At the same time, Sablethorn's army was also panicking. Aston Sablethorn, the true commander of the army was resting in his large tent when he heard the deafening explosion and rushed outside along with his counsil and other men thinking that they were being attacked.
" What the hell is happening here? Someone give a report about the casualties and mobilize a small force to intercept the enemy!" He shouted orders.
He wasn't properly dressed as he was resting but he didn't care about his image. These men were his last lifeline after he ran from home on this mission and even collided with shady forces just for a woman. Still in his eyes it was worth it especially when they could get the secret medical formula from the villagers after their mission.
He was puzzled by everyone staring in the distance and not listening to him. As a noble it was unacceptable for his men to ignore him, he would have them whip but he did follow their gaze to look at the distance and saw a massive ball of fire rising from the ground.
It was like some ancient fire beast had woke up from his slumber threatening to devour the side of the mountain to retaliate against those that dared to trespass in its territory.
" What the fuck?!" He exclaimed echoing the voices inside others head. Whatever it was it only last for half a minute before the thick black smoke took over but soon that was gone like the fire never existed.
It was due to the wicked design of the weapon, the beam would burn hot but due to it's speed and momentum that it crushed everything in it's path, the flammable materials would have a hard time igniting.
the science didn't make sense from a physics perspective but the mad lads were able to do it which spoke volume and why they were so fixated on creating strange things. The drenched atmosphere also helped.
" Lord, that's in the way of the route our army took. It may be an enemy attack-"
" Shut up! It they were capable of such destructions wouldn't they use it in the last battle? We annihilated them but were held back by their weird weapons!" Aston wasn't going to give into these conspiracy theories.
" Leoric!" He shouted the person who replaced Chaucer after he was killed at the slums.
Leoris was the one who showed Aston some hope with his handheld projectile weapon that worked like magic even when one wasn't a sorcerer.
The lethality and handling seemed similar to what he had seen that strange man use to cutt off Chaucer's hand meaning, they were now on equal ground better than that, they were pround knight that could trample a whole town in a day!
" What do you need? Your highness?" Leoric wore a hood and a mask to conceal his identity but Aston didn't mind it as long as he proved to be as useful as the Silver Star made him out to be.
Silver sent two people and they were fairly similar, Leoric stayed behind to assit Aston while his companion went up the mountain with the army.
That was the person who detected Cyra and was chasing her. Despite using human weapons, they were sorcerers but they had different powers than the rest of them which they hadn't revealed to anyone else yet.
Aston heard his disrespectful tone and snorted in response. The Theif guild might be powerful but they were way to arrogant which he would change after all of this was over.
" What do you think of this? Should I sent reinforcements?" Aston was worried about the dozens knights. He didn't give a damn about the army Silver provided.
" I don't think that' necessary. Maybe they ran into some powerful monster and had to use several cannons. Those things pack a punch." Aston couldn't see his expression but his eyes were calm as a lake like he wasn't worried about anything but then he opened his mouth again putting Aston in a dilemma.
" But if you ask me it could be that their stash of secret powder caught fire leading to such a devestating explosion. Those things burns quickly and this time they brought a make shift bomb perfect for them to blow the tall gate of the village."
" Shit! Wouldn't that mean everyone is dead? What should we do?" Aston began to pace around as all his other senior knights have grim expression on their faces.
The people they sent were some of the best of the best not to mention they were at their prime meaning, those peope would be the one to take up their mantle in the future.
Many of them were their close relatives that they trained since childhood. Just thinking about their death made their blood boil especially knowing it was all the Theif guild's fault!
" Hey, don't look at me like that. I am just listing out the scenarios. We wouldn't find anything sitting here debating. I should go and have a look to see if they are okay." Leoric suggested nonchalantly.
He also didn't care much about those men. But he was blind trust in his partner that he would be able to escape no matter the scenario.
The knights? The infantry that Theives Guild use? They were just pawns for Silver to gain more foothold during this warring period.
After the village was secured, all high class members would move at the top of the mountain giving them a natural barrier from anyone who would try to mess with them.
They could wait out the turbulent period and would resume their work after all these nobles and heirs were slaughtered by the Sericins. That was the real plan that only high ranking members knew about.
" Are you even listening to me?" Aston roared as Leoric was busy thinking about his actual mission.
" I know, I know. Don't act gloomy. Didn't you say your knights are famous around these lands? I am sure many of them would survive so get the medical team ready." Leoric smirked under his mask watching Aston's men grit their teeth.
If it were any other time, they would have decapitated anyone who showed disrespect to their knight's order but because they were working together, their hands were tied which brought great shame upon their honor.
They even heard him chuckle as he left toward the forest. Everyone that was around Aston simultaneously looked at him.
" Lord, I don't want to disrespect your decision but we can't work with these lowly scums who are only good as cannon fodders. If you have given me one last chance-"
" Chance? You want another chance? We had to run away from the enemy because we couldn't even defeat a single person! Do you think I like such slimy bastards? I only made the deal because none of you are capable. Not only we failed to gain anything but even the Flame Emperor and his two disciples switch sides just because he didn't want to attack innocent people!" He let out his frustration and only stopped to catch his breath.
" I asked you to find some good Sorcerers that were capable in battle but it was your mistaketo not notice that the fucking old man who is known for massacring his enemies have a soft spot for innocent! Couldn't you have picked someone with more shady background who was willing to do anything for the money? Now not only I lost a lot of gold coins in payment but they also have a strong sorcerer on their side! So God, help me understand what am I suppose to do?! Huh!? Tell me?!" Aston was furious.
He felt like he was surrounded by idiots who never used their heads and would always get emotional when someone taunts them. Weren't these all the characteristics of a woman?
He rubbed his forehead and left his council to reflect on their mistakes. These people were the ones that taught and raised him. He treated them like elders but sometimes, enough is enough. He wanted them to produce actual results before ever criticising him!