Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

"Others?! Wait you don't mean that she will also come here right?"…

"By she, if you mean Drow and Diana then yes. You all have become my Family now, so the sooner you get along with each other, it would be better for you all".

Ariel made a frowning face as if expressing her dissatisfaction "Diana is fine but it's difficult for me to get along with that dark elf woman who constantly brags about how you called her first for a mission and how she was your favourite".

Her voice became as low as a mosquito in the middle of her sentence.

Theodore tilted his head not understanding what was wrong with his subordinates.

"This is why boys will never understand how girls think. Don't worry Ariel, I'll send my family too. Alric and the others also need battle experience to get used to their new powers" Maybell added from the side.

"Is this fine with you Leader~?" Theodore looked at Annette.

"It's a fine plan, with you two assisting Cynthia and her team, I don't see any reason to stop you. Since the plan has been set, I leave the protection of the princess in your hand Bianca"

Saying that, Annette was just about to bring everyone back to their temporary base, when Theodore stopped her.

"Wait… what are you and sister Emily going to do tomorrow?".

In reply to his question, Annette flashed a spirited smile that was very unlike her and said. "You people aren't the only ones who have become stronger. It's time to see the results of our training".

.

.

The next day, near the south eastern borders of the forest, a group of more than forty people could be seen vigilantly and carefully making their way towards the southern region of the forest.

Over their gears and armours, the group of people wore robes and cloaks to better hide themselves with their surroundings. However, a skilful assassin or a ranger, could easily spot them from miles away.

Leading the group were a couple of adventurers who seemed more powerful than the rest. Among them, one had frizzy red hair and donned an impressive looking armour that suited his large build.

He was not overly handsome nor did he have any features that left one with a strong impression. However, what stood out about the man, was the aura he naturally exuded that brought others to his side.

Next to him, was a woman in mage's garb, passing him a worried look "Are you alright Blake? I'm sure your sister is alright, we will definitely save her"…

"Yeah, thank you for supporting me as always Frida" Blake clenched his hands tightly and thanked the woman. His knit brows and taut nerves also relaxed a little.

Their group slowly made their way through the forest, culling down monsters along the way and arrived at a place decked with impressive rock formations, when suddenly the assassin who was responsible for navigating the place, gestured them to stop.

"What's wrong Wyot? Have we arrived at the destination?" When questioned, the assassin named Wyot nodded his head.

"That is right; however, there is something wrong. There is no mistake that this is our destination but there is no sign this place is being used to keep the hostages. Moreover, the [Danger Sense] skill of mine has been constantly giving me warnings. It is as if we have walked into a trap" With a grim face, he explained.

"Hahaha… what are you saying, there is no way the information given by my guild, the Black Blade warriors could be wrong. Isn't your skill reacting because you are just too tense, Wyot? Relax, this is a surprise attack, there is no way the Viper and the Chaos Order will be able to predict this"

A blonde haired man holding a long crimson spear, walked out. He was fairly handsome, decked out in stylish armour and carried a smirk on his face. Whether it be his words or the aura he exuded, it carried an inborn haughtiness as if he was a class above others.

His manner of speech did not upset others as they were already used to it. After all, all of them knew that he was once a spoiled son of a noble. Although that family no longer stands, one could guess where that attitude of his comes from.

Besides, he wasn't just only talks, he had the appropriate skill to back it up, as one of the strongest warriors of the group.

"What Sir Thilde said is right, this is a surprise attack. There is no way the other party will be expecting us" His lackeys rallied behind him.

"Since we have arrived at our destination, let's divide ourselves into groups and search this place". Before anyone could agree, Thilde and his group already trudged and started searching the place.

"That fool, does he still think that he is a noble? Giving orders to everyone as if he is the leader" A few complained; nevertheless, they still stepped forward and started searching the Rock formation.

"Are you alright Wyot?" Blake approached Wyot after seeing that the other party did not look right.

"I'm fine, maybe it is as Thilde said, maybe I'm too tense" The man gave a wry smile before setting out to search the place with others.

"Let's go Blake" Frida beside him urged.

"Yeah, just in case stay sharp Frida. We don't know how our enemies will react. Although Thilde said that this is a surprise attack, I believe in Wyot's instinct more than that guy".

With that, the group of adventurers entered the rock formation unaware that they had already fallen prey to the trap laid by the criminal organisations.

BOOOM… an explosion shook the ground. A few groups nearby, immediately surveyed their surroundings and found out that it came from the direction they just came from. A huge rock outcrop had fallen cutting off their exit.

Before anyone could ponder about it, multiple went out simultaneously from numerous directions. One huge rock mountain fell after another encircling and caging them inside.

"This is bad, we are trapped"

No matter how dense they were, they all knew that they had fallen into a trap. The information was wrong, this place wasn't where the criminal organisation kept the hostages, instead, it was a trap to lure them in.

As soon as that realisation set in amongst the resisting adventurers, they saw shadowy figures pop up from all around the place. Whether it be atop the Rock formations or the narrow crevices, they were completely surrounded. What's more the enemy outnumbered them too.

"Hehehe… they really fell for it, a bunch of idiots" a voice filled with condescension rang out. A group of five people appeared on top of the large rock formation and looked down at the resistors.

"They are…" There was no need to even think, flashy armour that shone with the light of high class material, the powerful aura they exuded and the symbol of Blade they carried on their armours.

They were the Blades of Ascension, the strongest guild currently present in the tower town. Normally for adventurers, they are the objects of idolisation and adoration. However, for Blake and the others, they were nothing but villains who were oppressing and exploiting them.

"What do you expect from a bunch of weaklings, Dieter? Trapping them was so easy that I don't even feel motivated to take action" A berserker with a large built, tanned skin and carrying a huge round axe spoke.

"We can't do that Jordan, the orders from above are absolute. Wipe all the resistors… so even if you don't feel like it, you must take action" Dieter responded.

"Fine, but it doesn't look like we will all get a chance to show off. How about we decide who will go with a small game?"…

"Fine with me"..

"We can do that.."

"That will be for the best"…

"It looks like Joses, Arnet and Alesia are up for it. What do you say, Dieter?" Jordan looked at Dieter who finally acquiesced.

While the five from the Blades of Ascension were playing a small game to decide who would make a move, on the ground the battle had already begun.

The numerous figures who bore the sign of the criminal organisations had already engaged with the adventurers.

"What should we do Blake?" Frida asked while concurrently firing her spells.

"We need to get out of here. There is no way we stand a chance against those bastards. Dammit, this whole thing was a huge trap" Blake answered glancing at the five from the Blades of Ascension.

He channelled his mana into his sword to cull down a few enemies rushing towards him before grabbing Frida and running towards the backlines.

Wyot and the others had already gathered there and were busy opening a path to their retreat.

"Sorry Blake, it is my fault. I should have been more thorough with the authenticity of the information" the assassin apologised with a heavy heart.

"It's not your fault, you only wanted to save your wife. I know how you feel, my sister is also with them. Every time I think about her, I cannot keep myself still. Every cell, and blood in my body boils, wanting to go save her this very instant. I understand the desperation you are going through. However, this is not the time to blame yourself, we need to get everyone out of here. If we fall here, all the resistance would have been for nothing. Our loved ones will not be saved if we fall here"