Aozaki Aoko Case File [483] (Patreon)

Let’s rewind a bit—to when Doric and Simon first entered the Neverwinter Castle treasury.

“Where’s the treasure...?” Simon looked around the empty vault in confusion. “Did we come to the wrong place?”

“Impossible,” Doric said decisively. “I saw Sofina and Forge showing off Mordenkainen's arcane seal to the Neverwinter envoy right here!”

“Wait...!” Simon frowned in thought as if he recalled something. “Doric, do you remember that room next to the docks we visited before?”

“The one where we bought that fake painting?” Doric suddenly realized. “You mean the remaining treasure in that warehouse is actually...”

“The treasure was never stored in this vault!” Simon said urgently. “Sofina wants to turn the whole city into undead—there’s no way Forge would leave the treasure here! That dockside room is his temporary stash. Most of the treasure is probably already on a ship. Forge is running!”

“We need to tell Edgin and the others right away,” Doric said. “The Tablet of reawakening must have been taken too!”

“But my Sending Stone was destroyed by the Helmet. I can’t contact them!” Simon said anxiously. “We need to get out, or Forge will escape with the Tablet of reawakening whether he wins or loses!”

“Then let’s not waste time,” Doric said, turning to leave. “Quick, before the soldiers wake up, let’s get out of here!”

…

Xenk, Edgin, and Holga, together with some Harpers, fought their way out of the arena. Of the Tower Guards, only Bernard was unscathed. Most of the others were damaged, with only three or four limping along to cover their retreat.

Back on the streets of Neverwinter, they found the city in chaos—shouts, screams, and the sounds of battle everywhere. Thayans and Neverwinter adventurers were locked in combat.

“Over there!” Holga, sharp-eyed, pointed toward the fountain plaza. “Aoko and Sofina are both there!”

Aoko herself was in a tough fight. After she landed, three more Thayan Red Wizards appeared from nowhere, joining Sofina to attack her.

Aoko had to release her four Simulacrum, but their spell slots were already partly spent and each required her attention.

Even with split thinking, she couldn’t last long; in time, she’d be defeated.

Fortunately, the other three Red Wizards weren’t as skilled as Sofina, proving that even among Red Wizards, Sofina’s 9th-level magic made her truly elite.

Spells flew back and forth, but Aoko held her own against four opponents, which shocked Sofina. For a moment, she hesitated.

But Sofina, a three-hundred-year-old archmage, wouldn’t be scared off so easily. Seeing Aoko’s reinforcements approaching, she decided to go all out.

The other three Red Wizards quickly cast spells to block Aoko’s attacks, giving Sofina time to rapidly cast her own spell. With a shout, eight meteors with blazing tails fell from the sky, targeting everyone present.

Meteor Swarm!

The original spell summons four meteors, each dealing fire and bludgeoning damage—a powerful evocation. This variant split each meteor into two smaller ones, increasing the number of strikes and the chance to hit.

Seriously, a necromancer casting Meteor Swarm? Shameful... Aoko thought, but her actions didn’t slow.

Her four Simulacrum used Misty Step to reach the allies targeted by the meteors, raising Curved Force Walls to block the attacks.

Aoko herself teleported away with Dimension Door, trying to backstab Sofina again. But this time, she miscalculated—Sofina was ready.

As Aoko landed, Sofina spun and fired a blood-red ray of negative energy from her fingertip, striking Aoko’s chest.

Xenk’s heart skipped a beat. He recognized that spell—Finger of Death, a necromancer’s infamous signature.

But before shock could turn to grief, they realized Aoko’s Simulacrum was still operating, casting spells at Thayan assassins—proving Aoko was alive.

Aoko, after taking the hit, staggered back in surprise—but her expression quickly turned to a cunning smile as she looked at Sofina with contempt.

“That’s impossible... you’re a Metamagic Caster!” As an experienced Red Wizard, Sofina realized instantly why Finger of Death had no effect—high-level metamagic users have the special ability Resilient Soul, making them immune to instant-death effects.

Sensing the shift, Xenk Misty Stepped to a Red Wizard, and before the enemy could react, drove his sword through the wizard’s heart.

“Holy Smite!”

A burst of radiant energy incinerated the undead Red Wizard from within, reducing him to a charred corpse—proof of a paladin’s power against evil.

But the other two Red Wizards quickly pulled back. With Thayan assassins covering them, they fought the Harpers’ rangers and bards. Even Holga was kept busy by the assassins and couldn’t close in.

Sofina also used Dimension Door to widen the gap. Since kill spells were useless against Aoko, she would try something else...

A green energy orb flew from Sofina’s hand, missing the Harper in front of her—he thought Sofina had simply missed.

But he soon realized in horror that the flying dragon statue atop the fountain, struck by the orb, came to life and charged at him.