Chapter 173 - Morales out the window
After going through a check, Shaman and the group all entered the dungeon without any troubles.
The group walked down the stone steps until they reached the bottom, getting a view of the entire area.
Like a normal mediaeval city, there were houses scattered in a field as well as a castle in the distance. A noticeable detail was the giant tree that came out of the castle which Shaman assumed is the dark elves world tree.
‘Kiruya wasn’t lying when she said it would be a separate society.’ Shaman saw purple skinned elves living out their daily lives as if it was a fully functioning world.
“Although they look real, just know that as soon as they see us, every single one will try to kill us, so don’t be fooled.” Kiruya knew this was a difficult stage for an adventurer as it would seem like they are killing innocents.
Everyone nodded. Although it was hard to not see them as just normal people, they needed to accept that they are not actual people.
‘Think about it like it's a video game! They’re just mobs that will respawn and this is just a super realistic MMO.’ Shaman had a better time at accepting that they are just things created by the dungeon, but Clara and Silver still felt wrong about murdering them. Elysia didn’t didn’t mind either way, she only cared about the people close to her so it didn’t phase her if she had to kill, especially if said enemy poses a threat.
“First, I want you to scout out the area and get familiar with it while I will clear it. Try not to enter prematurely until I have fully cleared the area. Other than that, keep watch and take note of the kind of elves we are dealing with.” Kiruya explained what she wanted Shaman and the rest to do, hoping that watching her fight would help lessen their doubts about killing the dungeon dwellers .
“So we watch you fight while scouting the area and get familiar with the type of dark elves we would be fighting?” Shaman confirmed what they were doing with Kiruya and the latter nodded.
“Alright, I will take the lead. They usually have a few patrols near the entrance so we will use them to demonstrate what I meant.” Kiruya wanted to make sure they knew that no matter what they do, they will get attacked, so at least they will be on guard at all times.
Kiruya, seeing everyone nod, started to walk down the path that led to the outskirts of the city.
*
Spotting the patrol that Kiruya was talking about, everyone stopped and let her confront the group of 4 dark elves that wore the same armour as normal elves but in black.
Everyone pulled out their weapons just in case, ready to jump in if Kiruya got in trouble. Although they doubted they would need to, they still wanted to be on their guard.
Kiruya stood in front of the patrol as they approached. Once they were close enough, a sudden dark purple glow appeared in their eyes. Without even trying to converse with Kiruya, they seemingly switched into attack mode and charged at her with their spears.
“Die!” The dark elves coordinated their attack, each one going for different weak spots on Kiruya, but as they were about to reach her body, she jumped in the air.
Using her wind she stayed elevated in the air while pulling out her weapons. The circular blade split in 2 as she wielded each half in a backwards grip, the circular blades extending along her forearms.
The dark elves moved to throw their spears, at the same time conjuring up wind to enhance their throw. However, before they could let go of their spears, Kiruya pushed herself with her wind back onto the ground behind them.
Using her tail, she slashed across the backs of 2 of the elves while dashing forward. Leaving them no time to turn around to block or retaliate, Kiruya spun with her blades in hand, slicing right through their armour. Stopping in their midst, Kiruya spun one last time on the spot and sent out wind blades, chopping off the heads of the dark elves.
Their bodies fell to the floor, having been easily defeated by Kiruya, impressing everyone as her movements were rather elegant.
‘She really does have the fighting style of a feline.’ Shaman also noticed that Kiruya’s movements were very cat-like, as when she landed on the ground she stretched out like a cat would.
“So, as you can see they are rather rabid. Of course since they are on the outskirts, they are the weakest of their kin, so don’t underestimate them once we are further in.” Kiruya walked back to everyone hoping they understood.
“Even a child will act like this?” Clara hoped the answer was no, but it looks like that won't be the case.
“Sadly no, but they can’t do anything to hurt you, so if you really can’t bring yourself to kill them, then at least knock them out.” Kiruya saw the conflicted look on Clara which was understandable.
