Four figures raced through the late night with swift stealth. All of them moved objectively. Even though they are preserving their energy in case of battle, they're still moving at such a fast speed.
Anyone who sees them would think they're ghosts.
Yves probably doesn't notice... but this... we're already moving at two third of my normal speed, Ezio thought, feeling pity for his friends who were barely following from behind.
From his keen senses, he can at least tell that they're not having too much of a hard time matching his current speed.
Yves, on the other hand, is... running as if he's simply walking.
I've never seen him actually use his power... will I ever do? Ezio thought once again. All of them knew about his unmeasured power... however, despite it being completely unknown, they felt as if they're safer in his protection.
Maybe it's because they know him as a person, but no. Many already had an impression of him as a harmless young kid, even the Samael Grimestone ignored him before he had a first hand experience of how powerful he is.
That's not the only notable thing about Yves though. He's known mostly for his brains rather than his capabilities in combat and magic that people see him as only a strategist, one of the vulnerable figures in battle.
Earlier proved how incredibly smart, careful, and considerate he was for this operation.
"From the findings of the Knight Royale, they were not who I expected to be as the High Angels," Yves honestly stated with everyone present. Aside from the three brats, they were confused.
"How can you say so?" Samael asks. Yves can't be telling them now that what they found is wrong all this time. Their only contribution in this operation is to search for the possible hideouts of the High Angels near the Capital, as they are not trained masters in magic.
Yves shook his head.
"What I meant is I am this shocked. You've found too much information about them. I just can't help but feel suspicious about the fact that they weren't even careful about their surroundings after they stole something so rare in the Imperial Palace," Yves stated, and they themselves realized.
"We did have theories that they wanted to be found all along, but isn't that too off?" Isaac joins in the discussion.
Yves smirks.
"Well, it could be that they think that the Knight Royale are the in charge of taking back the flower, completely underestimating you after you let them in the Treasury."
Callista and Tadeas held back their laugh at Yves' sarcastic remark, while Samael and Isaac were visibly annoyed and triggered.
"However, they could be mere slaves waiting to be rescued," Yves continues. There's still a huge possibility that they are connected to the High Angels who I know personally, however, it's too soon to assume that their connection isn't forced. I know them too well. They wouldn't be so humble as to form relations with earthlings.
"What do you mean by that?" the Emperor, Kyro, asks this time.
"They could be using High Angels' name and are completely under them only because they were forced to do so," Yves stated. The other three remained quiet as they've already discussed it this morning. Yves then met the eyes of the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I must apologize for this. But, until I come to a certain judgement, I will not be taking any lives, neither will Kian, Mil, and Ezio. Their lives may be essential in further investigation of the High Angels."
The emperor's gaze remained unfazed as he smiles. So, he's saying that this might go deeper, and that he's going to dig in deeper.... Why do I feel like he's taking responsibility for all what's happening?
"You need not to apologize. Do whatever is necessary, I trust you."
Kian, Milera, and Ezio couldn't act surprise when the Emperor stated that he trusts Yves. Well, who wouldn't? He's someone with knowledge deeper than an ocean.
Not long, all four figures came to a full stop. They were in the middle of the slums, near the north borders of the Capital. It's the farthest town from the Palace, thus being completely out of Yves' range or radar. His mana wave in his current state wouldn't even be able to reach it.
They quietly walked to the darkest alley and waited.
Kian looked up to the moon and mumbled, "It should be... now."
At his cue, mist started to form and come from all corners, and soon, a portal of purple mists appears.
According to a report, this was supposed to be guarded for the whole hour it's been put up, but they can't sense a single presence around.
"I can't believe this..." Milera mumbled out of disbelief.
"They've been expecting us huh..." Ezio stated.
"Be careful, there might be traps," Kian warned.
Yves chuckles as all four of them entered the portal together.
And as expected, they were welcomed by people in masks with blades pointed at them. They are inside a dark hall with a different interior.
This is a different place; Yves wore a grave expression.
They were nearly a hundred miles underground.
"One, two... fifty..." Kian mumbles. "There's a total of fifty people here."
"And about a hundred overall," Yves stated. The confusion and shock among the people in front of them were not visible thanks to their masks.
Seeing that they were not fazed, Yves decided to get on their nerves. He used his eyes to look further, but he became confused.
He can already see the whole interior of this place and it was insanely wide. However, to his confusion, they were already at the heart of the place, just outside a wide and large room which seems to be most secured place.
And inside that place... is a faerie, the polar opposite of a fairy, with a familiar mana core.
How could this be possible?
Before Yves could even utter another word, a person stepped up. She was a beast woman with a mask.
"State your business."
Asking for their identity was futile, but their leader had given them the role as a mere judge. They will decide whether the people will come to harm them or let them negotiate.
Kian stepped up and Yves moved back, while Ezio and Milera remained in their positions on each side.
They were wearing cloaks, invented by Yves. They are completely hidden in other four senses aside from sight. With their figures as an exception, they couldn't tell the difference between all four of them.
"We want to take back the Scarlet Flower," Kian spoke.
The people in front of them remained quiet for a moment until the beast woman signaled them to put down their weapons.
The beast woman then bowed to them, which shocked all four of them.
"Our leader wishes talk to you, please follow me."
And there, even without assurance, all four of them followed.