129 All Headed for Ponlinne (1/2)
”Flame Burst!”
Jack yelled and sent a ball of fire toward the guards. It wasn't like a common fireball, though, it felt like it would explode and disintegrate whatever it came in contact with.
Both guards jumped back, almost stumbling over each other. The cold face on the young man's face paled, realizing that he had angered someone very powerful.
Not only did Jack show skills while dual-wielding swords, easily countering the guards, Jack also displayed a fire spell that none of them had seen before. With skills in both swords and magic, the middle-aged man was a terrifying person that most wouldn't dare antagonize. And since his level was hidden, that only made things worse.
As the guards waited for their death by fire, the fierce firey orb plummeted to the ground and exploded in front of them. The force generated from the impact knocked them both over, as well as the young man and many people in the crowd.
Flames ravaged that spot for a couple of seconds before they finally dispersed. There in the ground was a two-meter wide charred crater from the explosion, proving to everyone how strong that attack was.
Everyone finally looked away from the now absent flames, looking for the man who caused them. But he was nowhere to be found.
While everyone was trembling at the sight of Jack's spell, Jack fled the scene and removed his mask. After a minute or two, Jack returned to the same shop to finish his shopping with his hood up to hind his young face. He laughed when he noticed that people were still gathering around the charred crater he left behind.
It wasn't much that Jack needed, just some food and rations for the trip. As Jack exited the shop, there was a new crowd around the charred crater and all of them were wearing the same light armor.
The Treall Family? What are they up to now? Jack couldn't help but wonder about them.
”Father, you know I'm not lying! Look, he's the one who caused this and stole my map!” That young man was there too, arguing with an aging soldier.
”Glen, shut up! That man's already vanished and there's no trace of him, so stop barking at me,” stated the man. ”You're the heir to the Treall Family, you should act more responsibly.”
”But Father, we need that map and it's the last one in town!”
”A map is simple to acquire after we cross the border. For now, get home and get ready. Tomorrow, we leave for Ponlinne.” The man had the air of a nobleman, staying true to his title as head of the Treall Family. He turned and led the many guards deeper into town toward the Treall Manor.
”They're crossing the border? I wonder why?”
”Didn't you hear, an ancient catacomb was found near Ponlinne!”
Jack overheard a conversation between a couple of locals on the street. He acted like the rest, in awe of the Treall Family as they left, that way he could continue listening to the interesting conversation.
”Well, yeah, but that's always been there, hasn't it?”
”True, but now the owners of the catacombs are opening it to a few select groups. Apparently, there might still be treasures hidden inside and the owners want help retrieving them.”
”But why the Treall Family?”
”They may be from Reinolt, but they're still closer than most others. Besides, haven't you heard the rumors?”
”Really?! The Treall Family might join the Zuran Empire?”
”SHHH! Don't shout, or the Treall Family might hear you! It's not official, but if they do then it's more then likely that the town joins the Zuran Empire to expand its borders.”
”Wow…”
Everything the two locals said beyond that was unimportant, and Jack saw it fit to hurry back to Rydel with the surprising news.
It was already dark when Jack reached camp and found Rydel. ”Hey, you'll never guess what happened?”