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Chapter 461 Infiltration
🕑 Added 2020-04-05 14:16:15 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Hello all :). A little late today, apologies. Hope you like it!
More next week, unsure when exactly. I do hope you stay safe :).
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter 461 Infiltration
Luis Harken, hmm? Charming man, Ilea said as she read through the notes on the man. A level one sixty two mage and the leader of this rag tag group of government funded bandits.
You think it will work? she asked, having outlined the rough plan.
He shrugged. The epitome of confidence.
A shrug is enough for me.
Dress or roughed up leather armor? she said.
Armor. More believable.
Probably, she murmured and let her ashen armor flow to her back. She casually slashed open her arm and rubbed some of the blood onto her face. A few rough rounds through her hair with both hands left it disheveled enough. How do I look?
Rugged, the man wrote.
Beautiful enough to peak interest? she asked.
He nodded.
Ilea squinted her eyes. Are you just saying that because you think Im your master?
He shook his head.
Smart man.
The two of them casually strolled into the camp. At the sight of the slave she had come to call Steve, the guards nearly ignored her completely. Two men a little above level one hundred tried hard not to look at Steve, clasping their weapons a little more tightly.
He gestured her to continue and stepped back into the forest.
The camp was quite vast, trees felled to provide space for tents, some luxurious while most were quite simple. Moonlight shined from above, few clouds obscuring it.
Good evening, gentlemen, Ilea said with fake apprehension, glancing around frantically to give off the notion of a carp inside a wasp nest.
The Vowed brought you here who are you? one of them asked, now quite a bit more hostile than before.
God you are stupid. The other guy is at least respecting my level. The Vowed of course.
I was separated from my team. Id like to talk to whoever is in charge here, she said.
The man laughed and glanced at his companion. Im in charge as far as Im concerned. You want to stay the night? Have food and water? Maybe we can work something out. Not the ugliest Ive ever had.
Ilea took in his scent, the sweat and lack of hygiene, his aura, the feel of his magic, as dull as it was. She would find this man and she would personally rip off his head.
We shouldnt what if he finds out. You know what happened to those scouts, the other guard said.
That seemed to put a real damper on the dead mans ambitions. He wrung with himself but finally his fear won out over his desires.
What makes such a high level healer travel alone through here? With which order are you? he asked.
I would like to discuss such matters with whoever is in charge. As to your earlier comments, I hope you will fulfill my request. You know what will happen if a Corinth Order member suddenly vanishes, Ilea said.
He turned to her and got close. A lone healer and you still think your order will protect you. Here? In the middle of nowhere? How will they find me, I wonder?
They will interrogate your friend over there. Or the silent one who brought me here. He seemed more wise than you are, Ilea said, enjoying the twisting veins on his face.
Invoking the Corinth orders name brought her some joy. She couldnt agree more with the man. Nobody would come for a lone healer caught in a war camp of a bunch of slavers.
Follow me. No crap or you will be thrown to the slaves, he said, walking ahead through the camp.
Ilea could see the grin on his face thanks to her sphere. He believed her fate set in stone.
Im going to expand your world by so many dimensions, little warrior man.
[Warrior lvl 112]
Her sphere gave her an idea of the equipment of the people here. This wasnt a rogue team trying to get a few slaves back. This was a war camp, perhaps one of many. Why they were here instead of their own country was another question entirely.
Is that lord really that petty? Just forget about those slaves. Get your forces behind the walls and defend against Lys.
When she was let into the largest and most unnecessarily decorated tent, the question of pettiness answered itself.
Four Vowed ones occupied the large room, one in each corner.
Sprawled out in what looked like a couch lay a man wearing gold laced pants and no shirt.
He looked bored as he turned to her and the guard that had brought her here.
With him were nine women in a varied state of undress. And three men. They littered the floor as if they were furniture or pets. A few of them took note of Ilea but tried hard not to glance her way. The man had dark green eyes, toned muscles and wavy hair. A short beard gave his face a pleasant form as he rested on one hand.
Who is she? he asked in a bored tone.
Sir, she came looking for help. She claims to be part of the Corinth order, separated from her team, the guard helpfully informed.
A frightened and lost cub has come to my tent. Tell me, my dear. What are the principles taught to the Corinth order? he asked in the same monotone voice.
Fuck
You got me. Im not part of an order. The rest is true, she said.
The guard next to her grinned.
