Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 455: An Explosive Entrance

Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 455: An Explosive Entrance

Moments before the explosion, Oscar hid from plain sight, following Lady Alkemar's carriage from the Alchemist Guild until she arrived at the City Lord's palace. He spotted several alchemists wandering around and mingling with the others a short distance from the palace, close enough to react if anything happened. Everything was set up on her end down to the letter, but the issue remained on whether she would commit.

He had to force her hand whether she would agree to it or not. Inside an alleyway, a group of people gathered and whispered until they saw him approach. Oscar nodded to the people; all of them were homeless, who he paid to have cleaned and hired to do a job. "Scatter around the city and toss up these flyers. Pretend to be someone who had their loved ones kidnapped and accuse the City Lord. Each of you will receive ten thousand coins. Don't worry about being arrested." Oscar held up the two tokens of Hector and Helen. "I have a firm backing to ensure your release."

The homeless, easily seduced by the money and the assurance, agreed enthusiastically. Twenty homeless, cleaned and garbed in casual clothes, took their portion of the flyers, and ran off to different places around the City Lord's palace. Oscar wasted no time and put on the large blue robes of an alchemist, sneakily taken out by Avril in the morning, placing the hood to hide a good portion of his face.

'What a devious plan. You're absolutely insane.' Erden said.

'The risks are great, and you might end up fighting everyone.' Demon scoffed.

'It'll work, and even if it doesn't, their attention will soon turn to the exposed prison. Just focus on your task, Erden.' Oscar said, putting on his shield, and waited in the shadows of the alleyway.

Soon flyers, hundreds of papers, flew around. Many people picked them up, clearly confused at the contents Oscar wrote on them, and expressed their disbelief and rejection. It was expected as Aldric worked hard to gain the confidence of the people, almost everyone...except the homeless. His paid actors started to shout on the streets, crying out for retribution for their missing loved ones. People gathered around them with flyers in their hands, some listening while others scolded and heckled. All the while, Oscar saw a guard enter inside with the flyer, certainly reaching the City Lord's hands in a few seconds.

Before the other guards could detain the homeless, Oscar sent the signal to Erden to begin the upheaval. Inside the hidden room, Erden scrunched his stomach and spat out a space pocket. He took out several vials of grade-three explosive elixir, placing them near the second door. Focusing, his friend enlarged and reassumed the majestic form of the Mythical Prielapos. Erden stepped back a few steps and enlarged his flames, heat swirling around him. The hot flames condensed into a ball and shot toward the vials, the liquid inside quickly catching fire.

A burst of violent flames exploded and tore down the section of the walls. Erden melded with Oscar's anima and shielded himself in all the antlers on his body, withstanding the explosion. The room was destroyed, and the entrance to the prison had been opened. 'Opened.'

Oscar witnessed the process and snapped back to his side. He charged ahead to the City Lord's palace, wearing the alchemist's robes and brandishing the token of the branch head. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Alchemists! Bring them to justice!"

In a single punch, he burst through the gates and tossed aside multiple guards, their armor breaking apart like brittle clay. Several more came to stop him, but he bombarded them with golden rods, not using too much of his Ein. The weaker ones couldn't avoid and got injured, while the stronger ones managed to block. Oscar rushed aside to preserve as much Ein for future battles. Besides, he wasn't alone. Several alchemists and soldiers of the guild let out rousing cries, joining him in battle. His actions had forced them to act.

"Desmond Grant. Or is that not your real name?" Arinn Flint sighed and rubbed his head before his hostility spilled to Oscar's side.

"It's just a man and a beast? But how promising....a Mythical Exalt Beast, the Prielapos!" A man shouted, grinning from ear to ear. His shaved bed of red hair was unusual, along with his pair of white eyes that resembled a dead fish's. "What a rare find! Don't ruin the body too much."

Oscar glanced around. The other three were unknown to him. He lifted his hands and said, "Are you the only high-level combatants in this place? Quite a poor showing for the New Dawn to have only four Greater Knight Exalts here."

"Hoh...you know of us? Change of plans. We have to take him alive." The white-eyed man sent a piercing gaze toward Oscar. "Still, are you wishing for death, barging in by yourself?"

Oscar snapped his attention to the empty air above and lifted his diamond shield. Indestructible Gold protected his body and resonated with elemental powers within the shield. Quick, successive slices scraped along the sleek shield, winds rushing around and covering the floor underneath in cuts.

"A shield and a deer...the way you blocked...." Gail Wunther said, her fingers and smile trembling. She burst into maniacal laughter and retreated back to Arinn's side, not before slashing out several times, which he blocked. Her heavy breathing didn't match the innocent smile she put on. "Is that you, Oscar Terr?"

"Oscar Terr?" Arinn frowned.

"It's been a while, Gail Wunther." Oscar undid the elixir's effects, his hair and eyes returning to their obsidian glow. Gail's expression turned more and more twisted, a creepy grin extending to her eyes.

"Ah...ah....I missed you!" Gail shouted, rubbing her arm from which a blade replaced the forearm."I wanted to see you sooo much! You're so interesting! How did you get out of Ashen Grove?! Weren't you a Grade Four Exolsia? How is it a Grade Six? Ah, wait!" Gail giggled, making an adorable face. "I forgot I have to defeat you first. How about we remove your limbs first? Questions can come later."

"You're as crazy as ever. You damned maniac." Oscar said coldly, his Ein rising with his murderous intent. His body burst into the shroud of Eirin, the Guise, blue antlers extending from his head as Eirin expanded all over his figure. He raised his Eirin-covered hand and waved all of them to approach. "Well then. Come, all of you. I'll kill you all."