Chapter Eighty Eight: Aura

“Henrietta, has the lockdown been completed?” Rathos asks while making sure his armor is properly in place. It’s nothing extravagant, merely a full body black enchanted gambeson that was created by elf [Crafters] using what is supposedly a combination of weaver hair and silk. Its lightness combined with the several enchantments placed upon it allows a very diverse amount of skills.

“Yes, mistress Izabelle and all of the servants are down in the dungeon.”

“And those two?”

“Urso and Vernadose are armed and ready. They're scouting around the mansion as we speak.”

Rathos does one last check of his armor. Each piece is heavily enchanted from the boots that increase mobility and traction to the several rings on his fingers.

All in all, Rathos looks to be ready for war. Which, depending on what happens, may well be the outcome.

“Are you sure you need to go? I would think the city could stop any threat.”

Rathos grunts and turns towards the direction of a vast army. He can sense the leaders, two [Kings] as well as the general level and makeup of the army. The defenders are, unfortunately, not the higher leveled or that great in number. They would have lost if not for the presence of a strong defensive position.

“Possibly, but I am not willing to take that chance.”

Henrietta frowns, “If you interfere, your enemies will know where you are.”

Rathos shakes his head, “If I don't interfere, then it won't matter since I may very well be dead. I’m powerful, but I can't fight an army on my own. I’m not a named being.”

After a moment, Henrietta sighs. “Fine, go. I will keep everyone safe. Just make sure you don't die. Izabelle was too young when she lost her mother, but she will be devastated if her father dies.”

Rathos' expression becomes hard. He stands, nods, and walks out of the front doors of the mansion without another word. Henrietta closes the door behind him a moment after.

Exiting the building, Rathos looks up to find the moon out and illuminating the silent and dark city. No lights are present in the streets and not a soul is in sight. Rathos closes his eyes and opens up his senses. He feels the enemies and their location. As of now, they are preparing for their next assault on the defenders. He still has a bit of time.

With the help of the [Swift Wing] enchant on his boots, Rathos accelerates, running quickly down the streets and alleys. All of which are silent except for a few small lights inside the homes.

He ignores those lights and continues running, quickly finding his way to the central castle. Understandably, he finds that the drawbridge is up. Unfortunately, it also seems like there's no [Guard] stationed to lower it.

Taking a couple steps back, he accelerates towards the closed gate. He then jumps over the gap towards the bridge. Right before he makes impact, he activates the [Blink Step] ability of one of his rings.

His body disappears for a microsecond and reappears about two meters ahead, right to the other side of the bridge and at the castle's main entrance.

His ring grows dormant after. The mana has been used and will take a long while before it is filled back to full. He can only activate the ring’s effect two more times.

Without any more thought, he walks towards the castle door. He pulls, and to his surprise, finds it open. Apparently, it was never locked.

Rathos enters the interior and starts to run again. His memory, though confused at the time, is still accurate enough for him to quickly find Scarlet's room. This time, the door is actually locked.

Digging into his pocket, he produces a golden key. The key has designs etched across its exterior humming with magic.

“[Unlock].”

He taps the key on the doorknob, mana flows from the key and then the door shifts and unlocks itself.

He pockets the enchanted item and opens the door. He enters Scarlet's rather messy room. Thankfully, her enchanted armor is organized on a stand. Grabbing a bag from his other pocket, he opens it and starts placing all of the armor pieces as well as under armour into the bag. Once done, he exits the room and closes the door.

He then turns towards the castle exit but stops. He feels a slight tremble.

*Crack, Boom, Boom.*

The castle shakes as though it is undergoing an earthquake.

Another crash goes off, this one even closer.

Rathos turns to the side and watches as a door opens quickly. An injured man in broken black clothing exits and shuts the door behind him. He begins to run, but doesn’t get far as both the wall and door are destroyed.

“Don't run, little man. Aren't you here to kill me?”

Rathos gulps as a giant figure steps through the broken wall. After the dust settles, the figure reveals itself to be [Lady] Rose. She has changed. No longer is she the overweight pudgy woman stuffing her face with sweets that he met briefly. She now stands at least seven feet tall and every inch of her body is covered in muscle, dust, and nothing else. Each twitch of her muscles allows Rathos to truly understand the power within the body she now possesses.

“Shit,” the man in black says before jumping away and running in the same direction that Rathos is standing at.

Without a moment to lose, Rathos activates [Silent Analyse].

Gradius Abanadis.

Level 111 [Assassin]

The [Assassin] runs quickly, his face betraying his fear and shock. Rathos determines what the situation is and drops the heavy armored bag to the floor with a clang.

The [Assassin] continues to run away from Rose and heads directly towards Rathos. Noticing Rathos, the [Assassin] smiles. His hand flickers, a dagger forming in his palm. He grabs it and accelerates forward. His intentions are unclear, but obtaining a hostage would be anyone's guess.

Rathos places his hand on the hilt of his sword and his thumb on its sheath. The sheath’s unique effect, and arguably one of the most expensive items in his possession, activates. He feels the effect of [Instant Iaido] activate. His dexterity increases by a factor of five.

The [Assassin] gets within striking range. His dagger is positioned to wound but not kill.

“[Accelerated Strike].”

Rathos’ hand doesn't even blur. One moment, it was on the palm of his sword, and then the next, his hand was resheathing the blade.

The [Assassin]’s body falls to the floor in two pieces.

Rose steps forward and takes a long look. “Well then, Roth, it seems you have quite an interesting secret. I do believe that attack was far faster than even a [Swordmaster] could pull off.”

Rathos looks at Rose and raises an eyebrow, “I won't deny I have secrets, but I dont think mine is as interesting as yours,” he says while gazing at the monstrous body before him. Her strength must easily be over two hundred. Maybe even three hundred.