“Well if they attack us we kill them, not like we can save them.” Silver was indifferent about the whole situation as his moral compass was quite off when it came to certain things, only seeing these issues as black or white.
Shaman was speechless at Silver’s words, but at the same time couldn’t argue or tell him off as he wasn’t wrong.
“That's the harsh way to put it, but Silver is right. No need to think too much about it since when we come back here everything will return to normal.” Elysia wouldn’t hesitate to kill as she already established in her mind that things will return to normal once they have left.
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“We will continue forward. Once we are by the town, that is where the path will split off, so you should look for a route into the castle.” Kiruya sighed as there was a clear split in the party between those who would kill and those who would hesitate.
‘Hope they will understand that they truly are beasts despite their appearances.’ Kiruya was given direct orders by Freja to not disclose the true identity of the dark elves before their scout mission.
‘It would make this a lot easier if I could say they are shapeshifting beasts, but Freja wants to make everything a trial.’ Kiruya didn’t see the point in withholding any information, but she couldn’t go against Freja’s orders.
*
Continuing further down the path, they made it to the edge of the town which had a small stone wall surrounding it.
There were a few guards on the outside, but Kiruya pounced on them with ease, using her tail to slice their throats before they could make any noise.
“Here is where we will split off, I would recommend following the wall unless you think you can make it using your stealth skills, but know the safest way is to follow the wall until you reach the castle.” Kiruya wanted to leave them with some advice before they parted ways for the time being.
“Okay, when did you want to meet back up?” Shaman wasn’t sure if they could take as long as they wanted or would need to be quick.
“I don’t mind, but I prefer to regroup in no more than an hour. You will know when that is as I will cast a tornado which will be the queue to retreat.” Kiruya planned to use one of her larger scale spells as an indicator if they ran out of time.
“Alright, I will have Elysia shoot a massive fire arrow into the sky like a firework if we finish early.” Shaman wanted their own indicator and looking at Elysia who loves to explode things thought they could take advantage of that.
“If that's all then let's get this mission underway. I will see you in at least an hour.” Kiruya stretched herself out like a cat before grabbing her weapons.
“Be careful Kiruya.” Shaman knew she would be okay as she was a tier 8, but couldn’t help worrying.
“Don’t worry I will be fin-.” Kiruya started to walk through the gate, but she tripped over her own feet and face planted into the ground.
Everyone stared blankly at Kiruya as they didn’t understand how she fell over.
“Umm are you sure you will be fine.” Elysia wasn’t sure what to say other than to ask if she would be okay going alone.
“Yep! I will be fine.” Kiruya shot up from the ground with her face completely red.
Shaman facepalmed and shook her head as it reminded them that Kiruya was a rather normal clumsy girl.
“Don’t fall over next time Kiri!” Silver gave Kiruya a nickname and waved her off while giggling to himself.
“I-I… yep, bye!” Kiruya was too embarrassed to retort back at Silver and quickly ran into the town.
“Now we should get moving. Do we want to use my shadows and cut through or follow Kiruya’s advice?” Shaman didn’t mind either way and wanted to see how everyone else felt.
“It would be quicker to cut through.” Elysia wanted to cut through and also have a shot at a few elves.
“I don’t know.” Clara was still having a moral battle with herself as she didn’t want to kill a child even though they were in a dungeon.
“I’ll go with whatever.” Silver didn’t mind and would do whatever his mother chose to do.
“We don’t have to fight if we cut through, so Clara you don’t have to fight this time, you can leave it to us even if we do encounter elves.” Shaman figured since they were not meant to be fighting that Clara could sit back.
“Thank you.” Clara was glad and felt relieved that she wouldn’t have to fight yet.
“Alright Silver, please take Clara in your shadow and I will have Elysia. If we are ready to go then let's start making our way to the castle and find a way in that we can infiltrate through.”