"If i may ask, sir Mortimer, what rank are you in...?"
Rueben turned to him with a confused face and spoke, "Me?The lowest, of course. I'm just a foot soldier compared to them."
Ilariel heard something that blew his mind to smithereens.
Secret information unknown to the public. A nation that house multiple powerhouses have even more powerful people in their ranks.
Ilariel couldn't imagine how powerful those people would be, much less the Crown?! If the information from those secret agencies are correct, then Arkvem's leadership system follows the law of the jungle, where the strongest leads the people.
If that was true, then The Crown of Arkvem must be someone at the level of an Arch, or even a Saint!
His back turned cold as he continued thinking.
Looking at the Hunter, Rueben, watching him in silence, he let out a grunt and nodded his head.
"I-I see.."
Illariel clenched his fist as he ordered his people to prepare.
Rueben nodded his head as he watched them. It only took a moment for everyone to prepare, mostly because they were already travelling even before he met them.
"Come this way."
***
Rueben got down from the horse as the gates of the city opened, countless hunters looked out from high up the walls, their eyes crimson and shining with curiosity.
One of the armored guards jogged towards him, his armor making clinking noises as he pushed out his helmet.
"Ah! Mr. Mortimer!" The guard smiled as he looked at Rueben in the eyes. Then he pushed his hand forward.
"Good to see you."
Rueben nodded his head with a smile, "Likewise."
The guard then turned to the long caravan and asked, "So what is this about? I didn't hear that we are accepting refugees from the higher ups."
Rueben smiled and spoke in a soft tone, "Orders from Their Excellence, The Crown."
The guard's eyebrows pushed up in surprise, then he nodded his head, "I see. I would need to see a permit before we let them enter."
"Of course."
Rueben pulled out a letter with a crest, a two-way mirror with a sphere in the middle. The guard grabbed the letter and opened it up, then read the contents before nodding his head.
"Are they non-hostile? Please tell their leader to remove their weapons for inspection inside." The guard spoke as he read.
"They should be, but considering they are a caravan of refugees, some of them might be hostile from the loss of their homes."
The guard nodded.
"Yes, i expected as much. Are there valuable supplies in the carts? If so, those will need inspection too, please tell them to park their carriages and carts outside the city. We won't have any place to put them anyway."
Rueben nodded his head, "That's true."
After a while, the guard talked to his team before rushing to Rueben.
"Okay. Everything seems to be in order." Then the guard gave the letter back and pulled out a green flaglet from his waist and waved it towards one of the towers.
The guard waited for a moment, before a small green flaglet pushed from a window of the tower and waved. The guard nodded his head and turned back to Rueben.
"Welcome back, Mr. Mortimer."
The guard bowed his head as the gates roared. It slowly opened.
Rueben nodded his head and turned his heels behind him to look at Illariel.
"Welcome, to Arkvem."
***
In a small patio, a robed figure sat down while drinking tea. A doll moved aside a plate while cutting a small part of a cake. To the left of the robed figure was a woman filling a wine glass with alcohol.
To the right of the robed figure was a man with mechanical arm, once in a while, the arm let out steam. Illariel figured that the arm was powered by steam, which made the arm valuable in his eyes.
Ilarial knelt down infront of the robed figure, he could feel a small pressure pressing on his shoulders, keeping him from looking up.
"Good Evening, Sir. Hourford. I apologize for the lack of courtesy but i didn't expect that you would accept our offer."
Illariel bowed his head down even deeper and spoke, "It is an honor, your crown."
"The honor is mine, Mr. Illariel."
Illariel gulped down his spit and spoke, "Is something the matter? Why had you ask of me?"
He didn't know what a person, said to be the ruler of a country filled with crazy people want from him.
But considering the entire city was peaceful, the ruler might not be as insane as the rumours say. Though seeing people wearing everything to cover their skin, and even those weird masks, he did feel tense about the abrupt situation.
