An Enthusiastic Walk

Alicia felt her calculations crumble instantly, and hissed, "Just what.....do you think you're doing?"

Alastor replied calmly, "What we were sent here for. Pest control."

The crowd murmured in awe and horror, the news of a challenger immediately reaching the ears of the Spiders.

Trent, one of the Eight Limbs of the Spiders, reported the incident to the head of the gang, "We've confirmed they're students of the Academy in the capital, and one of them is the daughter of Elder Asher of the Alliance. We might be in serious shit now, Boss."

The figure known as Boss replied calmly as they stared out of a window, "So what if she's Asher's daughter? Eucoir city is ours to rule, and it seems the Alliance needs to learnt that fact again."

Trent asked, "Should I gather the others?"

The Boss instructed, "No. First, welcome them to the city in true Eucoir fashion."

"Then launch an all out assault at them with the other Limbs."

Trent paused, "All of the other Limbs?"

The Boss confirmed, "All of them. Have them assemble their forces in their entirety. Do not underestimate the Academy. After all, I was once in it as well."

................................................................................

Amber complained in a frustrated tone, "Just how is it that every single inn and guest house is full right when we arrive, huh?"

A said innocently, "There must be a lot of people in this city, huh?"

Alicia corrected him, "No, you buffoon. This is because someone exposed our identities immediately after we decided to remain low-key!"

Alastor said, "They're not that strong. The only one we really need to watch out for, is the one called the Boss, whose strength is unkown. We know the capabilities of the Eight limbs. There's no need to tiptoe around a nest of ants."

They were about to continue bickering, when Karna suddenly grabbed the hand of a child in the crowd. He grabbed it too tightly, seeing how the child screamed in pain.

"I don't even have pockets to pick," Karna drawled as he shoved the child backwards.

Tori stopped the child from running with his bandages wrapping aroud her limbs.

Suddenly restrained and surrounded by a group of people she was trying to steal from, she burst out crying, "Please don't hurt me!"

A slammed his fist against his palm, and smiled as he said, "Of course not little girl. You just won't feel a thing!"

This led to her crying even more, leaving the giant bewildered as he turned to Alastor, "Did I say something wrong?"

Alicia took over, tossing the kid a gold coin, "Calm down, we aren't going to do anything to you."

Seeing money, the child immediately stopped crying.

"Ah ok. Just one gold? Stingy people."

Alicia remained calm and dropped another gold coin into her hands, "Don't push your luck, rat. Now, you can get a lot more of these, if you show us a place we can use to sleep and rest, deal?"

The urchin nodded, grabbing and pulling Alicia's sleeve to show her the place as the rest of the group followed.

She chattered quite a bit, about her name (Silvy, with that exact spelling), her house (the inn she was leading us to), and the nice caretaker (owner of the inn).

Alastor looked at Karna, 'Spider?'

Karna nodded subtly, 'Spider.'

Alastor sighed. 'How easy.'

They arrived at a rundown building with the words, 'Rachne Inn' written on the sign, barely visible.

The urchin headed in, ringing a bell on the reception and walking inside, and soon returned with a burly man following, "Huh? You're the blacklisted people. Here to ruin my already ruined inn?!"

Alastor thought to himself, 'He could have been an actor in plays with such talent.'

He replied, "Yes. We're willing to pay well for it."

The urchin confirmed our, or rather, Alicia's wealth. The burly man immediately changed stances, "Fine then. Go up. All the rooms there are empty anyway. I'll start serving food from dusk, and there'll be customers then, so get your food before then."

After choosing their individual rooms, Alastor immediately began heading down. Alicia called out after him, "Where are you going now?"

Alastor replied, "Just taking a walk."

Alicia reminded him, "Do NOT bring attention to yourself."

Alastor smiled and said, "Of course not. I'm simply going on a very enthusiastic walk."

In his room, Karna closed the door and summoned his bow, ready at a moment's notice.

As Alastor arrived downstairs, he saw the urchin right outside the building, and beckoned her closer. The girl arrived quickly at his wave.

He said with a gentle smile on his face, "Now, why don't you and I have a little private chat, miss Silvy?"

................................................................................

In a Spider hideout, more and more people were gathering, discussing about the possible reason while waiting for the announcement.

"I'm telling you, we're going to ally with Nine for sure."

"And I'm telling you, you're full of crap! Those madmen only listen and believe in demons!"

"No, this is definitely about those kids whod eclared war on us."

Suddenly, everything went quiet as Prima, one of the Spider's Limbs arrived.

She said loudly, "I'm sure some of you must know about the newest arrivals in Eucoir. They immediately decided to challenge us, the Spiders. What you may not know, is that they are from the Academy in the capital, and among them, is the daughter of an Alliance Elder."

Prima could feel the sudden apprehension coming from the crowd, "This is our opportunity! A way to make the Alliance kneel before us! To ensure the Spiders' reign!"

"Everybody believed it was impossible for us to unite Eucoir, but we did it! We devoured everyone in our way, and now the Heavens have given us a way to rise to even greater heights!"

The atmosphere began changing to excitement as Prima continued, "We are the Spiders, and we will always win!"

A cheer went up in the crowd.

"Now, we will be kidnapping the daughter of the Elder. Our youngest member, Silvy, is already on the task, getting them to rest at the Arachne Inn. We attack them at night!"

A bang was heard as one of the side walls shattered like glass, and a familiar voice was heard, "Why wait till night? You always win, don't you? Allow me to verify that for you."

Prima looked at the intruder, recognizing him as the one who caused trouble in the airship landing bay as well.

"You! How did you find this place?"

The crowd was ready to rush him at Prima's order, as they remained quiet.

Alastor threw something in front of him. A small blob of meat, limbless, charred, broken, but somehow still alive.

"Our little guide was more than willing to show me around after the first few blows, but I had to ensure she was telling the truth~"

Prima felt something snap inside her as she looked at what was once a cheerful young girl who had looked up to her.

'Silvy? That's.....Silvy?'

Rage overtook her as the information registered in her head.

She did not even have to tell her subordinates what to do, as they all rushed at Alastor at once, enraged at the state of one of their most beloved members.

Alastor smirked as he saw this, 'It's really, just too easy.'