldn't learn it even if I taught you." {Astaros}

It was true. Can't teach a class locked ability you don't have.

…

We arrived at a house on the corner of the street, before taking to the rooftop and meeting up with Fillia.

I then immediately contacted Dryis.

'Hey tell Kali I found her. She's in the fourth mansion on deus street.' {Astaros}

The mansion was created from red brick, with long black fencing curling around the perimeter. The black roof like the wings of a giant bat draped across the top as two armored guards stood at the front. The silence of the moment was broken by Dryis speaking in my mind.

'Kali wants to know what the situation is.' {Dryis}

I closed my eyes and spread out my mana sense.

Looking through the entire mansion, there were twenty-four people inside in total. Aurora was in the basement with a person.

The lust from the basement was so strong, I was picking it up through empathic sense from all the way over here.

We can't wait for backup.

'Tell her there's no time and that we're going in.' {Astaros}

I then stood and turned to Raven and Fillia.

"Raven, Fillia, clean out the mansion. I'll go rescue the priestess." {Astaros}

I jumped off the mansion and before I hit the ground two arrows shot through the throats of both guards, dropping them both.

I then rushed forward and leapt over the fencing before reaching the doorway.

Immediately an old habit kicked in.

"OPEN UP." {Astaros}

*BLAMMMM!!*

The door went flying as I kicked it down.

There was a scuffle on the upper floor as Fillia and Raven broke in through one of the upper floors windows.

A black ethereal sword shot through said floor above me jutting down into a nearby room.

Seems like Raven can fight in such a space as well.

I looked down at the varnished floor as three guards rushed me.

But before they could reach me, Fillia came sliding down the swirling staircase, filling out their backs with arrows.

A man rushed in as she jumped off the railing and swung down with her the sword I made.

*SHIIINNNGG

He tried to block but the shining blade cut through his shortsword and split him on a vertical axis.

I however was too busy breaking through the floor to see that outcome.

I punched the floor as it cracked and shattered, before caving in beneath me.

I landed in a pile of debris, the dust whirling and kicking up a cloud as I crashed into the basement.

"WHA-" {Marco}

Using my mana sense I searched for and found the perpetrator before I put a beam through the head of her assailant killing him instantly.

The moment I did that and confirmed his mana signature had faded I began to swirl wind element to gather the dust and created a small ball of debris in my palm.

And looking around the room I spotted Aurora, her face pale in horror as she slowly pushed his corpse of herself.

She was in shock.

Though tears streamed down her face yet she made not a single sound as I picked her up and brought her out of the dead silent mansion.

…

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POV: Kali

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It was a horrible day for Elden. The barons son had attempted to rape a holy figure. The response of the town guard and the deployment of the guild had been satisfactory in the public's eyes so no face was lost on our side. However the same couldn't be said for the governing figures. A mob had stormed the governmental district and nearly overran it had it not been for a timely intervention by yours truly.

On the other hand for the first time in fifty-seven years the might of the holy knights marched within a city beyond the boundaries of a church.

The holy knights, or the divine protectors, are the defenders of peace and justice within the church and are all in service of the goddess Theadris by default.

Normally as they are technically a military force outside of the control of the Alvarian government they are not allowed to leave their chosen churches unless explicitly permitted to do so by a city's governor.

Thus when the holy knights were deployed on the streets of Elden I could only shake my head at the sight.

Baron Guidevierre had been pressured to allow the holy knights into the city after the incident with his son and of course couldn't refuse given the situation.

The entire incident itself was a mess as well. After Astaros raided a mansion owned by the baron's son the metal giant killed him on the spot before rescuing a shocked priestess Aurora.

And now that very priestess sat before me with a dead eyed look on her face. The previous glow in her pale blue eyes whenever she was with Astaros was now gone. Her radiant beauty was surrounded with an aura of untouchability

Yet I have never felt more like cutting her down.

"It was tough you know, timing the swallowing the shock pill. I nearly missed my time when Astaros broke through the roof. He really was worried when he saw me in that state." {priestess Aurora}

I frowned at her as she said this. She had come to my office to seemingly gloat about her acting skills. I tried to sour the mood with complaints up to now but they weren't working. It made me feel better though.

"The collateral from these moves that you've made with your sleeper pawns has been extremely high. We nearly had a riot on our hands." {Kali}

She smiled as her dead eyes showed no sign of being bothered.

"That's simply not my problem. It's yours and Guidevierre's, I am simply doing my job as ordered by the duke and the church. Besides, there is a divine aspect as well." {priestess Aurora}

I raised my eyebrows at this. The duke was likely breaking down on his throne as he heard the situation going on here in Elden. And the idea that a divine presence was endorsing her using her divinity to create sleeper pawns within the hierarchy was more concerning than anything. The moment she became a priest she began to use her beauty to entice certain people and turn them into her pawns with the idea that if they served her well enough she may respond to their depraved feelings. (A/N: They're super simps basically)

With this she can manipulate any situation and put pressure on anyone.

No one knew how deep her fingers went into the kingdom's public servants. It was one of the kingdom's most disturbing secrets and a well hidden one as well.

"So then what do you plan to do now after using up the baron's son?" {Kali}

She straightened herself before gracefully standing. She then flashed me a dangerously beautiful smile that made me want to puke.

"I think I am going to go make my final moves." {priestess Aurora}

As she left my guild office I tapped a pen against my desk, my mind whirling at the possibilities of me snatching Astaros out from under her.

It was all at risk. I had acted to slow.

'Well, well, well, color me impressed. I guess if I want something done I'll have to do it myself.' {Kali}

And so the time came that I would clash with this madwoman. After all, no one stole my prey.

บท 42: Misdirection And Deception

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บท 42: Misdirection And Deception

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