Fire Mage

She stared at those three people, who were seated on the sofas, for three continuous seconds, and then asked in curious.

"Who are those people?"

"T-They are my guests, my lady. T-They came here to discuss some private matters." Darwin walked beside her nervously and stuttered.

Upon hearing Darwin's stuttering words, Charles squinted his eyes and looked at those three people in puzzlement. He then cast [Inspect] skill on a black-robed guy and soon widened his eyes.

[Inspect has been cast...]

[Wisdom Check...]

[Inspect Failed...]

A moment later, the black-robed guy turned his gaze towards Charles's direction and looked at him with his snake-like yellow eyes!

A chill went up to his spines as he felt the black-robed guy's gaze! His heart also began to thump faster madly.

He had never felt any ominous feeling like this before and became shocked inside.

'He is a real maniac. He is oozing out so much bloodlust… A guy who loves killing for fun…'

'My [Inspect] skill has failed which means he must be above Rank 2 mystic. Moreover, that guy's yellow eyes... Something is odd about those eyes!' He retracted his gaze and then looked at the other two guests. One was a blonde-haired male with red eyes, while the other was a silver-haired female with black eyes. Both wore a formal black suit and looked around 30 years old. Although they looked normal, Charles felt an uneasy feeling when looking at them.

"Let's go," Noticing his odd behavior, Emilia patted his shoulder and said while following after Darwin.

They walked on the red-carpeted floor and went to the second floor through the split staircase. After that, they walked in the decorated corridor and soon arrived in front of a gold-painted metal door.

"Honorable Guests, you must be tired due to the long journey. You can stay here for a day and rest well." Darwin said while rubbing his hand and added with a smile,

"My town guards would come and ask your help if they met any abnormal activities." Saying those words, Darwin turned around and went downstairs in a rush.

Meanwhile, Team Aces members opened the golden door and went inside. The guest room looked more like a large hall. Multiple magic candles were lit in the corners and illuminated the whole room in dim yellow light. Furniture like tables, beds, and chairs was arranged in the guest room's center and enchanted the room like a luxurious banquet hall.

Once they walked in, Emilia locked the door from inside and asked in confusion.

"We came here to subjugate a monster. But why is he acting like we came to attend a banquet?"

"Shall we go and gather information from the town citizens?" Andrew sat on a wooden chair and asked while rubbing his chin,

"That's a good idea." Luke went near the slider window and closed it quietly. Meanwhile, Emilia took a head-sized blue crystal from a small pouch and placed it at the room's center.

'Void pouch? It's must be an uncommon artifact.' Charles thought inwardly.

A heartbeat later, the room magic candle lights shimmed a little and then went out with a poof!

After that, the crystal began to glow in blue light and illuminated the room.

Charles didn't felt any change and got puzzled by their action.

"This is Concealment Stone. Once you activate this stone, no one would be able to hear or see what is happening inside." Emilia said with a smile as she noticed his puzzlement and then turned her face serious.

"Now, let's talk about the mission. Something is definitely off about Darwin's guests. I also felt some familiarity feeling when seeing their faces." Her tone was dead serious.

"I also felt abnormality around their bodies." Luke nodded his head in agreement and spoke in a grim tone.

"Did Darwin seek help from some private organization?" Andrew grunted in dissatisfaction while furrowed his brows.

"That might be possible. But does he have that much money? If so, why did he send a request to Riverdale City Lord? Something feels off about the situation." A frown appeared on Emilia's forehead as she thought about those three guests.

Meanwhile, Charles looked around the room curiously and interjected their conversation,

"That black-robed guy looks powerful. He must be a peak Rank-2 mystic."

Emilia, Luke, and Andrew froze for a moment and then turned their heads in shock.

"They are not good people," Charles added calmly.

'What is his inheritance skill? Is he able to perceive other's facial expressions keenly? Or, is it [Perception] skill? Nah, It shouldn't have attracted Bishop's attention. Although the [Perception] skill is rare, it's not very hard to find among the mystics. Hmm, is his skill able to see others' emotions?' Emilia pondered deeply and then shook her head.

'He must have a rare skill. He could help us gather more information about those guys.' She looked at Charles in interest and asked,

"How are you so sure about that?"

"That... It's up to you to decide whether to believe my words or not." Charles leaned on the ladder-back chair and said.

The trio went silent upon hearing Charles's answer. After thinking for a moment, Emilia nodded her head and asked further.

"What about the other two guests?"

"I didn't felt any danger from them. But they might also be powerful as the black-robed guy." Charles said solemnly.

'Hmm, are they from Demonic Cult?' Emilia furrowed her brows and shook her head.

'They are not our main target. We have to go to the Graylake Forest and subjugate the Distorted Shadow first.' She pondered for a moment and then made up her mind in a second.

"Rest for a while, we will start our main mission at 4 P.M." Saying so, she went near the wooden bed and laid on it. Others also went near other beds and began to take rest.

Charles was the one who didn't sleep; instead, he sat on the bed and then took out the 'Ghost Dagger' from his leather bag. After that, he looked at the black eye-like gem embedded silver hilt and frowned.