Rose smiles and flexes her entire body. Every muscle quickly shifts, dispersing the dust that was clinging to her.

“Indeed,” she says, her gaze moving to the bag next to Rathos and the armor within. “Now what could you possibly be doing with Scarlet's armor?” she asks while taking a step forward.

Rathos hand is still on his hilt. He doesn't back away or change his expression. No emotion can be sensed from him. He can feel her aura push down on him, but his potent paper thin aura easily defends him.

“It is difficult to lead the defense of a city in a dress.”

Rose stops, slowly processing his words. Then she begins to laugh.

“Ha. I can feel it, you’re already enamored with her. Good. Go take it to her. I won’t stop you.”

Rathos frowns, “You aren't going to join the battle?”

Rose shrugs, “I would, but my [Lady] skills would deactivate themselves if I even take a step out of the city.”

Rathos nods, understanding her predicament. Currently, her aura covers the entire city and protects the defenders from the [Kings]' aura. Clearly, it is based on a skill that requires her to be within the city's bounds, possibly even the central castle as well.

Rathos picks up the bag and places it over his shoulder. The armor in the bag clinks, but remains undamaged. Rathos turns and begins heading towards the exit.

Rose watches him leave, her smile ever present on her face.

Rathos gets to the closed drawbridge, and without using any effect or skill, he allows the drawbridge to fall. His initial fears were in regards to someone secretly attempting to take Rose’s life.

But now, he doubts anyone except for him would even have a chance to take it.

Rathos crosses the bridge and then starts running towards the main frontal wall and where he senses the battle has begun.

**********************************************************************

“[Archer] Squadron one, pepper those horses. [Archer] squadron three, suppress the siege towers!”

*Boom*

The front gate shakes but holds.

“Pour oil on the battering ram! Light it on fire!”

“Shit!” Scarlet yells and jumps out of the way as a rock the size of a horse flies past her.

She quickly focuses her gaze on the four trebuchets lined side by side, each hurling massive stones from outside the range of her [Archers]. The stones were initially useless as they were only striking the wall and causing cracks. But now, it seems they are able to adequately target the defenders on the wall.

*Crack, boom*

“[Guard Captain], enemies have breached the western flank. They snuck in with ladders,” one of her [Guards] yells and points.

Looking in that direction, Scarlet finds a fight breaking out on top of the wall. Combat ground units are already rushing towards the location to fight off the intruders.

Thankfully, it was not one of the siege towers. If even one of those reached the wall, then everything was forfeit and the city would be as good as overrun. Still, there are three approaching and they need to be destroyed, or at the very least, halted.

“Scarlet, we’ve got fighting starting up on the walls. They're timing their efforts. We’re spread thin as it is,” Manos says as he takes a breath. Running and organizing defenses is not an easy job when it needs to be done in a matter of hours. He had already used his [Second Wind] skill.

“What should we do? I don't think we can continue to hold. We don't have enough people.”

Scarlet looks around, her leadership skills have already been used. As of right now, any useful skills she has have already been spent.

“I-I…” she bites her lip, trying to figure out a way to overcome this. Even the old lady with the massive bow is rather useless in the grand scheme of things. All of the enemy elites are staying far back and the only ones in range are relatively low level [Soldiers].

“It's a good thing I came.”

Scarlet and Manos turn around, finding Rathos walking up in his form fitting black gambeson armor.

“Roth, what are you doing here? It’s dangerous.”

Rathos ignores her and throws the bag of armor at her feet.

“I went and got your armor.” he says and then walks past her. He gazes at the battlefield. The entirety of the battlefield, though chaotic, seems rather simple in his eyes.

“You’re losing. They’re distracting your [Archers] and forcing your [Soldiers] to reposition throughout the wall while they focus on getting those siege towers in position so they can flood the city.”

Rathos takes a moment, activating [Silent Analyze] quickly, “Hmmm, it also seems they are keeping their elites back. Holding their strength? No, clearly they fear something.”

“Um, Roth, you sh-”

Rathos raises his hand and interrupts her.

His gaze settles on the trebuchets in the back.

“Scarlet, give me command.”

“What?” Manos exclaims in surprise.

“Roth, you shouldn't be up here.”

Rathos turns and looks at Scarlet. Beautiful red hair, clear translucent skin, but all of it matters little when he gazes at her fearful expression.

“Scarlet, as of right now, the wall will be overrun and the city will most likely be enslaved if not destroyed. I can save it. I just need you to give me command.”

“That’s madness! Don't listen to him. What can a [Trader] do anyway?” Manos voices.

Scarlet frowns and takes a moment to gaze at the battlefield. Dead bodies litter the ground, but the numbers don't seem to be decreasing fast enough. The trebuchets are distracting the [Archers], the [Soldiers] are spread out, and the Siege towers are incoming. The only saving grace is that the battering ram is currently on fire.

Scarlet bites her lip hard enough to taste blood. She takes a moment.

“I trust you. I relinquish command of all troops to you.”

Rathos takes a deep breath and slowly nods.

“Good. Now take your armor and go down to the gates. I saw a bunch of horses down below as I was coming up. I want you to quickly make me a cavalry. You will be leading it.”

Scarlet nods and grabs the bag. “Save us… Roth.”

She lifts the bag over her shoulder and starts heading to the gates.

“It’s Rathos.”

She stops, slowly smiles, and then continues heading down.

“Wait? Rathos? Aren't you th-”

“Manos, we can talk later. Right now, there is a city to save.”

Rathos walks towards the edge of the wall. His hands are behind his back as his eyes focus on the location of the two [Kings]…

… and then he releases a [General’s] aura.