Chapter 168: Tapped

Trapped

The next morning signaled the end of the three-day event, and the invitees had begun gearing up to leave.

Xander and co, following Xavier and his daughters, moved through the palace, watching as some important people attempted to do some last minute networking and such, and Xander realized that things turned out much better than the possible alternatives.

At this point, he was already used to the stares people gave him. However, where there had been scorn, distaste, and hostility, there were now large amounts of interest and curiosity mixed in. It was a pretty high jump compared to yesterday where everyone still looked at him with cautious curiosity, and he couldn’t help but wonder if Xavier had done something during the meeting they had the day prior.

The Archmage made no indication of such, though. But Xander wouldn’t have been surprised.

Xander had considered speaking to Felicia again before he left, but after some thought, he decided against it as there really was no need. That and he had a feeling the girl would be busy with the event coming to an end.

But speaking of, Xavier had learned of Ben’s existence. Which wasn’t surprising, as Mia had done what she always did by making the boy visible only to those in the group.

The boy did keep staring at Xavier with his big eyes, though. Like he was trying to categorize him. It was a bit funny to see.

Either way, the entourage had no reason to continue staying in the Palace. Everything had been resolved well enough. So all that remained was the issue they would face the moment they left the Palace.

That being said, Xander noticed that, at some point, Xavier would sort of just... look at him. And he couldn’t tell if his expression was smug or amused. It was weird.

’I’m still surprised that we didn’t interact with other members of the Royal Family besides the monarchs and the princess.’ Curtis noted telepathically. ’Considering they were one of the three main factions that had wanted Xander under their control, and the fact he danced with the Princess. I was almost sure more of the heirs would make their own appearances. But I didn’t see any of them even once. Especially since the succession race is .’ This was met with agreement all round.

’To be fair, the first Prince is currently a commander near the front of the Eastern Frontier. So it would have been hard for him to come. The First Princess is also in Elven lands doing diplomatic activities. As for the remaining children... well, my theory is that their parents told them not to come out for one reason or another, and only the youngest princess was able to do so because she wouldn’t have been able to participate in what they were doing.’ Aubrey ventured.

Just then, Ben—who had been let in on the network—looked around.

’Actually, Felicia told me. She said that her older siblings were doing something important, so they couldn’t attend the ball. But she didn’t tell me any details.’ That surprised everyone.

’Something important? Enough to miss the most high-profile event hosted by their father?’ Falael sounded skeptical, not at Ben, but at the implications.

What was so important that they would miss something like that?

Xander thought about everything. From Felicia and Samuel’s warning, the Wraiths returning, the Demons apparently moving up their plans, and suddenly, he felt a sense of urgency.

’If everyone is rushing to make preparations for whatever is coming, then isn’t our own progress still a bit slow?’ He resisted the urge to frown. They still had things to do, the most immediate thing on the agenda being the establishment of the martial school. But that would take time.

And time, it seemed, was was not as much as he’d like.

’One thing at a time.’ He took a breath.

At this point, the entourage had exited the main palace building. Upon doing so, Xander subconsciously looked around, and soon, he spotted a series of floating carriages with the Mage Tower’s insignia on the sides.

Xander felt several gazes fall on them, and he had no doubt that Archmage Bellion was amongst them. But he paid them no heed.

That said, he made a silent declaration in his heart.

Because while he wasn’t the most petty person in the world, there were certain things he wouldn’t let slide just because.

’Elder Zeref. I will kill him if we ever meet each other again.’ That, he promised in his heart.

It was one thing to to be opposed to him. But ordering a hit on him WHILE giving the enemy an opportunity to accelerate the corruption of the world? Now that could not be allowed to slide.

The group soon reached their dedicated warehouse, no one really saying much as they were all preparing. Ben, however, did look quite nervous. But Keir seemed to have noticed and distracted him by resting on his head, causing Ben to constantly poke at the shrunken dragon.

Inside the warehouse, all the Lowell Knights were geared up and at attention. The carriages and mounts prepared.

"Well, that was fun, but that’s enough politicking for like, a year." Xavier yawned, and everyone couldn’t help but agree. We’ll, everyone who had joined the main ball.

It went without saying, but doing that sort of socializing was just mentally exhausting. Especially in the group’s case where ’socializing’ was actually making sure everyone hostile towards them didn’t have a proper reason to undermine their existence.

Still, it was pretty funny that Xavier, the Archmage, also found the concept exhausting. Then again, it could easily be an act.

Seeing no need to waste time the group quickly got settled, leaving in the same format that they arrived. Xavier and his daughters in the front carriage, the group in the back, and the Lowell Knights flanking both carriages, and without further ado, the entourage left the warehouse.

As they passed by the massive palace towards the portal that was the exit, they all took one last look at the Palace of Defiance before they passed through the portal, exiting Archmage Irene’s dimension.

Once again, they were met with the Kingdom’s capital, Solvar. But unlike when they were coming, they now had a much better view of the whole place due to the Palace’s location being a bit more elevated than the rest, and coupled with the rising sun that bathed the place in a golden light, the shape of the different structures, architecture, flying ships, and more, getting reflected in their eyes.

