Chapter 223: Desperate Options

Chapter 223: Desperate Options

Chapter 223 Desperate Options

Mana Observer zeroed in on the limping duo. One looked familiar, though Kai couldnt be sure. He had never studied Makyns channels closely after how the man reacted the first time.

Why are there only two of them?

Sight would solve his doubts. He ran to the entrance of the chamber, heart beating in his throat. The wounded were being rounded up amidst pained moans, leaving only four soldiers to defend the passage.

Should I push through?

He was no healer. Running up to them would save a few seconds and be of no help. Finally, the guards heard the heavy steps. Their stances rose to prepare for a fight before recognition lowered their weapons.

Two bleeding figures limped forward. One used a broken spear as a crutch, he leaned on a taller man who walked backward to keep an eye on the tunnel. His faithful porter was fine. Reaching the light of the main group, Makyn relaxed enough to show a sliver of relief.

He had lost his bow and still gripped a sword wet with dark green ichor. There had been ten people in the rearguard, a squadron of elite soldiers who had advanced to Yellow with at least their profession. Two were all that remained.

Thank Yatei, hes alive.

Kai hadnt realized when he started liking the man. It had been amusing to tease him, and frustrating when he had to reveal his spatial artifact. Now they had reached a comforting understanding. It was probably an insidious side effect of having him constantly around while being surrounded by hostile strangers.

You sneaky boy. Only I should be allowed to corrupt you.

One of the soldiers on guard broke the formation to help them inside. She searched behind the duo, her mouth opened to ask a question when Makyn beat her to it.

We were ambushed by the basilisk. Ceskelle and I are the only ones left. The limping man, Ceskelle, accepted the help to sit down in the relative safety of the room. His empty eyes fixed on the scorched ground.

What happened here? Makyn swept his gaze over him to the devastation beyond with a grimace. We heard the echo of an explosion.

Yeah, what didnt happen? And we still had it better than you.

I We We were attacked. The woman gazed at the dark corridors as if she still hoped to see someone else.

The ruins summoned four six-legged flaming bears. Kai jumped in to clarify. It was going well till the last one decided to blow itself up. We had no way to avoid the explosion inside the chamber.

Makyn looked at the massive burnt husks remaining from the fight. C-ranks?

Thats my guess. Though you told me they were rare. He couldnt prevent a hint of accusation from seeping through. No one could have predicted this, and his mind struggled to accept there could be so much death without an explanation.

Makyn spoke almost as an afterthought, his attention was on the severely burned people being hastily tended. They should be rare. A single C-rank species is enough to lord over a forest and theyre usually territorial. These summoned beasts must be coming from a high-danger area.

This just keeps getting better.

Why are they moving the wounded? Makyn growled. This is an easily defensible position. It might kill them if we dont treat their injuries properly.

Kais anger reignited with no delay. Serynes orders. She wants to return to camp immediately.

Dont If the man expected to see the hints of a joke on his face, he was disappointed. I need to go report what happened.

Makyn marched to where Captain Seryne was speaking with a circle of mages. Despite being physically unscathed, the mana professionals didnt take the situation well. Many shook with pale lips, sobbing or catatonic.

Maam.

"Sergeant Makyn. Seryne's eyes flashed around. Where is the rear guard? she asked, ignoring Kais glares.

Me and Ceskelle are the only survivors, maam. We were guarding the back of the party from threats, but the basilisk slipped in between us and the main group and ambushed us in a chamber. No one expected it to try a frontal assault after how cautious it acted.

Dammit. Seryne pursed her lips. Did you at least manage to kill it?

Wait

Shaken by the event, Kai had yet to consider the possibility. How else would they have gotten away with the two of them? He couldn't stop the excitement from bubbling in his mind, and he hated himself for it. How could he think of his benefit in the middle of such a tragedy?

And yet A carcass laying unguarded underground He couldnt and hadn't even considered such a perfect scenario.

Im sorry, but I must make the most of the hand Im dealt.

No. Makyn cut off his dreams before they could soar. Its possible it succumbed to its wounds, but its unlikely given the considerable resilience it showed.

Seryne pursed her lips. How did you survive?

The basilisk fled after I took his other eye. I thought it was better to come to inform you than to attempt to give chase, Makyn said, back behind his impassive facade. I request a team to go to retrieve the bodies of the fallen for burial, maam. Ill be back by the time the wounded have been stabilized to be safely moved.

I cant spare the men, returning to camp is our highest priority. Seryne examined the preparation.

Makyn pressed his lips and kept his tone even. Forgive me, maam, but what could possibly be so important? It will be a very short delay.

Thats not for you to know, sergeant. This matter cant wait. There has been an unexpected development. I need to access the long-range communication equipment at camp.

What difference do minutes make when were alone in the middle of Veeryd? Are you afraid someone else will put together what you saw?

Stolen story; please report.

What happened? Valela stood out flanked by her bodyguards.

There were more beasts than we anticipated with an affinity for fire. Seryne curtly said. Youll be briefed after the injured are looked after.

She ignored every question, beelining for her quarters and whatever tools she kept there. Kai was about to slip away when an unpleasant man barred his path.

You, boy. Come with me. The captain wants to talk with you. Bert didnt wait for an answer and grabbed his arm to drag him roughly.

She just walked away. Couldnt she tell me when we were stuck together in a room?

This day was severely testing his self-control. He had never wanted to stab people so badly. I can walk. He tried to jerk himself free only to hurt himself. There were probably manacles with more give than the scouts grip.

Where did my porter go? Damned physical professions.

Bert shoved him inside a storage room and closed the door. We wait here.

Shouldnt we go to her quarters if she wants to see me? This affair stank like a rotting fish.

The captains busy, shell call you when youre needed.

Did she notice the ring?

Improvisation strained to maintain his outer calm. Cant I go grab something from my lodgings? he asked with a yawn.

No.

Its just a few meters away. It will take like twenty seconds. Kai reached for the door. He barely had time to react when Bert forcibly shoved him back. Empower surged to absorb the blow, but his ribs still painfully crashed into a crate.

Sit and shut up. Next time I wont be so gentle.

Youre making a very good case for the stabbing plan.

With the scout's eyes fixed on him, Kai couldnt even swallow his ring. He needed to get rid of the jerk if he wanted to run. But once he crossed that line, there was no turning back. Hed be a criminal, or a fugitive at best.

Bert never glanced at my finger, so at least he doesnt know. With that crazy captain, it might be anything

After considering all the ways he could castrate Bert with a well-aimed spell, Kai opted for caution. He couldnt jump to conclusions. He had never shown his Earth magic to anyone in the expedition except Lou, and perhaps Valela. There would be more chances to run, hed be ready to swallow the ring just in case.

Kai jolted when the door finally opened to reveal his porter.

Better late than never.

Makyn glanced at him with a somber look. The captain wants to see him.

Oh, great.

Whats going on? Kai whispered as soon as they were out. He gave a subtle hint in his hand. Is it about?

No.

Thank the spirits.

What then?

The situation changed.

There was no time to ask for clarification, Serynes office was a few steps away. Inside, the woman waited behind her desk with a disturbingly wide smile. Several documents were arranged before her. Translations of the Vastaire glyphs, reports on the mana anomalies and two papers covered with an intricate web of mana.

Please, take a seat.

Kai glanced at his porter for any hint, but the man was back into his frozen aloofness.

How may I help? I know I shouldnt have questioned your decisions earlier.

I should have kept the water shield to myself and let you burn.

There is no need to apologize. We were all quite shaken after what happened and said things we shouldnt have. She gave him one of her affable smiles. Ill make sure the injured are taken care of as we prepare to return to Wildepoint, and Ill send Sergeant Vert to retrieve the bodies.

Were leaving? Kai blurted out. After all the efforts the Republic had put in, they werent going to give up. Everyone knew Seryne was tied arms and legs to the success of this mission.

Im afraid weve all underestimated this task. Rest assured the military will take care of the matter and make the archipelago safe for all its people.

She must have sold the information.

Thats very nice to hear, maam. But why am I here?

I was getting to it. Youre a bright kid right, Kai?

Guess it depends on who you ask.

Dont be humble, everyone praises your contributions to the Vastaire research. Or at least they did. Lately, it seems youve stopped trying. She offered him the document with the most recent translation. Do you have any idea about the Blessing the writings keep mentioning?