Sora PoV

After the examine were over we gotten our our status as an adventurers in the area and quickly gotten a hold of Lizzy and rushing out the capital at quickly. Dragging Lizzy and Drake out of the guild's headquarters with my goals of getting out of the city. We got to the gate of the city and prepared to leave with our package ready for a long trip till we reach the Mondora capital city.

We moved through out the city with people staring at me and Lizzy but ignored it all until we reached the gates into the city. Finally, at the forest which moves out of the city and into the main road that leads to the border between Mondora and Toria.

In just seconds they rushed through the forest and gone past all the trees only to hear a explosion sound just a couple of miles straight in the forest. Sora and Drake looked at each and nodded agree on going into the forest.

They burst into a sprint brining the loves struck Lizzy along with them deep into the forest where slices on the wooden planks. Indicating a battle had take place with multiple kinds of weapons and mana still in the air.

Sora and Drake followed the trail of fighting that reach a hill off into the distance. Sora spelled blood in the air and quicken her run and saw 8 people standing there in some sort of Mexican stand off looking at each until someone makes a move.

It was really strange because 6 out of the 8 people are wearing slit masks while the other 2 didn't. The masked figure seem to notice Sora presence and stared at her, specifically one of them stared at her for a long time.

How did this happen? Well why don't we go back an hour ago where it all started.

...

Suno PoV

I walking through the forest and reached a hill and hid in the top of a tree. With this I can observe the situation from above and see if there is any trouble that seems to go across my way.

Amethyst and Riko had masks on their faces and seem to be prepared for whatever comes there way. I looked off into the distance in the tree to see Lilith also wearing a masked and looking toward the road with a bow in her hands. Everything seems set so I used magic to enhance my eye vision to where the Duke's convoy is.

What came into view were multiple people with a Lunar Eclipse symbol on there armor and a carriage that probably had the target inside of it. The Duke has quite the body guards if I must say so myself. They were wearing a lot of gear that focus on defense around the chest area or the more important organs that keep the body alive and of the such. The warrior carried swords on their waist and wore helmets that protected the face. The pants were also reinforced with iron to protect the legging but left small opening in between there knees for faster mobility. Their gear if I were to describe it looks a little too flashy but hey if you are a noble than what else is better than making yourself look good.

The mages in the Duke's personal guard wore all red which indicates that they are fire mages. Their staff gives off this fiery aura that spread around the thing and gives off a explosive feel. The hood is able to cover the whole entirety of the mages heads and is made of some soft fiber that covers the body. This Duke is an idiot who would bring fire mage inside and a freaking forest for god sake. Well who care the ambush will target them first anyways as I had it planned out when they reached the traps.

His numbers range from 50 to about 90 of the Duke's troops in the area with the carriage in the middle of the formation that they set up. In the middle of the formation is a strong person somewhere around Mid-Masters and is probably the captain. As he wears a different uniform from the rest of the soldier a more of a white color that is all over his armor. The person has a short sword and a magical enchantment on it which is quite powerful. Magical enchantment are a rare thing because how hard it is to finding a somewhat good mage that is actually capable of drawing the circle that will add a specific buff to the weapon. All the capable magician that are able to do this are but a few and since I can build an automaton it is possible for me to do so.

It would be unfair if I were to do it because I am able to cast ones capable of disrupting mana flow in a person system, stunning, piercing, etc. That is how my enchantment usually go for me and can turn a blunt sword into a high level weapon able to cut down trees in a single swing. And you might be wondering why I didn't buff Riko's sword is because that it's impossible under the influence of Tema. It's like saying 'hey can I take your weapon' and it would not turn out good for me if such a event occurs where a god comes down from the skies and smite me.

Oh yea gods! Wasn't there a promise that I am suppose to do for the Goddess of Humans? Now I remember it was t-

The fighting started and it seems like the enemy forces are chasing my disciples while Amethyst stops for a second and fires a [Water Bomb] at them. It explodes and shooting water everywhere from where the place it blew up. Water might not sound frighten but since this spell was develop to be lethal weapon, the water will also be able to do things like pierced them because of how fast it is moving.

The enemy returns fire by shooting arrows at them and was about to shoot out a fire spell like a idiot but I set off my trap which summons plants, the same one I used when Lucas and his band of idiots attacked me. The plants shot out their small needles hitting the fire magicians and archers going after Amethyst and Riko.

I heard screaming coming all the way from the top of this hill and prayed for them in the after life. They walked back and finish off the left overs that were still on the ground screaming I looked back to the carriage seeing it open and with the possible captain grabbing the Duke and sprinting toward the hill with some of his personal body guards. Now why did he do that? I wondered and switch my eye vision to see 3 masked people at the same time attacking the Duke's leftover forces that were kept there for defense.

I wonder for a couple of seconds who might these 3 and looked closer to see if there was anything indicating what is hidden that might show who they are. They are mostly like another assassination group for someone else but I had no time to guess their abilities since it is hidden by the clothes they are wearing.