Xander opened his mouth to make a comment. Sadly he was unable to do so. In fact, most of them hadn’t even been able to get a word out, as the moment they exited the dimension...

WOOOOOO

A disconcerting feeling of weightlessness overtook them, and for a brief moment, each of them felt everything around them simply... cease.

This feeling only lasted an instant, though, and by the time it faded, they all found themselves in a completely different area.

But once again, before they could properly inspect their surroundings, a sound materialized as black magic circles appeared above and beneath the carriage.

Then the world went black.

Xander lost all sensation and all senses. He couldn’t see, couldn’t feel, couldn’t ascertain his position in space. So whether he was sitting, standing, injured, or worse, he had absolutely no clue. All he could do was think, and even then, he felt his thoughts becoming increasingly muddled, like his mind was trying to move through mud.

’... Darkness...’ He realized. One of the more unnerving Mana affinities out there due to its varying effects. Most notable of which included suppressing the expression of other types of Mana, making it hard to combat it properly once caught.

Any other person in such a situation would have started panicking. Perhaps try to express their abilities frantically or cast protective spells. However, Xander was calm for two reasons.

First, even though his senses had effectively been cut off, he still possessed the ability to see paths. Hence, he knew that everyone was still with him and sitting. They hadn’t been attacked. Not yet, anyway.

Second, he saw that Ben’s own Paths was moving. And through the all-encompassing darkness, a single powerful word cut through.

"LIGHT." Like a beacon in the middle of a dark world, the darkness was chased away instantly. Not just in the carriage, but the two magic circles were also burned away as a pretty sizeable diameter was lit up around the carriage.

Usually, even if one escaped the influence of darkness, there would still be some lingering effects, like senses not working properly or Mana moving as it should. But this light also removed the negative effects of the darkness, and everyone touched by it felt a feeling of warmth and purity, like they were inside a hot spring.

Naturally, the antithesis of Darkness was Light. And unsurprisingly, Ben had the corresponding artifact.

The boy held an ornate white and gold dagger which was the source of powerful illumination, but despite the potency of it, no one found themselves blinded by the light. In fact, they found their sight actually clearer than usual. And Ben’s eyes glowed golden as he held the weapon, both hands gripping the handle almost in a praying gesture, his expression serene.

This was another artifact he possessed which belonged to the Light Domain, which he had conveniently named Lux.

The sight of it surprised no one as this had actually been a part of the plan, as thanks to Mira’s detailed information, the group knew that the moment they were trapped by the Void Cube, their assailants would attempt to cut off their senses using a trap set beforehand.

Ben would be the one in charge of dealing with that. And he had played his role wonderfully.

But even then...

"Incoming." Aubrey called out calmly.

Not even a second after, a beam of purple-black electricity smashed into the carriage, the resulting explosion devastating as tendrils of electricity bathed the area. The sheer potency ensuring the damage caused by anything struck was erased.

Well, almost anything.

When the smoke cleared, a sphere of ice could be seen standing without crack or blemish. Then, slowly, it faded away, revealing everyone.

Xander stood in the front, Abscinde already drawn, with Falael right next to him. Curtis stood behind them, and behind him were Aubrey and Ben.

Mia had vanished somewhere, presumably to watch the show, while Mary stood off to the side, and Keir sat on Xander’s shoulder, looking uncharacteristically serious.

Aubrey surveyed their surroundings. Unlike the bustling capital that was Solvar, they now appeared in an area devoid of any life. They stood in a large, flat rocky area that had no coverage, and far in the distance around them, a mountain range surrounded this area. The closest one being nearly a thousand miles, and the farthest triple that. It seemed impossible that anyone would find anything there. And yet...

’There are 30 assailants. Ten are currently working on a spell formation. Two groups of five are using stealth and approaching us from our flanks, and the last ten appear to be observing for now. Likely acting as reserves. I’ll send a projection now.’ She calmly stated through telepathy while summoning her bow.

At the same time, everyone saw in their minds a 3D rendition of their current area, with dots representing their assailants around them. Like Aubrey said, two groups of five were approaching from either side of the group, and near the closest mountain was a group of ten working on a complex magic circle, and further behind them was another group of ten that appeared to simply be on standby.

’Alright. No need to dally, then. Falael and I will eliminate these two groups. Aubrey, see if you can interfere with the magic circle. Ben, assist where you can, Curtis focus on defense. Keir and Mary, be on standby.’ Xander gave out his instructions rapidly.

’Okay.’ Everyone answered in unison.

Ben immediately dropped to one knee, his suitcase opening as he reached in and took out a paintbrush and began drawing on the ground with it.

Aubrey began to draw her bow, and as she did so, several more ’Aubreys’ appeared and superimposed themselves on her, and suddenly her aura increased. Curtis simply readied himself, then Xander and Falael glanced at each other, nodded, and faced one of the approaching groups each before shooting forward.

And thus, the battle ensued.