Aozaki Aoko Case File [480] (Patreon)

“We’re here!” Edgin said, looking at the map. “This is Kira’s room. Let me...”

“Wait,” Aoko stopped Xenk from rushing in. “There might be traps. Let me check first.”

As the original planner, Edgin wasn’t about to lose his head now. He quietly stepped aside to watch Aoko work.

Aoko’s magic circuits flashed briefly on her arm, and Bernard—kept in a pocket dimension—appeared before them, spear and shield at the ready, awaiting commands.

“Priority: Protect Edgin’s daughter Kira,” Aoko ordered Bernard. “Secondary: Eliminate any hostile targets. Understood?”

“Command received,” Bernard replied coldly, nodding. He was now all business, none of his former lively demeanor.

Xenk and Holga put their hands on their weapons, ready to fight. But when Bernard opened the door and rushed into Kira’s room, he found it empty.

“Kira’s not here!” Edgin was stunned. He rushed in to search for clues. “Even her usual belongings are gone!”

“Is it possible,” Aoko said, scanning the room, “that Forge has already run off with Kira?”

“Run off? Why would he do that?” Holga asked, surprised.

“I get it,” Edgin picked up on Aoko’s implication. “You mean Forge knew all about Sofina’s plan to turn the whole city, so he decided to run off with Kira first?”

“That would be the smart move,” Xenk agreed, “but the question is, how early did he run? I doubt he’d leave before the opening ceremony—Forge, as lord, has to give a speech.”

“So what do we do now?” Holga asked anxiously.

“To the arena!” Aoko said decisively. “The castle’s defenses are thin right now, which means most of Sofina and Forge’s people are near the arena. Kira is likely with Forge, and he’ll try to run right after his speech!”

“We need to hurry!” Edgin urged. “Teleport us, Aoko!”

Aoko nodded. After recalling Bernard to the pocket dimension, she used Teleportation to bring her three teammates to the rear entrance of the arena, which was already controlled by the Emerald Enclave and Harpers.

Harper operatives disguised as guards saw Aoko’s group arrive via teleportation and immediately came over. “Is it time to act?”

“Situation is unclear—no Thayan troops or Edgin’s daughter at the castle!” Xenk replied. “Be ready, we’re going in to assess; start evacuating the arena crowd once you get the signal!”

“Understood!” The Harper nodded gravely, passing the message to their allies surrounding the arena.

Except for druids hiding in wild shape, most of the Harpers Xenk brought had replaced Neverwinter guards.

Everyone was in position, just waiting for the signal to act.

Xenk led the charge into the arena, the rest following and staying alert for enemies.

“Forge is giving his speech,” Aoko listened to the crowd’s cheers and Forge’s magically amplified voice. “The audience is all here—they’re about to start the Beckoning of Death!”

The four hurried to the second floor, only to be blocked by a group of black-robed figures.

“Xenk, I didn't expect you, the traitor, to dare face us!” The leader threw back his hood, revealing the typical bald head and transmutation tattoos of a Thayan assassin.

“Take them down quickly!” Xenk ignored the taunt, drew his sword, and charged.

Aoko tapped Holga’s adamantine axe, temporarily enchanting it with greater magic.

With two melee fighters and the blessed-by-the-goddess barbarian, the Thayan undead—already vulnerable to paladins—were quickly cut down and burned by Aoko’s Flame Shroud.

“Hurry!” Aoko urged. “I sense more enemies coming. We need to move faster and alert the Harpers and druids to enter!”

Xenk nodded, signaling allies as he led the group up the stairs.

On the third floor, more and more Thayan assassins blocked their way, so Aoko summoned Bernard and other arcane tower guardians.

Thayan necromancy weapons and spells were meant for the living but were ineffective against constructs. Bernard cleared the path, while Aoko patched up any damage.

However, as more enemies appeared, some escaped to spread the alarm. Aoko had to start using more destructive spells.

The good news: Druids and Harpers soon joined the fight. Some battled Thayans inside, while others began evacuating spectators.

The arena had five floors. Xenk guessed that to maximize the Beckoning of Death’s effect—spread as a red mist—the ritual must be at the top.

…

Meanwhile, Simon and Doric, now deep in Neverwinter Castle and facing the Mordenkainen's arcane seal, encountered a mass ambush by castle guards.

Doric transformed into an owlbear and fought hard, while Simon nervously tried once more to attune to the helmet.