The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'-Chapter 314 - Framing One Event As Three; Good Bye, Alibi

Chapter 314: Chapter 314 - Framing One Event As Three; Good Bye, Alibi

Qatrand woke to a light touch on her shoulder. Pigeon-blue eyes opened to find Captain Cyera standing over her. The Army leader kept her voice low, conscious of how her voice could carry to others still sleeping deeper inside.

"First light soon. Your team should move out to the tunnel exit soon if you want to take advantage of the twilight."

Qat nodded and glanced to her side. The ’Whispering Winds scout’ sat up in his position already awake and alert. The illusion met her gaze with a curt nod before standing and walking off down the tunnels.

The swordswoman rose quietly, with only a little annoyance. Her wife’s real body hadn’t been beside her, but the sensation in the fragment held that peculiar warmth of morning greeting that Elua gave off... though it was a little distracted.

’She must be focused on something else. I wish she would have woken me.’

"We’ll be ready to go within ten minutes."

"One of yours already prepared packs for your team while on watch. Basic supplies, water, and signal flares if you need to warn us of heavy movement."

Qat was sure it was their shield bearer that she had to thank. Deeper inside, soldiers were waking the furthest from the exit to get them moving forward. The wounded soldiers had been treated throughout the night and were being readied for travel.

Kefa approached with her weapons freshly cleaned and secured at her hips. Her eyes held the usual bright alertness of a seasoned fighter ready for more action.

"Ready when you are."

The Yecine’s own heavy blade was secured in its harness to her back. Black ichor had been cleaned from the metal as best she could before she fell asleep. Remnants still stained portions of her uniform.

Helace approached with the packs, the archer looking like he hadn’t gotten enough sleep.

"From the big guy. I still think I should come with you. I’m more observant than her."

The woman didn’t argue, just shrugged.

"I know. But that’s why I want you with them."

Qat gestured toward the civilians around. The man nodded with reluctant acceptance.

"Fair point. Just make it back in one piece again."

"We will."

The scout joined them near the forces at the cave exit, making a point of checking his own equipment. Movements of the illusion were a bit less than graceful, but confident enough to suggest his experience. A well calculated choice from the spiritualist.

"The terrain will be a little challenging, but I know the fastest route that keeps off the main road."

"One moment.

Captain Cyera held them for final official instructions, her voice carrying the gravity of command.

"Your mission is reconnaissance only. Locate the leader position, assess its strength, and return with that intelligence. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary to maintain your lives."

Her gaze locked onto Qatrand er Yecine with particular intensity during the last section. She had already seen the young man’s willingness to take on too much alone. While it was impressive and she was glad it succeeded, it was hard to call it commendable from a military perspective.

"Solid information on its location and current preparations is worth more than reckless glory. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Captain."

It was essentially no different from their standing orders from their actual Ironclad Order commander at the fort. While cultivators were not compelled to follow instructions from the Continental Army, it often caused stress and inquests in the aftermath of the Descent.

The three figures slipped out of the cave entrance and into the gradually graying light of early dawn. Heading toward the direction where the ’scout’ claimed the leader-class Voidling was establishing its position in the quarry. The Army began perimeter operations outside the tunnel at the same time to get the civilians out into the open.

Two different missions with the same ultimate purpose. Maximum survival from the invading eldritch force. However, while that was true... a certain scheming cultivator never liked doing one thing when she could accomplish two or more.

"Alright, I think that works."

From atop a thick tree branch along the path the scout was taking her beloved and the *unfortunately* rather useful mature woman, Elua er Goltbred dispersed the sphere of illusion in her hands. Ever since she woke up and snuck out of the Army position, the girl had been running example scenarios of how she might best deal with a couple ’problems’.

Mint eyes tracked the ’three’ approaching before moving ahead.

⟠ ⟠ ⟠

"Keep low. Dawn or not, they’ll still react if we alert one."

The scout’s warning came as they crested a small ridge through dense forest. Below spread a valley that gradually transformed on one end to the jagged, excavated walls of an abandoned quarry. A century of disuse after the last nearby fort had been finished left nature to reclaim portions of it.

However, the stark stone cuts remained visible underneath the evaporating mist of morning dew like artificial scars.

Qat’s gaze swept the terrain, noting defensive positions and potential routes of retreat out of habit. Exactly as the Army had taught her to analyze any landscape they entered. The Order’s training had its own examples, but when speaking with Elua about the differences... the brunette had ’surprisingly’ told her to trust the mortal’s way in this case.

’Because they think more about surviving than winning...’ free𝑤ebnovel.com

"How far to the location?"

"The quarry’s central pit. About a mile further. That’s where they seemed to be concentrating."

The scout pointed generally toward a depression in the landscape that wasn’t yet visible from their far off position. Qat nodded and gestured for Kefa to take point alongside her, keeping the scout between them. The fragment in her chest pulsed with subtle amusement at her protective positioning of the illusion.

’I think I liked it better when she was within sight. Even if she kept doing things to try and distract me.’

The swordswoman exhaled and refocused. Forest paths eventually gave way to rockier ground, with fewer trees and more exposed stone. The transition made movement easier but became difficult to remain hidden and quiet.

Clicks of boots on solid surfaces became the norm as the tension rose.

"So, Yecine."

The scout’s voice was barely above a whisper as they walked.

"That was quite a performance yesterday. Don’t think I’ve ever seen someone pull an entire Voidling horde after them on purpose."

Qat considered her response carefully, wondering why her El was making this sort of small talk right now.

"It wasn’t entirely intentional at first."

"Even more impressive. Is it your Physique?"

The Yecine usually kept their abilities relatively private - the Army and Guild ledgers having the information if available, but looking into that required certain official clearances. Something the Void Defense Society or members of the other two organizations might have, but not a lowly scout.

"Yes."

"A common one?"

"No. Mine is somewhat... unique."

"I figured as much. The way they fixated on you was unlike anything I’ve seen before."

The scout moved ahead slightly, bending over and studying the ground as if looking for tracks. Qat recognized that some sort of performance was beginning. Elua had been setting the stage for whatever she planned to happen next.

The fragment in her chest rippled with ’agreement’. Then warmed with focused intent as the scout’s movements became more purposeful. A few quick steps forward and they picked up a broken arrow that clearly had not been in the weather for long.

"We’re close to something here."

Kefa moved quickly to catch up with them while Qat maintained a measured pace. Thoughts spun circles to anticipate what might be ’discovered’. What her mint-drop already knew was here that she had led them to.

The representation of a Whispering Winds member stopped at what appeared to be a small clearing a bit away from the path toward the quarry. Disturbed earth and what looked like some hastily abandoned equipment littered the ground. Their fingers poked around the scattered remains of a small fire pit as they knelt next to it.

"Someone was camped here recently. Within the last day."

Nearby lay a canvas pack, partially emptied. Qat glanced at the unmoving scout and moved to examine it on her own. Inside she found a few basic supplies and what *appeared* to be official-looking documentation.

She pulled out the papers bearing ’official’ Guild seals, understanding more fully what the goal was. A burst of ’mischief’ struck her through the fragment that caused the tall girl to perform one long, slow bling. Then she was ready to play along with the scene her wife was constructing as best she could.

"These look similar to the forged evacuation orders. Not the right wax quality."

Kefa leaned in to examine them and clicked her tongue.

"So this is where they staged the deception. Did they abandon the camp because the incursion suddenly began?"

The scout’s behavior shifted - his movements became stiffer and hurried as he circled the abandoned camp like he had a specific purpose. The man’s eyes scanned the area with growing intensity, seeming to grow frustrated.

"There should be more. Evidence of who was behind this."

Qat observed the ’play’ with quiet appreciation. Her El was crafting a narrative for Kefa’s benefit. One that would perfectly explain the scout’s sudden appearance in their camp... and his betrayal or later disappearance.

The fragment pulsed with ’satisfaction’ as her intentions were read. The plan unfolded exactly as intended. The scout moved to the edge of the clearing, then paused at something partially hidden beneath a fallen branch.

"Ah. Here. This might be useful."

As the heavy blade wielder approached, she noticed the twin-blade user had drifted her hand casually toward one of her blades as she joined along. Kefa had successfully grown suspicious of their ’guide’... just as the reincarnator intended.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