Captain Jairu assembles ten of his best men to accompany him to the Oracle Village. He cannot leave the Limes Temple unprotected and decided to entrust the command to Aryen.
"Are you sure it is enough? You can bring more men with you, Jairu..." Presea asked worriedly.
"No need. It will require more time to assemble more men. I am already quite worried nobody reported this incident." Captain Jairu responded.
They have posted men to surveillance the Village. They rigorously reported any activity until the past few days. They can only assume something must have happened.
"Let me accompany you. You might need an extra pair of hands on the way there." Reone said as he offered his assistance.
Eu reported the irregularities around the area. She already assures him not to worry, but then again, how can he ignore that an ominous aura swirling around that area?
He hasn't seen her those past few years, but she never fails to give him updates about their investigation. He really can't be too carefree about what is currently happening.
Surprisingly, the Divine Lord didn't ask too much about her. He can only assume that she keeps in touch with him, as well.
****************
Seven years ago, she came back with a spirit beast called Lumina and fetched her comrades. She already succeeded in helping the Holy Guardians to extract Lord Turtle out of Themis.
She informed him that she was summoned back to Oracle Clan Village for her studies. He has no reason to detain her and wished her well.
Though he does find it suspicious, why would she bring them back with her? He can only sigh that day and let her leave Limes Temple.
After all, he trusts that they will take care of and support whatever plan she decided to accomplish.
******************
Captain Jairu and Reone, together with ten Temple Guards, rushes into the scene. The loud clashing sound resonates in the Forest, mixed with the roars of ferocious beasts.
Both men are worried about the Oracle Clan. They are aware their expertise is more on defensive magic and not offensive after all.
"Do you think they are alright?" Reone inquired as he follows the magnificent Flare Lion.
"I hope. I am confident they prepared for this day well enough. Still, I am certain mishaps will happen along the way... I want to ensure everyone is alright." Jairu responded worriedly.
Midway to their destination, menacing shadows intercepted and halted their advances. Their scarlet eyes glow in the darkness, and their claws are deadly sharp like daggers.
"Jairu, watch out!" Reone called out as he pulls him close.
They were almost caught by surprise to injure them gravely. Shadows are very stealthy creatures and navigate into the darkness very efficiently.
Jairu can only growl for his carelessness. Eu always reminds him to take extra precautions and be aware of his surroundings.
He narrowed his eyes as he summons his cleaver sword. Everyone else follows as they engage with the enemies before them. They need to fight their way through to reach their destination.
Captain Jairu didn't expect to face such a persistent group of Shadows. Before he knew it, they are surrounded by these ominous creatures. He can only grit his teeth for his poor judgments and carelessness on handling the situation.
Meanwhile, the thunderous sound of clashing blades continues over the Village. The Grand Elder has already ordered everyone to prepare for evacuation. As soon as they were given an opportunity to slip out, they will immediately leave that area.
Despite the fact they manage to rebuild the formation, they decided it's probably best to leave while they still can. The enemy is simply formidable.
Meanwhile, the battle between these two mysterious men continues over the Village. The gray hooded man blocks every attempt to attack the formation.
The gray hooded man changes stance as he shifted to an offense. His casts a spell on his blade, and the man in black garbs was dumbfounded and in disbelief.
'A Magic Knight?!' the black garb man wondered.
The knightdom of Rossenkruez never interferes with other realms' matters. Who is this person? He can't possibly one of those self-righteous men.
The gray hooded man manages to deal with several heavy blows to his opponent, thanks to his well-timed counterattacks. He remained calm throughout the assault as he looks at his enemy mockingly.
Right now, he manages again to flabbergast him of his capabilities. The man in garbs can't help being distraught over his situation. He is starting to bleed badly, and he is losing focus due to the loss of blood.
Before he knew it, he is on the ground, and the tip of his opponent's sword is on his neck. He looks up to his masked face and manages to steal a glimpse of his eyes.
It is blue then turned into a violet hue. It simply reminds him of the Divine Witch's enchanting eyes.
'Is he the Divine Witch Circe? Impossible! She can't wield a sword as skillful as this. Who is this person?!'
"Done?" he once again spoke coldly, as if mocking his opponent.
He can only hiss in anger. He has never experienced defeat as gravely as this. The sword's tip continues to approach his neck as he pressed for an answer.
All he could do is narrow his eyes and cursed him on his head. He won't concede so easily.
