Chapter 6 Infiltration
Three days have passed since the Dark Guard arrived in the new world and the first steps of their plan have begun which is to infiltrate the human city and learn as much as possible about this world, the people, and more importantly the mamono and their leader, the Demon Lord. They've intercepted passing merchants, travelers, and a small party of adventurers who their fighting with them, the Dark Guard learned they were blessed heroes. Of course, they didn't kill anyone except the mamono that were too difficult to handle or to capture. The party of heroes was subdued and transported to the ship to have their memories searched then later have their memory of their battle with the Dark Guard erased. That party of heroes put back where they were encountered and when they wake up they are awfully confused about what happened to them. Everything was set thanks to the amount of knowledge they've acquired from all they've captured and surveyed to begin the infiltration mission.
The three-man team will be led by Michael who is also the communication officer on the ship and specialize in sword fighting. The second person is Lizzy who is in charge of finding the library to gather intel as well as establish trust with the people. The last person is Mary who will be in charge of analyzing the city's army and defenses for any possible weak spots. The three walk up to the gate in their disguises which also completely conceals their energy signature inside them.
"Halt!" a nearby guard shouts at the group, "Who are you, and what is your business here?"
Michael replies, "My name is Ricky Riverwood." He points to Lizzy who is dressed up as a typical scholar carrying numerous pieces of paper and quells, "This is Shelly Oakland" then points to Mary who looks like a well-armored brawler armed with a mace, "and Carla Johnson."
The guard eyes all three of them and says, "Interesting names, where are you three from?"
Michael answers, "We come from a village north of the city, Leafton, and we have come here for/To kill monsters!" Mary cheerfully interrupts Michael which causes him to look at her with an annoyed look and the guard rises an eyebrow at that sudden statement.
The guard can't help but ask, "Are you a Hero, Miss Carla?"
Mary gives him a creepy smile as she answers, "No but I do have ways of killing them slowly and very painfully."
The guard slightly shivers at her answer and Lizzy quickly says, "Please forgive her, she just really likes to fight monsters. She took on a camp of goblins all by herself and not a single one of them escaped from her."
Mary flashes a sharp smile at the guard which makes him step back a little then says, "W-well I'm sure there are plenty of quests for you and your group to hunt monsters. Please, move along in!" And like that they're in and when the group wasn't in earshot of the guards, Michael leans closer to Mary and says, "Please stick to the plan Mary, we don't need to improvise like that."
Mary replies, "We needed to look strong and confident in front of these people if we want their help considering they've recently lost an important city to the monsters." The trio moved deeper into town looking for a place to stay and getting their bearings on the city's layout.
They spotted a tavern along the main road next to the market square and they all go through the doors and head towards the elderly man bartender. As they entered, a few heads look up or turn towards them then look back to what they were doing earlier, except for one hooded figure in the far corner.
"Excuse me, do you know a place where we can spend the night?" Michael asks.
The bartender says, "Yeah, there is an inn further down the road you were on, it's on the right side, just look for a crusted moon sign."
"Thank you." Michael thanks him, as he and his group are about to walk away, the bartender suddenly asks, "Haven't seen your group before, where you from?"
"We're from a village far north from here, Leafton." Michael answers him.
"What brought you three away all the way down here?" another question from the bartender.
Mary jumps in, "Destroying the monsters around this area then move on to the next city or town for more."
The bartender simply nods at her answer then says, "I'm sure the guild could use some help in monster extermination, so if you are also looking for the guild, it's located next to the garrison area. Look for a big wooden mansion-looking building."
Mary says her thanks to him and the three leave the building while the hooded figure soon leaves too. The trio found the inn and were able to get a room together although getting some weird looks from the inn staff about all of them staying in one room. Lizzy asked the staff where the library was and they provide her with the directions to get there. Once they were all settled in, they started planning. Michael begins by saying, "I'll stay here and inform the Commander of our progress. You know what to do?"
"I'm going to the guild to find some work and maybe make a few friends." Mary answers. Michael knows Mary long enough that once she has a plan, she sticks to it.
"Very well, but be careful in not showing how different you are out there especially when it comes to combat," Michael warns.
Mary flashes a grin at him and replies, "Don't worry, I'll not even give a quarter effort whenever a battle starts."
Michael nods and starts unpacking his bag. She leaves and shortly after Lizzy gets up after simply putting her bag under her bed and turns to Michael, "I'll be heading out and see what I can find."
"Understood." Michael didn't look back as Lizzy goes through the door and closes it. Michael was alone in the room as he walks over to the window and closes the curtain so no one from the outside can peer in. Sitting back on his bed, his eyes light up in their true color as he contacts his superior.
Lizzy had no trouble finding the library thanks to the Inn's staff's help, as she ascends the steps the hooded figure followed her while maintaining some distance. Lizzy enters the library and is greeted by a nearby elderly librarian, "Welcome child, what brings you here today?" Lizzy mentally chuckles to herself for if he knew her true age, he would be the child.
Lizzy answers, "Oh I'm here to do some quick reading on historical events to pass the time."
The elderly man was delighted to hear that and surprisingly quick for someone of his age to guide Lizzy into the library where they keep books, scrolls, and other printed material about past events. The librarian excitedly pointed out each era and important events while in the shadows, the hooded figure quietly eavesdrops on the two. Once finished the librarian asks, "So which one are you interested in?"
Lizzy takes a moment to think and asks, "Do you have anything about the beginning of the current Demon Lord by any chance?"
The librarian's expression darkened and his voice hinted with anger asks, "Why are you interested in that disturbing topic, child?"
