The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 68: Chapter 67: Attack of the Beasts

Read chapter 68 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 67: Attack of the Beasts The Franks all along the expedition began to shift into position. Those suited in heavy armor walked forth and formed a perimeter enclosing their surroundings; then, the priests stood behind, raising their staffs high up until the jewels fitted onto the ends flickered to life. Interestingly enough, however, the paladins wielding blade and spear did not move. They merely stood at the center of the formation: not quite involved, yet also keen to act should their attention be needed. The players also waited with them, although not by choice. They were ordered to remain at standby: to not interfere with any of the proceedings despite their otherworldly abilities proving to be quite capable. It was a strange order, especially now just before an attack, but perhaps… yes, perhaps this was not meant to be a skirmish at all. Lucius watched the paladins labor whilst hiding himself in a carriage’s shadow, and he noticed their—curious—lack of alarm. It was true that experienced warriors such as them had no doubt faced a beast once or twice during their service; however, this was different from mere confidence. It was as if they were not expecting to draw blood whatsoever. No tension, no bloodlust, no anticipation. This whole affair was but routine, one they were assured posed little danger. Even the system was silent; there was no mission or objective to be had. Soon, Sir Renaud moved to where his voice could reach the gathering’s span and then bid everyone to be silent. The man had always appeared frail, but now there was a certain demeanor about him. His eyes glinted with a sharp intensity — oozed an intimidating light. He was, despite his status, the weakest out of them all in regards to combat. And yet the Renaud of now gave not an opportunity for others to look down on him. Here, he was at his most natural. “How much longer, Maugris?” Renaud asked, gaze affixed to the fields of stalk. There was no fear: only a dull, practiced composure. His priestly companion stamped his sceptre to the ground and then closed his eyes, muttering to himself as a flurry of white glowing particles began to swirl around his body. Sir Maugris looked oddly transparent, immaterial. Lucius could see him there, yes, but it was also as if he wasn’t at the same time: His consciousness expanded far larger than where eyes could see. “Three minutes,” he replied. “The preparations?” “Complete.” “Then we begin upon my signal.” Renaud crossed his arms and grimaced, waiting for the expedition’s beastly assailants to finally reveal themselves. Slowly, gradually, they could hear it — the crunching of dirt, of crude skittering and scattering directly their way. And then? It appeared. The crops of wheat forcefully parted, making way for a group of bizarre, fantastical creatures to lunge out onto the open air. They were a unique sort unlike anything Lucius had seen before: big, burly things with the build of an ox, the head of a lion, and a hard carapace like a turtle. “Tarasques?” Renaud muttered, confused. “There are no wetlands in this region. Odd…” Nevertheless, the Peer remained calm and then turned toward Maugris. “Your ward?” “Ready.” The priest gathered the divine energy around himself into a single condensed orb, and then he crushed it between his palms, the force expelling a glimmering wave that spread to each and every expedition member. Sparks and faint specks fluttered around them, dancing in the air like a microcosm of the starry heavens up high. >[Virtual Goddess of the Wired says that the actual cosmos are far more stagnant, and less beautiful, than this]< “Nonsense, there is beauty in everything, my dear goddess,” Lucius whispered. “All that needs change is your perspective of it.” >[Virtual Goddess of the Wired sighs and wishes that were true]< Moving on, touching the specks didn’t seem to do anything; in fact, Lucius didn’t feel much of a change at all. Whatever spell Sir Maugris had cast, it served not to enchant nor invi