A black beast came in between and interrupted them. He resembles a huge panther with blood-red eyes.
This creature is obviously protecting his master. The man in black garbs weakly climbs on his back.
The white majestic spirit beast also came rushing at his master's side. She quickly attacks them with a gush of raging winds. Her antlers sparkle in gold, and her beautiful mane flutters on every movement.
To their disappointment, they managed to escape and disappears into the darkness. His master broke his silence as he about to chase them.
"Don't bother and let them be. He won't be able to do anything for a while." he said as he sheaths his sword.
Five men appeared from the shadows and reported.
"They are all taken care of. Rest assured, we can proceed as planned without a hitch."
"I also informed the Inner Courts about Captain Jairu's ambush. He is safe."
He only nods approvingly as he walks in the direction of Village.
Not long inside the Oracle Village, the Grand Elder is surprised when the gray hooded cloak man appeared before them. They are preparing for their evacuation as they find their home no longer safe from that person. They consider themselves lucky to be able to survive the onslaught.
Everyone knits their brows. They can't tell who this person who manages to breach their defenses. They tense up unable to predict what is going to happen.
"Greetings Grand Elder… It's been a while." a familiar voice came out from the mysterious, masked man.
A cuddly spirit beast is curled on his shoulders. He conceals himself, but her aura remains undisguised.
He knits his brows as he tries to recall him. An Oracle can't be as skillful as him, correct?
"Who are you? How did you get in?" he asked with a tinge of hostility on his voice.
He won't hesitate to use his powers if he responded incorrectly to his inquiry. He might not be adept at offensive magic, but his skills still sting.
Meanwhile, the man slightly bows his head to remove his mask as he sighs. He can't believe they didn't recognize her. After all, it was such a poor disguise.
"Grand Elder, are you truly disowning me this time? There is a reason why I couldn't visit for three years. Please don't be angry anymore." Eu responded.
"You! You? Eu! EU! EU! EU…!" the Grand Elder was bewildered.
He can't complete his sentence nor can't differentiate 'You' and 'Eu'…
"Yes, Grand Elder. Me. Me. Me…" Eu pursed her lips as she knits her brows, "What are you really trying to tell me anyway? 'You' or 'Eu'?"
"You unfilial child! How could you suddenly barge in here! We almost lose our lives." the Grand Elder suddenly burst as he slaps her arm.
"I just saved you, and you still call me unfilial? What exactly do you want me to do, Grand Elder?" Eu asked questioningly.
Her amethyst eyes are looking at him in confusion. What else do they want her to do?
She notices that everyone is ready to leave the Village. Even though they manage to wipe out the spies, there is no telling if it is really safe.
"Let's go!" she urges everyone to follow her.
"Where are we going?" the Grand Elder asked curiously.
"Aren't you evacuating? Do you have any place in mind?" Eu inquired.
"Yes, we are evacuating. No, we don't."
"Well then, Let's go. I know a place. We really don't have much time. So, we need to move fast. Just enter which carriage you prefer. We will transport everyone to a safer place." she instructed.
They are three carriages in total parked on the outskirts of the Village. When they came, they found themselves together in the same room.
"Nice trick. Are you boasting how advanced your magic skills have become?" Elder Levi chuckled as he approaches Eu.
"No. Not really. How can I boast about something so simple?" Eu chuckled as she pulled a pile of parchments, "These are the fortifications of the Soul Gem Formation. I couldn't give it earlier. It could have helped..."
"Thank you. The old one is already good enough, but improving it is even better." he kept the parchments in his storage.
Soon after, Grand Elder Enoch approaches and joins them. He went straight to the point and asked for explanations of why the girl disappeared for three years.
He is already having an urge asking the Divine Lord for assistance, but he genuinely doesn't want to impose. He can tell this little girl has plans, and he shouldn't interfere.
Eu explains about the spies lurking around the Village for three years. They monitored everything, including the strength and capability of the barriers.
They even investigated who cast or the builders in charge. They once tried to poison the waters, but Eu put magic stones beforehand and neutralizes them.
She told them all the information she gathered as she hands them a copy of the whole operation. Both elders were surprised by the intensity of activity happening around them.
Everything seems so normal, yet here she is telling them that someone has been watching them all this time. They can't help having goosebumps on the thought of what kind of tragedy they might have face if this girl didn't interfere and arrive that night.