Oh? So you lied to us? Now that that doesnt paint a very bright future for you, my dear. Hmm it has been a while however, that I have feasted on such a rough animal. And healing powers are so, enticing. You may stay the night. With me, the man said with a slight smile. He didnt sound malicious, perhaps truly believing it to be a courtesy.
He stood up slowly and appeared in front of her.
[Mage lvl 162]
My name is Luis Harken. I welcome you to my tent, he said and touched her face.
Ilea stepped closer, reaching out and stroking his arms. She brushed her still armored chest against his and found his hand, her fingers brushing the thing she was looking for.
She got close to his ear, noting that his heart rate had increased, his manhood pushing through his pants against her thigh. Now, my dear. Promise not to scream.
Ash spread out behind her and into the mans mouth as she snapped off his finger and with it the signet ring. Four more limbs immobilized the guard that had brought her here as she took a step back, both men caught in her ash, the missing finger already healed.
Shiny, she said and looked at her outstretched hand, the golden ring topped off with a red signet. Vowed, take a step forward.
The four men in the corners of the tent simultaneously took a step forward.
Ilea was happy none of the slaves had spoken a word. She could tell that a few of them werent exactly present, their minds within a fog of ecstasy. Those that werent were very distressed.
Interesting. All that is needed is this ring. Steve was right, what a surprise, she mused to herself and looked at her captives. Their mouths were still filled with ash.
Dont worry, Im here to free slaves, not kill them, she said and crouched down in front of Luis.
See, youre quite attractive. I might have considered your proposal if you didnt hold humans like cattle.
He made a muffled noise as his body caught fire, a spell forming.
Ileas hand lashed out. The slap extinguished the flames entirely, the man nearly going unconscious. Her healing brought him back.
Now, now, now. Listen to me, Luis. I want you to realize in what position youre in, she said as her ashen armor extended around her. The grip of her ashen limbs strengthened on both of the men. She noted that his erection didnt wane. Quite the contrary.
Ew, now I feel dirty.
Your life is in my hands, do you understand that? she asked.
The man nodded, fear in his eyes.
Now, I want you to answer everything I ask and do as I say. Or I will kill you. Its as simple as that, she said.
He nodded frantically.
You wont scream if I take out the ash? she waited for the nod and then freed his mouth.
The man coughed, helped along by her healing. You wont get away with this, woman. My father-
Another slap made him shut up. A few of his teeth had broken, as well as his jaw. Ilea healed it quickly as her ash kept his screaming to a minimum.
Listen here you little shit. I really dont want to torture you, youre just so fucking weak I nearly kill you with a slap. Your threats arent very convincing with that thing poking through your pants.
My sexual interests matter not. You dared lay a hand on a Harken. You life is forfeit. Unless perhaps we can find an arrangement, he suggested.
Ilea sighed. Okay. First tell me what this ring can do. I can feel several uses.
It shows the enchantments placed within the Vowed and lets you charge them, the man explained. He remained quite calm after his small literal outburst.
Confident that he has the upper hand. Even bound and horny. This man hasnt lost a single time in his life.
You, get every Vowed here to this tent, she said, pointing at one of them. You, tell the guards outside that Im the new master. Nobody is to be let in.
Both men vanished.
Dont get used to it. You will have to give away this toy. It is the ethical thing to do.
I can at least be evil for a little while, she thought with a smile.
Are you really here to retake the slaves freed and taken from your lands? she asked.
The man looked at her as if it was the stupidest question to ask. Of course. My father doesnt take lightly on thievery. These lines of slaves have been held for generations. Fed and trained by us. Given purpose. A light response would not stand.
Really? Even though your country is at war with several nations? Ilea asked.
The king will prevail. And Wynehold will stand. It has been that way for centuries. The empire is weakened, wounded. It will bleed out in our lands, as will any other that dare to attack, Luis explained.
Is he delusional? Or does he know something I dont. Claire seemed sure the war was at an end. Just a matter of time until the kingdom is conquered or destroyed, its parts split between the vultures.
Why are you so sure of victory? Ilea said.
My father believes the priests of the order. I personally trust more in our military might. You must understand that the siege of Virilya was merely a play. A distraction for those who wanted war, bored of the status quo. The true power of Baralia remains within our cities, none of which will be taken, he said.
Bored. What the fuck, Ilea said and sat down on an ashen chair. There is so much in this world you could discover, so many creatures to find or fight, so much land, ruins and dungeons to explore. To stave off boredom you start a war?
