4 Chapter 4

|Mission Investigation part 2|

It was a cool and breezy evening, fireflies are showing up, scattering around the village. The 4 girls enjoyed the view for a moment until Lucas approaches them....

[Lucas: It's a peaceful place here... How can monsters appear in such place? This isn't right...]

Lucas was in pain for some reasons....

[Lucas: I can't let that incident from the past happen again... Not this time when I have the power to protect.. Please... Can you help me complete this mission as soon as possible?]

Lucas asked the 4 girls to accept his request.

They accepted it quickly for only one reason.. They want that forest to be the same as before... A peaceful life for folks who just wanted to live happily. Afterwards, They prepared all the necessary things they needed for the mission. Lucas was thankful for having them with him.

[Olivia: No need to thank us Lucas, we should be the one thanking you for doing what others don't want to do. We are very glad that we are by your side, and you told us that we are family right?]

[Charlotte: Ye... Yes! I'm here because you bought me from that place.... A-and th- thank you for being nice to me..]

[Lily: My life changed because of you, Lucas... At least I should repay you for doing such things to me.]

[Hazel: I'll always be by your side big bro Lucas!]

They each replied with honest answers coming from their heart. The air was filled with joy and happiness. After preparing the important things that they will need, Lucas visits the room where Micaela is sleeping for a moment...

[Lucas: Micaela... I'm sorry I force you to do things even though this was your first time healing numerous people.... I swear that we will succeed this mission and we will take a break.]

Lucas was sitting on a chair looking at Micaela, talking to her while she was asleep. Until someone knocks the door... A muscular man with beard on his lower cheeks, and he has a terrifying aura.

[Lucas: Y- yo- you are... the son of the Head Chief, right?]

Lucas asked him with a bit of frightened face.

[Man: Yes, sir Lucas. You can call me Mike.. Don't worry about her, you can rest assured that she will be fine here. I will protect her with all of my strengths.]

Lucas showed a tranquil smile upon hearing that to him. The Village Chief was there at the back of Mike, saying...

[Village Chief: You can count on him, despite his intimidating presence, he always keeps his words. Furthermore, he was once an adventurer so there will be no problem if few monsters raided us by chance.]

The Village Chief was proudly convincing him that his son is a trustworthy man.

[Lucas: Thank you for your help. I appreciate it, I'll leave her to you then, Mike.]

Lucas was reassured when the Village Chief told him that Mike is a good person.

[Mike: You don't need to thank me sir. Your group saved all of us despite abandoning your mission. This kind of treatment is the least we can do to repay you. So you just need to concentrate on your mission, as an adventurer myself, missions are clearly important to us, that's why, go.. Don't hold back completing it sir.]

Lucas was utterly determined to accomplish his mission when he heard Mike's statement.

He was at ease leaving Micaela for a while knowing someone will look after her. Afterwards, he went outside the Head Chief's house, and he saw the 4 girls playing with a little girl.

[Little girl: Big sis!! huff. huff.. huff... You're way too fast! I can't even reach you.]

The little girl was panting while trying to reach out Lily who's far ahead of her.

[Lily: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA THAT'S RIGHT! PRAISE ME MOREE!]

Lily, on the other hand, didn't even notice that the little girl is having a tough time playing tag with her.

[Charlotte: Li- Lily... I.. I think... you should go easy on her...]

Charlotte gave a concerned look while looking at the two of them while Olivia interrupts them.

[Olivia: Stop right there Lily, Lucas is coming now.]

Olivia ceased her on their game of tag after seeing Lucas. She then stopped at the moment, and the little girl finally reach her.

[Little girl: HUFF.. HUFF... HUFFF... YESS!! I FINALLY CAUGHT YOU BIG SIS!]

The little girl was happy that she finally had her.

[Lily: Hahahahaha... Good job! You made it... now go to your house because your father is waiting for you, ok?]

Lily talked to her like a mom caring for her daughter. The little girl returns to their house and after that, she realized what she had said to the girl. Lucas approached them and he saw Lily's face getting redder.

