Mikoto watched aimlessly as various wooden structures were erected all around the corpse of the dragon, with wooden platforms evenly spread about. On them were people with dark robes adorned with blue outlines, along with strange hats and small blue capes hanging off their shoulders. They were scholars of Emberreach, he had been told, practically drooling over the sight of the dragon, scribbling furiously with their quills on their books. That much actually made some sense.
The corpse of a dragon was a rare find, and dragons were a unique species. Other than scholars, there were knights as well, wearing traditional full sets of heavy silver armor decorated with patches of cloth colored dark blue.
They had bound the numerous cultists he had dispatched, attempting to question those conscious, but they were unresponsive. That might have to do with the fact that the better half of these cultists were reanimated corpses, emitting an apparent putrid aura. While some lacked mana, some had an insignificant amount, the latter few being living corpses, but that hardly caught his attention.
Instead, his gaze drifted to the side, where Professor Eugene stood, focusing on the silver-haired man with pointed ears, Ser Asaun Monclair.
"Elves exist here too, huh? That's interesting, but I'm more focused on that ring," Mikoto thought as he peered at the ring on the knight's gauntlet. It was a simple silver ring with intricate patterns on it. He rubbed the face of his mask, feeling the mark Rheya gave him stinging like crazy. Was that the object she was after? If so, it would make things easier for him.
It seems he was much luckier than he though; he doubted the mark Rheya gave him would have reacted this much if it was not her object. Now all he needed to do was take it, but how to go about doing that. Using magic would leave a trail even if he hid his trail with illusion magic. So he would have to go about it the old fashioned way, but he was no thief unfortunately.
"Geez!" Mikoto heard someone heave a heavy sigh beside him. Glancing to his side, he saw an annoyed Mirabella leaning against the rocky wall of the cave. She looked pretty annoyed, or a more apt wording would be pissed.
"You seem annoyed," Mikoto noted, and the princess huffed.
"These damn Verdantis knights are annoying!" she exclaimed, glaring at a group of them, he could not help imagining the sheepish expressions on their faces.
"Interrogated you too, huh?" Mikoto asked, and the girl nodded.
"They asked me all kinds of questions, as if I'm part of this nut-job cult," she clicked her tongue. "They ought to treat us better."
"True, these bunch are too skeptical," he stated with a hidden lopsided smile. "Honestly, we were the ones to find the dragon corpse." Their interrogation was annoying but most likely necessary to them.
"That's what I'm saying!" Mirabella seemed overly excited that her opinion was shared. "But honestly, I'm more concerned that these cultist psychos were trying to resurrect some dragon."
"I mean, is it really that bad?" Mikoto questioned. One dragon could not have been that problematic.
"You should really brush up on your history," Mirabella deadpanned. "A lesser dragon like this could topple a nation, not to mention only magic like Familial Arts will affect it, or conventional weapons."
"Eh, pretty sure I can beat one, easy."
"Because you're 'strong'?" she dryly asked, already knowing what his next words would be.
"Exactly, I'm impressed, my apprentice."
"I ain't your apprentice."
"No need to be bashful."
"I ain't bashful."
Mikoto wanted to continue the banter, but approaching footsteps interrupted him. It was Ser Asaun and Professor Eugene.
"Are you two well?" the professor asked, stopping in front of them.
"We're fine," Mikoto stated, ignoring the stinging sensation behind his mark. "These cultists aren't really all that."
"Bunch of weaklings," Mirabella spat.
"Oh my, what a beauty!" Asaun exclaimed, surprising both Mikoto and Mirabella as he focused on the princess.
"You must be Princess Mirabella," the knight gave an exaggerated bow, taking her hand and planting a kiss on it. Mikoto withheld a snort at the girl's utterly confused expression. "Apologies for the constant questioning from my company. It would do them well not to be suspicious of everyone, though they hardly ever listen to me despite me being their captain," the man sheepishly laughed as Mirabella wiped her hand against her skirt. "The royalty of Galadriel certainly holds much beauty. You must let me paint you one of these days."
