Aftermath of the Heist

As Astur, Elizabeth, and Kretea are driving up the newly built dirt road in the Sea of Trees, they hear a familiar event getting some coverage on the radio.

"Moving on from today's weather, last night at approximately 10 o'clock, St Heleste Cathedral came under assault from grave robbers," the radio show's host says.

"This should be us, I wonder what they're gonna say about us," Astur says, bringing her attention to the radio.

"According to the report, the use of explosives were used as a distraction to draw away the attention of the Church to the backside of the cathedral. Meanwhile, these grave robbers brazenly entered through the front door and forced their way into the resting place of Saint Heleste. It is assumed that the grave robbers consist of those from the Mystic races as they had set off the alarm of the cathedral upon their entrance. During the escape from the crypt beneath the cathedral, the grave robbers used more explosives to destroy the stairwell that connected the cathedral to the crypt. According to the last report our news station received, there is an effort to remove the debris and capture the grave robbers suspected of still being trapped within the crypt. Why don't we ask our special guest who's on-air with us today about their thoughts on this event? Father Gelt, why don't you introduce yourself for our listeners?"

"I'm honoured to be a guest for the Kingdom of Virpal's most popular radio news broadcast. I am a priest currently stationed in the Kingdom's Capital, but my previous appointment was in the Urvostrion County at St Heleste Cathedral, you can all call me Father Gelt. As for my opinions on these grave robbers, it's hard to say. While using a distraction to draw away the clergy from the main entrance is a decent idea on the surface, the problem lies with the many guards within the cathedral that are not allowed to move from their post unless a direct order is given. Although we don't go out of our way to share it, the matter of the unmoving guards isn't a secret either and can be found out quite easily. Thus, I can't help but think these grave robbers are rather foolish. This is pushed even further when considering the target, the Crypt of Saint Heleste. The Saint was known to have sold her worldly possession and give her money away to charity, naturally, her burial site is devoid of anything of value. Moreover, these grave robbers trapped themselves within the crypt, turning them into sitting ducks. In conclusion, these people with low intelligence, but this is assuming we can even call Mystics people. To begin with, those of the Mystic races are…" before long, Father Gelt goes on a long rant to continuously criticise the Mystic races.

"If this priest is just going to continue to disrespect our kind like this can we change stations? I'd rather listen to singers who can make my ears bleed than whatever this priest has to say," Elizabeth says.

"I agree. As interesting as it is to listen to what people think of our expedition, I don't want to listen to a racist priest berate our people," Kretea says.

"I can agree with the sentiment, dude was getting on my nerves as well," Astur says, reaching towards the dial to change the station. But before she can change the radio station, she stops her hand as the sound of a door being slammed open can be heard through the radio.

For a brief moment, the radio remains void of any voice as the shuffling of papers can be heard. And before long, the soothing voice of the radio host can be heard again.

"I apologise for the interruption just now, but we just received a new report from our contacts at St Heleste Cathedral, the debris from the collapsed stairwell has been cleared and Church personnel have entered the crypt. However, contrary to all previous expectations, the grave robbers were nowhere to be seen. The only bodies in the crypt are the remains of Saint Heleste as well as the guards who had been stationed to watch over the crypt's entrance. It's been confirmed that other than the area where the grave robber fought and killed the guards, there are no traces of vandalism towards the crypt. As such, it's unknown as to how the grave robbers managed to escape. But there was something left behind at the scene, a note that is suspected to have been written by the grave robbers. The contents of the note rather provoking and are as follows, 'You bigoted fools, my objective has been accomplished. You'll never figure out my methods and my goals are beyond your understanding.' I'm curious, Father Gelt, what's your view on this recent development?"

"Those damnable Mystics all of their own special abilities. Perhaps one of them had a way to escape using their innate abilities. I swear those Mystics…" Father Gelt says, going on another berating rant.

Tuning out the sound of the priest's voice, Elizabeth says, "Why wasn't I aware you left a note in the crypt? I never saw you write it or leave anything behind."

Although she doesn't say anything, Kretea also nods to Elizabeth's words.

"You two didn't see me write it because I had already written the note before we even arrived at the cathedral. And no one saw me leave it behind because I hid it underneath my shirt and let it slip out as we were leaving. The two of you were too focused on leaving the crypt that you girls didn't see the small slip of paper drop," Astur explains.

After a couple of minutes, Father Gelts rant on the Mystic races comes to an end as the radio host interrupts, causing Astur's group to focus back on the radio, "That's all well and good, Father, but what do you think the goals of the grave robbers were? According to the note left behind, they accomplished what they set out to do. Do you know if there way anything of even the slightest bit of importance inside the crypt?"

"Regarding the matter of what's inside the crypt, I couldn't say, having never seen it in person. But given the was Saint Heleste was, it was likely near empty, if not completely empty. More than likely this note is a bluff. This is what those Mystics do, they--"

Before Father Gelt can continue, Astur switches off the radio. Partially because she doesn't need to listen to the priest talk shit again and also because the group is approaching their home base, the Forest City of Aeternum.