Ch 63 : Aftermath
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Regardless of the peaceful situation at home, Alex and a few guards were cautiously approaching the explosion site. He had already sent a letter to Gloomwatch Keep using the fastest method available, but it would still take a day to reach the fortress. With time running out, Alex needed to conduct a preliminary investigation into the mysterious explosion.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by a barren, scorched landscape. The center of the explosion was marked by a crater, where magma had formed from the melting of human remains, weapons, and other materials. It was difficult to discern exactly what the magma consisted of, adding to the grim nature of the scene.
"Are you sure this was caused by a Tier 3 magus, Captain?" asked one of the guards.
"I don't know either. This is far more terrifying than I anticipated. Look, there isn't any trace of life left on this land," Alex replied, as he knelt and touched the ground. The soil crumbled into nothingness under his fingers, dissipating into thin air.
"Search in pairs. Look for anything that can serve as a lead. If you encounter something unusual, don't engage recklessly—wait for backup. Move!" Alex ordered, his voice stern and steady. He and the guards spread out, combing through every nook and cranny for clues related to the explosion.
After a thorough sweep of the area, they gathered once more to report their findings.
"Did anyone find anything?" Alex asked, a hint of relief in his voice as his own search had turned up nothing dangerous.
"No, Captain. Everything's been obliterated," replied one of the guards. The others nodded in agreement, frustration etched on their faces.
"I found something. It looks like a fragment of a badge. There are some engravings on each piece," said another guard, holding up a charred piece of metal.
"Where did you find this?" Alex asked, his voice sharp with surprise. If this fragment survived the devastation, it might hold some answers.
"In the middle of the crater. There were more, but they melted before I could retrieve them. I managed to save a few pieces," the guard explained, handing the metal fragments to Alex for closer examination.
"Black thorns and a red eye… What kind of group uses this symbol?" Alex murmured as he scrutinized the fragments. The sinister design sent a shiver down his spine.
"I'll leave this to Gloomwatch Keep," he thought, slipping the pieces into his pouch.
"Let's conduct another round of searches before heading back. I want to be thorough," Alex ordered. The guards nodded, and they resumed their meticulous investigation, focusing on the center of the crater.
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Deep within Gloom Wood Forest, the messenger sent by Alex skillfully navigated through the dense foliage, approaching the formidable Gloomwatch Keep—a towering fortress that guarded the Empire against the threat of magical beasts lurking within the forest.
"Sir Chris, an emergency request was sent from Noble Walnut Town. An unidentified explosion occurred on the town's outskirts, causing massive destruction. It's suspected to have been caused by a Tier 3 magus spell. A Tier 3 knight is required to investigate this anomaly," the Vice Commander reported.
"This was sent by that brat, Alex, wasn't it? Send Percival to handle this case. I want him to investigate thoroughly and ensure no clue is left unchecked," Sir Chris commanded, his tone grave. An unidentified Tier 3 magus wandering through his territory was not something to be taken lightly.
"As you command, Sir," the Vice Commander replied.
"An unidentified Tier 3 magus, just a few months after the Abyssal raid… Those bastards are definitely involved in this," Chris thought darkly. His face was grim, for the Abyssal Fang was not an easy adversary. They were as cunning as foxes and as resilient as cockroaches.
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A day later, Sir Percival arrived at the site. Even he was taken aback by the devastation before him.
"Good morning, Sir Percival. Here is the report on the incident. We conducted a preliminary investigation and only found these metal fragments near the center of the explosion," Alex reported, handing over the documents and the badge fragments.
Alex and his guards had strictly guarded the site, preserving any potential evidence and keeping civilians at bay until the Gloomwatch Keep's officials arrived.
Sir Percival skimmed the report and examined the metal pieces with a scrutinizing gaze.
"These symbols… No mistake about it. They're connected to *that* group," Percival mused, feeling a surge of unease. He recognized the emblem; it was linked to the Abyssal Fang. He had been part of the defensive perimeter during the raid against the Abyssal Fang, and though he hadn't fought directly, he knew enough about them to understand the gravity of the situation.
"Good to see you, Alex. You're doing well. Keep up the good work—you're almost there," Percival praised, aware of Alex's potential as one of the most promising knights of the recent batch. Alex was already a peak Tier 2 magus.
"Follow me. We'll do another search before I leave with the report and evidence," Percival instructed.
After another hour of thorough searching, they found no further clues. Reluctantly, Percival decided it was time to depart.
"I'll leave now. You can return home as well. The site isn't dangerous anymore; I detected no hidden traps or other threats," he said before disappearing into the forest.
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When Alex returned home, he was visibly exhausted after a full day of constant vigilance.
"Welcome back. Is everything alright?" Sarah asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Yes, thankfully. We didn't encounter any creatures or traps at the site. Just some clues about the suspects," Alex replied softly.
"Do you want to eat or rest first?" Sarah asked, noticing the weariness in her husband's posture.
"I'll eat first, then get some rest," Alex answered.
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Inside Auron's room, he sat cross-legged on his bed, deep in meditation. He was working on uncovering the Veiled Obsidian heavenly rune, one of the few tasks he could focus on while under his mother's strict orders to remain at home after the explosion.
"This is good. After strengthening my soul, my progress seems faster. I can form a more refined armor now—no more hazy outlines. I can even materialize spikes or daggers," Auron mused. A dark gauntlet slowly materialized around his hand, its surface smooth and intricate compared to the previously indistinct mist that used to shroud his body.
"What should I focus on next? I've almost perfected the second layer of Void Nexus Combat Art and carved the fire heavenly rune. Maybe it's time to start cultivating the Nine Heavens Sealing Art," he thought, as a scroll appeared in his hand.
"Maybe I should relax a bit. I don't have any immediate goals right now… except for dealing with that irritating Stoneforge family. But after taking out those Abyssal Fang members, I should be safe for now," Auron reasoned. Deciding to take a break from cultivation, he left his room to spend time with his baby sister and help his mother with household chores.
With less than a month left before the holiday ended, Auron resolved to make the most of his time with his family, savoring the peaceful moments before returning to the challenges that awaited him.