Chapter 126: A Band of Thieves (2/2)
”Li, use it.” Sier scanned the soldiers before issuing his command. Li nodded and stepped forward after sheathing his sword. He spread his arms as a mana field exploded from his body and covered a wide distance around them.
'It's the rumored Domain.' Arthur looked with awe as Li brought his hands down and the soldiers fell to their knees, struggling against the crushing gravity. Mistletoe members walked toward the fortress while passing the soldiers.
They ran atop one of the legs and jumped in front of the giant gate. Several awakeners and runes masters were standing there, preparing for the fight.
”Mistletoe, don't bite more than you can chew. There's nothing to be taken from here.” One of the runes masters had his hands behind his back. Arthur recognized him to be the host he saw in the Runes Apprentices Cup.
”Really?” Si tilted his head, his voice changed by the mask. ”What about the fortress itself?”
”You're crazy!” The host spat. ”You think you can just drive this thing like a car? Ignorance will bring you doom!”
”Oh, I'm not that ignorant.” Si waved his hand and the group strode forward. ”We always have a plan in mind.”
The tension rose between the two until the runes master sighed and unbuttoned his robe. Several lines of cards appeared. This was how runes masters fought and they wouldn't be underestimated anywhere.
”We'll hold them back; can you take care of the rest?” Sier asked Arthur as the two sides clashed and abilities manifested themselves. ”I'll send Ivy with you in case you meet any others.” Arthur nodded and the group started pushing the awakeners and the runes masters back until he could touch the gate.
”Ha, you think it's that easy?” The host activated a card and sent a volley of ice knives at them. Before he could say something else, the gate rumbled and opened. His face turned pale as he shouted. ”Stop them!”
They indeed tried, but Ivy and Arthur slipped inside as the rest remained to delay them. With one last look, Arthur closed the gate behind him as the two went inside.
”It's the first time I saw Si trust someone that much. He's usually more cautious.” As they ran through the corridors, Ivy matched Arthur's pace.
”I'm usually that as well.”
”Why did you join us then?” She asked with a grin. ”Even after what I did.” Slight guilt was heard in her voice. Reece has told him that there was a member that died two years ago without any one of them being able to stop it. Ivy was with him and she was also his senior, that's why she was this way.
”I need you guys as much as you need me. Your earlier showcase of strength proved that I was right about that.” They reached the first layer's gate and Arthur decoded it easily.
On the second layer, there was also no one from the association. The two traveled further inside.
”So, you don't trust Si?” Ivy probed as the two saw the gate of the second layer. Arthur went silent as he tried to think about it. Jizo's will seemed to trust Si for now, but did he trust Si?
”I never had a reason not to trust him,” Arthur said finally as the gate of the second layer opened. Ivy nodded and the two stopped talking.
On the third layer, there were some runes master and awakeners. However, Ivy took care of them and made them fain with her ability. They finally reached the fourth layer where the earlier battle took place.
”Where are the prince's remains?” Ivy asked with bewilderment. Arthur shrugged but didn't reveal that he was the one who burned them and turned him to ashes. As they stood in front of the gate of the fourth layer, Arthur's progress finally slowed down.
It wasn't that he couldn't decode it, but rather that he needed time to do so. It would have been easier if he learned these runes since some of them started to confuse him since they were so similar. However, a few trial and errors solved that issue.
After an hour, the two stepped into the fifth layer as they felt the fortress shake. It seemed the battle outside was getting out of hand so they quickened their pace.