Sabrina Benton watched everything unfold with a cold and detached look on her face. Being the Lord Marshall of Ravenfell, she had learned to be an objective observer when it came to carrying out her duties.
It did not matter how powerful a Magus was, what their noble rankings were, or if they were morally gray. What mattered to her was the safety and security of Ravenfell above all else.
When she watched the interaction between Qamara Feno, Adam Constantine, and Daneli Ambermind, she began to understand what truly happened after piecing together certain things.
So this boy, Adam, tricked Feno's girl into believing that Daneli died at the hands of the Duskfall couple, she speculated silently.
He manipulated her by playing to her emotions, convincing her to fight alongside him in order to avenge Daneli.
Her gaze then shifted to the fourteen corpses of the black-robed individuals, her eyes narrowing.
These Magi… all of them share the same mana trait. Rot, decay, and… death! Necromancers, I see. But who are they? A new organization in Ravenfell?
Besides that, Adam Constantine was able to take them on all by himself, so why then did he need Feno's girl to go along with him?
A peculiar light flashed in Sabrina's eyes and her lips couldn't help but curl up into a light smirk.
I see. It's because she's Feno's girl. Right, his aim had been Councilor Feno from the very beginning. Well, that and to prove that he's innocent in whatever conspiracy had been brewing in this place.
From what Daneli told me, the Umbra Thieves and the Red Fists have been working together with the Duskfall couple and engaging in human trafficking.
She turned her head and looked toward the center of the chamber. She first glanced at the large runic formation on the ground and then the bloody pool and the zombie corpses all around.
Councilor Flynn had been warning us about the Red Fists and the Umbra Thieves in almost all the council meetings. We took him lightly… This was an oversight on my part.
Now, we have no other option but to go after them. But…
"Magus Constantine," she called out. "Where are the Duskfalls? Did they escape?"
"Yes, my lady." Adam respectfully nodded. "In the heat of battle, they used a magic scroll and teleported out of this place."
"I see," Sabrina muttered. She then looked at one of her men and ordered, "Find them at all costs."
Before the Magus could comply, Adam chimed in. "My Lady, I can help with that."
Sabrina's eyebrows furrowed and she stated, "You are not to leave my sight until I've cleared everything up. I must remind you, Magus Constantine, you are still under suspicion of being involved in all of this. After all, everyone claims you were the guest of honor at this event."
Adam assured her, "I won't leave, my lady. I had already taken into account that the Duskfalls would flee. Thus, I had made arrangements beforehand."
Sabrina's eyes narrowed and she couldn't help but wonder, So he's taken all things into consideration, eh? At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if my coming here was also part of his plan. This scheming little boy..."
"Go ahead," she said.
Adam nodded and then looked at the red and yellow snakes coiled beside him. He then spoke to them in snaketongue, "Your poison still runs through Fern's body, yes?"
"Just like you instructed, human," the red snake hissed.
"Good." Adam nodded. "Bring them both to me. Alive."
The two snakes then slithered into Adam's shadow and disappeared. Even Sabrina Benton couldn't sense their presence.
What strange summons, she thought. And what was that language just now?
Sabrina then ordered half of her remaining men to take care of the imprisoned women and free them. The other half followed her back to the surface.
The group climbed the stairs and arrived inside the manor. Immediately, one of the armored Magi approached them. He knelt before Sabrina and respectfully stated, "Reporting to the Lady! Four Councilors have arrived and are waiting for you outside."
"Hmm, they must've heard the commotion and come here." Sabrina nodded.
"My Lady, there's one more thing," the man added.
"Some of Councilor Flynn's men arrived at the entrance and handed us a few criminals," said the man. "Apparently, these criminals belong to the top brass of the Red Fists."
"The Red Fists?" Sabrina's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Where is Councilor Flynn?"
"Well, he isn't there. His men came and dropped the criminals off before leaving."
"They left?" Sabrina pressed. "Why did they leave? Are you sure they were Councilor Flynn's men?"
"Yes, my lady," the man answered truthfully. "Well, I mean, they were wearing the Flynn Family's crest. They left saying their Patriarch was calling for them. Something about an emergency…"
"Who was leading that group of Magi?"
The man recalled for a moment and spoke, "Two Rank 2 Magi, male, humans. One Rank 2 Magus, female, elf. The rest were Rank 1 Magi, all male."
A female elf? Sabrina thought to herself in confusion. But according to the intel report I have on Brigham's Magi, he doesn't have any elves working under him…
Meanwhile, Adam was inwardly thanking the rest of the Agents of the Brotherhood for secretly carrying out the mission he had given them last night. Whereas, Daneli was seething with rage after learning about Brigham Flynn's absence.
After a brief pause, the group walked out of the manor. Outside, they saw all the guests being interrgoated by the armed forces under Sabrina Benton.
In the distance, Sabrina Benton saw few of her collegues from the Council - Hammon Mcleod, Nylian Feno, and Daniel Ranzenberg.
Only three of them? Sabrina frowned. I thought there were four—
Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt when she suddenly sensed immense killing intent being directed in her general direction. Her eyes narrowed and she instinctively reached out for her weapon.
At the last moment, from the corner of her eyes, she was able to catch a glimpse of the fourth Counilor, Ives Ballard, pouncing on Adam with rage.
The man had snuck up on the raven-haired youth and was trying to assassinate him as he let out a furious bellow, "Filthy demon, die!!" Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire