Chapter 98 – Short Changed

When Ramiel and Sheriwn left the tunnels all they saw was chaos. The fighters of the land were still fighting as expected. But since they were in a hurry, the two sneaked around the bushes in order to find the mount that Sheriwn was talking about.

The Mount is a Hawkhorse. A kind of mount that has the head of a Hawk and a body of a horse, the mount can run for a good week without stop. It's speed is unparalleled if mounted by one only.

Ramiel was quite disturbed at hearing Sheriwn’s explanation about how fast it can be mounted by one. But since Sheriwn said it will be fine, Ramiel trusted him for a bit, while thinking something.

The mount was located in one of the noble’s houses. It is a prized toy that the nobles who could not abandon their wealth are keeping. The noble that Ramiel and Sheriwn wanted to see was still held up in his own house. His house was protected by a magic barrier that is rather expensive.

Sheriwn already made plans on how to break the barrier. So when the two arrived in the noble’s houses. Sheriwn proceeds to break the barrier, and when they were about to enter the door. The door opened widely as a noble holding a sword came out. Sheriwn was alarmed, so he immediately casted a spell, immolating the noble into crisp.

The Noble’s cries echoed on his own house. Ramiel looked at the noble with dead eyes, as he enters, and look at the decorated interior of the house filled with trophies, paintings, and silverware.

“Where is the mount?”

“It should be on the bastard’s stable. Underground. He has a tunnel that connects near the main gates.”

Ramiel frowned, “The main gates...won’t that mean that we have to show ourselves to the barbarians?”

“Not quite, we will use the barrier crystal that the noble had for his house. With that, we will have a window to deflect the rain of spears and arrow those savages will throw at us.”

“It better work,” Ramiel said.

“Well...we could also reinforce it with our magic barrier...you can cast that right?” Sheriwn asked.

“I can, but I am overcasted, and almost mind down. Unlike you, I have shit tier capacity for magic.”

“I see...then I will use my own barrier magic. After that, I will be defenseless, so I will leave defending us from our chasers to you.”

“Too bad then...” Ramiel laughs deprecatingly.

“What?”

“Other than Hallowed Arrow, I have no offensive spells.”

“Hmm...What’s with that?”

“My body is fragile...the energy of the world can’t enter me. Incompatible.”

“What a weird condition...is that a curse?”

“Who knows?” Ramiel shrugged his shoulders.

The two was walking down to the underground hall of the noble’s house.

“So does that mean you have no way to defend us?”

“Like I said, I have only Hallowed Arrow. I have something that I can use, but it can only be used in point blank range.”

“Troublesome...wait, you have an elemental bracer right?”

“What of it?”

“Add this.”

Sheriwn took something from his pocket and passed it to Ramiel.

“What’s this?”

“It is a thunder stone!”

“Thunderstone, what does this do?”

“Put it on your elemental bracer. It should add the element of lightning to it.”

Ramiel did what he was told and said, “And how is this going to help?”

“It should allow you conjure thunder...hallowed arrow can be infused with elements you know?”

“Really?” Ramiel frowned. “I didn’t know that...so is that why it is called as a hallowed arrow because it is hollowed and can be allowed to put something in it?”

“I don’t know...but you should be able to use it cast your spells with a bit Thunder element on it. You have holy chains right? Then it could be used to supplement it...then you can use it as a whip.”

“How convenient...wouldn’t this fry me? Remember, I cannot use offensive spells lightly.”

“Don’t worry...At most it would be compatible...the Gods above usually uses thunder to rain down divine punishment...so thunder can be classified as ‘divine’ and ‘miracle’. Hence, the Kingdom of Deus’s banner is made of a thunder forming a cross.”

“I see...that’s great then. I can use this and if things come to it, then I guess I will have to use my repeater.”

Ramiel commented as he walked limply on a flight of stairs. His leg was hurting him badly, and with fatigue overbearing on him, it can be said that he isn’t in a good condition.

...

The two arrive under the basement.

It is a wide basement and Ramiel could see the Hawkhorse tied inside the stable.

“Tell me how to mount this thing?”

“It should be easy...the Noble has this sort of reins that allows him to handle beasts like this without a problem. I mean look at this beast. Do you think normal reins and stirrups can hold this thing down?”

“So even I can control it?”

“Yes, you can...in fact we can switch who want to ride if you want to.”

“That’s great...” Ramiel said while at the same time smiling madly inwardly.

“Let’s see...damn it is a good mount” Sheriwn commented, not noticing the dark shadows that masks Ramiel’s face.

“So how is it?”

“It should be okay...hold up...let put this barrier first...then this...” Sheriwn started fiddling near the saddle of the mount. He was rather used to these kinds of things. Growing up on a ranch filled with beasts made him know a lot about beasts like this.

In fact, if it wasn’t for him knowing a beast ranch owner then he wouldn’t know that a noble bought a highly priced Hawkhorse.

“And that’s done...we should be able to ride it now.”

Sheriwn mounted the Hawkhorse. He then extended his hand towards Ramiel, pulling him up to the Hawkhorse’s back. Ramiel sat tightly behind, he gripped the saddle tightly, fearing that he if he doesn’t then surely he will fall.

“Are you ready to go?” Sheriwn said.

“Of course I am...what kind of stupid question is that considering how fucked up things are above?”

“Good point...oh well, let us go!”

Sheriwn lashes the reins as the Hawkhorse then dashes to the tunnels that connect the noble’s houses to the main gates of the city of Lugenstan.