83 Chirp!! (1/2)
Meanwhile, in an unknown location far away from prying eyes, a young man wearing a red hooded cowl was seen to be occupied in his Alchemy workstation in a secluded darkroom as he pounded some blue-colored substance into powder form with the use of a mortar and pestle.
While he was working, a sharp, strong feeling suddenly struck inside his mind as he sensed a magic measure of his activating from somewhere far away.
'Hmm.' The hooded man momentarily halted his alchemical operation as a deep frown graced forth on his youthful face. 'It appears that unwelcome guests have killed the bandits and invaded the cave.'
'But no matter.' The man added on his thoughts as he resumed his work in Alchemy while assuming an evil grin.
'There's no chance of them surviving.'
***
”Shit!!”
Gray uttered the cursed word as he eyed the green Magic Circle with extreme wary as he and his three other companions exerted themselves in keeping up their balance amidst the earthquake that grew more intense in magnitude as every second passed by.
Running appeared to be no longer an option in their case as the shaking of the earth was now too severe for them to even handle, forcing them to their knees.
”Are… are we going to die here?” Hans is witnessed to have fallen in utter despair as his eyes lost all hope upon seeing the rocks of the cavern cracking as they fall down to the ground.
”No one's dying around here!!!” Isamu said in an attempt to boost everyone's morale despite the rather grave circumstance that they are in. ”Damn it, if we're going to get out of here alive, then by Agveyr's divine name shall I confess my love to Sarah!!!”
'Hmm… Big Brother.' Selena inquired Gray quickly via telepathy while analyzing the structure of the magic circle on the ground. 'This circle is-'
Before Selena got the chance to finish her statement however, they all heard a huge crack from above as a huge portion of the cavern ceiling suddenly collapse and descended straight unto them.
***
Back at the Guild Master's office, Malic eyed with a look of solemnity at a certain lizardling visitor gracing him inside at his workplace.
Rarsu is shown stoically with his eyes close in total focus while leisurely drinking a cup of tea at his sit facing at Malic's office desk. He seemed to be in a state of complete tranquility as Malic opted to not disturb him, aware that it's one of his intricate magic at play again.
After a short while, Rarsu opened his eyes as he told Malic ”My source told me that those three are currently experiencing some complications inside the cave.”
”I see,” Malic answered calmly. But still, he could not help but feel worried about the trio as something dreadful might happen to them even if this was supposed to be a simple mission of bandit elimination. ”Are they going to be alright? Hopefully, this was not a lapse of judgment of mine as I sent them to their demise instead.”
”Neh, you don't have to worry about them.” Rarsu's eyes opened with an assuring smile. ”Remember the time when I told you of a mutual 'ally' of mine?”
”Yes, I believe you told me that this ally of yours is a result of some shaking arrangement between you and your previous master from the Order months ago,” Malic answered the lizardling with a nod.
”Correct.” Rarsu frowned a bit. ”Despite that old fool's greed and sick mentality of his, he still has his uses and we can't deny how powerful and resourceful he is. He's also under the protection of the White Council, being a member himself. As a result, we can't exactly go toe to toe with him directly. At our current state, attempting to bring him down for all the atrocity that he has performed would only spell us utter defeat, and the majority of the Council thinks that he is in the right.”
”Indeed.” Malic seemed to be in agreeable terms with the lizardling. ”And despite all the grudges, the rage that you garnered against him, I still find it hard to believe that you agreed with him in the end. What's your motive for agreeing with the High Druid exactly? Don't tell me that you merely forget the sins that the High Druid has acted against your will?”
A dark chuckle was all Malic received from Rarsu as the latter gave a glower to the former.
”I never forget, Malic,” Rarsu told the old human Warrior with grief now in his every tone. ”I will never forget the obscenity of how that man manipulated Amirah, leading to her undeserving death. I'm sure you are well aware of how I feel as you were there too to witness his transgressions.”
”Yes, a kind girl such as her truly deserves a spot with the side of the Divines.” Malic nodded as he felt the same way as Rarsu. ”Still, you didn't answer my question.”
”Ah, yes.” Rarsu's demeanor immediately shifted to a lighter expression as he crossed his arms. ”Despite my animosity towards the High Druid, I'm not so blind as to be engulfed by my resentment towards him and direct it to the people working for him. My rage is to the High Druid and to the High Druid alone. As such, I agreed, no matter how reluctant I am, in his conditions, as I allowed his own apprentice to keep watch of my own, perceiving some advantages out of this deal.”
”And do you trust this apprentice of his?” Malic asked with a look of intent. ”I'm afraid that this person might manipulate the Paragon on his side.”
Rarsu merely chuckled playfully in response to the Guild Master's remarks as the latter looked at former in confusion.
”Knowing Gray, I believe it'll be the other way around, hehe.” The lizardling answered with confidence in his every word. ”That brat has his own remarkable way with people.”