Chapter 127 - Preparation

Again, another big shot come and knock on our door, and this time, it's the famous female paladin. Contrary to her affliction to the Demon kingdom, she's a human.

Those with the title of paladin are usually someone with strong light magic that's recognize by both the church and the kingdom they're affiliated with, thus both the church and the kingdom had an equal right to dispatch them. How will they use them is none of my concerns, but apparently the Female paladin Aries here is actually recognise by the new saint and saintess, Saint Louis and Saintess Rumia, as well as by the winning and current king of the Demon kingdom, Druser.

What remain mystery for me is just how did someone as controversial as her (especially those among the avid old follower) can enter Kiserre easily, but I do remember the saint and saintess gave them some sort of power to manipulate the goddess orb, so maybe that's that

And another thing is, what's her relationship with Lisa? An old acquainted perhaps? Or maybe siblings, they're both sharing the same long blonde hair and blue colour eyes, and their mana almost resembles each other, another possibility that I can conclude based on my observation, which make Lisa past all the more mysterious.

(Well, none of my problems) [Ash]

I should just focus on the task given at us right now.

As The three of them take their seat, we recap back what we have discussed. And...

"If that's the case, The Saga here and I can search for trustworthy adventure left in Kiserre. Plus, I'm sure there's some adventures from Estel and Malsia currently staying here as well" [Naoto]

"That sure help me" [Khamishah]

Looks like the two of them have settled down on their role, and thus, that leave us with

"I wonder if we can scout the ancient tunnel. I do know a few of them, since an old dwarf had shown it to me the last time I was here" [Aries]

"Excuse me, but could the old dwarf you refer to is actually Karonlir, or Erinmorlin perhaps" [Ash]

Well, they're the only two old dwarfs that I knew, and sincerely speaking, I didn't even met Karonlir, just his grandson Kronbir, but

"It's Karonlir, have you met him before?" [Aries]

"Well..." [Ash]

Her aura is sincerely soothing, almost like that of a strict elder sister. I always thought that someone called as Paladin will have a knightly attitude (well, the female paladin adventure back at Estel sure act that way as far as I know), but never mind that, I just tell them ,and to those that have heard of it a few time like Crow and Lisa, it's like hearing a broken tape from my mouth as I keep on telling the same story of how Bond escape which lead me to think

"So, if this Karonlir guy do showed you the ancient tunnel, so Bond and the other aren't "just luck" to escape there alive" [Ash]

"Most likely, I'm sure he had it figured out way before. He's no strategist but neither a fool" [Aries]

Well, I guess right now we just have to scout the ancient tunnel, but before that

"You're right about it" [Crow]

"So can you guys do it as well?" [Ash]

"Sure" [Alaric]

From the report that they gather, there's no slaves that's transported directly to the castle, so most likely they use the ancient tunnel that connects the church, few noble houses and the castle as a mean. So, what I did was simply ask them to take this magic core imbued with my mana as a reference for me to map out the ancient tunnel later on, and put it somewhere near the noble houses. That way, it will make my job easier and efficient

I give them several of those magic cores, especially to Crow since he can put it inside the house itself, and imbued it with different type of manas

1. Neutral mana = neutral, neither a suspect nor an ally

2. Earth mana = Work with the prince according to Queen Rinz. I use earth mana as I plan to use earth sonar magic to scout the ancient tunnel, that way I can easily detect it

3. Fire mana = Suspicious

4. Water mana = possible ally

5. Wind mana = others, could be other noble houses or few key points area like the adventure guild, church etc

6. Light magic = Castle periphery

With that, we went out and do our job. Crow and Lisa will be responsible for asking the help of possible allies among the nobles. Khamishah and Naoto on the other hand, will ask few adventures to join our causes.

As for the rest of us, to the tunnel we go (as well as putting the magic core in few key points area). As for the entrance

"Huh, didn't expect that" [Saint Louis]

"Well, that will explain how we still haven't found any trace of those two traitors of the Demon kingdom" [Alaric]

"Possible, but if the dark guild have been using it for some time, that mean most of them had escaped from your onslaught" [Ash]

"I agree" [Aries]

Who would've thought that the entrance is somewhere near the old base of the dark guild. Well, I didn't

As we enter the ancient tunnel (through some hidden door), we begin our scouting by splitting into four as to cover more area. Well, since I'm the only one with earth magic, most of the mapping will be done by me, but that not to say their help aren't huge

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As our deadline come to an end, and with tomorrow morning being the day of assault. We gathered one last time to confirm our strategy

Naoto will lead the adventure (with a new underground tunnel being dug by me just beneath the adventure guild). Their main purpose is as a support to the noble, especially to make sure that none escape from being caught

The noble, lead by Crow (since he's the one that I entrusted to hold the emblem and stamp given by Queen Rinz). Their personal knight are responsible to apprehend the noble and the church members involve. I don't know how Crow manages to get quite a few houses with him, but I guess the emblem and stamp play a huge role in it, not to mention the honour given by the queen should they succeed. Maybe he's also a big shot among nobles.

As for Alaric, Aries, Khamishah, Saint Louis and I

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[Guard in front of castle point of view]

A black cat crosses in front of me

My shoelace being snapped

The crack in my mirror become larger

I have a bad feeling about this, but this morning is just like any other morning, with my slacking partner guarding the front gate of the castle.

This job of mine, It's a huge honour to our family as our family history mostly comprised of common foot soldiers, but for me to be appointed as a knight, not to mention a guard that's guarding a castle, surely it's the sign of something good for my future generation, but

(Just what's this bad feeling that I keep getting) [Guard]

As I keep on warding off this bad feeling, a group of five caught my attention

At the center of them is a blond teenage with a black attire and a strange weapon

At his side, a pale middle 20 man. I never see a vampire before but, I'm sure he is one of them. Just what in heaven name do he thinks he is, freely roaming around inside our country!

And then, there's someone with the new church attire, isn't he... SAINT LOUIS! What is he doing here!

And the two ladies, one of it, the traditional wear, the baju kurung and the black scarf covering her hair, isn't that The Saga, Mrs Khamishah...

The last one, a blonde long hair paladin, fit the description of the Traitorous human, refer to us the unholy or fallen paladin, Aries!

Just what are they doing!

"Halt!" [Guard B]

My slacking friend drew his sword when he realise something bad will happen, I did the same.

(Is this the bad feeling that I keep on getting from this morning?) [Guard]

And the blond hair black attire teenager, did he just smirk at us. As he lifts and straightens his hand, 6 sharks golem were summoned and

"GO! Ice missile sharks 2.0!" [Teenage male]

Will I... lose my job...