Later that evening, all the groups had returned to the Sovereign's location after completing their searches.
No groups made any significant observations in the areas they were investigating except Aron and Lady Rose which most members had expected. However Aron did not reveal exactly what it was that he and Lady Rose found, he instead stated that they had found a possible clue but they needed to investigate.
Although vague this information was enough for the members of the faction. For now all they had to do was stay hidden as Aron studied the clue he claimed they got.
On the surface it looked like he had been doing just that but in truth it only took him till midnight to be finished. How he accomplished this so quick is because he used Argos's knowledge within the legacy ring for reference to many other formations, if not it may have taken him far longer to decipher.
....
He was currently seated comfortably with his head laid back as he had just finished figuring out the formation. 'Dammit...' He thought as his expression turned grim for a moment.
His cold lifeless eyes remained fixated on the ceiling for what seemed like an extremely long moment before he finally snapped out of the many thoughts in his mind. "No... I can make this work." He muttered to himself before turning to look at the feminine figure hidden in the darkness behind him.
"Is something troubling you?" This figure belonged to Khalifa who questioned Aron in a respective manner to which he shook his head. "No, not at all." Is what Aron replied with a look of utter confidence to back his words.
"More importantly, did you do what I had asked you to do?" Aron shifted the topic to another matter but Khalifa was well prepared and gave him a nod. "I wouldn't fail such a simple task Rabi but..." Khalifa addressed Aron respectfully as she spoke but hesitated to finish. As she carried out his task there was something that had made her extremely curious.
"You don't need to wonder about unnecessary things. Aside from that how's the situation in Findel now?" Aron dismissed her curiosity and proceeded to ask his own questions.
"It is rather hectic given how seriously the aristocrats are taking the bounty situation. The other gathered factions don't know much about what's going on but the rumors are very telling."
"No groups have ventured to start the expedition out of fear. It's one thing to offend the great family heirs but even worse now that they are backed by the Galos Academy. So no faction wishes to try exploring before them, others have even left the region entirely" After hearing Khalifa's words, Aron gave her a nod and dismissed before once again falling into thought.
...
A day had now passed with no movements from any faction, including Aron's which had stayed hidden in the Newman Highlands.
However today every faction in Findel had gathered in the docking area in preparation for setting off. Rumors about the bounty had all been extinguished without a trace and many considered it to be great taboo to even recall those events.
Fear now lingered in the hearts of everyone as if they felt they were being constantly watched. Who knew if they would be next if they dared mention the events that had transpired when Aron was there.
….
Meanwhile on the deck of one the Galos Academy airships, Anastasia stood with a complex expression on her face as she stared at the forest and the Newman Highlands.
"What do you want?" At this moment she saw Juliet appear by her side and she asked this with disdain. Juliet however remained unperturbed and gave her response. "I'm curious as to why you didn't reveal the true culprit behind the bounty. Instead of saying Aron's group may have spread the word and some nobles got offended, thereby starting a bounty. I do admit it's plausible but we both know that is far from the case and I'm sure Aron knows whose truly responsible as well."
Anastasia furrowed her brows upon hearing Juliet's words, her fists tightened and her gaze was that of pure fury but Juliet only waved at her dismissively.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in this matter of petty tactics. In the end true strength will always prevail and I look forward to seeing it. I simply came here to tell you it's time to brief the others on how we'll go about this expedition." Juliet said before turning around and walking away.
After Juliet left, Anastasia remained standing on the deck in silence before taking out a tiny piece of paper she had found clenched in her fist when she woke up in the morning which read...
[ I already know ]
.....
Later that same day, nearly all the airships in Findel had set off into the Newman Highlands with the Galos Academy airships taking the lead. Behind them were numerous other noble factions and a few independent ones.
Among the independent airships, the one that stood out most was one that was nearly they size of the Galos Academy airships. However it was nowhere near as luxurious, it instead looked beaten up and eerie.
It had only arrived the same day and didn't seem to care at all about the presence of Galos Academy and the heirs as it traveled near them unlike the other airships which kept quite the distance.
Brutas who was standing on the deck of his assigned airship looked at the eerie airship that was to their left with narrowed eyes. "Do they really not know their place?" Who commented his dissatisfaction out loud.
Despite the humiliation he faced to Aron, he still considered himself above others. In fact ever since his pride got crushed by him, Brutas has always felt the need to prove himself superior to others whenever he got the chance and it was only becoming increasingly more apparent.
"Although this territory is under my family's rule the Newman Highlands are open to all. Even under imperial law the citizens are allowed to explore and even build on this land freely if they are capable." Henry who stood beside Brutas quickly reminded him of that fact and he only show a displeased look but said nothing more.
Despite how the current aristocrats had become, Ettenheim was established with purpose of giving their people more freedom by commoners themselves. So many of the laws that were established had been very fair.
It was only currently that many commoners didn't dare go beyond their status from fear. However those that fully utilized them were equally just as many, it was how the black markets and many other organizations thrived and grew to the extent they had.
"Like you said, this is free land. So even disputes here aren't taken into account of law." Brutas said with annoyance written all over his face as he looked at the eerie black airship.
"You're right, I won't stop you. Just remember not everyone fears and respects titles and prestige. You've experienced this first hand." Henry reminded him before walking away.
Brutas could only show a grim expression as he recalled that one man who time and time again humiliated him and looked down upon him.
'I will prove you wrong...' He thought before turning away and leaving the deck as well.
....
As they drew closer, the majority of airships that followed behind them began to turn in other directions. However the eerie black airship to their side remained on the same course as them before stopping at a particularly odd position, leaving the only the Galos Academy airships still on course.
Their method of investigating was similar to what Aron and Lady Rose had done, they were targeting the area with abnormal mana density. Being able to detect such subtle changes in mana wasn't easy.
However being such such a large force meant they did of course have individuals and even artifacts that could detect such changes which gave them an overwhelming advantage over the others.
The other lower factions had no such item or individual so they were more reliant on visible signs of change such as the many carcasses in the forests that drew the attention of some.
One such faction had found some intricate markings carved into the ground near a carcass and they felt hopeful that they had just made a discovery.
Not long after, many factions began to find similar carvings in the area they chose to look and had now began to study them keenly.
....
"Are we not going to investigate?" A figure draped in black stood on the deck of eerie black airship and asked whilst looking towards another figure also dressed in black and hidden under a cloak upfront. "No... these signs hadn't been here when previous searches were carried out so why appear now? Let the others investigate on our behalf, at that time it won't be too late."
Just as the conversation was about to continue, a loud boom echoed through the skies and was heard by everyone within the Newman Highlands.
"What was-"
Boom!
Boom!
Like a chain reaction explosion after explosion erupted in the Newman Highlands without warning, devastating everything in there path.
Meanwhile Aron who was in his room when he heard the explosions only showed a small smile. 'Ilusions can also be quite fatal…'
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter