Standing beside an outdoor table, Guild Master John and Captain Marcus were having a quick discussion about the current situation.
John: "The goblin sweep is still going smoothly, right?"
Marcus: "Better than expected. The adventurers truly have a lot of experience in tracking Magical Beasts. Their cooperation with the soldiers has been a great help."
John: "That's good. In your estimate, how many goblins remain?"
Marcus: "Based on reports from the teams, there are still over three thousand left unresolved."
John: "Do you have any plans for what comes next?"
Marcus: "Those that fled deep into the forests are difficult to pursue. So for now, we'll focus on hunting and clearing goblins near villages and towns."
John: "So once that's done, we can conclude this campaign is finished?"
Marcus: "Yes. This disaster can be considered over."
Both men showed clear relief on their faces. Fortunately, a large-scale war had not broken out as they had feared at the start.
Marcus: "But you truly don't know who killed the Goblin King?"
This was actually the second time he asked.
John sighed and replied:
"I already told you. I have no further information about that."
Marcus: "Who could have done it? And without revealing their identity at all."
John: "Either way, the result is good, isn't it?"
Marcus: "It is good, yes. But I fear there may be other troubles that follow."
John: "I think I understand your concerns."
While they were still conversing, suddenly, the protective barrier around the area was broken by an unexpected intruder.
As soon as they sensed the barrier was destroyed, John, Marcus, and the guards immediately heightened their vigilance.
Then, they saw a black horse galloping down from the sky. When the horse landed, they could clearly see the rider.
It was a boy with black hair and black eyes. His face was delicate, even slightly feminine.
John: "It's you?"
The Guild Master exclaimed in surprise. He recognized the boy's face. After all, he had met him only two days ago, not nearly long enough to forget.
Marcus: "You know him?"
John: "Met him once a few days ago in the adventurers' area."
After answering Marcus, John turned back to the boy and asked:
"Arriving here so suddenly like this, it must be something very important?"
Tris: "I didn't want to waste time dealing with the guards, so I came straight in. I hope you don't mind. It is important. When was the last time you two had contact with Aldor?"
Marcus: "Why are you suddenly asking that?"
Tris: "Because while you've been busy out here with the goblins, Aldor seems to have been attacked and taken over by someone."
Hearing this, both John and Marcus's faces immediately changed.
. . .
* * * * * * * * * *
John: "How is it going?"
Marcus: "There really is a serious problem. Even though I tried sending a message to have the city open its gates, it had no effect. The only reply I received was that it was an order from the Count."
John: "You couldn't contact anyone else?"
Marcus: "I tried requesting dialogue with one of my deputy commanders who stayed in the city to handle logistics. But every request was rejected by the messengers with all sorts of ridiculous excuses."
John: "Did they show any signs of mind control?"
Marcus: "Yes. It's as if they were all drunk."
John: "This is bad."
He exclaimed, his face turning grave. Though unspoken, both John and Marcus were thinking the same thing: the possibility that the Count himself had fallen under the enemy's control.
Marcus: "What about your side, any contact with the guild?"
John: "None. I tried several different communication methods, but all were blocked."
Marcus: "To accomplish all this, the enemy must have a very powerful Mage."
John silently nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Bishop Peter arrived. As soon as he came, he asked:
"I heard you two have important information to discuss. What exactly is the issue?"
Marcus quickly summarized the situation for Bishop Peter. The more he listened, the darker the Bishop's expression became.
Peter: "Do you have any plans for this matter?"
John: "We still don't know the enemy's true purpose. But if they intend to blockade the city, then naturally we should find a way to break that blockade."
Marcus: "Fortunately, we already have some forces available to help."
Peter: "You intend to lay siege to the city?"
The Bishop asked anxiously. His concern was understandable. Attacking a fortress usually requires far more troops than the defenders. Even someone unfamiliar with warfare like Peter knew this.
If the worst case was true, that all soldiers inside Aldor were under control, they would not have the numbers to succeed. Moreover, spilling blood and fighting their own comrades was something no one wanted.
Marcus understood this well. His plan was not simply to storm the city.
Marcus: "I intend to use our soldiers only to keep the enemy-controlled troops occupied, preventing them from leaving their defensive positions. Then, our elite unit will infiltrate the city and retake control from within. That way, we avoid letting the enemy use the soldiers as human shields."
John: "But before we carry out that plan, we want to know if your magic can dispel the enemy's control. If successful, perhaps the soldiers inside could help open the gates without us risking such a dangerous operation."
Peter: "As you mentioned earlier, the mage tower has likely fallen under enemy control. If so, all soldiers inside the city are under its 'protection.' It will be very difficult to interfere with them using magic from outside."
A mage tower was indeed a crucial tool for protecting a domain. It had many functions: surveillance, offense, and various forms of defense. The mental protection Peter referred to was one of them.
Normally, such towers only operated at full capacity when the territory was under attack, to save costs and energy.
But now, with the city sealed, barriers raised, and the mage tower continuously active despite no war, the abnormality was obvious.
Those inside the city might be deceived into thinking the Goblin King was still attacking. But Marcus's group outside knew the Goblin King had already been defeated, so they immediately recognized the inconsistencies.
After hearing Peter's assessment, John replied:
"I know. Harmful or offensive magic will surely be blocked. However…"
Peter: "I understand. You want to know if beneficial magic, like purification or removing harmful effects, could bypass that protection, right?"
John: "Exactly."
Peter: "Very well. I'll gather the Mages immediately and test it."
Marcus: "We're counting on you."
Peter: "This is my duty."