Chương 76: Chapter 75- Combing Through the Wreckage

Ding [Congratulations! You have unlocked the general skill [Mana Manipulation]] Ding [Congratulations! You have learned the general skill [Mana Manipulation] Lv 1] Ding [Mana Manipulation: Lv 1 - With an iron will, an intent born of desperation, and no small amount of inborn talent you were able to gather, shape, and expel energies that at your tier are normally only used for internal manipulation. Acquiring this skill so early reflects the talent and determination of a budding mage, and will passively assist in harnessing these energies providing aid to shaping through intent and help to guide the user towards more stable configurations. Increased ease of manipulation and stability of projection configurations per level.] Ding [Congratulations! [Mana Manipulation] has reached Lv 2] Ding [Congratulations! [Mana Manipulation] has reached Lv 3] Ding [Congratulations! [Mana Manipulation] has reached Lv 4] Ding [Congratulations! You have defeated a [Skillful Cobbler] (Earth Lv 13)] Ding [Congratulations! Your party has defeated a [Diligent Tailor] (Water Lv 14)] Ding [Congratulations! You have defeated a [Quickdry Potter] (Earth Lv 16)] Ding [Congratulations! [Mana Manipulation] has reached Lv 5] Ding [Congratulations! Your party has defeated a [Swift Spearwoman] (Air Lv 15)] … Ding [Congratulations! Your party has defeated a [Enduring Laborer] (Earth Lv 12)] Ding [Congratulations! [Mana Manipulation] has reached Lv 10] Ding [Congratulations! You have defeated a [Shadowed Assassin] (Dark Lv 17)] Ding [Congratulations! Your party has defeated a [Earthen Miller] (Earth Lv 14)] … Ding [Congratulations! You have defeated a [Grave Cutter] (Earth Lv 16)] Ding [Congratulations! Your party has defeated a [Hidden Hand] (Dark Lv 14)] Ding [Congratulations! You have defeated a [Fractured Acolyte] (Dark Lv 18)] Ding [Alert! You have reached your first class evolution. Any experience gained will be banked until after your class evolution has been completed.] Elias took a moment to page through his notifications now that Astrid had given him not exactly a clean bill of health, but at least permission to leave with the promise that he would take it easy so he would not re-open his wounds.

The breakthrough with [Mana Manipulation] was a godsend, if I hadn't made so much progress with Mira prior to the ambush, I might not still be here. I definitely owe her my thanks. Using a new skill in combat was clearly the way to go if you wanted to max it out quickly, but as Eli paged through the kill notifications he was more and more confused. Most of these were just normal citizens, what was a [Skillful Cobbler] doing ambushing us of all things? Are they all in some kind of cult?

As he got farther along, where they had clearly cut through the chaff, all the later notices had combat classes, but when he got to the last few his face grew grim. A [Fractured Acolyte]? There is no way the name is a coincidence, and [Hidden Hand] just reeks of a stealth or spy class. With how eclectic this group is, there is no telling how many may be hidden among the populace, I really need to check on Astra. Eli gave yet another small smile as he felt the warm yet ephemeral tether connected to his chest.

It was strikingly similar to his bond with Tia, but different, he didn't hear a stream of thoughts or words but he could still feel emotions, even if they were veiled currently. He could faintly sense the exhaustion and resolve in Astra's mind, like faintly glimpsed lights strung behind a dark curtain, almost emanating like the warmth of a sun drenched stone, just on the other side of a wall of glass.

Elias's drifted back into his memories as he remembered the joy and the thrill of that wall lifting, the music roared in his veins, their hearts beating in time, not being able to see through her eyes or hear her thoughts, but sensing her enemies bearing down on her and knowing the keen edge of the steel in her soul all the same. Eli stood and gave Tia a scratch on the back of her head, " Come on, let's go find Astra." The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

She dropped to the ground and trotted along at his side, her claws clicking on the cobblestone street, as Elias strode unerringly through the crowded scene outside the still smoking inn. The fire had mostly died out, but the crowd of concerned citizens had grown, requiring the town guard to set up a cordon to keep them out of the way of soldiers dealing with the aftermath. A flash of Astra's token let him through the guard line as Eli followed the tether towards the warm ember drifting in the distance.

As he approached the line of bodies arrayed outside the burned husk of the building he spotted a familiar silhouette standing amongst a group of soldiers, reaching for the tether he gave it a gentle stroke, and as it thrummed with a soft vibration Astra turned and gave him a warm smile. She waved him over as she turned back and continued, "... do not release any possession back to their kin until you have checked for any writing or the symbol I showed you. And remember, we do not know anything yet.

Once you have compiled the list of fallen for your section, please turn them in to either Mr Mason or Mr Miller, make sure to adhere to your duty rotations. Dismissed." Elias caught the elbow of Corporal Mason before he could leave, " Just a moment." He clapped a hand on the man's shoulder, " I just wanted to say I am truly sorry that Craft and Hastert didn't make it. They were good soldiers and they deserved better."