An uneasy feeling appeared in his mind!

It was a warning from his new [Sixth Sense] skill!

He looked at the black eye in confusion and began to think deeply.

...

At Riverdale City, 35 Ivy Street.

Russell was seated in his office room and was looking at a void-like screen in amusement. The one who appeared on the screen was none other than Charles's face!

"Is everything ready, Russell Black?" An old voice appeared from behind, causing Russell to stand up hurriedly.

"G-Grandpa Anderson!" Russell turned around in shock and nodded his head.

A second later, an illusionary image of a white-haired old man appeared in front of him. He looked around 90-years-old with full of wrinkles on his pale face. He wore a golden robe and gave off a sense of ancient aura!

Russell calmed his mind and spoke,

"Everything is ready. We should find out his real capabilities through this mission. If our luck is good, we might find some clue about A-025."

"Good, proceed with the plan then. As for Bishop Reynolds, finish him off when the time is right." The old man named Anderson said coldly and then looked at the void-like screen in expectation.

"F-Finish him off? G-Granpa, he is a blessed child of Life Goddess Nira! If someone finds about our scheme, all of us will face the wrath of Life Church members." Russell's face turned pale as he broke into cold sweats.

"So what? We can go and hide for a few decades in another world. After that, not even devoted believers of Life will remember a guy called Bishop Reynolds." Anderson Black sat on the wooden chair and said calmly.

Upon hearing his grandfather's idea, Russell began to calm down and nodded his head.

...

Meanwhile, at Pine Town entrance,

A wooden carriage stopped in front of the Iron Gate, and soon two people walked out from it.

One was a slightly obese guy, while the other was a lean guy. Both looked around 25 years old and wore tight leather armors. Knife scars and wounds on their faces showed that both were well-experienced in combats and sword battles.

The obese guy had black hair, a round face, and wide-set oceanic eyes. On the other hand, the lean guy had blonde hair, amber eyes, and an oval face. He also wore a red gem embedded bracelet in his hand and looked calmer as ice. His amber eyes showed a sense of mystery.

"Henry?" A loud shout, which was filled with surprise and shock, came from the fort wall, causing both to look up in wonder. A second later, a black-haired guy who was around 20 years old looked down from the top at the slightly obese guy and started roaring in anger,

"Bastard, what the hell are you doing here?!"

Meanwhile, Henry became startled as he stared at the familiar black-haired guy's face and soon grinned.

"Show some respect to your elder brother, Sam."

"Respect? You are a thief! If not for our mother's plea, I would have come and search for you in Riverdale City and killed you ages ago!" Sam glared at the ruffian looking Henry and then added,

"Wait there for a minute. I will ask our guard captain to open the gate."

Saying so, he turned around and went to the other side of the gate.

Meanwhile, Henry let out a heavy sigh and asked while looking at the calm-looking lean guy.

"Why did you ask me to accompany you to my hometown, Jimmy?"

Upon hearing his partner's question, Jimmy shook his head and spoke in confusion.

"I don't know. But something is telling me to come here."

"Is it another strange dream of yours?" Henry gave a weird look at Jimmy and continued with a sigh,

"You need to see a psychiatrist soon, my friend. If you didn't find a way and cure your mental illness, you would face problems in the future. You are showing symptoms of multiple personality illnesses these days."

"Am I?" Jimmy's amber eyes flashed in cold light as he gave a sharp look at Henry. He then shook his head and replied calmly.

"It's not a big deal. I will become normal in a month or two." He said with a chuckle and then turned his attention towards the Iron Gate.

A second later, the gate made creaking noises and opened loudly. Both walked in and met Sam on the other side. After some argument between Sam and Henry, the trio went to Blood Street and soon arrived in front of a single-storied brick house.

They walked into the medium house and soon met with a middle-aged woman. When she saw Henry, she cried out in surprise and embraced him in her arms. A small reunion happened in the poorly polished house.

Henry also started crying in his mother's arms and shared his hardship and adventurers like a small kid. Well, he did exclude the robbing and thieving parts, though. Henry also introduced Jimmy to her mother and told her about their deep friendship. He talked about his dangerous missions and even told her about how Jimmy got his famous 'Unlucky Star of Riverdale City' title.

After an hour, Jimmy got tired of their blabbering and walked out of the brick house while saying a random excuse. He then went to the town chief's mansion street and then looked at the mansion for a few seconds in silence.

After that, he looked at the red gem embedded bracelet and smiled mysteriously.

If someone looks closely at the red gem, they will find a tiny humanoid fog was screaming in pain and anger!

"How are you, Jimmy?" He asked while letting out an evil laugh.

"Release me!" A second later, a shout filled with grief and pain appeared from the bracelet and soon died down.

"Sorry mortal, you have to wait for a while. Don't worry; I will give you a peaceful death before I take your body." The 'Fake' Jimmy let out a chuckle and caressed the bracelet like a precious treasure.

"Bastar-" As the 'Real' Jimmy was about to shout again, the 'Fake' one waved his hand and blocked the 'Real' Jimmy's loud voice.

After that, he glanced at the surroundings in amusement and silently left.

...