“What is happening?”

“I don’t know. But at least me, you and Orlin need to return at once.”

“I understand. Then let’s go immediately. Others can catch up later.”

I look to where the capital is after exiting the house. And see the sky of that direction getting red.

“What do you think that is?”

“I don’t know.”

After coming out, Orlin starts to chant. Chariot appears after she finished chanting. I have no idea what is pulling the chariot. Owl opens the door.

“Please, your highness.”

Orlin and I enter the chariot. Owl closes the door behind us and sits at the driver’s seat. Another person sits next to him.

“I hope you won’t mind if I tag along?”

Owl opens the front windows and 47 is sitting next to him.

“Is it okay if he tags along, princess?”

“It’s fine.”

The chariot starts to float and fly toward the red skies hovering over the capital.

………

“So, what do you think is happening?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m asking if you have any kind of guess, you idiot. You’re supposed to be guild-master, more or less.”

“Well, whatever it may be, it is not something good. I’m feeling something ominous from that sky. Do you have any kind of guess?”

“My guess would be, youngest prince.”

“What do you mean?”

“When I first saw him, I sensed something dark brewing inside him. I think that might have emerged. At least that is my best guess.”

“Frankly, I have been feeling something ominous lately from the capital. I think it is something deeper than whatever’s in youngest’s body.”

“Then why didn’t you do something?”

“I didn’t expect it to happen this soon.”

“So, that means something happened. Only thing that happened is: guild-master and you left the capital. I think whoever’s responsible for this was waiting for you two leave the capital.”

“I suppose that may be possible. We can be considered the strongest in the dukedom. Without us capital will be pretty much defenseless.”

“Well, let’s get there first and see what is happening. Anyway, this red sky is starting to grow on me.”

“Fool, when did anything red foretold anything good.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

After flying on the chariot for ten minutes we see the capital. There is nothing out of the ordinary except the red sky. But there is something ominous being exuded from the city.

Something is definitely happening. Closer we get to the city, more something in me crawls up.

“Hehehe.”

“What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, just couldn’t help letting out a laugh.”

“So, I’m asking you, why are you laughing?”

“Don’t know, don’t care.”

“………”

“Owl, just keep flying till you reach the castle.”

“Yes, your highness.”

Princess says from behind. We are almost passing over the walls. But something is wrong. Even after we came this close, none of the guards on the walls are reacting to us.

CRASH!!!

We crash into transparent dome like barrier just as we were about to cross the walls. And beasts pulling the chariot dives to the ground and the chariot follows too.

CRUSH!!!

We all fall to the ground. I say we, but it only Owl and me. Princess and guild master are safe floating in the air inside some kind of transparent bubble.

“What the hell?”

“Illusion barrier. Didn’t expect that.”

Owl says after getting up.

“I didn’t sense it since I didn’t expect it.”

Guild master says. I think this barrier is covering the whole city. Then it must be gigantic.

“Whoever’s doing this sure planned deeply, huh. Any idea how to break it?”

While I was saying that, Owl immediately equips his gauntlets and covers them with his red aura.

BOOM!!

Hits the barrier with all he got. Transparent dome like barrier flickers and turn back invisible.

“I guess it isn’t enough.”

After that he starts to chant. Bloodlust was it? His red aura covers his whole body. After finishing, he punches the barrier again.

BOOM!!! CRACK!!!

This time he manages to crack the barrier little bit. But it immediately mends itself back.

“Shit, still not enough.”

“Let me try.”

Guild master brings out her staff from who knows where and starts to chant some spell. After few seconds flaming boulder with about two meters radius materializes over her. And as she waves her staff, the boulder crashes into the barrier.

BOOM!!!

CRACK!!!

Slightly bigger crack forms, but it still mends itself back.

“Still not enough. Suppose we have to do it, huh?”

“I guess.”

There is absolutely something between them. I can almost cut the tension with knife. Wonder what are they going to do?

Owl’s Bloodlust concentrates on his right gauntlet. Color of the aura is getting darker. On top of that as guild master starts chanting, another blue colored aura starts to mix with his. As those auras mix, I start to feel something trembling from it.

On closer look they aren’t mixing, they are simply intermingling like snakes.

Owl takes a stance in front of the wall and concentrates.

“HA!”

As guild master finishes chanting Owl throws a punch.

BOOOOOOOM!!!!

CRAAAACK!!!!

With a trembling boom, his punch lands on the barrier. A crack with meter radius opens. As Owl tries to enter, black ball like something hits him square on his chest and pushes him back.

Barriers mends itself back while he was being pushed back.

“What the hell was that?”

“Fucking demons.”

“What? You mean demons are behind this?”

“That black ball, only demon mage is capable of using that spell.”

“Can’t you do what you did just now again? But this time be prepared for the spell?”

As I said that, he lifts his right arm for me too see. His right gauntlet is disintegrating.

“So, it takes a lot from you to do that, huh?”

“Yes. And even if I use that with my left hand, power won’t be same. So, it is pointless.”

“Got it. So, we can crack this barrier with strong enough blast, huh?”

“Yes, we can. But that was the best we can do. Illusion barrier is too sturdy. Whoever put up this barrier used a lot of resource to put it up.”

“Let me give it a go.”

“You are more than welcome.”

“But, if I manage to break it, you must tell me your relationship with the guild master.”

He looks to the guild master and she nods.

“Deal.”

“Okay.”

This will be interesting.