Chapter 27: Mystic Explosive
'De Amarthia' was only used by the royal family in the Amarthian empire. One would be punished if they used the title carelessly.
But this uninvited girl declared without a doubt that she was royalty. Solnisca was not a common name in Amarthia.
The only famous person who used that name was the imperial princess, known for her kindness. People in other kingdoms even knew about her because they wished they had someone like her in their area.
"Why has Your Highness honored us with your presence in a place like this?" Gwen asked carefully, looking around to ensure no one else had come with Solnisca.
Torin raised one eyebrow. "There's no way the empire would send just one little girl to face me."
"I did not come to fight," Solnisca raised her hands. She glanced at Gwen. "Are you Gris's sister? He kindly asked me to meet with you."
Gwen frowned in confusion. If Gris did have a special relationship with Solnisca, he should have revealed it at their meeting.
But all they talked about was the academy. There was no mention of Solnisca's name.
"My brother didn't say anything about you. If you lie, we will kill you right here and now," Gwen threatened.
Solnisca swallowed nervously. Since her first day transmigrating to this world, she had been unable to strengthen herself after discovering the transmigrator hunting group.
Many eyes in the Imperial Palace. If she honed her physique, people would be clamoring to discuss it. Anything she did could reach the ears of the public.
She had to maintain her demeanor to avoid unnecessary attention. As a result, she was physically weak and could die in several attacks or even just one from a strong person.
The chance of escaping safely was zero. But Solnisca was quick to utilize Gris' presence as a way out. She could not utilize the other transmigrators because they did not have the connection that Gris had with Gwen.
"My relationship with Young Master Gris is secret," she tried to mask her nervousness through a smile. "I have a special ability to meet him and find your location."
Gwen and Torin exchanged glances. Besides the team, no one knew they had taken this mountain as a hideout.
"Tell us more about your ability," Torin could not help but feel interested.
Solnisca glanced the other way, avoiding Torin's demanding gaze. "I'm sorry, but I can't disclose information about my weapon."
"You're right. It's foolish to tell an opponent what you're capable of."
"I'd like to clarify something. We are not enemies. I came here to escape the empire."
Seeing Gwen and Torin frown in confusion, Solnisca bowed her head.
"Please take me to Pandemonium Academy! I earnestly wish to depart from the confines of the Palace and offer my dedication to the committee."
Torin scratched his head. He sighed. "Did those heroes find a new way to send a spy?" he wondered.
"I am not a spy but a friend of Gris," Solnisca denied it. "He told me that he would meet Lady Gwen at the gathering. This is an opportunity for me to escape through your help, Lady!"
Gwen could not keep quiet as Solnisca involved her by mentioning the name of Gris. Her brother had never had any friends since childhood. It was strange because his first friend was an imperial princess.
"Why does it have to be Pandemonium Academy as your escape?"
"The academy is the safest place I know of. I have no desire to continue living as a benevolent princess because it goes against my true desires."
"And why should I help you?"
"As I mentioned earlier, I can be of value to the committee. I have the ability to gather information without directly approaching the target."
The Doomsday Committee organized many spies to gather information. Spies were needed to find the enemy's weaknesses.
The deities did not help with providing any information; they left the world's future entirely in the hands of humans. Their only contribution was to bless them with the power to fight.
If the Doomsday Committee really wanted the destruction of the world, its followers would have to work hard for it. Gathering information was no easy feat, as spies risked their lives in the process.
The ability to obtain information without touching the target was needed. Hence, Gwen and Torin's views on Solnisca instantly changed.
"The academy will begin in a week," Solnisca spoke before the two people in front of her asked questions. "I will only reveal my ability after being accepted into the academy. Are you willing to overlook a talent like mine?"
Information related to the academy was only known to the committee members. Solnisca deliberately discussed the academy to prove her ability.
Torin was a tutor at Pandemonium Academy. He knew how valuable unique talents were to the progress of the committee.
Talents properly honed at the academy would be a great help, like Gwen. As an Explosive Expert, she helped the committee to blow up many areas in the apocalypse wave.
Her cannon or bomb, combined with magic, could not be developed by the hero side. They were still studying the system she created.
If Solnisca had a special talent related to information gathering, the next doomsday wave could have been accomplished more quickly.
"We can accept you into the academy under one condition," Torin smiled. "The committee will send a special team to watch you in secret. Even the slightest hint of suspicious behavior could cost you your head."
Solnisca naturally grabbed his neck. "I will behave myself, sir!"
"Let's talk about the other details later. We need to get out of here before the empire manages to trace your teleportation magic."
Gwen instructed Solnisca to hold on to a tree. When Solnisca wondered why she had to do that, Gwen took a black orb from under her robe.
"I'll get a point deduction penalty for using this magic bomb," she muttered in an exasperated tone before throwing the bomb far down the mountain.
The explosion occurred with a burst of light that filled the sky, followed by a powerful boom that shook the earth.
The terrifying shockwave lifted bits of rock and dirt into the air, hurling them into everything nearby with destructive force.
The scorching wind from the explosion ignited the weeds and trees, filling the air with smoke and dust billowing everywhere.
The magic bomb's radius extended to the settlements at the foot of the mountains. The explosion left a trail of destruction, creating a large crater on the ground.
[Warning: You're acting without the approval of any deities!]
[Eveloria, the Goddess of Mercy, condemns your actions.]
[Veilrath, Perpetual of Death, collects the innocent souls you've taken.]
[You take a -500 point reduction penalty.
You cannot use your abilities for three days.]
Gwen read the notices with a gloomy expression. Her lost points could be bought elements to make a hundred magic bombs.
"Our mount has arrived," she said as she looked into the sky where a giant bird was flying.
Solnisca lay on the ground as she could not withstand the effects of the magic bomb explosion. Even though she hugged the tree with all her might, she was still blown away when the bomb blasted.
She followed Gwen's gaze to the giant bird. Through her dream adventures, she discovered that Gwen and Torin's other companion was a beast tamer.
The giant bird had the stature of an eagle with a larger body and longer wings. When it descended the mountain, Solnisca was nearly blown away again if only Gwen had not held her back.
Gwen threw Solnisca onto the giant eagle's back. "I've made an explosion to hold back the imperial troops. Let's go to safety for now!"
Solnisca was a bit surprised not to find the beast tamer anywhere. But seeing Gwen and Torin casually riding the magical bird, he was sure it had already been tamed.
That day, the Amarthian Empire faced three major issues: a fire at the alchemists' gathering, a magic bomb exploding in the mountains, and the disappearance of the beloved princess.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone