New Fantasy World: Galeia-Chapter 164

Bonte followed Hanna through the streets of Paarjo. His feline ears shifted on top of his head, picking up sounds around them.

Eternia and Perpetua bathed the world in their light still, and would continue to do so for a few more hours.

People walked next to them, minding their own business.

Going out for a walk without a Halve was a world of difference when it came to the attention Bonte received. Only one every twenty people gave him a passing glance, instead of nine out of ten staring at him with burning interest and curiosity.

He was one more Shishi Tigea among the many. An ordinary individual if one didn’t mind his level.

Or as he saw it, a shadow lurking behind the scenes. One that knew what most didn’t.

Bonte rejoiced in the feeling of being a secretive scout in a classified mission. To truly be the shadow that acts without others knowing. One that did his thing unnoticed and saved the day without being praised for it. Acting outside the law to do what it couldn’t. Dismantling dark organizations during the night and living a peaceful life during the day, acting as if he didn’t know what went down in the shadowy alleys of a city harboring unseen threats to the government.

The Ork turned around a corner, snapping the Tigea out of his fantasies.

They were approaching their destination.

Hanna turned again, walking into an alley between two tall edifices, then approached an unassuming door on the side of the left building. She looked both ways and opened the door, then held it open for Bonte to go in. freeweɓnovel-cøm

Once inside, they went up to the third floor, then walked to one of the many doors on the hallway.

The Ork produced a key and opened the door to a small apartment.

It was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom kind of place. No kitchen, no living room, no dining room either.

Bonte chuckled, "Damn, you live like this?"

Hanna turned her head and sarcastically replied, "Temporary housing. I don’t have the privilege of having an Excellency as benefactor."

Bonte simply shook his head with a sigh.

The Ork walked to the bed and sat down, then produced a map of the city. "There are several potential locations we need to search to find Ines," she informed him, pointing at various locations on the map.

Bonte nodded and approached the woman. "How about here, here, and here?" He probed, pointing at a few red circles drawn on the parchment.

Hanna shook her head. "Already went there. I wasn’t exactly looking for Ines, but no information about her came out of what little information I gathered."

The Tigea hummed, then inquired, "How tight is it?"

"Password, membership, and written recommendations," she replied.

He thought for a second. "Any pylons nearby?"

"Only two." She pointed at both the northernmost and closest circles, which were from the places she hadn’t visited.

"Any information on Ines’ level?" He asked.

Hanna nodded. "201 the last time she was seen by her family."

"So no third tier skills yet," Bonte muttered, rubbing his chin.

"I thought the same," Hanna agreed, giving him a knowing look. "How’s your invisibility skill?"

"Third tier," he sighed, shaking his head.

"Same here," she chuckled. "Illusions?" She asked next.

"Second," he muttered and scanned the map. "Wait, there’s a Church near this spot," he recalled, pointing at the northernmost circle, "a block away, actually."

"Yes, but it’s a maternelle," Hanna pointed out, biting her upper lip.

"Exactly," Bonte insisted with a smile.

The Ork’s brows scrunched up. "I don’t think I’m following here," she admitted.

"Right," the Tigea sighed. "They have Paladins, Inquisitors, and Crusaders constantly protecting the children. If a person that has those classes wants to work at a maternelle, they must have tier three skills," he explained. "They have tighter security than the Royal Palace."

"Ahh..." Hanna breathed out, then clicked her tongue. "I’m not familiar with anything related to children," she admitted with a frown. "So the wards would mask our tier three skills?"

Bonte nodded. "That’s right. I practiced my skills near a maternelle when I was young. That kept me out of trouble," he chuckled.

"Hmm," Hanna hummed and thought for a second. "We’ll have to use illusions if we want to search the one nearby, then."

"Yep," he agreed with a nod. "You’ve dealt with Changelings before... do illusions work well?"

The Ork stared into the Tigea’s eyes and smiled. "They worked wonders," she assured him.

Bonte smiled back. "Good."

A Ferk Dwarf and a Brazi Luzo left through the front door of a tall building, then walked alongside pedestrians towards the east.

The streets weren’t as packed as a few hours earlier since the day was nearing its end. A few carriages drove by, pulled by either Tateli or Bhin. The summer’s second shift had ended and the working people walked home to a much needed and deserved rest.

Night taverns were opening their doors to those who wanted their services, and morning stores were closing theirs after a day of fruitful business.

Watchers either patrolled the streets or stood vigilant at their posts, keeping an eye out and ready to lend a hand.

Very few Chasers could be seen around, weapons visible on their person as advertisement of their trade.