The city itself was orderly, hunters, or who he presumed to be hunters, were patrolling the streets. Though he did take note the lack of people going out and about on the streets.
It was weird for a large city such as this. The many cities he had visited had countless people walking on the streets, chatting or socializing amongst themselves.
Or maybe the street he took to get here was just that quiet, which was fine for him and his people regardless.
"Is there something you need?" A voice sounded out.
Soft, quite perplexing too.
But that voiced pierced through his thoughts, digging itself into him. Illariel shivered as he bowed his head deeper.
He's being marked. No, "Marked". Something's wrong. He could feel it deep in his soul.
A small shard of "something" nestled inside his soul.
Like a glass bottle suddenly appeared in your body, exploded itself, then disappeared altogether, leaving just one small piece of shard inside you.
"...." A powerhouse.
Illariel could feel it. This person, no, this being infront of him.
It was a Monster.
A monster at the level of an Internal Aura Saint-Rank, or even an Arch-Class Theoretical Magic User.
"...My, My people. What will become of us?" Illariel spoke softly as the Crown smiled beneath its robes.
"Nothing. Your people will become citizens in our country. As per our deal. My people will treat them as such, after all, they are quite the curious bunch. But there would be some radicals that see your people as a threat but in given time, they will ease up soon enough."
"..."
"Ah? Are you afraid of becoming scapegoats for our plans? Is that it? No need to worry, Mr. Illariel. With your talents, there is no need for you to worry. We only require manpower for our country, protection. So there is no need to worry."
Illariel gulped down his spit, understanding the hidden meaning behind the Crown's words.
The Crown moved towards Rueben and smiled, "You've done well, child. You may move on to your duties."
Before Rueben could fully leave, the Crown let out a soft cough, prompting Rueben to stop and turn back to the figure on the arm chair.
"Do remember that you are on an espionage mission, come back in one piece. Don't be reckless, just get information and get out. Was that clear, child?"
Rueben bowed his head and left the room.
The Crown shaked its head before letting out a sigh, "Children these days..."
Illariel waited for the Crown to speak, but upon finding that the Crown had nothing more to say, he decisively made the decision to speak first.
Illariel clenched his fist while gritting his teeth. "I, i see.. Then if i may ask, what can i do for you?"
The Crown stared at him for a moment, before leaning forward with the help of the doll.
"Your talents, Mr. Illariel. We require your talent."
Illariel didn't dare to meet the person infront of him in the eyes.
But he could, instinctually, feel what the being infront of him looked like.
Beneath those robes, are shattered glass.
No.
It's glass itself.
The being infront of him was not human, nor dwarf, nor elf.
Nay, not even repfolks or orcans.
None of them.
It was something else.
It was glass. The being infront of him, was glass. Made from mirrors, sand, windows, puddles, lakes... Glass.
Illariel, even in his sickness, he knew. If he touched the being right now, even just once. It would shatter and be removed from existence.
Yet if he does so.
Then he too will be glass.
I'm in danger. No, my people are in danger.
He thought to himself while shivering, but there's nothing he can do. Looking at the broken eyelids beneath the robes, shining rainbow, he knew.
Immediately, he knew.
They can do nothing, but enter the jaws of a monster on their own, willingly, lest they suffer even more.
Illariel clenched his teeth.
They were now in the belly of a beast.
***
On the northeastern side of the continent, a large port city stood. On its walls were large banners that had the insignia of the Church of the Crimson Moon.
A large red moon in the center surrounded by twilight at the back, at the front were what seemed to be two crosses crossing each other.
Countless ships come and go, supplying the city with the much needed supplies for the entire population. The ships travel from the Allarian Continent to Victorian Continent, becoming trade ships vital for the survival of the continent.
Though most don't really trade with the Church that much anymore, especially with the rumours of corruption amongst the people, spread to the other continents.
This made trade ships hesitant to dock on the theological country's territory.