[Lucas: ....? Lily? Are you sick? You can also rest here if you want. You see.. I don't want to force you if you really can't continue anymore...]

[Lily: N- no.. I'm not sick (thinking: I can't tell him that I was imagining myself being a mom and he was the father!...)]

Lucas showed a concerned look upon seeing Lily but she denied it because he was misunderstanding something... Olivia backed her up by telling Lucas that they need to go as soon as possible. Lily was thankful for saving her... Before they leave the place. Lucas subsequently saw a merchant, he was the one who gave mana potion to Micaela, and that merchant walks towards them. He is still a young man and has an ordinary looks... he gave Lucas 5 mana potions.... The merchant doesn't seem to ask something in return but Lucas still gave him 3 golds.

[Merchant: B.. but sir! Your group already save my-]

[Lucas: No. You're still a merchant, so giving them for free will absolutely have a huge impact in your business right? I'm not someone who wants something in return just because i save them, so please just take it..]

Lucas didn't let the merchant finish his sentence and directly replied as soon as he heard the word "save". The merchant said that his potions are not really expensive but Lucas didn't bring any silvers or copper- just golds. Nonetheless he forced it to him to accept it, and eventually, the merchant gave up on their little quarrel.

[Merchant: Sir.. if you want something just ask me alright? I'll try my best to help you in the near future.]

The merchant told him that and he gave some information about him, if there's something Lucas wants to know or wants to buy. He will definitely come to rescue.

[Lucas: So you also live here huh, and your selling goods in the kingdom. Hmm.... Your name is.... Neil.. I see nice to meet you Neil I'm Lucas Hart.]

[Neil: Nice to meet you too, sir Lucas. I'm really glad that you saved our village.]

Lucas read Neil's information card that he made and they greeted each other. He was really thankful that they save their village.

[Lucas: It's fine, it's fine you don't need to thank me that much. I just did what I wanted and I'm thankful to my group here. Without them, I can't save you all.]

Lucas replied with a smile on his face while looking at the 4 girls. After that, Neil had bid farewell to Lucas and returned to Axminster, their kingdom.

[Lucas: .... I guess I should bring some silvers and coppers next time..]

Lucas was sighing while murmuring to himself. Because of that little distraction... He almost forgot to do something for the girls, he quickly shared his shadow skill- "Shadow of Obscurity" to the 4 girls for them to retreat if something bad happens.

[Lucas: Let's go now.]

They quickly departed and went deeper in the forest called Heolstorflod Woodlands. After minutes of traveling, Olivia saw a man unconsciously lying beside a big old tree. They went to that man and Lucas thought of a reasonable solution..

[Lucas: Charlotte.. Kind you please bring him back to the village?(Thinking: Maybe it's for the best? I mean... Her skill power is too destructive, I don't even know why how come she achieve such skill.)]

[Charlotte: Y- Yes! I.. I'll do it!]

[Lucas: Th.. Thanks.]

Lucas was a bit scared ordering her around that night, good thing she accepted it so he then performed his lightning("Godspeed") and wind("Breezing Wings") magic to share it to Charlotte for her to quickly fly in the sky while carrying the unconscious man.

*Breezing Wings' ability is to let the user fly.

Charlotte wasted no time and expeditiously flew away. Lucas was comfortable for a moment when she quickly returned back to the village. As they go deeper and deeper, they each felt the unpleasant aura coming up ahead. Lucas uses his "Truthseeker" to find if there's any danger but he detected a person... They quickly hide their presence and he spied that person.. "that person" was wearing a hooded cloak, and it seems that it has a disguising spell so Lucas can't really discover "that person's" face, but... he saw a familiar sign on the cloak...

[Lucas: ?!??!! So they are really the one who did this!! You damn Shadow Phoenix!!]

They saw a member of Shadow Phoenix doing something deep down in the forest.. Lucas can't maintain his rage. Thus, "That person" noticed that he was being watched by someone. He was making his first move to capture "that person" but...

