Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"What do you think of everything we've heard so far, Kiana?" Lucius asked. He and Kiana had separated from Gellor and his group to talk in an empty alleyway.

"They mentioned that Bergan's Band is planning an expansion. One can perhaps guess that maybe Harold's team was being recruited by Carnus… but if they want to expand that much, it isn't just feasible to recruit and recruit." Kiana frowned.

"Precisely. If they're planning an expansion, then the one thing that they're in dire need of would be the funds to facilitate the expansion." Lucius nodded.

Kiana blinked and then spoke in a hushed voice.

"Do you think that is the reason why they've agreed to work for Viscount Drew before? They were the ones behind the fake bandit group and the strong people in Viscount Drew's army back then should have come from them."

"That's highly likely what happened." Lucius nodded. "Of course, it isn't only Bergan's Band that was involved, the Arkaves mercenary group also spied on father and then attempted to spy on the army afterwards."

"Are we going to go after this Arkaves mercenary group as well, Asher?" Kiana asked.

Lucius nodded. "Everyone involved will get their due judgment, but for now, we are to concentrate on the main perpetrator. The Bergan's Band downfall is our priority and with the new amount of information we've gained, I know where to strike them, where it would hurt them the most."

"How are you going to do that, Asher?" Kiana asked. "There are indispensable members in Bergan's Band, but from what I can see, a lot of their members can be easily replaced. It'll hurt their strength if you target them and reduce their numbers, but their ranks can still be filled as long as the main head of Bergan's Band remains."

It was safe to say that Kiana had an idea of what was about to happen. She understood what Asher had done to the Plow Worm so she could safely imagine of what was about to come.

"The Bergan's Band has storage buildings as well." Lucius said. "They'll naturally pay with their lives, but it is also a great chance to hinder their progress for expansion by crippling them of their resources."

"Oh, of course. That'll make it harder for them to rebuild." Kiana realized and smiled. She was once again in awe of how Asher calculated each move of his.

Asher had told Countess Lita and Count Gabriel beforehand that it was impossible to have a frontal assault on the Bergan's Band and Kiana knew that was true, so it was this method that would allow them to make them pay for what they've attempted to do.

'These people tried to play with Asher's life, so, of course, they'll pay for their mistake. Everyone one of them will bear the burden of their choices.' Kiana thought to herself, justified by what was about to come.

"Alright, we'll have Gellor and his team split up with us to gather information. Before we strike, we need other, more valuable information about how the Bergan's Band is currently operating." Lucius said.

When they stepped out of the alleyway, Gellor and his group were waiting for them.

"Lord Asher." Gellor privately greeted him.

"I'd like all of you to gather as much information as possible about the current standing of Bergan's Band." Lucius instructed. "We'll all go our own separate ways to do this as covertly as possible and then reunite the next day to share what you've gathered."

"Will do, Lord Asher. We will return to this very spot or search for where you are to give you the updates on Bergan's Band." Gellor inclined his head and turned to his team.

They didn't need any further instruction as they had heard the orders from Lord Asher himself and soon they went on their way.

Once they were gone, Kiana cleared her throat.

"Asher, since we've accomplished all that we can do today, is it not a good time to take some rest until Gellor and his team return? You are much in need of rest."

Lucius paused for a moment and considered her words. He did in fact been quite active for the past days since they've traveled to Aisse territory and dealt with obtaining the Plow Worm.

"Very well."

Overjoyed with such news, Kiana quickly searched for a suitable inn for her and Asher. She knew that they were undercover so they shouldn't stay in an expensive one, but she also wanted to make sure that they'd get enough rest.

'Asher needs as much energy as possible. We don't know what'll happen when the Plow Worm comes in and how Bergan's Band reaction might be when it happens.' Kiana thought.

Lucius allowed Kiana to facilitate most of the necessary tasks and, soon enough, they both got their own rooms and retired for the night.

At least, that was the presumption that Kiana believed.

Contrary to her desires, Lucius was back in his meditative state to check on the various Gates that he had for all of his Lost and checked for the main actor of their upcoming attack.

The Plow Worm was not currently in Cutlass City and was instead located on the hill that Lucius and everyone previously occupied during the thunderstorm.

It was possible for the Plow Worm to move a lot quicker and arrive in Cutlass City before them, but Lucius wanted to make sure that it remained undetected.

There was no doubt people with gifts that could probably detect the presence of rune beasts in a certain vicinity, and so the Plow Worm needed to be hidden.

The Plow Worm was in a dormant state by the hill, but it was ready to move upon Lucius's commands.

'Alright, it's currently resting but even at this distance, I can still send it orders and have it respond at a moment's notice.' Lucius thought with satisfaction.

When the next day finally came, Lucius and Kiana reunited with Gellor and his mercenary group. It was time for them to share what they've discovered about the Bergan's Band.