Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit

"By the way, why are we each using our own Teleport Spell? I thought multiple people can teleport using a single Spell Card by physically linking up, like holding hands or something," Remarked Raven curiously.

"Well, from what I know, that puts more strain on the Spell Card and wears it out faster. Spell Cards can't be used indefinitely, after a certain number of uses they no longer work, depending on the quality. And besides, if we find ourselves needing to split up and one of us gets into a sticky situation, they'll be in trouble if someone else was holding onto the only Teleport Spell," Explained Celia, as Raven pored over the list of Knights they'd given him.

"Yeah, that's a good point."

"Stop wasting time and focus on memorizing the list," Sighed Tacitus impatiently.

"Don't worry, it shouldn't take much longer. I'm just memorizing the names and faces of the Knights in the village who aren't targets, since there are a lot fewer of them than those who are targets. If I run into a Knight I don't recognize, I'll assume they're a target. I have to say, these sketches of their faces are amazing...I was fairly well-acquainted with Hart Riner, and this sketch of his face is really accurate. And some of these others looks familiar too, I've definitely seen them around the village," Mused Raven, as he continued to go through the list of Knights.

"Aster sketched those, he's really good at artistic stuff, hence why he's the one who designed your battle gear. Also, take your time with memorizing the list. If I'm not mistake, there are only five Knights in Ruby Village who aren't targets, so make sure you thoroughly commit them to memory...the sun's only just starting to set, and since the Inquisitors tend to lay low during the day, the later we make our move, the more likely we are to run into them, they're our main targets this time around, after all, not the Knights," Pointed out Celia.

"Ugh, damn it...I just want to get this over with as soon as possible," Grumbled Tacitus saltily.

"Don't mind him, he always complains but he won't half-ass things when we actually get started. I should warn you though, he'll start complaining again afterwards once we're done," Remarked Celia with a wry smile.

"Sounds exhausting...well, I think I'm pretty much done memorizing the names and faces of the Knights that aren't targets now, so I'm ready," Replied Raven, stretching his arms up with a sigh.

"No, you're not ready yet...don't forget about this," Responded Celia, as she took out a square patch of gauze and smacked it over Raven's right cheek, covering the scales around that spot.

"Oh, right, I forgot about that...this really sucks, my face and my left arm are the only parts of my body that I can revert to a more human appearance, but I can't revert this stupid scaly patch on my right cheek. It's also really uncomfortable keeping my wings and tail wrapped around my body like this, I feel like I'm cramping up a bit. And I'm probably gonna be stuck like this for the rest of my life, no one in the current era understands Ancient Magic, so no one's going to know how to turn me back to normal, if that's even possible," Sighed Raven with a dejected look on his face, as he stared at his right arm with a grimace.

"Hey, you never know, there might be a way. So long as we keep going after the church and Nobility, there's every chance that we'll come across someone who knows how to undo what's been done to you, so don't lose hope," Remarked Tacitus, giving Raven a pat on the back.

"And besides, if it helps, I think your current appearance looks really cool, that was my first impression when we came across you in the forest," Added Celia with a smile.

"Thanks...I guess that does help me feel a little bit better. And sorry, I didn't mean to put a damper on things. Okay, then...let's get going, it's getting dark now, so let's make our move," Replied Raven, a renewed sense of hope and determination welling up inside him.

"It's about time...alright, it should be around here somewhere, let's see...ah, here we go," Responded Tacitus, as he looked around at the trees surrounding them, before walking towards one that had been marked with an X.

"Did you bury some treasure there or something?" Inquired Raven in bemusement.

"No, it's a marker...I measured it out a few days ago, if we use our Teleport Spells in this point while pointing the Spells straight in the direction of the village, we'll get teleported straight into an alley in a relatively deserted area. I won't have any trouble entering the village normally, but Celia's face is on the wanted posters and as for you, well...while we've hidden your inhuman features with this cloak, walking around in a hooded cloak isn't exactly the most inconspicuous move," Pointed out Tacitus.

"I think I should be fine too...the sketch of my face in the wanted posters isn't that accurate and no one's managed to take any photos of us, so I won't be too easily recognized if I just change my hairstyle or something," Spoke up Celia.

"No, it's accurate enough. After all, Raven recognized us from the wanted posters after we first attacked him, with me being the exception, of course. Hm...go ahead and change your hairstyle anyway, can't be too careful, after all. But don't get reckless in there, err on the side of caution," Tacitus advised her.

