Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix C.303: Allies and enemies

"Do you think we should head directly to the king's room in the middle of the night to explain the situation?" Rain asked when he could see the capital in the distance.

The whole group was left in a state of utter shock when Rain presented his audacious idea to infiltrate the king's quarters under the cloak of night. This suggestion teetered on the edge of utmost insolence, a daring act that carried the weight of potentially severe consequences.

Their eyes widened in a collective expression of amazement and concern as they grappled with the audacity of Rain's proposal.

However, Rain appeared undeterred by their shared astonishment, seemingly unfazed by the audacious nature of his plan. His goals outweighed any reservations regarding propriety or the potential fallout of such a bold action.

"That isn't an option, even more so when Seadir, Sirenus and Coraline are with us," Branden said. "They are guests, but we aren't part of a diplomatic committee. We have to find another way."

"Even though you did that much for the truce, it doesn't feel like you are that trusted," Rain said.

"We just have to avoid all kinds of actions that might make us look suspicious…" Branden said and then sighed.

Branden looked at Seadir and his friends for a moment and felt like sighing again… things would be different if they had a bit more time, but they had to make it work with what they had.

While the group was still thinking of what they should do, they arrived in the city and landed at the top of the headquarters. Although it was dinner time, the place was quite quiet. Usually at such a time, people would be drinking and eating while making a lot of noise. Rain could feel the presence of a lot of people inside, so it seemed that they heard some bad news.

"... Something is off…" Rain said. "They are too quiet."

"We can't talk with anyone, even Karla I guess," Branden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Can you find anyone that could be watching the building, Rain?"

"If we wait a bit more, maybe," Rain said. "There are too many people around."

After landing on the rooftop of the headquarters, the group settled in for an extended watch. Rain, especially, remained alert during this time. His watchful eyes scanned the surroundings for any signs of unusual activity. Although the exterior of the building remained quiet, the interior was eerily silent.

They waited in suspense, each passing minute feeling like an eternity. Despite the slow passage of time, Rain and the group remained patient and ready for the daring mission that lay ahead.

"Rain, I decided that we should split the work," Branden suddenly declared. "You, Seadir, Sirenus and Coraline, will remain hidden while the rest of us will talk with everyone here and eventually His Majesty."

"Why?" Rain asked while frowning.

"It is just a countermeasure, in case something troublesome happens," Branden explained. "We don't know what Joanis is planning, and he is many steps ahead of us. If something happens to us, you all will have to continue the investigation."

Branden's idea of making an unexpected move to catch the enemy off guard had its merits, but Rain couldn't shake off his unease about it. While it made sense strategically, it also meant that any fallout would land on Rain's shoulders.

He lacked confidence in his ability to stay composed and restrained in such a situation if something happened involving his family, and he was counting on that since the enemy was going to great lengths now.

However, Rain recognized that the element of surprise could play to their advantage. The enemy likely wouldn't see Branden's arrival without his bodyguard and the sea folk as a possibility. This unforeseen twist might cause Joanis to fret and, with any luck, lead to his undoing. It was a risky bet, but it had the potential to work in their favor.

"All right, let's see what will happen," Rain said. "Let me check the surroundings for real this time."

Rain focused his mind intently, channeling his magic into the atmosphere around the headquarters. As he concentrated, the air began to grow damp, and moisture gathered in minuscule droplets suspended in the air. Slowly but steadily, a few lines of raindrops fell within a one-kilometer radius of the building.

These tiny droplets, infused with Rain's mana, acted as a sort of magical sonar. They allowed him to sense the presence of individuals both outside and within the structure. It was an experimental technique, but for a first attempt, it had proven surprisingly effective.

Rain's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as he realized the potential of this newfound ability to help him find enemies and others in a large area.

"... There is no one particularly strong or weird in the area, but there are some suspicious auras inside the building," Rain said while frowning. "I have never seen auras like these… they aren't quite human, but they don't belong to the magic people either, they certainly aren't from the sea folk."

"This is suspicious… but they should make their move once we show up," Branden said. "We will leave things in your hands now."

Orcis and Lorene nodded as well and Rain did the same, soon after, they entered the building after Rain helped them land behind the headquarters with his magic. As Branden, Lorene, and Orcis entered the building, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Seadir, Sirenus, and Coraline, the sea folk trio, exchanged looks as they considered their role in this next part of the mission.

Seadir understood the complexities of their situation. They were outsiders in a foreign land, and although Rain had showcased impressive combat skills, his youth raised doubts about his leadership abilities. Nevertheless, the urgency of their mission compelled them to participate.

In unspoken agreement, they opted to observe Rain's actions for now. Their strategy involved assessing his decision-making and leadership skills as events happen. This cautious approach would allow them to adapt and contribute effectively while ensuring the success of their mission to find someone crucial to their people.