Chapter 204: Fallout

Chapter 204: Fallout

Chapter 204 - Fallout

Moans of pain echoed from the healers tents, soldiers shouted orders and hurried to their tasks. Kai stood still amidst the whirlwind of activity, too busy glaring a hole in the back of one particular officer.

There must be a skill to make looks kill.

He could almost taste the smugness as Makyn strode back to the ruins. After confirming their deal, the man had accompanied him back to camp without another word, but Kai knew he was internally gloating.

This was just a momentary setback. A small loss in a larger war.

If I ditch the ring, hell lose his leverage over me.

Revealing he was an enhancement higher than he showed wasnt the end of the world. Cloaking enchantments were widespread, and the older he got, the less Orange meant. No one could see his progress toward Yellow, and having a profession would be seen as an unfortunate curiosity by most.

To think I considered him a good porter. Spirits, I need some good news.

*Ding*

Profession XP (Domain): 1434

Name: Kai TylennRace: Human 73,800 > 129,472 / 300,000 XP Profession: Mana Child lv 6>8 5,900 / 11,000 XP

Body stats

Strength: 21>22Dexterity: 23>24Constitution: 25>26Mind: 35>37 (29+8)Spirit: 42>46 (34+12)Perception: 26>27 (23+4)Favor: 37>38

Mhmm, thats better.

It had already been an eventful week before he got tangled in his second spatial anomaly. While Mana Child wasnt a fighting profession, nothing pushed his magic skills like fighting for his life.

I still want to punch that soldier, but I didnt lose much by not killing the toad. I didnt have enough Water mana anyway.

And to think his reserves would be a third without his profession. Kai couldnt regret his choice. He fiddled with the silver band on his finger. The problem was different - Makyn had got him good.

If he buried the ring or used Valela to hide it, there was always the chance something went wrong. More importantly, he would give up one of his greatest assets. Hed have been donzo against the wyrmling without his swordor Makyn's intervention.

Hes still a jerk. nove(l)bi(n.)com

Kai could carry a blade for safety from now on, but the spatial closet also contained a store of potions, tools and other weapons. Hed rather face the challenges head-on than cripple himself. And that obnoxious deal reassured him he wouldn't get robbed.

Lets wrap up this mess. I need a nap.

He downed a potion to heal his body from overcharging Empower. Valela had openly announced her intentions to meet him, it would be strange if he didnt go. She wasnt hard to find, he followed the stream of blue uniforms to a blue tent. Despite the relatively modest design and size, the shiny fabric woven with runes stood out like a mana pearl in the low tide.

I wonder if it has a shower

No one gave him a second glance till a gnarly woman barred his path with a spear. Her severe eyes narrowed on him. You!

I?

Do we know each other?

He was spared the embarrassment of answering when Lou pushed aside the flap of the tent. Let him through, Ferla. Valela asked him to come.

How could I forget the friendly bodyguard who hid in the Shadows? How have you been?

Kai moved the pointy stick away from his nose and flashed a grin. The woman didnt reciprocate. He was pulled inside the tent before he got the chance to win her over with his friendly banter.

Were all a bit tense after what happened today and are looking to tighten security. Lou sealed the entrance behind him. You can talk freely, the tent is warded against eavesdropping. Ferla blames herself for not coming to the ruins, even if it wasnt her decision.

Yeah Oh Kai took in the interior. A bowl of fruit and tarts sat on a gilded table. Even the air smelled better, without the sweat and blood of the camp. There was no shower in sight, though half the space was hidden behind a curtain going from the ceiling to the embroidered carpets on the floor. How much does it cost to buy one?

Im not sure, it was a gift. Father insisted I take it since Im representing the council. Valela sat behind a little desk, going through some documents with a maid. Shes Nalia, I trust her with my life.

Its neat. Definitely better than his accommodation. He smiled at Nalia, who replied with a disapproving frown, turning back to her work.

Did I lose my touch? Or do I have something in my teeth?

Did everything go well with that officer?

Hmm yes.

Valela met his gaze. I can get you back to Higharbor if he threatened you or she glanced at his enchanted accessories. Ill do my best to help.

Kai fought the impulse to cover the ring. Its really fine. We just had a nice chat, he wont be a problem. He was too embarrassed to go into details. Do you need anything else? Im really tired.

The creatures werent artificial lifeforms or constructs, they were flesh beings coming from somewhere. The question was how many there were, how many the ruins could summon at a time, and how many more the archipelago could shoulder before the mainland intervened.

If she reported the potential value to the central command, they might send professionals in a day and crack the mystery in a week. They'd also take over the operation and the rewards.

Id be lucky to get a transfer off to some second-rate location.