"Yeah, fine...," She sighed, as she undid her ponytail and let her hair drop, shaking her head to loosen it up before glancing at Raven and adding, "What do you think? This is the first time you're seeing me without a ponytail, isn't it?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah...it, um, it looks good, but I think the ponytail was cuter-...I mean, it looked nicer, I guess," Muttered Raven awkwardly, averting his gaze as Celia gave him a teasing smirk, before putting up his hood as he felt his face heat up.

"I see...in other words, you've got a thing for ponytails, don't ya?" She chuckled as she playfully bumped her shoulder against his.

"Ahem...if you're done flirting, let's go," Interrupted Tacitus dryly, an annoyed, impatient look on his face.

"W-we're not-...," Began Raven, before trailing off as Celia teasingly glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, clearing his throat and adding, "Never mind, l-let's go."

The trio then took their positions by the mark Tacitus had etched on the tree, before following his lead as his pointed his Teleport Spell in the direction of the village and ran his Mana through it, teleporting along with the other two, before the three of them found themselves in a dark, damp alley.

"You okay?" Celia asked Raven, as he gagged slightly.

"Y-yeah, the smell just overwhelmed me for a sec...but I've dulled my sense of smell now, so I'll be okay," He nodded with a slight grimace.

"Okay, I'll head to the church by myself, ask around about you. I'll pretend like I'm someone who knew you and your sister when you were kids or something, and that I've come here to see you," Suggested Tacitus, after mulling it over.

"Why by yourself? Isn't it risky to split up?" Pointed out Raven warily.

"Yes, but for this, I'll be better off on my own. Celia's on the wanted posters, and I have doubts about whether you'll be able to keep your cool around the church. That aside, if I've got someone in a hooded cloak walking with me, I'll look more suspicious. Therefore, me going by myself gives us the best chance of letting me question those in the church without raising any suspicion," He reasoned objectively.

"Okay, I guess that makes sense."

"As for the two of you, try to attract the attention of the Inquisitors without being too conspicuous. Try to avoid the Knights if at all possible, lay low as much as you can. We'll meet back here in two hours," Instructed Tacitus, before heading out of the alley.

"Wow, you were right...he really did start acting more serious once we got started. He's like a different person," Remarked Raven in bemusement.

"I know, right? It's a pretty incredible sight when you know what he's like most of the time. Okay, we should go play our part too, come on," Replied Celia, as she stretched her arms up.

"Yeah, about that...how are we supposed to attract attention while also laying low? And how do we go about finding an Inquisitor, anyway?" Inquired Raven with a frown.

"Well, acting covertly is their whole thing, so it won't be easy. They're supposed to be kept a secret from the general public, after all. Most of the Inquisitors are Assassins, with the rest being made up of Dual Bladers, Thrashers and Archers. In other words, the Combat Templates that put more focus on agility and nimbleness, that are more suited for covert operations than direct combat...you'll rarely come across Inquisitors with any of the other Combat Templates, if at all.

Hm, how about this? I'll walk around the streets while you shadow me from the alleys and rooftops...if I spot any Knights, I'll duck into a nearby alley or something. But that shouldn't be a problem, the Knights in this village aren't exactly the most vigilant, most of them are probably drinking or something right now," Celia informed him.

"Yeah, I'm well aware of that fact. I did spend my entire life in this place up until a month and a half ago or so," Nodded Raven, before adding, "Okay, I don't have any better ideas, so let's go with that."

Celia then headed out of the alley and began casually strolling down the street, easily blending in while Raven followed her through the alleys, keeping track of her by her scent.

He was keenly focused on his senses as he followed after her, seeing if he could detect any hostility or murderous intent...after all, if a Knight or an Inquisitor recognized her from her wanted poster, they would almost definitely look to attack her.

Several minutes passed, but Raven's senses didn't pick up anything. Ruby Village was fairly small, it would only take about a couple of hours to explore the entire place on foot, and with every passing minute, Raven got more and more on edge, starting to feel like Celia could be attacked at any given moment.

But even by the time a whole hour passed, nothing had happened, with Celia having walked through about a third of the village. She then came to a stop, pausing for a moment and looking around before approaching the nearest alley, where Raven was.

"What's up? Did you notice something?" Raven asked her.

