Mage And Wolf
Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Chapter 173

The Sect Masters whip snaps out at me without any more warning, creating against the Arcane Barrier Karl keeps cast around me while we are in combat. He’s quick, I couldn’t even get the Dragons in place to intercept. Instead I send them on the attack, forcing him to defend, parrying both of them plus multiple thrown weapons from the other disciples.

Karl’s stun spell isn’t something you can physically block though, and it slows him to almost immobile before he’s paralyzed by multiple darts and then decapitated by the energy Dragons, unable to hold off the overwhelming numbers despite his advantage in cultivation.

Note to self, the center of the room is a terrible defensive position.

"What do we do with him?" Karl’s asks, pondering what will be the most effective message.

"There’s a spike on top of the domed roof of the guard towers, I’m thinking Vlad Tepes." I suggest.

"Everyone find an Elder and impale their body on a spike around the walls. I’ll put the Sect Master on the gate." Karl announces and the others spring into action, our little diorama finished within a minute.

We all take a moment to wash up before heading out, clearing the blood and dirt of the day from our bodies and putting on fresh clothes. I decide to just use my Priestess Robes instead of actually getting dressed, as when removed and returned they come back clean leaving only the blood that soaked through them, saving on laundry efforts.

There’s still the Golden Sunrise rebels to deal with after all.

Leaving this macabre memorial behind, we head out at an easy jog, the location is only a few hours away at this pace, close to the point where the groups doing bandit control split off to find their targets. It’s supposedly a farmhouse and outbuildings, as there weren’t many rebels and they haven’t had time to build.

"When we get there, I’ll go for intimidation and see where it gets us. Everyone else but Karl can Shadow Meld and be ready to intervene if necessary, but these aren’t primary targets, so they might get off with a harsh warning." I don’t often flex my authority as an honorary Elder, but it comes in handy when we’re doing missions, as it prevents arguments.

The Inner Sect disciple who investigated the situation previously leads us to the farm yard without issues, only to find the area mostly deserted. There’s a low wall around the yard, common enough for the area, with wild predators around, but nobody is outside and I only scent a dozen or so recent occupants as we approach from downwind.

I switch to my Royal regalia and step out into the road, Karl at my side, making it clear we’re coming to visit. We’re almost to the fence when an old man with a limp comes out to greet us.

"Honored Elders of the Shadowed Blade. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" The man wheezes, clearly injured.

"Tell me Elder, why did I find your disciples kidnapping travelers with the Jalen Sect." I ask, getting straight to the point. If I beat around the bush he just might actually die on me before answering any questions.

"They’re our disciples no longer. They turned on their brothers, cleaned us out and fled. We don’t even have medicine to speed the recovery of the injured, as you can see." He says slowly.

"When was this?" Karl intercedes.

"Three days ago, after the Karmic Bliss Sect turned down their forced alliance attempt and we were going to break off relations in solidarity."

[Everyone come out, all that’s here are a few wounded. Keep your guards up for traps though] I send through the communication token.

"The Jalen Sect, and your deserters are no more. Was anyone else working with them that we should know about?" Karl asks the Elder as the rest of our forces appear from the tree line.

"The Kamal bandits, about fifty strong, though not high in cultivation. They were guarding the south pass road." A gentle voice comes from inside the farm house. It’s a young woman from the Karmic Bliss Sect, a Healer from the scent of herbs.

"We took care of the bandits." A scar faced disciple missing one eye smiles viciously.

"Do you need resources for alchemy? We can trade you pill materials." Another disciple asks the Healer.

"I’m not an alchemist, but a surgeon. I was one before I joined the Sect. The deserters killed all the alchemists to steal the pills when they left." She frowns.

"Head inside, heal who needs healing. I will reimburse you for any pills used, so do a thorough job." I instruct the others, and five of them jog inside the building.

"We owe you a debt, Young Miss." the Healer smiles, finally recognizing me in my fancy outfit.

"So they sent the big guns to deal with the Jalen Sect. Or was it random chance you were hired? I’m Elder Davis by the way." The old man says, his breathing and limp clearing up after I feed him a Regeneration Pill.

"Random Chance, Elder Davis. Someone they offended happened to find me, and we worked out a deal." I smile, not wishing to elaborate.

"Unlucky for them. We heard explosions in the distance even from here, but weren’t in any shape to go investigate." the Healer smiles.

We move to the kitchen to talk in comfort and the Healer stops me to ask an obviously private question. "Are Becky and her Sect alright? I heard they went with you through a portal to escape?"

"Better than alright." I whisper back with a grin. "They’re running an Elite resort with all the cultivating partners they could ask for, access to Mystic Chefs and all the highest quality luxuries."

"Good Job big sister." the Healer mutters to herself with a smile.

"If you see her again, let her know that the disciples that fled to the Karmic Bliss Sect are doing well, as is her little Sect sister. She will know who you mean." The woman tells me before returning to her work.