Of course, the man said. What is more glorious than war?
The question was serious.
If everyone in that country thinks this way, this war may really go on for a little longer than the empire or Claire thinks.
Okay. Heres the deal. I only kill that guard because he is a disgusting fucker and insulted me personally. I take all your slaves and you fuck off back to your country and never come back.
The man looked at her before he burst out laughing.
You cannot be serious oh you are! He laughed even louder.
Ilea waited for him to calm down. So youre telling me there is no way you will retreat or stop this little play here?
Our people were stolen. It. Will. Not. Stand, he said, glaring at her with unfounded confidence.
People arent property, Ilea whispered, making the man laugh again.
You are weak. The order of the world is si- he couldnt finish the sentence for a lack of head.
The guard started struggling against the restraints, one of the ashen limbs piercing his skull a moment later. His limp body slumped to the ground.
Ilea sighed and looked around the tent. There were better options, she knew as much. Luis didnt seem like he was outright evil. He grew up in a system that promoted inequality, taught him that it was the way of life. And yet he restricted and endangered the lives of every slave in this camp.
She chose the easy way out and killed him. Ilea wasnt a saint and she didnt judge herself as one. The man held slaves. He wouldnt be missed. Baralia wouldnt be missed.
A Vowed one appeared next to her in a crouch, bowing.
Youre all here? she asked.
Steve appeared a moment later. He nodded, looking at the corpses and the ring on her finger.
Can I disable the enchantments? she asked.
Steve shook his head.
I see. Well. I will remove them later. The rest of you. I want you to call a rally with everyone present in the camp. Only those who are not slaves. Or slaves forced to work for Baralia, like you were before, she said. Right outside this tent, I suppose. Theres plenty of space.
The two men nodded and vanished.
She spread a light mist of ash and healed all the slaves in the tent.
A few of them shivered or yelped when the healing suddenly flowed through them.
You are safe now, she said.
Y you killed him what have you done? one of the men said, carefully moving closer to Luis corpse. He touched it, tears flowing from his eyes.
The others didnt seem inclined to do the same.
You will have a choice later. To come with me to Riverwatch, get a new life there as free men and women, or to go your own way. I suggest the former. The wilderness isnt quite as forgiving, Ilea said.
She kept her ashen armor on now, her bone set right below.
Thank you, one of the women whispered. Not loud enough for the others to hear but for Ilea it was crystal clear.
Of course, she said.
Ilea waited in silence for the next fifteen minutes, ash lazily moving around her form as she meditated. For a few minutes she had contemplated her decisions here. Luis had not budged and neither would she. It was inevitable.
She opened her eyes when one of the Vowed appeared in front of her.
[Mage lvl 184]
Spread out and protect the slaves. Kill anybody that tries to take them, harm them or use them as hostages, she said.
The man vanished again.
Ilea wondered how the others understood the command. Perhaps it was part of the enchantment in their teeth. Or it was an inherent ability they shared.
Either way, it was time to continue.
She grabbed Luis head and stepped out, ignoring the wails of the slave behind her.
Over a hundred people had gathered, all soldiers or adventurers, trained, armed and armored. Cooks, bards, administrators, scouts, rogues, and everything else a war camp required.
Before the situation could escalate, she whistled.
Everyone froze.
Hostility and aggression turned to fear and apprehension.
If you attack me, you die. If you kill or attack the slaves. You die, she said and threw down the head of Luis. If you continue to intervene here. You die.
Return to Baralia without causing any problems and then, stay there. Leave and live, she finished with the simple choice.
People started moving once more.
More than half immediately attacked, formations of them moving in on her and past those that were yet undecided. A few were cut down by their own, the word traitor thrown around here and there.
Ilea just stepped forward, to create some distance between herself and the command tent.
Everyone that rushed at her was ripped apart by fast moving ashen limbs. Some of them dodged or blocked a hit but every single one of them died. Not a single one of them was above level two hundred.
Their magic impacted her ash, her sphere making sure everything found its target.
Keep them focused on me.
She saw a few of them going for the slaves or fleeing. The former were cut down by the Vowed. The rest she didnt care about.
Ashen spears formed and skewered the mages and rangers who attacked from a distance.
It should be obvious by now that their efforts were in vain. And still dozens of them attacked.
Ilea didnt mind. They had made their choice.
