Arlesk and the heroic crew advanced further after taking a short bit of rest. They didn't exactly wipe the floor with the monsters that had appeared, but small fries like minor monsters such as dark spawn wolves, dark spawn lizards and spiders weren't all that much of a problem to them. But they did get slowed down because of the nasty abilities they had and their number.
"These spiders keep setting up webs that sap a lot of mana... You can't feel the presence of the wolves, and the lizards petrify. If it was just us we would be in a stalemate immediately." Claude spoke his opinion to the group as they take another short break to check their equipment. They aren't positioned in a safe zone thus a rotation system had to be in place. Ulysses is currently keeping his guard from what's ahead of them. "Not only that, the miasma is slowly getting thicker. I have to apply more mana just so we can see where we're going." Arlesk cleansed his sword using magic, getting rid of all the miasma it had accumulated. "We had progressed quite a bit since we entered the small tunnel though. I have a feeling we'll find another open space again." Pantheon, who was checking their back felt somewhat positive, he noticed how many turns that they had already made from various corners. "But then, there's no other paths either. So whatever we do will be a complete one way trip." "You're right, Claude, go call Ulysses, we're ready to advance." Arlesk made finishing touches with his maintenance as Pantheon tasked Claude of getting Ulysses prepped up."
After a few more minutes of finalization, the four of them finally advanced further. With slow progress, they systematically continued to walk down the path as the miasma gets thicker. They kill off any monster encounter and quickly recuperated. With this progress, they eventually reached another open room.
"Open room, this one has a low ceiling so I can't help but be suspicious that there's a drop." Arlesk brought out a piece of military equipment that Draxus had prepared for him. He had about three pouches of the same item as he may need it for future use. "What the hell is that? A rock?" "Well, close enough, it's a grenade actually, made with the reference of the military might back in our world. It's a good test here so I may as well." Arlesk pulled the pin of a grenade and threw it right in the center of the room. When the grenade landed on the ground, it caused a small splash on the floor before sinking. "Water...? But it's bl-...!! Get down all of you!" Arlesk felt a bad premonition as the grenade exploded, but the only thing that happened was a small explosion that caused the liquid in the center to erupt to the ceiling. "Phew... I thought it was oil for a second there, we would've been blown to bits if it were to be oil. However, that explosion caused to anger a creature in the giant dark pond. Arlesk brightened the room so they could try and look for the exit. They took notice of another tunnel towards the eastern end of the open area. Arlesk tried to step forward to dip his toes but a large shark at the size of a great white, covered in miasma passed by as to take a bite from the side. "Wha-?!!!" Arlesk barely stepped back and managed to safety himself. "What the hell was that?! I've never seen that kind of creature here before!" Claude, who despite was from a commercial country, had never seen a creature that would readily eat humans from underwater. "So a great white is up next huh? How do we even deal with this problem?" Arlesk pondered as he needed to think of a plan on how to get through with the shark that's protected by miasma can be killed from underwater.
In the meantime, back in the surface the Guardians were equipped with technology that allows them to fight both melee and ranged battles without problem. They were equipped with a rifle and a sword when close combat is entered. Their rifles were also equipped with a knife attachment near the muzzle in case of certain situations.
"Are these the [Brilliant Guardian] order? They seem to be strictly trained." "Yes, this is Arlesk's [Order of the Brilliant Guardians]. They're very powerful by themselves, but are much more dangerous when acting as a group. Their main purpose is defense and hold out missions. I've seen them during my visits to Preeliance, and they could fare closely with the [Sentinels]." Oswald and the Young King of Bovoyna continued to get through the paperwork as they glanced and talked about the Guardians.
The two of them are in the office trying to get some progress, things were going smoothly for them until they start hearing what is happened outside of the room.
"Who the hell do you think you are?! Stopping a marquis from talking to the king to make a report?!" "You have heard of the instructions, no visitors until further notice. Now kindly go back to where you came from." "You're just a commoner! You have no right to say that to me!" A gunshot was heard outside the room, Oswald had to take a look at that point. He saw two Guardians watching the entrance to the office stopping a fat marquis from entering. "What is going on here?" "I had to make a warning shot, sir Oswald, this Marquis has been really persistent." From one look of things, the Marquis is an arrogant type of person, who seems to have issues with opening up the country and the new laws. "Ah... That voice, it's that marquis again huh? Actually sir Oswald..." The Young King beckoned Oswald to enter the room again.
"I'd like somebody to get records of his transactions. This way, we can have grounds to arrest him with evidence to his crimes with the new laws." "Wait, aren't they supposed to be excused since their crimes happened before the new laws were enforced?" "I would, but I can't let them do their dirty work freely. They'll just resort of black markets if we were to simply ignore it. We need evidences of their money laundering and corruption, and eventually arrest them on grounds that their behavior patterns would simply lead to them doing it again." "That's..." Oswald knew that the method was unfair, but he did understand that the world works in the most unfair manners through his talks with Arlesk. He thought about it for a while, and asked what the agenda of the Young King is. "I want to make sure that I rule the country without many problems, even if I have to treat some scrupulous nobles unfairly, I want to get rid of all threats against me. Even my siblings count in this case." "Even your..." Oswald finally decided to rethink before helping the Young King with his agenda. In the end, he made a quick decision.
"I'll help you with your agenda, but you have to come with me to explain things further with Archon Arlesk once his expedition finishes. You will be judged by Preeliance whether you are fit to rule this nation." "If I have to be judged by them, then so be it. I don't want this country to fall because of my family's failure."