Chapter 729 - Target
Opal was a little startled at first; however, the suffocating aura faded when she approached Izroth.
After she took a moment to regain herself, Opal wasted no time relaying the messages left to her for Izroth during his absence.
First, there was a report from Aurora regarding Zi Yi's inquiry into Izroth's whereabouts.
Of course, Izroth was well aware that Zi Yi had been trying to get in contact with him over these last few days within RML. It was a part of the stream of messages he received during his slumber. And, she was not the only one who reached out to him.
Next, there was the matter of Niflheim, who returned to the capital city of Amaharpe with Izroth.
After spending a day in-game at the capital city and failing to get in contact with Izroth, Niflheim decided to make his way back towards the Rosentarus/Malentansium border. The only message he left was "I'll be waiting near Xanaharpe."
Xanaharpe was an Amaharpe outpost located near the previously unclaimed territory known as the Unsanctioned Zone. Now, it was a land occupied by both Amaharpe and Rosentarus for its abundance of resources.
Originally, Izroth came back to the capital city of Amaharpe not only to visit the Mystical Realm Palace but also to recruit a few new members for his division. But, considering the situation that was unfolding with those under his protection being targeted, it was a matter that had to wait.
Nonetheless, Izroth was glad that Niflheim did not choose to wait around for his return. Otherwise, he would have thrown away valuable time that could be used to gather contribution points. In the end, it was a good call to head to Xanaharpe since Niflheim would be able to keep track of the situation as it evolved.
Finally, the last message Opal had came from the Phantom Queen, Morrighan.
She visited the Mystical Realm Palace two days after Izroth started to undergo his awakening to drop off a book containing the contents of the ancient scrolls which described useful information on the usage of the Immortal Hydra's blood.
According to Opal, Morrighan waited half a day before taking her leave from the Mystical Realm Palace.
"That concludes my report, Handler Izroth," Opal said as she bowed respectfully.
Izroth gave a small nod and responded, "Keep up the good work. I will be departing from the Mystical Realm Palace, so I leave it in your capable hands, Opal."
"I will not disappoint you, Handler Izroth," Opal replied graciously. Having been with him since the start of the Mystical Realm Palace, she was happy to know that Izroth placed so much trust in her.
After he finished his conversation with Opal, Izroth made his way downstairs and left the Mystical Realm Palace.
Not too long after, as he stepped through the gates of the capital city, Izroth opened his status window.
'My stats still have yet to fully recover; however, the effects have diminished.'
Name: Izroth
EXP: 83.09%
Level: 51(Stat Points: 0)
Title: Oathkeeper(Primary), Protector of Amaharpe(Secondary), Scholar(Solitary)
Class: Combat Master
[HP(Hit Points): 24,080/24,080 (100%)] -> 12,040(WEAKENED)
[HP Regen(In-Battle): 213 HP/s] -> 107(WEAKENED)
[Energy: 225] -> 113(WEAKENED)
[MP: 1,422/1,422 (100%)] -> 712(WEAKENED)
[MP Regen: 10 MP/s—] -> 5(WEAKENED)
[ATTACK: 2,734] -> 1,368(WEAKENED)
[DEFENSE: 1,258] -> 630(WEAKENED)
[AGILITY: 2,158] -> 1,080(WEAKENED)
[MAGIC: 146] -> 73(WEAKENED)
By the time his battle against Tal'Nis reached its conclusion, Izroth's stats were reduced by 75%. Now, the stat reduction dropped down to 50%.
Izroth did not know why this was the case, but he figured it had something to do with the negative effects of the Soul Weakness, Dragon Force, and Compressed Lightning Movements overlapping with one another.
'I do not know how long it will take me to fully recover, but I can not sit around while those under my protection have been wronged.'
"Siren... It does not matter who is backing them. Since they dared raise their hand, I will see to it that they strike themselves." Izroth said to himself as a hint of coldness flashed within his eyes.
...
A couple of hours later...
〈System Alert: You have left the first kingdom, «Amaharpe»!〉
〈System Alert: You have entered into the second kingdom, «O'Tohelm»!〉
〈System Alert: Warning, the kingdom «O'Tohelm» you have crossed into does not have an official treaty with the kingdom «Amaharpe» that you are leaving!〉
'As long as I avoid any sacred grounds, moving through O'Tohelm should not be an issue. I would have preferred to go straight from Amaharpe to that place, but... It's unfortunate that it can only be reached by traveling through O'Tohelm.'
