Fiery Reunion

*swish*

The three of them gets teleported to a back alley.

["You can use wide range magic like area teleport too!?"]

Robin exclaimed.

["That was a normal teleport with just a little bit more mana. There was mana of a person lingering on the letter. So that the moment someone opens the letter, he gets notified. So I teleported to an area near to that mana signature, follow me we don't have to do all those useless procedures just to meet a normal guy."]

Winter starts walking.

Robin and Peter look at each other with confusion.

Following the mana signature, they enter a tavern.

["Is that the Michael guy?"]

Winter points toward a table.

["MICHAEL!!"]

Robin and Peter shout at the same time.

["You really are alive!"]

Michael turns around and sees them with a baffled look on his face.

["You both were able to escape! Does that mean someone helped you? And who might this person be?"]

["...Don't kid me!"]

*thwack*

Peter punches Michael.

["Because of you...Rachel is now dead!"]

Robin looks at the ground.

["Dead? What are you saying? And what was that for?"]

Michael asks in confusion.

["It's just as he said Rachel was killed by a commander of Elvian knight."]

Robin looks at Michael with tears in his eyes.

Everyone in the tavern starts looking at them.

["Hmm...I suppose this isn't a good place to talk."]

Winter snaps his finger.

["Teleport"]

The three of them along with Michael gets teleported to a barren alleyway.

["Area teleport...I take it this gentleman helped you to escape from that commander?"]

Michael looks at Winter.

["You're right! He helped us. But that's not the point. You let Rachel die."]

Robin shouts at Michael.

["I...I am sorry..."]

["Is...is that all you have to say for yourself."]

Peter looks at Michael with anger in his eyes.

["I... I wanted to save the priestess. They were keeping a very close eye on us. How were we supposed to work? They thought that since the priestess had a special ability the rest of the group may have something too. That's why they took the precaution by sending an Elvian commander. I had no option but to disband the group and make them think the rest are caught or dead. That way...I thought rescuing the priestess would be easier. Rachel approached me voluntarily and asked if there was a way to rescue her then she could do that even at the cost of her life but you two wouldn't support it. So we had to make this a hidden mission. I decided to rescue you after priestess. When you decided to save that person from the knights, I thought that was the perfect opportunity to set our plan in motion. I thought they won't kill us as we are valuable test subject. Guess it wasn't like I thought. I am really sorry."]

Michael bows.

["This guy is getting on my nerves!"]

["Stop! Peter, there's no point in getting angry with him anymore."]

Robin stops Peter from hitting Michael.

["I wasn't running away, unlike certain someone I was just thinking of an efficient plan. And Rachel did that voluntarily.*humph*"]

Michael turns around.

["You, how could you-"]

["Now-now that's enough. Rescuing priestess takes priority. You can celebrate your reunion later."]

Winter interrupts them.

["So you are Michael. I am known as Winter."]

["I see, nice to meet you. You're right. Since you people were able to get away from that commander. He must be desperately searching for you."]

Michael says.

["He's dead."]

Winter suddenly says.

["Dead!? Do you mean to say you can kill someone of his level?"]

["He's saying the truth, I have a feeling that it wasn't even the full extent of his power."]

Everyone looks at Winter.

["If that really was the case then that means that the higher-ups are gonna get involved in this incident. The news about the death of a commander is still hidden from the general public. We must move fast!"]

Michael becomes anxious.

["I joined the Rebel forces led by a viscount. Let's meet him and inform him of this matter."]

["Oh! You joined him. I wanted to meet him myself. I guess it's two birds with one stone then."]

Winter said.

["No matter what, you must know we are not done with you, Michael."]

Robin and Peter look at Michael seriously.

["Whatever. Follow me."]

Michael leads them to their hideout.

...

They arrive in front of a three-storey building.

The guard in front of the building blocks them.

["May the Elvian Empire prosper."]

Michael proceeds to show an insignia of three people bowing to one figure, to the guard.

["*ahem* You may enter."]

The guard allows them to enter the building.

["What is that insignia?"]

Robin asked.

["This is something the viscount personally distributed to the core members. I am part of his group for almost one year now. So I have the authority to carry this."]

Michael answered.

["We didn't have a clue"]

Peter spoke.

["Michael you're back!"]

A person suddenly spoke in a jolly tune.

["Now is not the time for chatter. I have very important information."]

Michael interrupts him.

["Oh! If you're saying then it must be so."]

He becomes serious.

He observes the people with Michael.

["Viscount is currently in the basement. Follow me."]

They follow him to the basement door.

*knock* *knock*

["Sir, we have gathered some valuable intel."]

["Hmm...You may enter."]

A voice comes from inside.

It was very big for a basement.

There was a round table with five people sitting on the sides with viscount in the middle.

["We have gathered tha-"]

Viscount suddenly stands up, which interrupts Michael.

["That...that insignia."]

Viscount points at the insignia hanging from Winter's waist.

["Oh! So you know of it?"]

Viscount suddenly comes in front of Winter. Examines the insignia more carefully, then suddenly kneels.

["You've finally arrived. My liege!"]

Everyone in the room becomes dumbfounded.

-----To be continued-----