138. Development - 34

138. Development - 34

"How confident are you that it's an ambush?" Zolast asked after I finished explaining the situation.

"Ninety percent," I answered. "There are too many variables that don't feel right. Why suddenly attack the trade caravan and wait out in the open for them to arrive? And then, there are the armored warriors in disguise."

"And the military" Zolast started, pausing a moment. "We can't expect a timely response because of the spies already integrated by the cultists. I can't believe they managed to infiltrate the royal forces to this extent."

"Well, I can," I answered. "Moreover, I'm willing to bet that it has something to do with our latest discovery." Zolast nodded, accepting the half-baked theory I had presented. Which was good, because we needed to focus on more important issues. "Any idea what to do?"

"Are you determined to help them?" Zolast asked. "Maybe we should focus on reinforcing our own forces instead."

"Not unless you can convince Artmiss to kick every other guild out immediately."

Zolast shook his head. "Unfortunately, nothing short of open rebellion could justify such a move. The independence of the guilds is no joke. Even them receiving no dungeon access for a week as punishment was tenuous. Night Blades could have easily gone to the royal court to complain."

I chuckled despite the tense situation. "And, I'm betting that the King never misses an opportunity to tweak the nose of the noble families when tradition gives him such an opening."

"It's not just the King. Churches are very strict about that as well. The independence of the guilds is no joke."

No doubt part of this was because the gods wanted their share of experience uninterrupted, but that was not a tangent I wanted to waste time on at the moment. "It means we have too many traitors that we can't get rid of in our midst for a defensive strategy to be safe. Especially since we still don't know what the young Duke would do, once he found himself locked in a desperate situation. He might still ask for help from one of the many schemers trying to target him."

" and none of them has particularly warm feelings toward us."

"That's an understatement," I said. "I think we need to do something risky. Do you think the children could hold down the fort for a day?"

"Probably," Zolast said as he stood up. His answer came quicker than I expected, which surprised me until I caught his smile, showing an uncharacteristic excitement. "What? It has been a while since I went to war, and I want to test my new Abilities. There are some interesting stuff I want to try out."

"Good idea. But first, let's find you a new persona. How would you like to be the golden mage?"

The expression of disgust on his face was fascinating. "No, thanks. I'll find something better than running around, looking like your demented twin. Just give me a moment to arrange things. It'll be best if everyone thinks I'm busy building a new ward."

"Good, and I'll pick up my newest armor," I said, glad that I asked Launara to prepare me a new set with her newly obtained ability to forge mana-infused metal. Even with my Speed and Agility, it was better to have an actual enchanted armor to block attacks rather than cardboard shaped to look like armor.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

With that, Zolast went to make the necessary arrangements, and I went to the forge. Though, as I approached, I noticed an interesting detail.

"No, Zolast will join us," I said, which was enough to make him tense. Not for nothing. As the only person who knew the true classes of both of us, he was quick to realize the significance of such a move. "We will go and make sure the cultists don't destroy Baron Maell's forces."

"Is the Baron aware of that?" he asked, which was a good question considering the limited number we were willing to assign for the battle.

"Well, in a way," I said. "I certainly sent a pointed message to him." He looked at me blankly, not understanding what I was talking about. I explained, and he groaned.

"That was terrible, boss," he said while I sniggered. That was one of the advantages of being a leader: Annoying my followers with terrible jokes. Still, he was lucky, as Zolast arrived soon, wearing a dark blue cloak.

"Are we ready?" I asked.

"Everything is in order. Hopefully, the town won't explode before our return," Zolast said, and looked at the small cart I was planning to use as a rickshaw. "And I'm guessing that's our transport."

"The best ever," I said as I gestured for him to step on.

"We really need to find a way to buy a flying cart," Zolast said.

"That won't work. They are convenient, but with the constant military presence in the sky, it's too noticeable," I countered. "Even if we can find a way to purchase one for the guild without arousing too much attention, it won't be very useful."

They sat on the cart, I grabbed the handle, and started running. "Damn it, Edward, slow down," Zolast shouted. Understandable, as calling the ride bumpy would have been an understatement. Without their Vitality, my passengers would have broken a bone or two.

"We can't," I said, and only partially because it was an amusing prank. "I don't know just how boneheaded the Baron is. Even with the assassination attempt, he might just charge forward recklessly."

"Didn't they lose most of their horses, boss?" Limenta asked curiously. "Wouldn't they need to gather all of them before attacking?"

"Not necessarily," I said. "It makes a good show, but ultimately, mounted combat is not really efficient for high-level fighters," I said.

"Not unless they use some special mounts, and have necessary skills, at least," Zolast said. "I doubt that a mere baron could find anything like that."

"So, we need to go faster," I said as I started to pull the cart once more but this time, without the bumps. I turned to see a soft blue glow under the cart, allowing it to float. "Go ahead and ruin my fun," I said as I started moving once more, while Zolast chuckled

Which turned into a curse as I took a sharp turn, and they barely held on the side.

It was not easy to ruin my fun