Chapter 13:

Sine was anxious, and hopeful. They hadn’t hit a snag in the plan yet, but there was one thing. One thing that concerned her:

The fucking leader hasn’t been found yet. They’d been given a description of him, and they’d been told where he’d most likely be, be he wasn’t anywhere.

The mages and peasants had filed into the camp, securing and carting the raiders by the thousands. The main combat unit stormed the lead tents, but only found the elites of the slavers.

It was of some concern that the elites all had slightly higher levels than the average operation member. But what were they going to use that level for, sleeping at them aggressively?

It wasn’t until the non-combatants had left the scene, some several hours later, that trouble decided to turn up.

Or more accurately, Palo, Level 67 War Blessed, decided to show up.

He descended from the sky in a holy light, having been in one of the lesser holy planes for his services to Adol the War God.

They knew all of that because the system actually announced it.

+++

Attention mortals!

Palo, leader of the Dust Storm Raiders, level 67 War Blessed has returned from War God Adol’s realm of pleasure!

Pay your respects!

+++

It was an awkward moment, Palo stared at the invaders who had somehow infiltrated his camp.

The Baron’s hirelings stared back. They were shocked still for a few moments. Level 67, if skills are properly learned and the class is at par, is easily enough to break into A-rank.

And to say the least, ‘War Blessed’ sounds like an up to par class.

After that short stumbling block, however, the gathered mortals were keen to ‘pay their respects’.

The first of which was Sine, her level 54 ‘Mana Swordsman’ class having been skilled for speed.

Her fencing foil raced towards Palo’s unarmored chest as (Sure Strike) and (Grand Charge) enemated out of her.

It would have been a classic example of a lower level fighter getting the drop on a higher level. It would have, if not for (Adol’s Grace) and the surrounding golden aura that swiftly dispersed.

Palo was quick on the uptake. He made a lazy swing, but the speed of the sword and the (Heaven’s Sunder) that flowed out of Palo made certain what would happen if it hit.

If it hit, Carg moved with practiced speed that belied his armor. (Guardian Boost) sang out as Carg’s shield blocked Palo’s scimitar.

However, even though Carg was a level 49 Tank, there was a noticable difference between party leader and party member. There was not a word from Palo as he channeled holy energy and started to carve through Carg’s shield.

Although Carg’s shield had been ruined, he was not meant to lose his arm or his life. (Battle Rush) rang through the battlefield and Simion appeared as Carg was magically punted out of the way.

The level 59 Mercenary proved to be more reliable than the adventurer as his targe pushed back the blade.

Palo jumped back and cast (Divine Armour). Golden light once again appeared around the raider, this time forming into armour around Palo’s Northern desert clothes.

Palo grinned, “It seems like you cowards somehow cleared out my camp without fighting, care to ex-”

An arrow sunk into a chink around Palo’s shoulder. (Silent Shot) came from a mercenary. She grinned.

Palo was unimpressed as (Divine Answer) was used. “Ah, sleeping potions, funny. I’ll have to give this ‘Baron Northsand’ my regards.”

Sine, Simion, and Fern tensed at Palo’s words. Weran stabbed his knife into Palo’s side as he wasn’t paying attention.

The scout barely dodged an enraged counter. Which is saying something, considering Weran’s speed.

Simion’s (Battle Rush) sent him into the heat of battle again, and this time he was aglow with over a dozen buffs.

The mercenary’s (Flow of Blows) caused his mace to shift, blurring at the edges as it crashed towards the raider repeatedly. Yet it was met with a simple (Parry Stance) as Palo turned aside the onslaught.

As such the battle raged on. Fern and his mages supported all they could. Casting earth magic to hamper the raiders movements and saving the lives of the fighters repeatedly. One time they even saved seven of the mercenaries from a (Holy Slash) by making the earth swallow them whole. Barriers, buffs, attacks, and one time even a golem supported the combatants.

The mercs showed Palo the meaning of ‘outnumbered’ as they rained down arrows and the occasional melee attack. Simion of course was the main person clashing against Palo.

Sine proved herself useful by continuously using (Disperse Energy), making sure only the raider’s fastest attacks fired off. She, along with Weran, kept Palo on his toes, threatening to score a fatal hit whenever he dropped his guard. Carg stood back, protecting Metra, Sutra, and the rest of the backline fighters.

Given all of those odds, it showed how skilled Palo was that he was able to fight them off for several minutes. But eventually Sutra hit him with (Greater Parisis), and after he shrugged that off with (Clear Magic), Fern and squad hit him with (Grand Earth Prison). After he had exhausted his holy power breaking through that, Metra finally hit him with the miracle (Atheist), which temporarily drains all faith away towards the deities and dosed him with sleeping potion.

Simion’s cry of victory was, “Well done lads and lassies! NOW WE CAN GET THAT EXTRA 4 LARGE GOLD BONUS!”

For some reason only the mercenaries cheered at that.

Fern walked through the celebration and remarked, “I had wondered why Baron Northsand would give that as a bonus task. But now I think I see why. Despite all the money the Baron assuredly spent on this venture, I daresay he’ll make his money back on the leader alone.”

No one remarked on that. The only person who paid him any attention at all was Simion, who said, “Mage Fern, I do want to apologize for our earlier disagreement. After you have saved the lives of my men so often, I would have to be an honorless cur to mistreat you.”

Fern, for his part, had the social graces to be embarrassed at the bowing noble, but lacked the graces to know what to say.

He could only stutter out, “I.. it’s just part of the job…”

Simion let out a hearty laugh, “That’s the spirit! But nonsense! Let me treat you and your men to a drink! After all, we have coin aplenty! Hahaha!”

Such things occurred. Sine and party, however, were already transporting the prisoner to base camp.

…

City lord Ressia’s office was flooded with messages, runners, and notifs.

The northern merchant stood from his chair, “WHO IN THE BLAZES IS BARON NORTHSAND!”