Lizzy replies in an almost military-like mindset, "To defeat your enemy, you must understand your enemy. Finding their strengths and weakness and have a plan to defeat them before facing them."
The librarian looks at her impressed, for he has met many people of her age who rather charge into battle, who hunger for glory rather than sit down and think things through. He looks at the bookshelf, grabs a book, and hands it to her, saying "You might find this helpful and insightful about the wicked Demon Lord."
"Thank you." Lizzy gracefully says. The librarian walks away to attend to his duties but he can't help but wonder if she is royalty given her speech and manner. Lizzy opens up the book which was partially withered and covered in dust which suggests it hasn't been used a lot. As Lizzy goes through the book, the shadowy figure watches her then goes to the elderly librarian and asks, "Excuse me, sir, that woman over there, what is she reading?"
The librarian replies, "The rise of the current Demon Lord and the events that follow. Is something wrong?"
The figure replies, "Why would anyone be interested in something that can be considered heretical which can be punishable by death?" The librarian just shrugs and says, "If you are that curious, go ask her yourself" The hooded figure shakes their head no and moves to a different spot leaving the librarian to himself. As the hooded person gets closer to their new spot and soon sees Lizzy pulls out some paper, ink, and quill and starts writing down something. The hood figure continues to watch Lizzy until she gets up and walks towards a different section of bookshelves leaving an opportunity for the hidden figure to take a look. The person quickly walks up to the table and starts reading what Lizzy has written down which turns into a surprise reaction as the paper reads, 'I SEE YOU'. The figure startle straightens up and turns around to find Lizzy standing right behind the now discovered hidden person.
Lizzy looks at the surprised hooded figure in disapproval and harshly asks, "Why are you following me in the shadows?" The figure doesn't reply and Lizzy asks more questions, "Who are you and what business do you have with me?" Still silent, Lizzy gets closer to the suspect and says in a serious tone, "Either you give me some sort of answer or I'll resistant you until the guards get here."
Still getting more silence from the stranger, Lizzy says "Very well then." She reaches out to grab the hooded figure until the person jumps back, rolls backward off the table, and makes a mad dash towards the exit. The stranger looks back at Lizzy who is walking gracefully with her right index pointing at them. The stranger looks back towards the exit and at the last second sees a black misty orb coming in and smacking the person in the head. The force of the impact blows the hood down revealing long shiny brown hair and making the woman land on her back. Laying on the ground dazed, Lizzy walks up to the down figure, leans down, picks her up, and restraints her. The woman regaining her focus sees she got caught by the person she was spying on as she yells at one of the librarians to get the guards. She jerks her arms to try to get free but Lizzy just tightens her grip on her.
"I see you wish to make things difficult for me but when the guards get here, you'll no longer be a problem for me." Lizzy coldly states. The mute woman still determined to get free, suddenly jumps up and does a double back kick that made Lizzy lose her left grip then the woman twists her body to deliver a left hook punch at Lizzy's face. Lizzy dodges it and responds by yanking her right hand which still had the woman's arm in it into the air. Lizzy throws a left punch at the woman's gut in an effort to subdue her but it made her do a sideways kick. The kick connected to Lizzy's gut however it doesn't do anything to Lizzy as she twists her grip on her to make the woman straighten in pain. Follow by a quick leg sweep knocks the woman off balance and falls backward. Lizzy still holds on simply leans forward and steps forwards and purposely steps on the fallen woman's right ankle. The pressure from Lizzy's foot onto the rebellious female causes her to scream out in pain.
"The more you fight me, the more pain I'll inflict on you or maybe I should start breaking your legs" a threatening warning that sent a shiver down the girl's spine. However, the brawl soon came to an end as a pair of guards entered the library and rushed toward the two.
"Cease this foolishness immediately!" one of the guards shouted.
"Which one of you started this!?" the other guard started shouting.
"The one on the ground started the fight, guards." A familiar voice answered from behind the guards, for it was the elder librarian who was running up to the guards. "She was stalking this adventurer here who was doing some reading." The two guards looked both at Lizzy and the suspect she has restrained. They walk up to the two and the guards grab the stalker by the arms and escorted her out for she had given up on escaping.
"Are you alright?" the Librarian asks in concern.
"Yes but it seems I have a mess to clean up now." Both Lizzy and the Librarian look at the messy table. Lizzy then says, "Thank you for getting the guards for me." Lizzy does a bow which makes the man slightly blush.
"Ah-h you don't need to be so formal about this. I was just stopping this fight before any of these books get damaged. Do you need help with that mess? He asks.
"Thank you but no, it is just a few pieces of paper on the ground."
With the fighting now over and the unnamed stalker taken away, Lizzy returns to her table and reorganizes the mess before she resumes her research on the Demon Lord. Outside, the mysterious woman and the two guards were walking to a small outside cage when she suddenly stops and sidekicks the right guard in the gut, breaking his grip on her right arm. The left guard tried the stop her by bear-hugging her but his face meets her liberated right fist. Surprised by both the hand and the pain the guard loosens his grid and the woman takes the opportunity in breaking free. As the guards quickly recover and prepare to give chase, the true nature of their suspect is revealed as a pair of horns appear out of her head in a circular fashion, and a heart-shaped tail and bat-like wings unfold behind her back. She was a Succubus, shocked to see this the guards just stood there as the succubus takes flight and flees the city.
After putting some distance between herself and the city, the succubus had a worrisome expression as she recalls her encounter with the newcomer, "She wasn't human but she wasn't a Mamono either. I need to tell my mistress about this strange person and them!"