[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@The Irish Tree][/sub] [b]Homestead[/b] [hr] It was easy enough to follow the trail left by the bandits, eventually being led to their makeshift stronghold. The bandits were simply that, untrained brigands and weren't even alerted to the presence of the duo when they had arrived. He and Eula made sure to stick to the shadows and tall grass to make sure it stayed that way for the time being. While make a trip along the camp's perimeter, they overheard a conversation between a couple of the bandits. Upon hearing it, Shizuka couldn't believe it at first, it sounded a bit too outlandish. But it seemed that they were indeed speaking of the woman who's family had supposedly been killed by brigands. Shizuka himself didn't speak with the woman, though Eula did and not it seemed that the story wasn't holding up. He had his thoughts interrupted by Eula, who began asking him about the morality of the job. If their suspicions were true, they were taking up a job to get revenge for a woman who killed her own family just to be with someone who abandoned her anyway. It seemed his automation companion had trouble grasping complex moral situations like this. He sigh before speaking, the whole situation taking an unexpected turn. [color=0072bc]"No, Eula, it's not right taking revenge for someone who killed their own family. But, I'm afraid it's for the best that we see this through to the end. After all, they're still bandits and have likely committed their share of havoc within all this chaos. If left to their devices, it may lead to more problems down the line."[/color] He turned to face the stronghold. [color=0072bc]"Once we've finished here, we'll go back to that woman and make her tell us the truth of the matter - one way or another."[/color] He began to focus a bit of his chi as he noticed a small group of bandits walking together. After gathering his energy, he breathed out a large volume of mist that began to cover the vicinity the brigands were in. Naturally, they were taken aback by the sudden fog. However, they began to be further startled by the illusions of warriors attacking them. They pulled there blades out and started attacking them, only to have the warriors vanish - revealing they had attack their comrade instead. The illusion was slowly driving them off the rails and unknowingly forcing them to attack one another. Satisfied with the effect of his technique he quickly turned to Eula. [color=0072bc]"The fog will deal with these droogs and cover our approach. You should be able to sense their mana through it as well, I presume. I'll search for the leader, see if you can do something about the others with the crossbows. Be careful!"[/color] He said, vanishing using Shinsoku to run among the confusion. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center] [center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfOVMI-pKw]🌀[/url][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@Hammerman][@Restalaan][@Crowvette][/sub] [b]Terauchi Temple[/b] [hr] Having finally made it back to the temple, the trio was greeted by Ayu. Luna corrected the spy in that the woman was a prisoner of sorts, they did after all need information from her. Ayu escorted her to come living quarters, which would hopefully make her feel more comfortable and more cooperative later on. The two sisters where then greeted by an arm each wrapping around both of them, then being pulled center ward towards the origin. They both let out cute yelps before realizing it was nothing other than Skarsneek giving a usual greeting. [color=7bcdc8]"Oh! Skars-kun, I see you've returned from your mission as well? I hope everything went alright, ours had went well to for the most part. Oh, but my sis-"[/color] She was cut off midsentence by her sister, who now had an outlet to unleash all of her irritation out on. [color=9e0b0f]"Well, now, if it isn't the ditcher himself! You know, you've got a lot of nerve just up and leaving me earlier this morning and just running off with other mamono!"[/color] She snapped, poking Skarsneek's nose with her finger. [color=9e0b0f]"You could've at least waited for me to wake up, you jerk. Honestly, do all goblins behave like this?!"[/color] It seemed that the rambling wouldn't end any time soon; Atsuha had plenty of angst that built up over the course of today's events. Hinami couldn't do much of anything except look on with a somber smile on her face. She then turned to Luna. [color=7bcdc8]"Well, all's well that ends well I suppose. Thank you very much for all of your help; Sorae-san can be a handful, but we're so grateful you had a hand in saving her life."[/color] She said, making a polite bow. [color=7bcdc8]"Say, since we're done with the mission, did you wanna grab a bite to eat?"[/color] She then looked over to Io and Liliana [color=7bcdc8]"Hey there, would you like to join us as well?"[/color] She said, daintily waving at the both of them.