"Nope, not a thing...I'm starting to think that this isn't working. Looks like I was right, the sketch of my face in the wanted poster isn't a very close resemblance," She replied with a sigh.

"No, I passed by a couple of The Irregulars' wanted posters while following you, and the drawing of you definitely looks like you. But that said, you don't have any particularly distinguishing features. Aster has those scars on the left side of his jaw and his hair is pretty unique too, Colt has his eyepatch and Lexia's pinkish hair isn't a very common hair color. But you don't have a specific feature that stands out, that's probably what it is," Reasoned Raven objectively.

"Wha-...no, my wanted poster looks nothing like me! That drawing has an evil look on its face, are you saying that I look evil?" She replied with a slight huff.

"Okay, the expression is different, sure, but everything else is pretty accurate. More importantly, it is true that this isn't working...considering that The Irregulars haven't made a move in quite a while, there's no reason for the Inquisitors to expect us. With that in mind, playing it subtle might not be the best move," Mused Raven thoughtfully.

"Yeah, you've got a point...which means I just wasted an hour walking around for nothing. Alright, so what do you suggest we do?" She asked him.

"Hm...what if I fully transform and fly around a bit? I can then go back into hiding after a few people spot me," He suggested after mulling it over.

"I don't know, that seems kinda risky..."

"That's fine by me, it's a risk I'm more than willing to take."

Meanwhile, in Garnet City...

"What a contrasting sight...everyone in the city looked so lifeless, the streets and buildings badly in need of cleaning, and then there's this place, pristine and spotless," Muttered Lexia, as she peered at a mansion from an alleyway, along with Colt and Aster.

"Viscountess Stagra Garnet, she isn't even trying to hide the fact that she's made life more difficult for Commoners in the city. But it looks like her mansion isn't particularly well-protected...it's just the two guards standing watch outside the front gates, but the rest of the fence surrounding the mansion is unmanned. If I remember right, those guards are both Second-Class Knights, and both of them are on our list of targets," Surmised Aster, as he surveyed the area.

"Yeah, they are, though we don't know what their Magic Classes are. Hm? One of them is starting to head into the premises. Maybe a change of shifts or something?" Suggested Lexia uncertainly.

"In that case, can't we just bust in through the front entrance? A Second-Class Knight isn't much of a threat to us, so-...," Began Colt.

"No, absolutely not...you're an Assassin, so act like one. We don't want to alert our target, and if Lexia's right about that one guard heading in to change shifts, that means there are more Knights inside. We'll sneak in as originally planned, and then locate and assassinate the Viscountess. Come on, let's go around the back," Whispered Aster, before the three of them crept out of the alley and made their way around the fence surrounding the mansion, keeping an eye out around them.

As they got to the back of the fence, they scanned the area to make sure there weren't any guards in sight, before Aster began to climb the fence...

"Hey, wait...I think I see some people approaching," Frowned Lexia, narrowing her eyes to the left of the trio, right before the sound of footsteps echoed out, drawing closer and closer as three silhouettes came into sight.

There was a row of bushes outside the fence, Aster swiftly jumped down from the fence and hid between the shrubbery, as the other two did the same.

"It's a good thing the city has been neglected so much, if the street lights in this area weren't burnt out, we'd have already been spotted," Whispered Colt quietly.

"Looks like I made the right call bringing you two with me...the Assassin Template improves and sharpens eyesight, after all, I might have spotted them too late otherwise," Aster sighed in relief, before the three approaching figures came into sight as the clouds parted, rays of moonlight washing over the area in a dim glow.

"Well, now, this isn't good...that's the Captain of the Third Squad, isn't it? And those two with him, they're First-Class Knights...it's too much of a coincidence for them to show up here at this timing, don't tell me...," Muttered Lexia with a frown, as the Knights drew closer and closer.

"Oh, shit...the Knight who went into the mansion, he must have been a Detection Mage and sensed us lingering outside. This is bad, we need to retreat, now-...!" Began Aster urgently, before a loud yell rang out from behind them.

"They're over here, Captain! They must be hiding in the bushes!" A voice echoed out from the mansion, as the guard poked his head out of a window.

"Well, so much for laying low...[Bone Needle]," Sighed Lexia, before springing up as she chanted, taking aim and firing out a rapid, piercing bone projectile from her fingertip, hitting the middle of the guard's head before he could react.

His upper body slumped over as the projectile pierced through his forehead, before he fell out of the window and hit the grassy lawn below with a thud...