[Lucas: ?! He realized that he was being spied?! TSK!]

When Lucas approached and tried to seize "that person". It suddenly disappeared like a bubble.

[Lucas: I SWEAR I WILL FIND YOU ALL!!!]

Lucas shouted angrily while Olivia tries to calm him down.

[Olivia: Lucas.. Please... Calm down...]

The 3 girls were worried about him being enraged for a moment.

[Lucas: I... I'm sorry guys... I just can't control myself for a second..]

[Lily: It's fine Lucas.. Just.. please don't go berserk all of a sudden. We're actually worried about you, you know..]

[Hazel: Big bro Lucas, you didn't do anything bad so don't apologize to me.]

Lucas apologized to them and they quickly accepted it. They each felt a devastating scent coming up ahead all of a sudden.

[Lucas: ?! This is!.. Miasma!! My master told me last time that miasma is a dark magic. (Thinking: are they the one who did this?! It's no use complaining.) Guys we'll need to--]

Before Lucas finishes his sentence, he almost fainted. It was the lack of mana. Miasma is dark magic and will gradually suck the mana out of those magicians who have light magics.

[Olivia: Lucas!!!]

[Lucas: It's fine... I just need mana..]

Olivia took the mana potion and she gave it to Lucas, he consumed all 5 of them.

[Lucas: I'll try to dispel it.]

After he said that, Monsters appeared out of nowhere. and they seem stronger than before.

[Lucas: ... I see. I get it now.. We really need to dispel this quickly. Miasma is like a healing potion for them and they'll get stronger over time.]

They shivered after Lucas told them that, but he was determined and will try to remove it nevertheless.

[Lucas: Give me some time, I'll make sure to eradicate this miasma.]

Lucas concentrated all of his attention to himself for him to accomplish his objective. So they used formation B "Guardian" to fully defend Lucas while he is performing his skill for the miasma to disappear. Olivia summoned 3 Golems at the same time, Hazel performed her skill "Oceanic Barrier" to all of them while Lily uses her "Godspeed". Lily attacked them quickly but..

[Lily: ?!! Hard!!]

She tried to cut an ogre into half but it only got received a wound and shockingly, it healed.. The ogre attacked her and she flew far away. Good thing she has a barrier.. if not, she would be dead by now.

[Olivia: Leave the orcs and ogres to me.]

Lily uses another skill "Lightning Blade" to enhance her sword. She then quickly enters the battle once again and defeated one orc.

[Lily: Hmph. Piece of cake.]

The two of them attacked all the monsters one after another to make sure it doesn't heal anymore While Hazel is trying to create stronger barrier for them to be safe for a moment.

[Lily: We can do this! We just need to attack one at the same time.]

Lily said that while fighting the ogre again.

[Olivia: Be cautious! There might be a {another monster} out there waiting for its turn to attack.]

Olivia replied with a serious expression. They dominated some monsters attacking them as they were trying so save some energy if "that certain monster" attacks them from any blind spots.

[Lily: I'll finish this orc!... !? ARGHHH!! What? someone is attacking me but I can't see it.]

After Lily had slain an orc, she suddenly felt that someone was attacking her but she doesn't know what was it.

[Olivia: Be careful! It's the Deadly Rabbit!!]

[Lily: ?!!]

*Deadly Rabbit- A monster that has a quick movement speed. They'll attack you at high speed.

Olivia shouted to Lily while she was being attack by the Deadly Rabbit.

[Lily: ?!!? It's faster than before!! It even surpasses my "Godspeed"?!]

Lily replied while being dominated in speed. The rabbit keeps attacking her nonstop until her barrier disappears from her. Its moving swiftly after each attacks that she received until…

[Hazel: AGHHH!!! I can't keep up! Even though the attacks are light, it's still a combo strike! My barrier for you will collapse in no time!]

Hazel's barrier disappeared. Lily doesn't have a choice but to go all out, so she confronted the rabbit head on but...

