Misinformed

They found Seraphs' hideout deep in the forest. Luckily for them, Hywel resided deep in the woods and further away from them. Chiaki was the one to confront him, but Elliott's group stood at a safe distance.

Olishia and Ferris stood in front of others, leading the Scanara Tribe people, while Elliott and Shanya acted as their foremost leaders.

"Our best way to raid their hideout would be to split and attack from two directions. My men should launch an attack from the front gate while you and Shanya flank them from behind."

Attending to Olishia's words, Elliott appeared pleased with their plan. Shanya didn't seem to mind their procedure. They thought it was a basic but efficient plan.

It wouldn't be difficult for Elliott and Shanya to breach their rear defenses. They expected that more of Hywel's followers would prioritize safeguarding their frontal gate.

Everyone agreed as Olishia exchanged eyes with her tiger. "Ferris. Could you run and draw their attention so fewer people focus on the first group? Attack, but don't kill them. We didn't come here to splash blood."

Ferris confirmed and accepted Olishia's command and prepared to rush in when the time arrived. They shared additional strategies before tackling their enemy's base.

"Ferris. Go!"

With one command thrown out, Ferris roared and raced toward the front gate, leaping out of the bushes and speeding toward the guarding Seraphs.

The guards' eyes abruptly broadened as they played the horn and alarmed their entire group about the beast's assault. Many people rushed outside and prepared to fend off Ferris, but most struggled and got overwhelmed by its speed and power.

Shanya and Elliott used that moment to sneak around the base toward its south end while Olishia demanded her men to race into battle.

They did as ordered and roused the Seraph's attention, who had no proper leader to provide orders. The weapons between the two nations clashed and initiated an all-out conflict.

Elliott and Shanya used the walls to climb and vault inside, approaching some of the guards that obstructed their route.

"It's the Flame Dame! She's a traitor! Don't let her in!" the guards shouted, seeing Elliott dash forward, shift his body into lightning and swerve between them, slashing them with his blade and avoiding fatal wounds.

Ten guards who tried to fight him lost and tumbled to the grassy floor.

Shanya passed through them by bashing their bodies into the ground. She knocked them out before they had a chance to fight back.

Some of the Scanara people failed to rival the Seraphs' vanguard group. However, the final few members conquered the opposing Seraphs, entering deeper into their hideout. They ensured to beat anyone trying to fight back.

They bound ropes around the fallen Seraphs and entrusted Elliott and Shanya to do the same. Olishia's group continued to capture anyone outdoors in their line of sight.

Elliott and Shanya snared the enemies they fought against and realized there might not be as many Seraphs following Hywel as they thought.

Having that opinion made them confused. Something wasn't right. There was a chance that Hywel bluffed about his power and that most of the Seraphs decided to stay everyday citizens, living in the Sanctum City and praying that their monarch would return their respite.

"Did Hywel expect that having thus few people like that would be enough to destroy Ivione? Or did he believe Yerachmiel's power was enough to battle a divine emperor? I know Yerachmiel's this ancient angel, a seraph. But isn't a religious ruler beyond human's power?"

Elliott inquired, observing Shanya tightening the ropes while squatting beside an unconscious body. She held on to a peaceful behavior but a solemn expression.

"I told you before. I'm not from around here, and I've no knowledge regarding the Seraphs, the angels, or the archaic lives. I came here to earn money and nothing else."

Elliott wondered about something out of the question. And he didn't avoid the message he received. "I was told one of our previous members visited the Sanctum Islands. If you remember, his name's Codey. I got this quirky feeling that he and Hywel might be working together."

Shanya raised her chin, staring into Elliott's face in curiosity. She straightened, tucked her arms, and approached him. She was starting to apprehend the situation and piece together the puzzle they got tangled in.

"Are you saying Hywel acts as your friend's eyes — a scout? When did the newspaper state your friend visited the Sanctum Islands? I've been here longer than your crew. Maybe I overlooked something I shouldn't have."

Elliott flopped his hand forward, opening his palm, and explained everything he knew.

The explanation he provided included the date of when the newspaper got created. It stated that Codey's presence on Sanctum Island occurred this morning but never told when he left it.

"Do you... remember, Shanya? Hywel told you to invite us inside the base. He didn't come along. It took him a few minutes before he arrived..."

"...Not only that, Hywel's group never discovered the rest of Timothy's crew. It was most likely a plain-old lie. Besides, Hywel attempted to keep Timothy back the best he could. Perhaps he was wasting time so Codey could escape the Islands unnoticed..."

"...Do you think that the mastermind behind all of this is... Codey? Could he have been the one who ruined Ivione's reputation?"

The mysteries began to combine into a clear image. Elliott's description of what most likely occurred around the Sanctum Islands and the god of wind's reputation became the most wanted information anyone pieced together.

And best of all, everything he concluded was feasible. It was picture-perfect. Why would the newspaper lie to the entire world? It made no sense. Elliott's deduction became the most reasonable answer anyone formed.

-

Sitting in the Marines' headquarters, somebody held a newspaper in their hands. It was the same one that noted Codey's presence in the Sanctum Island.

The person's skin appeared soft, young, and well taken care of, and the curly brown hair flapped in the wind from the opened window.

The man grinned and placed the newspaper on the wooden desk.

"Ignorant as always. Such an easy prey..." They claimed, throwing a crystal in their left hand up and down, "Indeed a picture perfect..."

To be continued...