Performers stood on street corners, playing their instruments and singing.

It was calm evening, and pleasant winds gently passed by, signaling the coming of Fall.

The Dwarf and the Luzo walked into a small building, then went down a set of stairs.

Twenty floors beneath the ground, and illuminated by E’eral lamps, the couple walked into a large underground plaza.

Children played at the fountain while adults watched over with warm smiles.

High-level Crusaders, Paladins, and Priests stood nearby, all beyond what most people could appraise. Their blue aprons betrayed their role of caretakers related to the Church.

A sign stood near the wall to the south. It had a message that read ’The Royal Family of Lumin Kingdom invites all who so desire to a Royal Banquet this 17th of the present month. The Western Gardens will be open to the public. Attendees are required to arrive with only an empty stomach and before noon. Due to space limitations, only 2100 individuals can be served at a time. We appreciate your understanding. Salutations, Prince Rinald Igne Lumin.’

Next to that, a small paper held another message that read ’Jacques Beaumont, you smooth-brained charlatan! Your slanderous words have reached my ears and I will not stand it. If you have any shred of dignity and courage about you, come to the Eastern Watchers Office No. 201 for a duel this 17th before noon. The officers will bear witness without bias to who is right. Disrespectfully, the one you sought to put mud on.’

The Dwarf gave them a passing glance and chuckled.

The Luzo took notice of the messages and smiled.

"Quite lively," the Dwarf muttered.

"Indeed so," the Luzo agreed.

The kept advancing, following a street and taking turns whenever it was required.

Soon, they reached their destination: an unassuming house.

An Urkila Tigea stood outside, checking a pocket watch. She looked up once the two individuals stopped in front of the building.

The three stared at each other in silence.

"Well?" The Tigea demanded.

The Luzo produced a sheet of paper and handed it to the Tigea. "I considered and decided to come," she said, her voice sounding a bit doubtful. "And I brought a good friend who thinks alike."

The Dwarf nodded with a tiny frown, enough that it could be seen through his well-groomed beard.

The Tigea eyed the paper and then inspected the two. "A Water Weaver?" She smiled. "Could I ask you to prove it?"

The Luzo nodded and extended a hand, where a ball of water formed, then closed her fingers and it dissipated.

The Tigea nodded, then turned to the Dwarf. "And a Shade Adept?"

He nodded and did as the Luzo, but a shadow danced on his palm.

"Fair enough," the Tigea accepted and opened the door. "If you cause any trouble, you will be removed with force."

The two individuals nodded and went inside.

The Tigea followed, guiding them to a small room to the side. "Wait here for a second," she instructed and left the room.

A minute later, she returned with another person: a Faeton Elf.

"Welcome, dear guests," he greeted the two. "You arrived just in time. A meeting is about to begin," he informed them. "Follow me," he instructed and left the room.

The two nodded and did as told.

The Elf moved to the back of the house and into the kitchen, where he opened the refrigerator and revealed a tunnel.

The three went inside and then down a set of stairs.

"What exactly brings you here, if I may ask?" The Elf inquired in a light tone.

The Dwarf scoffed. "Have you seen that Halve waltzing around as if she owns the place?" He spat with disdain. "Never have I felt so angry. She goes in and out of the Royal Palace, probably plotting something unsavory with that clown of a King."

The Elf nodded and chuckled, "I’ve noticed. Detestable creature, that one."

The Luzo’s eyes squinted at the Elf, but soon regained her composure and added, "It’s such a displeasing sight to see the populace be charmed. Even stopping commerce for a silly show of strength. Ha! Fools, the lot of them."

The Elf nodded in agreement. "Your feelings are completely valid, my friends. I share them, too. I want you to know you are not alone. We welcome you with open arms. Our community bars nobody from entry."

"Good to know," the Luzo confessed, relief evident in her voice. "I’ve grown quite tired of pretending otherwise and trying to convince my peers of the truth."

"Hmh," the Dwarf hummed. "Complacent, if you ask me."

The Elf laughed in joy. "Most don’t see the wrong of their ways. I am sure you’ll be satisfied when it comes to the discussions we held," he assured them with a warm tone. "There’s none of that conservative narrative here," he added with a tinge of disgust.

"We haven’t introduced ourselves," the Luzo began with an apologetic tone.

"No need," the Elf interjected. "Names have little weight here. Anonymity is crucial to our discourse."

The two nodded in satisfaction.

Satisfaction at having infiltrated, that is.

Bonte and Hanna, the Dwarf and Luzo respectively, had managed to fool the first layer of security with illusions.

The following hours would decide their success.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