Why should she share her efforts when she took all the risks? The garrison commander was too proud to request reinforcements, and the governor too jealous of his power to invite a larger military presence on the islands. Neither of them would tip off the mainland till the archipelago burst up in flames. She had to crack the case before it reached that point.

With proof of a spatial anomaly linked to the ruins, she could focus the entire garrison on a solid lead. There was no way three teleportations hadnt left some clue. She had to figure this out no matter what.

As she finished drafting the new orders, a familiar presence approached the door with two crisp knocks. Come in. The words left her mouth by habit before she remembered the shattered glass and the bottle of moonfire on the desk. The door swung opentoo late to remedy, she stilled her hands from any guilty jolt.

A captain cant be expected to renounce every comfort.

Makyn strode inside dripping like a wet cat, not that she had carpets to worry about. He made no comment when his boots crunched on the glass dust, saluting with stoic discipline. Im here to report, maam.

At rest sergeant, your shift was over half an hour ago. She gestured to the blue bottle of moonfirethere was nothing to hide. Do you care for a glass? It has been a hard day for everyone.

I dont drink, maam.

How surprising.

Take a seat. Do you have new information?

The clean-up crews have finished searching the site and collected the carcasses to be examined. There were no signs to indicate a fourth beast. The last two soldiers have also been found and confirmed dead. Theyre awaiting your instructions on how to dispose of the bodies.

Hmm Organize them to be buried in Eastwin when the barges come, unless theyve set up different dispositions. It would kill morale to have a cemetery within sight of the camp. While writing a will was mandatory, privates rarely went further. Maybe the researchers had paid to be cremated and shipped back home.

Yes, maam. His pale blue eyes observed her impassively. Ill find some mages to preserve the remains till the transportation arrives.

As long as it doesnt get in the way of their other duties. Their loss is a tragedy, but we can't spare more resources at this critical juncture. The safety of the territory will be at risk if the situation worsens. Did the teams find any clue to the origin of the anomaly?

None so far, maam. The mana cloud has dispersed, and the site has returned to standard levels with no detectable changes. Its possible well uncover more tomorrow. The researchers were hesitant to return to the site after the attack, and the storm didnt help.

Scared of some water and their shadows.

She had been trapped in her office dealing with the fallout, and they had found an excuse to slack off. They can rest for today. Since she was too late to intervene. But we cant let our losses be for nothing. Every person with some expertise will search the ruins from dawn till dusk starting tomorrow. We need to figure out what causes the anomalies before the trail goes cold.

Ill inform the officers, maam.

She tidied up the documents on her desk. Do we have any mage skilled in spatial magic? Maybe as a secondary discipline or personal interest. The Mana researchers had studied spatial theory at the academy. It was why she had picked them for her team, though she was beginning to suspect studied meant they read a couple books and understood a word in ten.

And two of them had to get themselves killed.

Not that theyve made known, maam. I can make some inquiry in case we missed someone.

Do it, and send the same request to the other teams. It was a long shot, anyone with a passing ability in spatial magic would put it on top of their qualifications. She had scoured every file in the central archive and the five researchers were the best she found.

It was possible the blue tunics had been hiding someone, though not likely. Space experts were in demand even on the mainland, why would one bother to sail to the archipelago for work?

The commander might be able to pull some strings if I sell it to him correctly. He loves playing the knight in adamantine armor.

There is also something else, maam, Makyn continued. As you know, Valela Hightide was visiting the ruins during the accident and was nearly killed by the acid toad. It appears one of our teams delayed providing help.

Gods, and how did they even manage to fail?

She rubbed her temples. Are you sure?

Yes, maam. Ive cross-referenced the witnesses, and the stories didnt add up. The team captain claimed he was waiting for reinforcements to engage the beast and didnt notice the girl was in danger. Im working to confirm his intentions.

That wont be necessary. Shed rather maintain plausible deniability. Most officers were aware of the tensions between the military and political wings, but the truth didnt matter. The council would use any excuse to increase their influence on the investigation. While that girl was a thorn in her side, her death would invite a dagger.

This time it works in my favor.

Well accept the help of the governor guarding the ruins to ensure this doesnt happen again. Seryne smiled, she could see the gears turning in Makyns headperhaps he was too smart. Is there anything else?

The soldier nodded with a glimmer of satisfaction. Ive secured Kai Tylenns cooperation going forward as requested. There wont be any more problems of insubordination.

Better than nothing, I cant forsake even kids here. Maybe hell be worth the hassle.

She didnt care to know if Makyn had threatened him with a knife or won his trust with a cookie. Good job, sergeant. Well need to use every piece available to prevent the loss of more lives."