After all the items that still have some values were removed from the carts and transported away, Erick threw a torch into the carriage where two of the smugglers died because of the toxic environment that was created when most of the potions and other types of drugs and Kills used for alchemy were mixed up when the wagon was thrown away during combat.
As the fire ignited the wagon, I took a look at the pile of looted items. Even though a lot has broken a lot of items, I think our group that I'm decreasing doesn't have the ability to transport all these materials.
In the pile of goods there are a few small items and a good part of them are stored in small boxes since there is a lot of the same material, only materials that come from animals or magical beasts already seven boxes, herbs plus five boxes, two boxes of metals and the three boxes that contain liquid substances that must be used by alchemists.
Apart from these valuable materials, the rest are large items like the prayer mat I sinned the first time I got into a carriage. There's a nice variety of luxuries and some are even made from tier one and tier two materials.
Candlesticks, silverware, porcelain, statues that are probably of deities and fabrics in different shapes, to tapestries, rugs and clean rolls of fabric of different types and colors. I don't understand why these kinds of items are worth smuggling for such a well-done operation.
Forge materials, alchemy and products made such as the destroyed potions or weapons that were completely destroyed when they were subjected to various fire spells from the lunatic mage.
I didn't look it up, but from what Gloria said the scorched ground was full of molten chunks of metal to the point that it looks like someone planted chunks of metal in the black earth.
Any leather or wood that was on that wagon was destroyed to the point of ashes, but the metal that still survived despite being broken and twisted to the point of shards of metal.
All the value for us was lost, the value of the metal decreases a lot and how it would take a long time to collect that small amount of metal, even using the earth element of Glory and the shield warrior who survived the attack.
As I was trying to calculate how much all the loot was worth, an explosion happened in the carriage and the flames coming out of it were a blue-green color. These flames were very hot and were not only destroying the carriage but seemed to be sinking into the ground.
This fire looks like it will take a while to put out, but with no more walking to do, all the survivors were left staring at the colored flames.
It took over an hour for the flames to start to subside, I didn't think that all that chaotic mixture had the ability to fuel the fire for so long, the mana that was consumed by the flames and the fire element in them not only behaved in a different way I felt their characteristics were quite different from normal fire.
I doubt this will be useful for me in the future, but it's always interesting to learn and see something new.
When the flames were almost completely extinguished, a large wagon approached us. It looks like Erick must have called her after the battle was over, because if it was something that had been arranged earlier, they would have brought more than one carriage.
"Load the carriage, we have to get out of here as quickly as possible. We've already wasted too much time, people and money here today."
The return march was anything but smooth as the caravan mood is pretty low now. I think this ambush was very different from what they expected, which is no surprise I doubt anyone expected the mage leading the smuggler's caravan to be so crazy.
Upon arriving at the base and unloading the contraband I even thought about how the loot would be divided and how much they were worth, but to my surprise we were offered gold equivalent to the materials we should receive.
I asked my companions if there were any items or materials that they would like instead of money, but from their faces I didn't see anything that interesting some of them and that they would want to carry for the next few days through the desert.
Gold is much more convenient for us, after that we were invited to rest once more in the cave, but I thought it best to leave as soon as possible.
Memo before the smugglers organized the looted items my team was already riding the lizards that ran through the night. We're running into the desert because we're in a hurry to complete missions, but that's just the excuse I gave Erick.
The real reason is obviously the box that is still strapped to my back hidden by my cloak, the more time I spend with the smugglers the greater the chance it will be found.
I have no intention whatsoever of sharing or disputing the contents of this box.
"Not that I'm sad to get away from those criminals, but do you seem a little too blunt and too eager for us to go out like this?"
"Gloria, it's obvious that if we stayed there, only problems could happen and the chances of something good happening aren't there. To prevent more blood from being spilled and our partnership going to hell and screwing up the test of all of us."
"Okay, but I still find it weird."
"He stole something Gloria, he was just making excuses before."
Hilda cheats on me again, I know it's fun for her to do that, but she couldn't pretend not to notice when I'm lying or fooling around with someone other than a stranger or enemy."
"What did you steal this time?"
"You make it sound like I have kleptomania or that I'm a professional thief."
"So, remind me how many gold coins you've earned by selling materials that were obtained in an unethical way."
"You shouldn't talk about unethical behavior when you participate in it."
"What did you do!? Stole something cool?!"
Now the bunny is excited, she might seem not so happy about her family's business, but she obviously finds this line of work interesting.
"Nothing, we don't steal anything."
"Okay, so what was the last thing you stole? I hadn't seen anything interesting in that wagon."
"Just because we haven't seen it doesn't mean that on the road, this wouldn't even be the 10th time this guy has found some hidden treasure."
"You can stop arguing now, we are far enough apart for me to show you what I sinned in the carriage. And just so you know I was going to tell you about it; I was just hoping we got far enough away from the smugglers that I was sure we weren't being followed or watched."
"Sure."
"Good excuse."
"He always does that."
"Cool, but I'd like to see what you stole."
Now even Zephyr who was silent has switched to the enemy team.
Stopping at a spot with little dry grass, I pulled out the chest that shines like a little sun for me. It's a shame other people aren't able to see the world that way, mana and elemental energy are really beautiful.
"This looks like an ordinary box."
"That's because you don't know much about runes and rune arrangements, this box is not only powered by runes but the lock has a very annoying rune arrangement to break, and so complete that it will take a long time to open it without damaging the contents of the lock. Box."
"Why not just break the lock or punch a hole in the bottom of the box?"
"If he did that Gloria the box would explode nine times out of ten. Most traps of this type involve explosive arrangements."
"But what surprises me that you're able to unlock the box, you're sure you can do that aren't you Ulric?"
"Yes, Zephyrus. I know how to disarm the trap of this rune arrangement; my teacher loves to screw up other people's work."
"Maybe we should back off a bit, I think I've come very close to being blown up or burned today."
"Don't be so pessimistic Gloria, Ulric likes being alive too much to risk his life when he doesn't have much confidence in surviving."
I ignore my annoying teammates and focus on the box between my legs, I've already etched the rune arrangement in my head and been studying it for the last few hours of travel, so I have full confidence in disarming it.
I injected my aura in the form of a thin line through the weak point of the rune array, my aura penetrating further and further into the center of the rune array. When my aura got very close to the center of the rune set, I started using it to break the important and stable links between the runes in the rune set.
A job that demands a great deal of focus and perception. I didn't even realize that several hours into destroying this rune arrangement with extreme care and patience, no one would be happy with this box exploding.
"Finally, let's see what's in here."
Upon opening the chest, a red light illuminated our faces and I have to admit I didn't expect that. How and from where the smugglers got such a precious item.