For one they are wearing green camouflage to blend in with the forest and masks to coverup their faces. All of them are pretty good if I were to say so myself with quick and easy to move clothes that are enchanted by a high level magician alright. And their weapons aren't normal, as well since the more thinner out of the team has a sword in hand and used quite the unique style which is the Phoinex Sword Style. I thought that move wasn't taught to anyone out of the royal family but maybe it was and I just don't know anyone else that does it.

The other person had a giant sword in hand that is not fit for assassination duty but people have their ways of killing so I won't judge. He also has a unique style that is a mix of offense and defense where he uses the giant swords to block the attack of his enemies and kicks them away using his feet to follow it up with a downward slash from his bastard sword. He is also extremely fast for how he looks maybe it's the clothing but I serious doubt that as enchantments can only get you so far.

The last person was as thin as the first and uses no weapons but from the looks of things is able to use magic and not just any kind. The person is using the Nature element magic but it feels like he/she is using the magic in a different style from other magician. The reason why I say this is because of how he/she is able to cast magic while running around dodging sword swings, arrows, and other spell. It feels like the person is dancing while shooting a vine into the guards hearts.

They chase them while the Duke's soldier are becoming meat shield to protect him while he moves ever so closer to the hill I am on. Measuring the 3 unknown assassin are kinda of in the High-Grandmasters level but that is only a assumption since I didn't see anything flashy from them yet. So, it's hard to put into words but they seems quite powerful in knowledge and strength.

I smiled since I found quite the interesting individuals that would probably defeat me badly. Now if only they removed the masks so I can figure out who they might be.

Well when worst comes to worst I will use my ultimate spell [Constellation Star Fall] this is on a whole entire new level compared to [Meteor Strike].

They moved across the ground in a fast pace catching up with the Duke as he reaches at the top of the hill. I stand on a branch looking at them from above and wait for my next move.

My students also reached the top to follow the Duke who had ran away from his troops and Lilith start rushing as well. My students came where the green camouflage assassin came and I jumped down to confront them. With everything set I looked at them from the side of my students and they looked straight back at my eyes. We were at a stand still and we waited for one another to make a move as Lilith moves from tree top. Well this is awkward I thought to myself and waited for either them or the Duke to make a move.

Well that was suppose to happen but I heard running coming from the side of me and popped out Sora, Drake, and Lizzy. Lizzy stared at me and put her finger on her chin trying to figure out who I was as I am wearing a mask.

"Sora is that you!?!?"-???

The one with the more smaller sword shouted and I thought for a second WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!?!?

...

Queen Rose PoV

God damnit! Where is my cute little Maria when I need her to get rid of my stress. I thought to myself before twiddle with my fingers and looking around my office to see multiple of painting that used to be my friend Sora.

Now Sora was a weird one even though I used to be a maid I had the duty of keeping in check of all the new servants that she brought in. It was to the point that it could be called an army of monster that could destroy a nation with ease.

It was fun back in those days when everyone was happily smiling and picking fights with each other. But with the disappearance of Sora we all had fractured apart like eggs being dropped to the ground and breaking instantaneous.

Me being the one who suggested for Rose to become Queen took responsibility of governing the state of Toria. I had risen as the Queen of Toria through hardworking and dedication with building up what Sora started.

I had sighed remember all of this and continue moving through my extended list of things to do like going to a ball, defending against a potential Mordora attacks, even trying to find an automaton that seems to roam the lands. That isn't the least of my worries as I have heard rumors of a rebellion that might occur from a noble by the name of Kasark Montus.

Even mentioning about it gives me a huge headache I got to say and made things much worse for me as I go through the reports sent in from my spymaster. He is also a big pervert going after my sweet granddaughter when he was here at the palace. That is unforgivable! If we weren't inside the palace in public eyes I would of stuck a sword up his stomach.

Maybe I should consider sending an assassination group after him when he leaves the capital and go back to his territory. If I were to go with the kill option than I would have to go over the pros and cons of doing so.

The pros would be a potential rebellion removed from the equation or weakening it to some degree and cleaning up what's still holding it together. This is a very good reason to do so and would lessen the headache for me, and not only that but I can have the Duke's territory under my influence after I assassinate him if I play my card right.

The cons depending on how the assassination goes I can have the other nobles on my back if they ever catch wind of it, causing even more headaches. It would also make me a target of distrust amongst the nobility in the Kingdom. It could also split the Kingdom into even more faction than what it is already at.

Should I take the risk? Fuck it! I'm calling General Lasvar Foshlin and the Head of the Royal Court Mages, Madoka Linsker they will help me quell down the rebellion before it gets too big. They will be part of the assassination group against the Duke and I will be personally leading them to finish the job. I would need a double for my affairs and my advisors will help get the job done.

Oh there is one more report that needs to be read from some official and I will quickly plan out my assassination.

{Suno Temeria, is found to have murdered multiple people as well as a noble. He is to be under arrested for these crimes.}

Eh!?!?