Izroth moved deeper into the forest that seemed to be stuck in the middle of autumn with the trunks of the trees with the forest being a deep maroon. The grass was verdant and lush with no signs of fallen leaves despite like autumn-like atmosphere.
After leaving Amaharpe's capital city, Izroth began his journey towards O'Tohelm. Or, to be more precise, he was headed to the far outskirts of a place known as Devil's Sanctum.
It was a neutral territory situated between O'Tohelm and Amaharpe. It held a strong resemblance to the lawless Tiger's Mouth that existed near the outskirts of Proximus that was overrun by bandits; however, the two could not be compared.
While it was called Tiger's Mouth, the land itself still technically belonged to the kingdom of Proximus. At any time, they would crack down on Tiger's Mouth and would be completely justified to do so. The only reason a place like Tiger's Mouth was allowed to exist in the first place was Proximus' way of settling for a lesser and known evil. If the organizations in Tiger's Mouth were eradicated, it would not be long before another organization moved in to fill the void. And, an enemy in the light that you could deal with at any given moment, was much less threatening than an enemy hidden away in the darkness.
Where Devil's Sanctum differed from Tiger's Mouth was that it did not officially belong to any kingdom; therefore, neither Amaharpe nor O'Tohelm had a right to enforce their laws there. Both kingdoms also had an agreement that started decades ago which prevented either from amassing a military force near Devil's Sanctum. After all, since the land connected to their borders, it could be seen as a potential act of war.
In truth, there was a quicker way to Devil's Sanctum that involved going through a mountain pass that started from Amaharpe's side. But, according to Azalea, it was currently off-limits due to the ongoing war and under heavy guard. Let alone a Captain of the GSU, even if a General wanted to pass through that place, it was unlikely to happen.
'According to the intel I received from Azalea, Siren's main headquarters is stationed near a town located on the outskirts of Devil's Sanctum.'
Azalea also informed Izroth that if a client wanted to make a large request, they had no choice but to visit the main headquarters in order to do so.
Given Azalea's nature, Izroth knew that she must have already followed up on that lead and raced towards the Devil's Sanctum to uncover any possible traces.
Izroth was aware that Siren had multiple locations scattered throughout the Mortal Realm; however, attacking those places would be meaningless since Siren was prepared to toss them aside at any given moment.
But, their main headquarters had remained unchanged for more than two decades! Even if their pride was somehow detached from it, it would still be a matter of face for them. And, if it were destroyed, what clients would be willing to employ their services to an organization that could not even protect itself?
Of course, Izroth was not naive. He understood that when it came to taking down an organization like Siren, he could not simply barge in unprepared. This was even more so taking into account his present condition. That's why Izroth had a plan.
All of a sudden, Izroth halted his steps.
"You've been following me ever since I left the capital city. How much longer do you plan on staying hidden? Come out." Izroth said calmly as his voice echoed throughout the silent forest.
At first, there was no response. But, after ten seconds passed, a figure stepped out from behind one of the trees a few meters in front of Izroth.
The person who emerged was a man who appeared to be in his early thirties with yellow eyes and blonde hair. He wore a set of refined fighting gear and on the left side of his face was a strange golden tattoo with unknown markings.
"Oh? You were able to detect me for that long and still came all the way out here alone? I have to say, you're either overly confident or just plain stupid. I guess getting first place during the second team's selection must have gone to your head." The man spoke out as he stepped forward, stopping just three meters away from Izroth.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Izroth asked without mincing his words.
"There's no need for me to tell anything to a soon to be deadman. Just know that you've offended someone you shouldn't have."
Judging from his previous statement, Izroth figured that this man had to do with someone he came across during his time in the second team's selection. However, there were many people who fell under his sword. How could he keep track of everyone he offended?
'Wait, those markings... He had a similar one back then on the platform.'
When he claimed first place and was made captain of the second team, there was one person who clearly voiced their objection and even went as far as threatening Izroth!
That person was called Zouren.. And, he came in third place during the second team's selection underneath Izroth and Law.