You know, I wouldn't believe it—if someone told me, that is. That something to this degree and level could live underneath a small construction store.
I already admitted it was a front, yeah, but even this…is still beyond me.
Underneath the construction store was an entire base. A…a cave system. Lit up by lanterns, and heavily populated with others in cloaks.
We passed the black gate entry, nobody checked Jonah and I. Everyone else wore the same brown cloaks. We did too.
Thanks to Jonah's Illusion magic. Although, I have to say…
"This is pretty good magic," I whisper towards him. He slightly scoffs as we continue to walk.
"Don't butter me up."
"I'm serious. It almost feels real."
Too real. The cloth doesn't shimmer. Illusion Magic usually gives away a tell. The only way I could know that it is such is because of my high-level sensory.
If I didn't have that, I wouldn't be able to tell if Jonah was also using Illusion Magic for his hair and looks, really. That's how great it was.
The cave system contained a single bridge, which descended downwards into. slope guarded by rails on both sides.
Each member would walk to and from, and then at the bottom was a flat clearing which split into several areas. There even seemed to be a magic pond in here. Pond filled with liquidized mana.
Think—crude oil.
We blended in perfectly, though. Just like Jonah, I had to lower my mana signature to around Adept level. Jonah likes to keep his around a mere civilian.
Arriving towards the bottom, stopping just to see how big this thing was. Lots of cloaked figures. Couldn't even see their face, but you just knew they were there.
I'm shocked, really I am. And to think that I thought this were all of their members when they allied with Jonah to go and attack the debate.
No, it pales in comparison.
I thought I was dealing with a rogue faction, maybe. Just a few people to deal with.
But, no. That wasn't it.
It's like we've stepped into a massive ant colony.
Jonah turns towards me. "I got you here, now make it snappy. I'm not sure how long before they realize something's off…"
I nod. "Yeah. Descending downwards made us pass their Barrier Magic. No wonder why they didn't need to do any physical checks. The magic does all the work.
"Plus, no telling how long your Illusion Magic can keep up,"
He nods. Barrier Magic has multiple variations and reasons. One of them is primarily to safeguard locations. Keep magic out.
Jonah's Illusion Magic works, which already tells me his skill and prowess is far above whoever set up the Barrier Magic.
But that doesn't hide us from them—no. That just gives us a little more time to work with. It wouldn't be long before they slowly start to catch on.
The main reason I came here was initially, I thought Jonah was the leader. But since he was hired by these guys. Then there had to be a leader.
Getting to them, will tell me a whole lot more on why they want to sabotage this year's election.
Before Jonah and I got to move, a ring could be heard throughout. Quickly trying to see from where that came from.
But…we couldn't. All of the other members in the vincinity, no, area were coming towards our way. Colliding with us, and before we knew it, we were being pushed along with them.
No resistance, Jonah seemed to follow my cue. We went around a column that connected the ceiling and floor of the cave. Many of them did, but this was by far the largest.
There, at the base, a door could be seen. Most likely carved into the column. When the door opened, two beings appeared. One taller, the other shorter.
I looked for Jonah, but I couldn't see him amongst the crowd. Too much movement, too many hoods. I was further into the middle of the pack, my height slightly gave me an advantage, but couldn't do much work.
Sensing his mana signature was also no shot. He pretty much was insignificant compared to the others. Adept, even some rare Apex levels.
But the two in front?
Larger than that.
Ascendant.
And even the smaller one…their mana signature felt different. Different…like mine, I think. Maybe I'm imagining it.
Wait, no, that's it!
That was the one who sent a blast towards the stage that set everything off! No wonder!
Snapping my attention back to the two beings, I watched. Then, he raised his arm. Hands clenched. Bandaged hand.
"Today, let this mark the beginning of a new age! The new age…of the Brotherhood!" His voice was deep, tone commanding. Demanding respect. He had to be a middle-aged man. Not old like Sultan, though.
"Aurea Islands…as a nation, no longer desires to be kept by the chains of rich monopolies, or lying politicians. It's culture, it's essence, it's very way of life—is being threatened by this election."
"There's only one path, it's not democracy, it's not oligarchy…it's the one Aurea Islands should start with for now and forever…" He trails.
"Anarchy…!"
He pumps his fist out in the air. Everyone else follows, roars so loud it might shake the chamber of this cave.
Anarchy? Seriously? How dumb can this guy be? Deciding for an Anarchy would do more harm than good. At this point, you're more of a traditional villain than Sultan is!
"Come now, Brotherhood. The next of their political debate is coming before us. With this, and with our initial statement made in Royalia, we'll overthrow the government. Overthrow the nobles, and overthrow anyone who opposes us!"
The roars started to get deafening now. Louder, and louder. He was basically controlling the masses with his word. Sounds like Sultan, in a way. But couldn't be Sultan, no. The two don't sound the same.
"Come to the surface! Reach for the skies! Reach for prosperity! Reach for the new future! Reach for immortality!!"
It got loud as it could be. He lowered his arm and hid it within his cloak. Looking around, this so-called Brotherhood was a movement.
A threat.
One that needs to be wiped out. Because…the last thing Sultan needs to do is to benefit off of this somehow. He's done it before.
Using his past accomplishments to swoon over the people. In their eyes, he's done a great job, and will continue to do so.
But…if we write this cult-like clan out of the map, then what will he have? He would have to focus on the election entirely.
That's the best case scenario. It has to be.
I was about to leave. I got everything I needed to. There's nothing more I can do here.
But before I could, I heard a voice.
His voice.
"You."
All of the cloaked members slowly looked towards me. Deserting me. No longer even crowding. I had a perfect radius of space.
By the time I turned around and saw him, his finger was pointed towards me.
No…he didn't, right?
There's no way he found out that quick, did he?