DRAGONBORN SORCERER-Chapter 20: Trapped By Skyler’s Mind Games
Skyler commanded, raising his hand up high. The corpses of the serpents began to glow and transformed into drop loots as they vanished. Leonardo and his party stood stunned, unable to witness what just happened. Only Skyler remained calm, his eyes fixed at the system interface.
[Notice: Obtained ’Black Serpent’s Fangs’. Status: Crafting material]
[Effects: increases piercing efficiency by 50%. Usable for Archers. Quantity: 62]
[Notice: Obtained ’Serpent’s scales’. Status: Crafting material]
[Effects: Shields made from the scales increase Defense by 50%. Usable for Tankers. Quantity: 31]
[Notice: Obtained ’White Serpent’s Fangs’. Status: Unknown]
[Effects: N.A. Quantity: 2]
[Notice: Obtained ’Sandrium Orb’. Status: Unknown]
[Effects: N.A. Quantity: 1]
’That’s interesting!’ Skyler murmured as he reviewed the notifications, ’For now, let’s keep the items from the white one. I’ll hand over the quest completion proof from the black one and sell the rest. None of them are useful to me anyway.’
Seeing how effortlessly he managed to gather all the drop loots, Leonardo couldn’t believe— so as his teammates. To their eyes, everything had vanished with a blink of an eye.
"Skyler." Leonardo said, having so many doubt about the situation, "Where did all the loots go? And what’re you staring at."
"Oh, it’s nothing." He replied nonchalantly, putting on his mask back, "Don’t worry. The job here is now done. We should move on."
"Well, if you say so..." Leonardo said though he remained skeptical "But I’d really like to know what did you just do?" His gaze remained fixed on Skyler.
’Should I tell him?’ Skyler wondered, ’He’s the clan leader. Let’s play along to keep myself out of his suspicion.’
"The thing is." He said, chuckling behind his mask, "The goddess of creation is quiet fond of me. Thus she granted me a special skills allowing me to collect the loots effortlessly. But it only works on those monsters I defeat myself."
"What?" the entire party grasped in unison, their eyes wide opened— exactly what he had anticipated. It gave him a satisfied joy within his mind.
’My class is Hero— most glorious, yet I don’t have such skills.’ Leonardo thought, feeling desperate as he clenched his fist, ’I couldn’t appraised that skill either. He must truly be a chosen one. If that’s the case, I shouldn’t defy him or risk my faith being questioned.’ 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
His devotion for the goddess clouded the doubts— just what Skyler needed him to be. And it wasn’t Leonardo alone.
A similar thought ran through the minds of the others as well. They were bounded by the same faith after all. Skyler felt no hesitation to take advantages of the situation either. And his grin continued under his mask.
"Clan leader, Leonardo was it?" Skyler looked at him, "I’m very exhausted. Why don’t we continue talking while we walk?"
"That’s a fine choice." Leonardo agreed, taking the lead, "Now let’s head back. We need to get out of the forest as soon as possible."
The ’Muddy Swamp’ incident now came to a close ,and the adventurers’ party began their journey back. On their way back, most of them had an unexpectedly surprise face filled with doubts yet assurance. However, it was only Skyler who chuckles— remaining concealed under his mask.
’Man! Humans of this worlds are hilariously gullible. Just convince them what you’re doing actually for the sake of their goddess. And congrats! You got a free pass. They’ll worship you like a hero. It’s just like giving candy to children. Haa-Haa-HAAA"
The thought ran through his mind, observing everyone’s impression. ’If Leonardo is the leader. He might have connections. Why not use him to gain information. That’ll be handy, will it not?’
"Umm, Clan leader." He asked, walking just next to him, "I was thinking to help you guys in the raid tomorrow. But I’d like to know all the details you have. It may help me to understand the situation better."
"You would?" Leonardo replied, shocked by his sudden proposal, "If that’s the case, I don’t mind sharing all the things I know."
************
The sorcerers who aligned with the Shadow realm, were infamous as the Xions. Among them, a specific group of the Xions— Flame Xions, caused several volcanos to erupt, activating them for their sinister purpose. This eruption helped them to perform various forbidden rituals. However their ultimate motives remained shrouded in mystery. The only thing certain was that if the group failed to raid their stronghold the following day, the Nation of Rosevill would face catastrophic devastation.
"I understand that." Skyler said, exhaling a long breath, "But how exactly did you gather all of these intel. How can you be so sure they are Flame Xions or whatever?"
"Apparently, the King of the nation had a secret intelligence network." Leonardo replied proudly, "Since I’m the Hero of Rosevill and approved by the church, I have full access to the network and its resources. When the merchant informed us about witnessing a sorcerer, I didn’t believe it immediately. I used the network to verify his claims and it all checked out."
"Whoa!" Skyler said, feigning in admiration, "You’re surprisingly amazing. No wonder the goddess chose you to be a Hero. Top of that you’re so concerned about everything."
Leonardo chuckled, clearly pleased with the complements, "Well I am the clan leader after all. I have to be prepared for any consequences."
Their conversation was going well. Somehow, Rose found something off. She was suspicious of Skyler the whole time, and it continued to grow. As she couldn’t hold her curiosity much longer, she interrupted their conversation.
"Sir Skyler." She said with a sharp tone, staring keenly at him, "When was it that you completed your ascension phase? I’m curious to know."
"Actually, I don’t know." Skyler said, much to everyone’s surprise.
"What do you mean you don’t know?" Rose pressed, her voice edged with doubts, "If the goddess of creation has truly chosen you, then surely you’d know when you advanced to a sorcerer. It was not like you were sorcerer since you were born."
Skyler felt a flicker of irritation but kept his composer. However he already anticipated such scrutiny as the system interface was there the whole time, alerting him about precious.
[Alert: Deceptive Intention detected. However passive skill ’Wrath’ cannot be used on the individual as her stage is too higher]
’No worries, system.’ He though, gleaming at the screen with a smug face, ’I can at least handle this naïve girl on my own.’
"Rose." He said, stepping closer to her, his voice calm yet tinged with accusations, "Are you doubting me." He took his mask off, drawing everyone’s attention with his gentle smile as he prepared the trap, "Then might as well let you know the truth I was supposed to hide."
Skyler paused, allowing tension to build before continuing, "The goddess incarnated me into this body a week ago and sent me to this world with specific tasks to fulfill. That’s why I’m unfamiliar with the customs of this world. My knowledge is limited, but my purpose is clear."
’What?’ Leonardo couldn’t help himself from getting stunned, his eyes wide opened, ’He’s incarnated by the goddess. Then we mustn’t defy him, no matter the cost. The consequences will be too heavy to bear."
"Purpose you say?" However Rose wasn’t convinced yet, "If that was the case then why didn’t she used her servants like use to fulfill that?"
"Rose!" Leonardo’ screamed like thunder, unleashing his oppressive heroic aura, "How dare you try questioning the judgement of our goddess?"
"Clan leader!" she shouted back, unleashing her own divine aura, "I’m not questioning. I’m seeking clarity."
The clash of their oppressive auras created a shockwave that forced the others to brace themselves. Skyler quickly stepped between them, raising his hands to calm the escalating tension.
"Enough!" He said, stopping both of them, "I don’t blame Rose for questioning me. Clarity is essential to prevent your faith from faltering. And as for your answer, Rose. Let me explain."
Skyler conjured a water spell, forming a transparent sphere that began to darken in one section. "Suppose you have a bowl of clear water, but part of it starts turning black. What would you do to stop the corruption from spreading? Would you ask the clear portion to purify itself, or would you introduce an external medium to prevent contamination?"
Rose watched the demonstration closely before replying, "I’d introduce a medium to stop the spread."
"Exactly," Skyler said with a chuckle. "And I am that medium, sent by the goddess to cleanse the corruption."
"I still don’t get it. What do you mean by corruption?" Leonardo still looked bewildered as he tried to comprehend his demonstration.
’Is he for real?’ Skyler suppressed a sigh of annoyance as he thought, but outwardly maintained his composure.
"There’s a specific place in this world that has fallen into darkness." He explained, "Their vile acts have angered our beloved goddess, and she has tasked me with delivering the divine judgment upon them."
To emphasis his words, he unleashed his draconic aura, filling the air with oppressive yet awe-inspiring energy. The atmosphere grew heavy, even Rose, for all of her suspicion, fell silenced by his display.
