Theodore signaled the Regalia to slow down as they approached the narrow, jagged canyons leading to the Tomb of the Wise.
The desert silence here was artificial—the kind of silence that precedes an ambush.
"Stay back about five hundred yards,"
Theodore told Ignis over the radio.
"We're going to clear the 'noise' first."
The Road Runner veered off the main path, its heavy tires whispering over the sand.
Theodore parked behind a cluster of limestone pillars, and the trio moved out on foot.
"9S, give me a thermal and digital overlay,"
Theodore whispered.
9S tapped the side of his glasses. His eyes pulsed with a deep indigo light.
"Found them. We've got two Imperial Snipers on the north ridge and a small patrol of Magitek Troopers guarding the tomb entrance. Oh, and Theodore? They've set up a JAM-01 Signal Jammer. They're trying to prevent any Royal Magic from warping in or out."
"Can you disable it?"
Theodore asked.
9S smirked.
"I can do better. I can loop their sensor data. They'll see an empty canyon while we walk right past them... or right over them."
Theodore activated Wind Walk, feeling the air resistance vanish as his speed surged.
He didn't want a loud fight; he wanted a clean sweep.
Theodore moved like a ghost up the cliffside. Using his giant strength to scale the rock face in seconds, he appeared behind the first sniper.
Before the machine could rotate its turret-like head, Theodore's mana-infused palm struck the power core in its neck.
Crunch!
He caught the metal body before it hit the ground.
9S didn't move from his cover. He remotely interfaced with the Magitek Jammer.
"Uploading the 'Ghost Protocol' now."
On the Imperial HUDs, the canyon remained perfectly still, even as 2B sprinted across the open ground.
2B reached the patrol at the tomb entrance. She used the neutralizing agent she'd researched the night before.
Her blade didn't just cut; it bypassed the armor's kinetic shielding entirely.
She was a whirlwind of black silk and silver steel, leaving three Troopers in pieces before they could even raise their rifles.
With the perimeter cleared, Theodore signaled the Regalia.
The black car pulled up moments later. Noctis stepped out, looking at the fresh scrap metal on the ground with wide eyes.
"You guys really don't play around,"
Gladiolus muttered, impressed by the lack of noise.
They entered the cool, dark recesses of the tomb.
Standing before the ancient stone sarcophagus was a man who looked like he was carved from the mountain itself: Cor Leonis, the Marshal of the Crownsguard.
Cor's hand was on the hilt of his katana, his eyes tracking Theodore's team with intense suspicion.
"I expected the Prince. I didn't expect a group of mercenaries with tech that makes the Empire look like children."
"We're just travelers who happen to be very interested in technology, Marshal,"
Theodore said, stepping forward.
"And we're here to make sure the Prince doesn't die before he gets his crown."
Cor grunted, his gaze lingering on 2B.
"You move like a soldier, girl. But I don't recognize your uniform."
"I am an android—"
2B started, but 9S quickly cut in.
"She's a specialist! From... very far away!"
9S chirped, adjusting his glasses.
2B always forgot that they had become human.
Cor turned his attention back to Noctis.
"The King is gone, Noctis. But his power remains. Inside this tomb is the Sword of the Wise. It is your birthright, and your first step toward reclaiming your throne."
Noctis approached the tomb. As he touched the stone, a brilliant, crystalline light erupted.
A ghostly blade materialized, spinning in the air before being absorbed into the Prince's soul.
[Quest Completed: The First Step]
[EXP Gained: 800]
[Theodore Level Up! Level 15 -> 16]
Theodore felt the rush of power as his Level 16 kicked in.
He had 2 new Free Stats to allocate for the next run.
Cor looked at the group, his expression softening slightly.
"One sword isn't enough. There are more tombs scattered across Lucis. The Empire knows this. They'll be fortifying every ruin they find."
"Then we'll just have to be faster than them,"
Theodore said, checking his HUD.
"Where's the next one?"
"The Tomb of the Conqueror,"
Cor replied.
"But to get there, you'll have to pass through an Imperial blockade at the Keycatrich Trench."
Theodore looked at 9S and 2B.
"Blockade, huh? 9S, you ready to crash some more dropships?"
9S grinned.
"I've already got the exploit ready, Theodore."
Craze: Read up to chapter 86 at [email protected]/phelio