"Not a fuc-" Mirabella was interrupted by Professor Eugene clearing his throat.
"At any rate, good job, you two," the professor praised. "The scholars are nearly finished examining the dragon corpse. After they're done, we'll be regrouping in Emberreach. I doubt we've seen the last of this cult."
"True, fanatics like these hardly give up. It might be best to destroy the dragon," Mikoto advised. Professor Eugene nodded as he opened his mouth to speak, but Asaun jumped in front of him.
"Oh? And who is this mysterious fellow?" the knight rubbed his chin, studying Mikoto. "Hmm, I'm a connoisseur of beauty and all that is mysterious."
"That so?" Mikoto didn't see the point of the man's statement.
"My intuition tells me that mask hides some beauty," he stated confidently. Mikoto hummed.
"You're wrong, unfortunately. I'm handsome." Denial was a stage of grief.
"Ah, seems my intuition failed me," the man relented with a sigh.
"Getting back on track..." Professor Eugene cut in again. "We should convene back in Emberreach with the others."
"Lucinda and the other blondie are busy somewhere, though," Mirabella stated.
"Worry not, knights will be sent out to retrieve those two," Asaun informed. "I dare say I am rather excited to see the beauty known as the spawn of Octavia."
("What a weirdo, someone should get the FBI on this case,") Mikoto joked. ("But I should find a way to get that ring. Stealing from a knight captain does not seem like a good idea. I'll figure it out.")
-------------------
[???]
In the vast expanse of the dark room, every detail was meticulously crafted to convey an atmosphere of imposing grandeur and mystique. The air was heavy with a palpable metallic smell. The floor beneath was smooth and glossy, reflecting the dim illumination in a mirror-like sheen, broken only by the occasional rivulet of darkness that snaked its way across the surface.
At the heart of this vast chamber sat a makeshift throne, crafted from dark, gleaming metal rising up on a dais of polished obsidian. The back of the throne reached up towards the ceiling, its edges jagged and angular like the teeth of some ancient, slumbering beast.
Upon the throne sat a figure clad in dark, heavy armor that seemed to meld seamlessly with the shadows that surrounded it. The armor itself was a masterpiece of design, sleek and streamlined yet bristling with an aura of menace and power. Plates of midnight black metal encased the figure's form, each one etched with intricate patterns and glyphs that seemed to pulse with a faint red light.
In the gloom behind the throne, gears and machinery churned and whirred, their movements obscured by shadows that danced and twisted. Chains and cables hung from the ceiling, their ends disappearing into the darkness above, while strange, pulsating conduits of energy snaked their way across the walls like veins of some ancient, alien creature.
Selwyn Von Auerswald leaned his head on his gauntleted hand, his red eyes seemingly glancing at nothing. However, as if tearing through the darkness of the room itself, a tall figure emerged.
"My, my, what an ominous room," Nybbas commented as his eerie eyes scanned around the dark room. "I dare say your siblings have better taste."
"You bring news, demon?" the crown prince asked, his tone one of apparent and extreme boredom.
"That's right," the demon confirmed, walking to a nearby wall and leaning against it. "Seems the corpse of that lesser dragon was discovered." There was no change in Selwyn's expression. "A shame really, I even went out of my way to use necromancy on some corpses to increase security."
"It matters not," Selwyn finally spoke.
"Oh? And why is that? The souls we gathered would go to waste on just a single dragon. Your father's plan will be in disarray," Nybbas reminded. Selwyn scoffed.
"I care not for the old fool's plans," an empty smirk crossed his face. "I am merely here to seek prey. I've found none worthy in Vel'ryr, though mayhap I should battle the other dragon should it be resurrected."
"I dare say you are more battle-hungry than I," Nybbas chuckled. "Either way, we've nearly acquired enough souls for the ritual. However, we are still short a few. Luckily for us, there happens to be an untouched town full of savory souls," he spoke with a grin.
"Then I shall slaughter its people," Selwyn stood up from his throne. "If anything, it should help ease my apparent boredom."