A pitiful display. Only a third had fled, the only ones remaining either dying or still frozen, undecided and soiling themselves. A few were crying.
How very unpleasant, she said with a sigh. Why cant we just let each other live? she asked as a few of her limbs cracked the barrier put up by the last remaining mage.
His armor and body were ripped apart in the next moment, blood and guts slowly seeping onto the ground.
She clapped a few times to get the attention of the last four standing people. A cook, warrior and two mages.
Their heart rate and location of excrement suggested not just fear but terror.
You heard me, lads. Go back to your home and your families. And stay there, she clapped and watched them finally move, running for their lives.
If the son was an indication for the father, they would have another visit on their hands shortly. Think not of what was lost, she thought and looked at the slaves, shivering in their basic clothes, hope in their eyes as they tried to see her.
Comments
Ghornet
Nothing like fighting for freedom to end the day.
fbt
i actually feel the opposite, fwiw, her life and experiences aren't a single, simple, linear Harry Potter plot; it's simply her life. Some things lead somewhere, others may not (or not now). I rather like that aspect of it. And she's barely scratched the surface of this world, so the fog of war (or narrative in this case) covers a lot.
MrrC
Unless there is something within Baralia cities that can really challenge her (despite hating even the idea of slavery).....I'd be more interested in the North and the fact that the corruption has been stolen and is being spread......It also gets us back to exploring the wider world vs doing human politics. I didn't enjoy the Redleaf saga .... it frankly feels like an unnecessary detour designed to fill pages vs pushing plot forward. Still an awesome series - but it feels like it could use a editor to clean up plot lines that lead nowhere interesting.
Joshua Green
I hope she gets more involved. She is powerful enough now to make meaningful change.
M. Gunnarsson
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* Lord Harken: "Who is it?" *Knocks down wall* Ilea: "Yes, hi, do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior, the 'order of the world'?"
FusedBump96
Not a lot to say but I'm really enjoying the story (still). I think you have a lot of really interesting plot points to work with (Kyrian, Golden Lilly, the hidden might of Baralia, Elves and man I could even still go on). So keep up the good work and I hope that everything is going well with your civil service.
Ivactheseeker
Ilea: "let's free all the slaves!" "But they are free resistance training dummies!" "..." "My precious slaves :) "
Jonathan
I feel your pain. I'm thinking about bumping up to $10 for a month again, and he's only done two more side chapters since the last time I did that.
G. Harthane remembers that Illea has to take some bodies for the healing classes.
Augustus
I thought that was what she was trying to do as she retreated from the rot cave beasts when she killed one.
Tyler Babcock
The only thing that I am worried about is the fact that she is only two levels away from reaching the supposed level needed to get the Legendary Third Class. I know it doesn't suit her personality too much, but I was really hoping she would take the time to get her skill levels to the max before she went out again. And as much of her resistances to the max as well, or as much as she can with how hard they are to train. If she goes to kill a nation's leaders, low level or not, that could push her over the limit before she is ready
Sebastian Prue
Thank you for the chapter! 😁
Han Pol
I guess, it doesn't hurt to try new things for new skills and she still has a conscience, and had too look at the slave holder, and also so that she could judge the situation and make sure that captives could survive.
Jack Stiles
Some reason I didn't enjoy this chapter, her approach going in under cover didn't make sense if she was just going in to kill everyone. Just blink into the tent and grab the ring, not even hard for her.
time for mass murder~ genocide~~ yey
Caanbo
I like when she is Bitch slapping the bad guys. Lol I can’t wait when he send people for her yeah.
Han Pol
Or maybe just some attack or minor manipulation based on how much resistance she has to an element.
Stian Douglas Hillgaar
Tips to New clas. An Extra active ability per r esistance on the 3 res level. The on se ha 10 of soon. Can be both close and Long rang or aoa ability.
Han Pol
Or it might just be a noble son who put on air's and boost about the power o his father while the father is only level 250 or so.
Han Pol
Or this becomes a kind of kingdom ender quest for her.
Han Pol
would be cool for sure, or something with more area.
Kalle
Question is how powerful the father is, 300? higher? We know there are hidden powerhouses in the human lands even if they are very rare. hint of a future showdown?