In an alleyway, a group of people rushed past the citizens as they spoke softly. Everyone wore white robe clothing, holding maces. They looked around, holding their torches on the darkest places of the city.
"There! On the Crescent District! Reports says he's been spotted there!"
"Go! We must catch him!"
Countless people turned and followed after the one with a black robe with the symbol of the Crimson Moon printed on its back.
The streets turned chaotic as the people hurriedly entered their homes in fear of catching the attention of the Justiciars.
They kept to themselves, telling others to mind their business as they hurriedly got out of the scene, away from the chaos.
There were also beggars who hid deeper into the alleyway.
The entire city was chaos as the Justiciars searched every nook and cranny of the place, even finding secret areas, locations and bases of criminals and terrorists. The Justiciars swiftly put an end to whatever plan they had before moving on to find their target.
The entire city was filled with ruins from the past civilizations that lived there. Countless ruins of houses, mansions and such plague the outskirts of the city, wildlife and nature talking hold of the abandoned place, making it look beautiful but cold at the same time.
But on the center of this ruin stood the port city, overlooking the seas. Taking guard of the entire ocean.
But let us go back.
In an alleyway, a little kid glared at the cloudy skies as he grabbed his shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Damn."
He cursed, as he pushed the cloak deeper into his face.
The young boy opened a manhole and entered inside, he looked around for a moment, before closing the manhole and jumped into the sewers.
The young boy then ran as fast as he could as he felt the footsteps of the people trying to find him from above.
[Left!]
He heard a voice from his head and swiftly turned his head to the left to find some of the white robed men walking around with lanterns, checking each hole and pathway the child could have took to evade their sights.
Clicking his tongue, the boy ran to the opposite side of the sewer.
The port city was divided into 8 districts.
Crestfallen District being the nearest from the sea.
Full Clouded Moon, Justiciar and Balhavos District being markets, shops, restaurants, cafes and malls are primarily located.
Half Moon, Crescent, Idle Drop District where boroughs, houses and places to live are mostly located.
Then, the Moonlit Essence District being where officials, offices and such are stationed.
The boy was currently in the sewer tunnel under the Idle Drop District, where the nearest exit was. He did thought that the gates of the district might've been guarded by the Justiciaries of the Church. He planned to leave through the sewers but even that was heavily guarded.
The boy clicked his tongue and held the necklace he wore near his chest as he prayed.
"Oh Crimson Moon, help me escape from your heretical subjects..."
He softly muttered as he got out of the hole. Then he paused.
Just as he got out, he bumped with a woman wearing wide robes, beneath the robes, he could see a black dress tailored from somewhere he doesn't know and a comically huge witch hat who just smiled at him.
The woman grinned, patted his head before she turned around.
[How cute. To think there was someone who have the capacity to become a god in this tiny town. The world truly is wide, my family.] She spoke but the young boy just stared at her, then turned his head away.
The woman then knelt down and coughed up blood, before wiping them away. She smiled and walked away.
[Memories, memories... I don't have anything in this place, but the large city in that forest, there were thousands of strands... Maybe i shouldn't leave the city after all? Maybe i can find my memories over there instead of walking around everywhere? It's so fun, this is so, so fun...]
The boy stared at the woman before moving forward.
He ducked beneath a small opening in the sewers and touched around, feeling a small lever hiding in the depths of the crevice, he pulled it and a small trap door opened silently.
He entered the trap door and closed it behind him. Then he ran.
In a while, a man in a brown coat entered the manhole, he looked around for a moment, before dashing away. Soon after, a man in armor strolled along near where he entered the manhole, looking up, the man smiled.
***
Rueben let out a breath as he stared at the large city near the ocean. Grimacing as he saw countless people who he presumed to be guards or armies scattered outside the walls.
He checked his bag but found nothing that he could use to enter and let out a sigh.
What should i do?
He thought to himself as he observed. According to Illariel's information, this city was a port city under the jurisdiction of the theological country called the Church of the Crimson Moon.
Illariel told him that the church was having a power struggle, an internal war going on when they left the territory. He did pass by a few destroyed and broken down villages and towns near here, so he should be in the right place.
Pursing his lips, he continued to observe the place while looking back at his talk with Illariel.
To the north of the city was the capital of the Church of the Crimson Moon, a large palace like city complete with tall marble walls, which he did think that it was stupid way to use high quality material.
It would've been better if the tall walls were made from granite or sandstone or something. Though Gwynne told him that a layered wall like theirs was the best in terms of defense.
....
Rueben let out a grimace as he remembered her, then he closed his eyes let out a soft grunt.
Just as he was thinking of forcing himself inside, a small movement caught his crimson eyes. Turning to that location, he saw a manhole open, soon after, a small head peeked out before pushing themselves up, closing the manhole, the child, or what he presumed to be a child, ran away to the forest.
Staring at the manhole, he took a deep look with a telescope before smiling.
He found a way in.
Stealthily rushing towards the manhole, he turned to look at the direction where the mysterious kid was before shaking his head.
His mission comes first, unknown people comes after.
With that, he opened the manhole and entered inside.
***
The child ran to the forest before coming across a river, looking around, he found a small boat at the river bed and pushed it towards the river. Entering, he grabbed a stick from the forest and quietly left the place.
Soon after, a large wolf like beast appeared beside the river, it sniffed the ground for a moment, before turning its snout to the river.
Letting out a whimper, the wolf turned back and knelt down.
"Oh? He escaped using the river? This kid's smarter more than i give him credit to." A man wearing white armor smiled as he held his great sword on his left hand.
The man looked around before sitting down beside the river. After a while, countless men in white robes appeared behind him, upon seeing him, they swiftly bowed their heads.
"Cardinal."
The man smiled and nodded his head, "He went to the river, find me a boat i can use to follow after him."
He ordered in a soft tone as the men in robes swiftly obeyed and cut down a tree. They shaped the tree into a boat just enough to fit the man.
The man then got into the boat, holding the stick, he pushed himself along.
"Now then." The man smiled as the river trembled.
The stick he was holding shone with red streak of aura, as did the boat. The man lightly pushed the stick into the river's ground and the boat propelled itself with great force, covering a kilometer distance instantly.
The men let out a sigh of awe as they spoke amongst themselves.
"It's amazing everytime i see it. A practitioner of Internal Aura Arts at the Warrior Rank... I hope to be like the cardinal someday."
"Right? From what i heard, he could cleave an entire river and redirect it with just a swing of his blade. I can barely even destroy a boulder."
The men conversed before a woman wearing black robes with white indents appeared from behind them. Her eyes were covered with a blindfold as she spoke.
"Brothers, please focus at the task at hand."
Her words woke them up from their awe, they swiftly nodded their heads and followed after the man in armor.
The nun let out a sigh as some of her sisters walked towards her. One of them grabbed her shoulders and spoke, "Come on. We best follow along, we can't let the priest faction be the one to invite the Saint Candidate."
The nun shook her head, "No, with a Cardinal by the priest faction, we can't even compete with them. Let's go back—"
Just as she said that, a tall woman suddenly appeared beside her, the woman grabbed the nun by the shoulder and grinned.
"Are you underestimating me?"
The nun jumped in fright before smiling, "Head Priestess!"
"Oh my, the Head Priestess is here! Now we have a chance!"
"The Head Priestess is an Expert Class Theoretical Magic Affinity User, on par with the priest's Cardinal!"
The woman smiled as she drew a magic circle infront of her. "Two Kilometres away to the west..."
Her eyes shone with blue light as the air around her span. She turned to the nuns and spoke, "Don't follow after me, there may be a fight between the Cardinal and i. I don't want any of you to get hurt."
"Yes Head Priestess!"
"Praise to the Head Priestess!"
The nuns cheered as the woman disappeared into the air.