Seraphiel ended up being Solace. It was also a positive name like Aurora’s, but it fit her very well, so I didn’t argue with our gorgeous elf when she proposed this alias for herself. It fit her serene and peaceful personality, and as the healer of the group she would be our solace. Our two supporters had positive names, while the rest of us who would take our enemies’ souls had negative ones.
It was fitting in the end.
As for how receptive Seraphiel was to becoming a criminal, I don’t think she has much against living unlawfully in general since she got shafted by her own government when they conscripted and sent her on an invasion which basically ruined her life.
Legality is severely overrated on this continent, I must say. All the privileged people are blatantly abusing their power, while the powerless ones just have to do deal with it or turn to the ‘dark side’, carving a path out for themselves using any means available.
Broderick only gave us three masks that had the voice contortion magic in them, so we had to decide on who would get them.
I was the first obvious choice since I would be the Phenom candidate while the ladies would be my Heralds. Each Phenom could have 5 Heralds, also known as privileged representatives serving them. As a Phenom, I would talk the most, and I’ve already spoken with Aurelion and a few high-profile individuals.
The second one was Ayame. As an ex-duchess-to-be, she had the most people who could potentially recognize her voice.
We went with Aurora having the last magically enchanted mask, as she spoke the most with the local people of Braedon while selling alchemic products, the city that was basically run by the Consortium, thus she likely run into some members over the years.
Naturally, the other’s faces were also veiled, and their natural voices wouldn’t make them easily recognizable. Lucille wore her fully covered heavy armor, and Blossom was dressed in a skintight body suit. We elected not to hide her animalistic features because one, strapping her tail and ears down would make her slightly less effective, and two, beastkin slaves were numerous in this duchy.
It wasn’t a big deal to reveal her race. The Trials weren’t an easy place where we could dress her in spacious robes. She needed to be on her top game.
As for the elf… I glanced at her, “it’s time to dress up, Seraphiel.” I knew she wouldn’t be happy, evidenced by her cute frowning expression, but it had to be done. “I understand…”
I used my storage ring to bring out her socks and boots, and she rapidly put it on her feet. Sadly we had to hide her elf nature, or she would be very easy to track down, which would also lead people to our entire party. How many Healer elves existed in this duchy? Not much.
If people were to associate such a rare creature with Devil and his faction, the Ascendants, it would complicate our lives greatly.
Whether the other party were our pursuers or just another group traveling from Braedon to the Consortium’s location was uncertain.
“Ghost smells them now…” Blossom revealed in a depressed tone. “There’s twenty-four of them. Humans and a wolf-kin beastman.”
“Shit. That means they should be able to tell that there was a group ahead of them. Listen well, ladies. The Phenom trials will only start officially once the organizers announce it, but unofficially it had long since begun. According to Jasmine, only a handful of Phenoms tend to be selected, so if we were to eliminate the competition our chances would naturally increase.
However, let’s observe them first before we act hastily. We don’t want to attack if they are the organizers of the event, or are just stronger than us. They might even be soldiers patrolling the lands to combat the greenskin infestation. Let’s continue walking while Blossom sneaks up on them for a moment.”
The ladies nodded, and we continued walking. “[Odorless], [Stealth]” Blossom cast her Phantom Canine rogue spells and darted into the forest without making a single noise. She truly was a talented stalker, I was watching her every move and even I had trouble accepting that she was, in fact, right in front of my eyes. She was like a stealthy ghost. Discover chapters at freewebnovel
Seraphiel suddenly opened her lips, and what came out of them gave us a minor shock. “She is amazing. Ghost is not high-level like some of the rogues I’ve seen in the alliance’s army, but her natural talent for her archetype is sky-high.
Ghost will be horrifying once she gets more levels under her belt.” I didn’t expect her to compliment Blossom, mostly because she barely talked without being asked, and also because she had some minor tensions with my Pupcake regarding which of them should be our guide in the forest.
“Of course she is. No one should underestimate my first woman. She will become the greatest assassin the world has ever seen.” I responded smugly, glancing at Blossom alluring behind one final time before her form left my vision.
I soon heard her alluring voice in my head. <Master, Blossom loves Master.>
I chuckled amusedly at her statement. <I love you too, but how about you focus on your surveillance?>
She didn’t respond for a few seconds, after which I heard her again. <Yes, Master. There are twenty four of them as Blossom sensed earlier. 13 females and 11 males. They are four separate teams based on composition, with 6 females being one, 6 males another one, and the other two teams are likely mixed-gender. The wolf-kin is one of the males. freeweɓnovel.cm
The teams might have joined forces for a safer journey. Blossom thinks they’re following our trail with malicious intent, the females are talking about hoping to get a ‘cute boytoy’ because they are bored and horny. The males want riches.>
Hoh? I don’t know if I will be able to live up to their expectations, but I can try.
<What about their levels and affiliation? Are they in army uniform?>
<They seem to be slightly weaker than Blossom. Maybe averaging level 12. They are not in uniforms.>
Based on this information it’s almost guaranteed that our pursuers are Phenom wannabes. Young, ambitious people who are looking to strike it big.
It’s about time we begin culling the competition I say.
A sinister grin found its way onto my features. “Girls, get ready. It’s time to hunt.”
