Chapter 126: A Band of Thieves

The events surrounding the Calamity Spider had spread throughout the world. The mysterious rise of the rebellious prince was equally mysteriously resolved. The giant weapon of mass destruction summoned a meteor as its last resort but it was blocked by the Union's Awakeners President, the Astra-rank awakener, and his familiar. 

However, the battle was closely matched and the odds were looking against them. Opposite to what everyone expected, the calamity spider didn't attack again and they were able to turn the tables and take one of its legs down. 

After several hours has passed without any movement from the weapon, General Ro decided that it was best to start infiltrating it to stop the prince. The shock that followed this command was grand to the whole world. Signs of battles were discovered inside the fourth layer, but no other evidence of life or the culprit. 

The crazed prince was declared missing and the celebrations spread among the citizens at the news that the fortress has been stopped. A live TV broadcast was shown of one of the association's executives explaining the situation. 

"The Runes Association shared the responsibility of this event with the kingdom by supplying them with artifacts and cards. Together, we were able to fend off the calamity with as few causalities as possible. For those that have fallen, we…" 

He talked about the compensations that were to be handed to the families of the victim. They were generous and would make their families live with ease for a few generations. 

"What about the Calamity Spider itself? What's going to happen to it?" The reporter asked. 

"This could be the only upside about the current situation. The capabilities of the fortress have now been demonstrated to us unlike earlier. More manpower would now be assigned to take over the core and control the Calamity Spider. Several grandmasters would work together to turn this into one of the trump cards humanity has against monsters." 

"So, do you mean to say that the fortress would stay this way until the core is decoded?" 

"Yes, there's no other way." 

"What if someone else tries to take over it?" The reporter posed a possibility that was widely feared by the public, and the executive found himself stumped for words. 

"Taking control of the fortress is not as easy as it may sound. The only reason the crazed… I mean the prince was able to do so is because he had his hands on an artifact that worked as a key. Furthermore, the fortress is now protected by our staff and the kingdom's soldiers." The executive gestured toward the fortress in the distance. 

It looked like a slumping metallic spider as it was tilted to the side after losing one of its legs. Many soldiers and mechas were protecting it just in case, reassuring the reporter and the audience. It was at this moment that flames bloomed from the barricade erected like a flower, followed by the sound of an explosion. 

"What is…" The executive turned around in shock. The camera zoomed toward the barricades that have been breached as smoke filled the screen. Several robed people emerged from the smoke and the breached defenses wearing full-black with a single emblem on their back. They all wore fully white engraved masks. 

"They are!" The reporter stared with shock. The executive gritted his teeth as he waved toward the cameraman to stop shooting. "The band of thieves, Mistletoe!" The broadcast was cut off. 

***

As they walked toward the fortress, Arthur wondered if it was a good decision to make such a grand entrance. However, Sier said that Mistletoe wasn't just a group that worked in the dark, but they also earned respect among the mercenaries of the world. Publicity means they get recognized. 

He has seen William's ability at last as he blew apart the barricade with a single shot. The mana-bullet was infused with a special attribute that was as explosive as several packed grenades.

The smoke cleared as several mechas rushed toward them. However, most of the mechas have been transported to the south-eastern battle, so only a few were left.

Arthur got to see Si fight for the first time. He had thought he was more like a boss from the shadows, but he was wrong. Si used his ability and his mana infused knives to take down a mecha on his own. He had struck with such precision at the mecha's weak points that they stood no chance against him.

Li was a monster of his own as each time he swung that sword, he would send a mecha flying. That's why as powerful as mechas were, awakeners were still on demand. 

Hua's arrows danced around the battlefield like birds as she controlled them at will. They supported everyone and protected Arthur and Zas who weren't combat-orientated. 

They were a walking army of monsters. They took down the mechas or disabled them until the soldiers had no choice but to step up. 

"Li, use it." Sier scanned the soldiers before issuing his command. Li nodded and stepped forward after sheathing his sword. He spread his arms as a mana field exploded from his body and covered a wide distance around them. 

'It's the rumored Domain.' Arthur looked with awe as Li brought his hands down and the soldiers fell to their knees, struggling against the crushing gravity. Mistletoe members walked toward the fortress while passing the soldiers. 

They ran atop one of the legs and jumped in front of the giant gate. Several awakeners and runes masters were standing there, preparing for the fight. 

"Mistletoe, don't bite more than you can chew. There's nothing to be taken from here." One of the runes masters had his hands behind his back. Arthur recognized him to be the host he saw in the Runes Apprentices Cup.

"Really?" Si tilted his head, his voice changed by the mask. "What about the fortress itself?" 

"You're crazy!" The host spat. "You think you can just drive this thing like a car? Ignorance will bring you doom!" 

"Oh, I'm not that ignorant." Si waved his hand and the group strode forward. "We always have a plan in mind." 

The tension rose between the two until the runes master sighed and unbuttoned his robe. Several lines of cards appeared. This was how runes masters fought and they wouldn't be underestimated anywhere. 

"We'll hold them back; can you take care of the rest?" Sier asked Arthur as the two sides clashed and abilities manifested themselves. "I'll send Ivy with you in case you meet any others." Arthur nodded and the group started pushing the awakeners and the runes masters back until he could touch the gate. 

"Ha, you think it's that easy?" The host activated a card and sent a volley of ice knives at them. Before he could say something else, the gate rumbled and opened. His face turned pale as he shouted. "Stop them!" 

They indeed tried, but Ivy and Arthur slipped inside as the rest remained to delay them. With one last look, Arthur closed the gate behind him as the two went inside. 

"It's the first time I saw Si trust someone that much. He's usually more cautious." As they ran through the corridors, Ivy matched Arthur's pace. 

"I'm usually that as well." 

"Why did you join us then?" She asked with a grin. "Even after what I did." Slight guilt was heard in her voice. Reece has told him that there was a member that died two years ago without any one of them being able to stop it. Ivy was with him and she was also his senior, that's why she was this way. 

"I need you guys as much as you need me. Your earlier showcase of strength proved that I was right about that." They reached the first layer's gate and Arthur decoded it easily. 

On the second layer, there was also no one from the association. The two traveled further inside.

"So, you don't trust Si?" Ivy probed as the two saw the gate of the second layer. Arthur went silent as he tried to think about it. Jizo's will seemed to trust Si for now, but did he trust Si? 

"I never had a reason not to trust him," Arthur said finally as the gate of the second layer opened. Ivy nodded and the two stopped talking.

On the third layer, there were some runes master and awakeners. However, Ivy took care of them and made them fain with her ability. They finally reached the fourth layer where the earlier battle took place. 

"Where are the prince's remains?" Ivy asked with bewilderment. Arthur shrugged but didn't reveal that he was the one who burned them and turned him to ashes. As they stood in front of the gate of the fourth layer, Arthur's progress finally slowed down. 

It wasn't that he couldn't decode it, but rather that he needed time to do so. It would have been easier if he learned these runes since some of them started to confuse him since they were so similar. However, a few trial and errors solved that issue. 

After an hour, the two stepped into the fifth layer as they felt the fortress shake. It seemed the battle outside was getting out of hand so they quickened their pace.