Dawn broke, casting a pale light over the horizon as Raimon departed the institute. The air was crisp, the scent of fallen leaves and earth filling his senses. He preferred to travel discreetly, avoiding unnecessary attention. A simple carriage awaited him at the outskirts of the academy grounds, driven by a trusted coachman from his household.
The journey to the southern villages would take the better part of a day. Along the way, Raimon reviewed additional reports Tomas had sent, studying maps and noting areas of concern.
As the landscape shifted from cultivated fields to dense woodlands, Raimon felt a familiar tension settle in—a readiness for the unknown.
By late afternoon, the carriage arrived at a secluded encampment nestled within a grove of ancient trees. Tomas stood at attention as Raimon disembarked.
"Welcome back, my lord," Tomas greeted with a respectful nod.
"Good to see you, Tomas." Raimon clasped his friend's forearm in a firm grip. "You look well."
"As do you. The men are assembled and awaiting your orders."
"Excellent. Let's not waste time."
They moved to a large tent where the key members of the order had gathered. The atmosphere was tense but disciplined.
Raimon addressed them directly. "I've reviewed the reports of demonic beasts terrorizing the southern villages. Our mission is to investigate, eliminate any threats, and ensure the safety of our people. Discretion is essential. We operate under the radar."
He surveyed the faces before him—hardened knights and eager trainees alike, all displaying unwavering loyalty.
"Tomas will lead the main contingent. I will accompany the advance team."
A Silver Rank knight named Gareth stepped forward. "My lord, we've scouted the area. The beasts seem to be congregating near the old ruins by the river."
"Any idea what might be drawing them there?" Raimon inquired.
"Unclear. There are rumors among the villagers of a disturbance—strange lights and sounds at night."
Raimon exchanged a glance with Tomas. "Could be a summoning or a breach."
"Possibly," Tomas agreed. "We should proceed with caution."
"Agreed. We'll set out at first light."
As night fell, Raimon and Tomas sat by a modest fire, discussing their strategy.
"The order has come a long way," Raimon remarked. "Your leadership is evident."
Tomas smiled modestly. "I couldn't have done it without your vision and support."
"Have there been any other incidents I should be aware of?"
"A few skirmishes with bandits, but nothing we couldn't handle. Morale is high, and the men are committed."
"Good. We'll need that resolve."
Tomas hesitated before speaking again. "My lord, if I may—are you certain you wish to be directly involved? Your safety is paramount."
Raimon met his gaze firmly. "I won't lead from behind a desk. Our people are in danger. I intend to face it alongside you."
Tomas nodded, respect evident in his eyes. "Understood."
The following morning, the advance team moved swiftly through the forest, the undergrowth damp with morning dew. Raimon led the group, his senses attuned to the surroundings. The silence was punctuated only by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant call of birds.
As they approached the outskirts of the village, signs of destruction became apparent—fences torn apart, crops trampled, and claw marks etched into wooden structures.
A frightened villager emerged cautiously from a doorway. "Who are you?" she called out warily.
Raimon raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "We're here to help. Can you tell us what happened?"
She stepped forward, relief mingling with fear. "Monsters... they came out of nowhere. Huge beasts with glowing eyes. They took some of our livestock—and a few of our people."
"How long ago?"
"Two nights past. They've returned each night since."
"Thank you. Gather the others and stay indoors tonight. We'll handle this."
She nodded gratefully. "Bless you."
Tomas approached. "The ruins Gareth mentioned are just beyond the ridge."
"Let's scout the area before nightfall."
The ruins were remnants of an ancient structure, overgrown and crumbling. As they surveyed the site, Raimon noticed faint markings on the stones—symbols he recognized from his studies.
"These are summoning sigils," he whispered. "But distorted."
"Meaning?" Tomas asked.
"Someone—or something—is attempting to breach the veil between realms, but imperfectly. It's attracting demonic beasts."
"Can we disrupt it?"
"Yes, but we'll need to act carefully."
As dusk settled, they prepared an ambush. The knights took strategic positions, their weapons at the ready. Raimon focused on the sigils, using his alchemical knowledge to alter the markings and sever the connection.
A low growl echoed through the ruins. Emerging from the shadows, a massive beast lumbered into view—its form grotesque, eyes burning with an unnatural light.
"Steady," Raimon commanded softly.
The beast sniffed the air, sensing their presence. With a deafening roar, it charged.
"Now!" Tomas shouted.
Arrows imbued with purification magic flew through the air, striking the beast but barely slowing it. The knights engaged, blades flashing.
Raimon joined the fray, his sword meeting the creature's claws with a resounding clash. The beast was strong, but its movements were erratic—a sign of its unstable summoning.
"Keep it distracted!" he ordered. "I need to complete the disruption."
While the others fought, Raimon returned to the sigils. Drawing a vial of shimmering liquid from his pouch—a product of his recent alchemical experiments—he poured it over the markings. The ground sizzled, and the symbols glowed before fading entirely.
A surge of energy rippled through the air. The beast staggered, its form flickering.
"Now, finish it!" Tomas urged.
With coordinated strikes, the knights overwhelmed the creature. It let out a final howl before dissolving into shadow.
Silence settled over the ruins.
"Is it over?" one of the knights asked, breathless.
"For now," Raimon replied. "But we need to ensure no other breaches exist."
They spent the next few hours scouring the area, dismantling any remnants of the corrupted sigils. As dawn approached, Raimon felt a sense of accomplishment tempered by caution.
Returning to the village, they informed the inhabitants that the immediate threat had been neutralized.
"Thank you," the elder said gratefully. "We are in your debt."
"Your safety is our duty," Raimon assured them.
Back at the encampment, Raimon debriefed the knights.
"You all performed admirably," he commended. "But this incident raises concerns. Someone initiated that summoning—intentionally or not."
"Could it be agents from the Maritime Empire?" Tomas speculated.
"Possibly, or perhaps rogue practitioners seeking power. We need to investigate further."
"I'll assign scouts to gather intelligence," Tomas offered.
"Good. Discretion is vital. We don't want to incite panic or alert potential adversaries."
As preparations were made, Raimon realized his time away from the institute was drawing to a close.
"I must return tomorrow," he informed Tomas. "But keep me updated. Use our secure channels."
"Understood. Safe travels, my lord."
That night, Raimon reflected on the events. The convergence of ancient practices, the rise of demonic disturbances—it all pointed to larger forces at work.
He penned a detailed report to his father and grandfather, outlining the situation and his actions.
As he sealed the letter, a thought struck him. The sigils bore resemblance to those he'd seen in the restricted texts at the institute.
"Could there be a connection?" he wondered aloud.
Determined to uncover the truth, he resolved to delve deeper upon his return.
The journey back to the institute was uneventful, but Raimon's mind was abuzz with theories and plans.
Upon arrival, he resumed his routine seamlessly, careful not to draw attention.
Kira and Cedric greeted him warmly.
"Welcome back," Kira said with a smile. "How was your trip?"
"Productive," Raimon replied. "And enlightening."
Cedric eyed him shrewdly. "Care to share any tales?"
"Perhaps over dinner," he offered.
As they walked together, Raimon felt a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges ahead were formidable, but he was not alone.
With allies both old and new, and a steadfast resolve, he was prepared to face whatever shadows emerged from the past.
For the safety of his people, and the future of the empire, he would delve into the depths of ancient mysteries and confront the encroaching darkness.
The threads of responsibility had woven a complex tapestry, but Raimon was determined to navigate it with wisdom and courage.