Chad Hagner
Ty for the chapter! Looks like Ilea will need to smack down another Noble soon. Bwahahahhaha!!!!!
tibbish
I'd assume he'd enslave them rather than just kill them. Slavery can be much worse than death.
tibbish
Eh killing everyone but the slaves is pretty harsh. Some of those people are probably big assholes too but some were just cooks or cleaners and such who might not feel the same about slavery but can't do much to change their society and are too afraid to leave it
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter. Probably have to visit the father quickly so no more trouble comes to Riverwatch.
Joshua Little
Maybe but they would probably be basic because of a lack of achievements if they did the slow grind.
Adam Roundfield
Rip and terror
Straven
Thank you for another great chapter.
Han Pol
Maybe they can block a single one if they spend insane amounts of mana on it and then they are oom quickly.
Alexander Dupree
More like a cut following... Lol
Arcanes
Can someone below level 200 really block her ashen limbs? I doubt it, but it adds a little to the suspense I guess. Or maybe she didn’t go with her full strength. Anyway, good chapter and title. Love her use of monster hunter. Keeps the noobs in their place. Literally :) .
carebear90
Also... I might remember wrong but... weren't some of Baralia's cities allready taken in the side stories?
carebear90
Why do I think, that the Golden Lily will try to end this war before Baralia loses? There was an "Order" mentioned here... so what was Baralia really up to while supposedly "pretending to attack Lys"? Was this whole war some sort of population control after the demons didn't get as far as expected, to let the Humans not overcrowd their precious plains?
Would be a nice way to go on a vacation for her, humans need to be close to level 300 with good classes just to deal damage to her compare to tripple mark monsters that have it hard just to keep up with a playful Illea. Although maybe she can be sealed with a city wide formation. Hope she gets her third class first though, like don't want her 'accidentally' killing some level 300 scrubs and ruining her plans to get a resistence base class. Hoping for a Flesh Enhancer class that have aditional self recovery skills, some defensive and offensive muscle, skin and bones buffs and even better control of her body, maybe a mass manipulation skill, maybe she can also change size to acomodate a higher mass too. Maybe get rid of all her internal organs, like her physical brain, which can be a plus to her. Her food can just turn into mana inside her body, maybe grow aditional limbs too, or an ability to clone her self.
Alphafenrir401
Time for some regicide?
Ilea: "Dovagerii"
Honnepon
Was gonna subscribe again in June, but ugh, I have no discipline. Nice backlog of 14 chapters.
sharkattack
Ilea, Breaker of Chains, Slayer of Harkens I think it'd be funny if she made her way up the family tree and got an achievement for it
Stian Douglas Hillgaar
Maybe some kind of close combat monk with active magic attack base on her resistances...
Travis Beck
Loved it, but everyone who she just allowed to flee will probably be killed by the asshat in Baralia. Not really any choice but I’d like to see her be pre-emptive and go see the lord as soon as she hands the slaves over to Alistair. Well except for the ones connected to the ring, I’m sure she’ll give the ring and take those slaves to Llana.
Quant
Lol. Saw the title and thought 'Ilea? No way.'
Findell
Well i guess she has a whole country of nobels to hunt and kill. Maybe a king as well.
Ryan Frank
Honestly for Ilea that was fairly subtle. Please go smash slaver empire. When they ask why - "I was bored, heard that was a good reason to start wars here"
Anon_Anon
"Chapter 461 Infiltration " Press X to doubt
Acquiles Vitorino de Melo Graça
See, that's how you start a cult Maro. Also, I'd really suggest killing everyone that isn't a slave anyway, they are very prone to dying later while in the forest or becoming bandits, nevermind being punished/killed/enslaved for choosing to live. Plus their whole family if they have one.
Emma Carlin
I don't think she's killed so many humans so quickly before. She did fight in that major city, but that was against soldiers on a battlefield and less all at once. This time she rounded them up for slaughter unless they cooperated. I'm not disagreeing with her actions, I'm just pointing out I think it's new. I wonder if this is going to impact her 3rd class at all. This, combined with teaching and power leveling others, she's been been making a lot of selfless acts for the benefits of others lately. I feel like that's going to be a theme for the 3rd class, something about guiding for bringing a great change to humanity.
MountainFox
...How many camps are there in the area again? Ilea's gonna have a cult following at this rate.
Arkeus
I see Ilea is being subtle here.
Chase Clawson
Hoo boy, looks like Ilea's gonna end up giving a lesson to some Baralian nobility! Too bad it's so hard to get rid of years of indoctrination. Thanks for the chapter!
agentjongon
Cool cool cool
