The God of Jesters
Chapter 52 - 2.14.1 Raid: Redemption

Chapter 52: 2.14.1 Raid: Redemption

With Pierta in the lead, Maxim descended from the steps while sensing the enemies that were around him.

"To the right, behind the table, below the lamp." Maxim spoke and Pierta shot at the target behind the table without even knowing if there was someone behind.

But there was no need to question it. Her enchanted bullets easily broke through the furniture and penetrated the arm of the hiding intruder.

Though, it was a mere injury, as the intruder fired back. Along with a few more who fired at Pierta.

Some hiding behind the steps, while others behind the walls.

There were a total of three of them.

Though, there was no need to panic.

Backing off and hiding behind the stairs to the 3rd floor, she revolved the cylinder of her gun by three chambers and then shot at the air.

Causing the bullet that was fired to follow the previous trajectory on its own. And instead of the arm, it directly shot at the head of the other intruder.

And the deathly cries of their companions also caused the other two to pause.

The destructive power of a gun as well as magic cannot be looked down upon. A mortal possessing an enchanted gun and bullets was no different from an Adept Wizard.

And unlike Wizards, the output of one possessing an enchanted gun would differ depending on the kind of bullets they have at their hand.

Which for Pierta, were diverse.

On her belt currently were numerous cylinders with different enchantment bullets on them.

Three normal bullets and three magical ones, each time.

Cylinders that can be changed in an instant, depending on her need.

"They are sending the rats."

The eyeless Maxam could see a lot more than those with eyes. To him, the world was like a dark canvas, with the white outlines that existed int his canvas, the things around him.

And even though he could only detect things in a small radius. But in this Library with tight corners, the ability showed its full potential.

Acting as a sonar, and detecting the threats before they can find them.

So when he noticed that some more rats were being sent his way, he spread a black powder on the ground while speaking a few words.

And when the rats stepped on the powder, they started to burn alive, spreading the smell as well as the smoke through the whole room.

"This kind of fire?... it’s creating a hole in the floor."

"Easy to drop down now."

Even if Pierta took out the one hiding behind the table, there were still two hiding around the stairs, making it virtually impossible for the two of them to escape while taking that path, without suffering from some injuries.

Not to mention, one still can’t be sure whether on the corner of the stairs, there aren’t others aiming to end them.

"Now, jump down before they notice it." Maxim said, noticing a few figures moving toward the origin of the smoke on the first floor.

"It’s wide enough."

With the smoke masking their movements to some extent, Pierta was the first to drop. With her sword trained below her, she entered the hallway below, suddenly catching the eyes of some intruders.

"She is below!" One of them cried, his hand twisting in a bizarre motion, causing his shadow to increase in size as it moved toward Pierta.

’A curse wielder?’

This was no magic ability, the movements and actions of the intruder spoke much of his origin.

So she took out a small flair from her back and lit it up, before throwing it in the air, which changed the direction of the shadow. Giving ample time for Maxim to drop down directly.

And unlike Pierta, he didn’t maintain much balance, but opted to roll a bit to offset the momentum. Before he stood up with help of Pierta, who shot two bullets towards the shadow user.

"The Radiance Society’s Hunter candidates are really something."

This was an open area, one can see the ground floor from the hallway, as well as the mage who slowly came into view of Pierta.

"I am in no mood to talk." The moment the woman appeared in front of Pierta, a bullet was fired her way considering she didn’t have any cover.

But as Pierta expected, the bullet burst into dust the moment it came close to her.

"A shielded mage."

Maxim said from the side, before turning to look at the curse user who was once again aiming towards them.

So in a hurry, he took out the similar white powder he used before on the rats the first time and created a line between him as well as the curse user. Making the shadow impossible from approaching them.

"It would have been better if you fell to that shadow." The woman from below, spoke as a small crystal formed under her hand.

"Duck!" Maxim was the first to scream after detecting the concentration of the mana.

But Pierta did none of it.

Before the ice bullet reached her, she insead jumped from the railing, directly on the first floor and went for the mage.

Leaving Maxim undefended.

Though, her reasoning was simple.

The mage was obviously the leader and if she is dealt with, there would be no need to continue this fight.

"Foolish woman!" The mage smiled, she could see her team already approaching their target.

Because even if the Mystic had various ways to deal with supernatural threats, he was completely defenseless against the mortal ones.

The lines he drew with his magical catalyst were nothing in front of a single step of a human.

As for Pierta, she directly drew her Epee, a thin sword specifically made for stabbing and fired a few more shots at Pierta, while gaining her momentum.

And the mage was ready, on her back, a total of four water crystals had already formed on their own, ready to puncture her body.

Though before they can be fired, the bullets fired by Pierta, actually caused a crack on the shield.

"Wha?"

And before she could react, Pierta’s Epee directly shattered the shield, directly aiming for the mage’s head.

Causing the mage woman to tilt her head to the side, as the flying ice bullet on her back, met the epee, changing the direction of the attack much further.

Which gave ample time for the woman to back off , creating some distance between the two again.

The first bullet that Pierta had fired at her was just to check, while the bullets that came soon after had anti-magic properties, which in turn weakened the shield.

There was a limit to her supply of the anti-magic bullets. And she had just used two of them.

"You will die today." Pierta was not going to abandon such a great chance, her body dancing in the air, as she changed the cylinder of her revolver while dodging the ice bullets of the mage on the side.

Though before she could resume her attack, Pierta found her feet frozen on the ground.

"Pierta... stop!!"

But it was too late, an ice spear grew from the initial position that the mage stood and penetrated Pierta from the back.

Causing her to freeze in place.

"Overconfidence... I love it so much."

Pierta knew it was over, she could feel coldness spread through her heart. But mustering up as much energy as she could. She tried aiming her weapon at the enemy.

But her gun was gently taken off her hand by the mage woman. "You won’t have much need for it. Let me!"

"You... bitc.." Blood flowed out from her mouth, containing glistening parts of frozen blood in it. Which went to show the potency of the spell.

As for Maxim?

He was shocked and baffled.

Pierta was out of his range, but he can still hear the disturbance of mana in the air has slowed down, while the noise from the fight also stopped.

"Another?"

Maxim was struck speechless.

"Don’t worry Mister Maxim, it’s not like she is really dead. She is just changing her mortal coil."

From these words, Maxim understood who these people were.

He was suspicious before, but they were true at this point.

’Blue Lotus.’

He originally thought the radiant society were the ones hunting them. But it was the other way around.

’There was no need to look for them, as they already came and found us.’

With those words, Maxim was dragged by other members of the Blue Lotus, in front of the image as well as her "trophy, which was the completely frozen sculpture of Pierta.

Who had long fallen into the sweet embrace of death.

"You should have come out on your own." The woman said to Maxim, pointing toward the safe house on the third floor.

"There would be no need to kill her."

"..."

"I don’t mind you not speaking currently. The shock of losing someone close might be hard for those without enlightenment. But don’t worry, after we get familiar. It won’t be much of an issue."

Her words entered one ear of Maxim, while leaving the other.

His body was bound by the shadow curse of the curse user, while his mind was under the shock of Pierta’s death.

It was his loss.