Leonel and his comrade were now fully focused on the boy. They knew they couldn't easily trust strangers, especially in Primotheus Capital where everyone worshipped Galleons due to extreme poverty. However, given the circumstances, Leonel saw the value in leveraging the boy's knowledge by offering him sufficient Galleons to share what he knew.
"The Ravager will move before daybreak tomorrow morning," the boy stated simply.
"How did you come by this information?" Leonel inquired in a low voice.
The boy nonchalantly shrugged. "I overheard the Witch discussing it with an old Elven. She mentioned a new client, a Ravager whom she's protecting against Faes. She's seeking help to craft weapons against the Faes tracking the Ravager. I noticed you're Faes, which answers the rest."
A silent understanding passed among them. Leonel couldn't help but wonder how the boy had managed to hear the conversation amidst the loud surroundings.
Attempting to gauge the boy's identity, Leonel asked directly, "What creature are you?"
The boy replied with a lack of enthusiasm, "A Werebeast. I don't have my wolf yet as I'm not of age, so my scent isn't fully developed. However, my hearing is already quite powerful."
'
The boy, named Jil, took out a stone from his short pocket and showed it to them, causing confusion among Leonel and his comrades. The stone was red and intricately carved like a rose. It took a moment, but then Leonel's eyes widened as he realized what it was.
"An Ambrose. Ten silvers for this. Here's another piece of information you need," said the boy.
Leonel sighed and handed over the Galleons coins that the boy requested in exchange for the artifact. He then swallowed the Ambrose, causing his comrade to tense up, waiting anxiously to see if Leonel would be alright. They surrounded the boy, prepared to capture him if the item turned out to be poison.
Gradually, the ambient noise around them quieted down. Everything became still, and although Leonel could see the movements of his companions' lips, he couldn't hear anything. After a few moments, a faint humming voice echoed in his ears. It took him a while to decipher the words being spoken.
"He's growing weaker as time passes," murmured a feminine voice in a low tone. "I'll need to forge the weapon tomorrow. If he dies, we won't receive half of the promised Galleons."
Leonel couldn't discern the identity of the voice, but he listened intently, committing her words to memory.
The voice of an old man with a raspy tone interjected, asking, "What do you need then?"
The woman responded, listing her requirements. "Shadowbane, Hellfire Blade, Piercers, and a bottle of Soulbound Elixir…"
The old man sounded puzzled. "Shadownbane? I thought your client is a Ravager with red and gold eyes. Why do you need such a weapon?"
"It's for his son that he wants to capture," explained the Witch. "Later this morning, he plans to apprehend the boy from the female Fae. Nysander already knows that the woman is hiding under Albus Hotspot and plans to escape at midnight. He's also tracking her through the Ghouls, so they will move later. The Ravager has no power right now due to the poison in his body, so he needs the Shadownbane to weaken the boy and make him easier to capture."
There was a momentary silence. "I don't have the Shadowbane, but I know someone who sells them. She's also a Witch and resides here at Aegis Bastion."
The woman expressed her satisfaction. "Then we should find her. I still have to go back to Twilight Nook to give this to Nysander, and then we'll head towards the Bloodmoon Forest. He speculates that the Fae and the boy will pass through there…"
The cacophony of voices surrounding Leonel gradually faded, leaving behind an unsettling silence. He took a few moments to gather his thoughts and regain his composure, reminded of the urgency of their mission.
His three companions observed him closely, concern evident in their eyes, while another knight held onto Jil. They all awaited Leonel's recovery after consuming the stone.
Soon, a panting knight approached, reporting, "The Witch entered a private chamber with the Elven and another Witch. I couldn't gain access as I lacked the Eldritch Card, whatever that may be."
Leonel sighed at the news, then handed three silvers to Jil, instructing him, "If anyone asks, tell them you haven't seen or spoken to us."
Jil nodded decisively and hurried away with the coins safely tucked in his pockets.
Once Jil was out of sight, Leonel shared the gathered information with his companions, and together they swiftly formulated a plan. They patiently waited for the Witch to emerge from the private chamber they had previously entered. After nearly an hour, she finally appeared, carrying three bags that Leonel suspected contained weapons, including the Shadowbane.
The six of them discreetly followed the Witch as she exited the private chamber and returned to Mystic Inn. They kept a safe distance to avoid arousing suspicion, mindful of their need for stealth in light of the recent warning about their conspicuous presence.
Observing from a distance, they watched as the Witch entered a room, the same room where Leonel had sensed the presence of the Ravager.
Without delay, Leonel dispatched one of the knights to inform Liam of their discoveries. Meanwhile, the remaining group entered the room silently and with caution. Though the room appeared ordinary, albeit dilapidated, they remained vigilant and ready with their weapons drawn.
As Leonel turned the door handle and opened the door, his companions swiftly moved inside, preempting any potential reaction from within.
The interior was shrouded in darkness, but their eyes gradually adjusted. They meticulously searched the area for hidden spots or concealed passages, finding none. However, their attention was soon drawn to a large spherical object emitting a pulsating purple glow. Sparkling currents danced along its edges, creating an enchanting spectacle. At the center of this spectacle, instead of a room or objects, they beheld a mesmerizing scene of lush trees and wild landscapes.
It struck Leonel as reminiscent of Lady Alexa's witchcraft. "A Teleportation Spell..." he murmured.
This revelation explained why they couldn't track the Ravager conventionally. He wasn't traveling on foot but instead harnessing the Witch's magic for rapid movement.
Before taking action, Leonel made sure that both the Witch and the Ravager had departed the room. He also ensured that the fading Teleportation Spell before them wasn't a trap. By confirming the Witch's proximity to the shrinking sphere, Leonel leaped onto it. He left three others in the room to inform Liam in case of a trap.
Only Leonel and one other knight emerged in the center of a dark forest. Upon arrival, Leonel grasped his sword tightly as he noticed the Witch not far from them. Although initially facing away, she sensed their presence and quickly turned.
As the Witch turned, her long hair swirled around her. Before long, she vanished into the shadows upon spotting the approaching figures.
Leonel quickly discerned that the Witch hadn't vanished but was conjuring shadow illusions to obscure her movements. She deftly navigated through the branches, appearing as if she were fleeing. However, Leonel saw through the ruse.
Her agility indicated a desire to keep her distance rather than a frantic escape, hinting at a potential trap. She might be leading them to the Ravager or his Ghouls.
Halting his pursuit, Leonel signaled for the others to gather the rest of the knights. While he could handle the Ravager in a one-on-one encounter, the presence of numerous Ghouls and the Witch's interference posed a significant challenge.
As the other knight departed to alert their comrades, Leonel soared into the night sky. It was a rare sight as he seldom used this ability, preferring not to draw attention or answer inquiries about his unique heritage. Only a select few knew about his flying ability: Ludwig, Liam, Alexa, Rivalz, and Hiyasmin—those he considered family.
From his vantage point in the sky, Leonel observed the Witch leading them straight into a trap. The clearing below revealed the Ravager surrounded by a horde of Ghouls, confirming his suspicions. The odds seemed overwhelming, and Leonel couldn't help but sigh, contemplating the possibility of this being his final stand.