[Lily: KYAHHHH!!! PERVERTED RABBIT!!!!]

Due to its high speed, the rabbit subconsciously attacked her clothes beneath her light armors. She can't continue to fight because of embarrassment. Olivia told Hazel to get Lily using her water magic but the rabbit attacked Hazel as well. She can't help them because she was being occupied by the orcs and ogres.

[Olivia: HAZEL! USE THE ONE LUCAS GAVE US!]

Hazel quickly used "Shadow of Obscurity" to hide in shadows together with Lily. Olivia was the only one who's left... If it gets anymore longer, she might die..

[Olivia: TSK! I don't have a choice but to use th--]

Before Olivia finishes her sentence. Someone from the sky appeared, it was Charlotte... Her borrowed wind magic seems to wear off but her borrowed lightning is still intact with her.

[Olivia: CHARLOTTE!!!]

[Charlotte: W.. What is this scent?? what ha.. happened here? Wh- where are the o.. others???]

Charlotte ask Olivia in a timid state.

[Olivia: Long-story-short, Lucas is trying to make a new skill to dispel this irritating smell called miasma and we need to buy time for him to achieve that. As for the 2 girls, they use the shadow to hide because they can't fight anymore.. And beware of the rabbit, it's extremely fast!.]

Olivia replied to her as she was attacking the orc.

[Charlotte: I see.. Then I'll end this quickly... YOU DAMN MONSTERS!!! YOU DARE TO HURT MY COMRADES!!... MY FAMILY!! THEN I'LL SHOW YOU NO MERCY! TAKE MY RETRIBUTION!]

Charlotte was obviously angry saying that and Olivia suddenly felt a disastrous magic coming from her. Well despite her timidness, she is the strongest amongst the 4 of them when it comes to magic.

[Olivia:!!?? HAZEL!! COME OUT FOR A SECOND AND PROTECT THE TREES!! DISPEL LUCAS'S AND MINE, FOCUS IT TO THEM! GO!!]

Hazel hurriedly went outside the shadows and protected the trees. Olivia supported her using her earth magic to lessen the impact to the trees and to guide the upcoming fires to the monsters. The preparations were ready and they were waiting for Charlotte to release her destructive power. They saw Charlotte that her fire is fusing with lightning(because of the "Godspeed") as she focuses her concentration to it.

[Charlotte: DIVINE PUNISHMENT!! "LIGHTNING INFERNO"!!!]

*Lightning Inferno can only be use when she has the borrowed lightning from Lucas..

A ruinous fire swiftly spreads throughout the forest in front of them. Good thing each trees have a barrier and with the help of earth magic, the fires were guided to the monsters. Leaving nothing but ashes.

[Olivia: It's true, that the deadly rabbit is very fast but can that rabbit even escape a quick massive fire spread?]

Olivia was at ease saying that while Charlotte was back to her usual timid self.

[Charlotte: Wh.. Where's L- Lily??]

Lily suddenly came out from the shadows.

[Charlotte: L- LILY!!! GO.. GOOD THING YOU DI- DIDN'T DIE!!]

Charlotte hugged her tightly.

[Lily: What?! So you want me to die that badly??]

They were all laughing while Olivia ask Charlotte something..

[Olivia: What happened to the village?]

[Charlotte: T..They are all fine. When I return ba.. back, that man's family hurriedly approached me and... and after that some monsters ran towards your location all of a sudden but they didn't even attacked the villagers.]

[Olivia: I see..]

They all look to Lucas who's about to finish. A dazzling light appeared across the night sky and they were all stunned to its beautiful illumination. Lucas finished his new skill and he dispelled the miasma all at once. After doing such skill, he fainted all of a sudden. The 4 girls went to his place worriedly...

[Olivia: He's fine, he's just asleep, let him rest.]

Olivia uses her golem to gently carry Lucas to its huge hand. Then they returned back to the village.

["That person": Lucas, huh....]

"That person" was actually watching them all this time.

To be continued..