Mason's face crumbled for a moment before his expression was covered in a stoic mask as Eli continued, " I considered both of them my friend, and if I could have saved them I would. That the first strike of the ambush was to take them out first should stand as a testament to their strength." Mason gave Elias a slight smile, " Aye, and thank you for the kind words. I know Craft especially loved your tales of distant lands."

He sighed with a nod, " They knew the risks of joining the Imperial army, and the Duke's Own Regiment in particular, his family isn't exactly known for avoiding danger. They were fine soldiers and it was an honor to serve with them, I just wish sometimes that less of the fallen were the young ones." Eli nodded in commiseration, as Mason turned and left to join the search.

Astra sighed, shoulders slumping for a moment as the men turned to begin combing through the wreckage, before shaking herself and drawing upright once more. Elias dropped a hand on her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze, " How's the progress?" She grimaced at the shell of the building, the outer walls still stood as well as some sections of the upper floors, but for the most part it had been gutted and collapsed."

There is not much to go on, most of the bodies were extracted before the collapse, but they did not carry much. I have squads 1, 3, and 4 combing the remains and the structure for evidence but I do not hold out much hope."" Anything that can't wait for tomorrow?" Astra reached up to squeeze his hand back as she shook her head with a sigh, " No, I guess not." Eli gave her shoulder a tug, " The wounded have been seen too, and squad 6 already found lodgings for the displaced.

I talked to Cooper already and knowing that we would be starving after the healing, he is willing to make us a feast of tier 2 ingredients as long as you can promise him you will stay in the garrison tonight where he can keep an eye on you. I told him I would ask you personally, how does that sound?" A telling rumble drifted up from her midsection as they all laughed, Tia joining in with a chirping trill.

Eli gave her a smirk that sank a little as she grimaced and held her ribs after the laugh, " Sounds like you've been outvoted." He crouched a bit and turned his back to her, " Hop on, I'll carry you." She smiled for a moment before frowning, " That sounds heavenly, but are you not still injured as well? Plus it is not the most dignified mode of transport, Mira would not be happy to hear it." Eli laughed, " Don't worry Astrid gave me the all clear, and what Mira doesn't know won't hurt her.

I think after tonight, you can be forgiven for a small lack of decorum." Astra climbed onto his back, Eli's heart fluttered for a moment as the warmth of her arms draped around his neck and her scent filled his lungs. After a steadying breath he began the long slow walk back to the garrison.

Eli smirked as he could feel the slight envy from Tia at her favorite perch being stolen, but it was overridden by worry about Astra, and as they arrived at the rooms set aside in the officers wing for them the scent of Cooper's cooking banished the rest. Sasha and Franklin stood guard in the hall as they were led in a small apartment set aside for visiting officers as Cooper finished delivering the last platters to a dining table set inside.

He popped open a bottle of strong smelling liquor and after pouring a glass for both of them, and taking a swig for himself, he left the bottle on the table, " I figured you both would be needing that, after the night you've had. Donna finish off the whole thing, mind you, or Astrid will have my head."" The men have been seen too, and Mr Mason and I have agreed to split your guard detail for the time being. The refugees we can trust are quartered at the garrison, the Hostlers included.

Per your orders, the eldest daughter and her parents are appointed to speak with you after the morning meal." He gestured back to the door, " I have the third shift guard so I need to get some rest, but let Sash or Frank know if you need anything. I reckon you have a bit to talk about so I will leave you three to it." Cooper started to leave before turning back, shifting with an uncharacteristic hesitation that Eli had never seen in the big confident man before.

He let out a small huff before looking at Astra and speaking, " I am very glad that the bastards failed to cut you down my Lady, but I imagine I am not the only man troubled by tonight's happenings. Most of the men are greener than a meadow in spring, but they have seen more blood than most patrols see in three tours much less their first one, and most of them owe their lives to your blade, and no few to the lad's."

Eli was surprised, and he could tell even Astra was taken aback as the big man got a little misty eyed, " Na dunna git me wrong, but your Ladyship means quite a bit to this troop, and if you were to fall there would be a lot very sad and angry men and women out for blood. So you need to take more care." Cooper gave Astra a firm look, "Lady Blackhall is nay the only one to swear upon your safety. These are very troubling events, and only a dullard would miss them for the sign of darker times.

The soldiers look up to you for inspiration, and they will need any chance for hope they can grasp in the coming days." He winced, " It is not my place to tell a Lady what to do, but it would go a long way to putting their hearts at ease if you stop fighting by your lonesome. I ken you did nay plan for this, but we are all worried all the same." Astra gave Cooper a tired smile and reached out to give his forearm a squeeze, " I understand Mr Cooper, sorry I mean Matthias.

It fills my heart with joy to know you and the men hold me in such high regard, and I promise I will do what I can to not betray that trust or worry them unduly. Unfortunately our foe is nebulous, and hides like a changeling amongst an orphanage, and is horrifyingly just as cunning." She patted his arm one more time, " But we will do what we can, and give them no quarter." Cooper smiled once, " Aye, my Lady. May their blood be fodder for our paths, Ash and Steel Lady Emberholdt."" Born and Bound, Mr Cooper."

And with that he turned and left the three of them to their meal.