Valerian, The Legendary

164 Sneak In.

Valerian was riding the thunderbird at a speed faster than the troops marching toward borders, he was only stopping for eating, if the thunder falcon was tired, he will let it enter the beast pouch and walk on foot.

After seeing his urgent behavior, Fortuna suggested, “How about I carry you in my talons and Priscilla ride on Mathiyus?”

Valerian agreed to it. In his mind, dignity was not as high as the priority of saving lives. He was not someone who liked to play the hero, but he definitely did not wish to see his relatives suffer in this situation. Also, he was enraged by the ploy designed by Sapientia and Valkyrians. He did not like politics at all.

...

General Un and Ignis were riding their wraiths at full speed ahead at the moment. It will take them two more days to reach the border. The general asked, “Your Highness, any news from the fourth prince?”

Ignis nodded and said, “Valerian told me that he will be reaching the Sapientian border tomorrow, we will be able to figure out the traps by then.”

General Un was a bit skeptical about Valerian’s abilities but he did not say anything. Ignis could sense some discomfort and said, “You do not have to worry about his skills. He can deliver what he promises.”

The general was still not satisfied, and Ignis did not try to correct him again. He believed that when Valerian does what he promised, these people will realize his contribution and trust his skills.

...

.....

Two days passed in a blink and Ignis arrived at the border with his troops. The camps were set and the troops were ready to get into action at a moment’s notice. General Un and Ignis selected five soldiers to form a team and rush to the Imperial Capital of the Sapientian empire.

Two scouts and three swordsmen. Ingis was a mage and General Un was a grandmaster warrior so they did not lack in power as well. The small unit was about to depart when Ignis sensed his soul communication bead tremble. He took it out and muttered a spell.

Ignis said, “What is it?”

Valerian replied, ‘Your highness, the ploy is confirmed, act in accordance, and I will be infiltrating the imperial capital as well.’

Ignis sighed in disappointment and asked, “What do you intend to do by infiltrating the capital? Should we not just call out these people? Also, did the Valkyrians not attack the bordering forces and towns for pillaging?”

Valerian thought for a bit and said, ‘They did attack but the degree of damage does not match their usual method. This was all an act. Also, the Sapientians hold a Dragon treasure called soul seeking bow. It can shoot down a target across the continent, however, the drawback is fifty years of the user’s lifetime. This is the reason why the Valkyrians are instigating all these wars. The one who controls the dragon treasures is in control of the world.’

Ignis sucked in a cold breath and asked, “How do you know this?”

Valerian sighed and said, “I have my ways, do not worry, the source is reliable. Just be sharp and witty. I have your back.”

Ignis nodded and said, “I know, but you be careful as well.”

Valerian acknowledged and the contact was disconnected. Ignis fell into deep thought and contacted his mother, who told him the same thing as Valerian. Fragrantia did not tell Ignis about Valerian’s real identity, but she had hinted to him that Valerian will not do anything against them if they do not harm him.

Ignis calmed his heart down and then the unit departed from the campsite and entered the Sepiantian border. He was anxious but also looking forward to the way these people hoped to trap him. He said, “General Un, why don’t you move in the shadows, if we are attacked, you can catch them with surprise and turn the tides. However, do not appear until a crucial movement, this way we will have a greater chance to lure the big fish behind them.”

General Un nodded and said, “Your highness is wise.”

The burly man entered the cover of the woods as the unit moved forward.

...

On the other side, Valerian landed on the mountain near the imperial capital. Last night the thunder falcon had recovered its strength and took over the task to carry him from Fortuna. The dragon was able to fly above the clouds to avoid exposure and Priscilla was the one to investigate the scene at the border with Mathiyus, but Valerian was almost frozen into a popsicle high in the sky.

When he stood at the cliff and said, “Looks like they have tightened the security.”

Fortuna was standing beside him, in her cat form, and said, “Indeed, they are planning to trick an entire empire. They have to prevent from the news getting out.”

Valerian nodded and said, “Indeed, how do we get inside? From what I’ve heard, they have a special identification system and the city walls are laced with anti-magic artifacts.”

Fortuna smirked and said, “Take out that wooden sword. This wood is anti-anti-magic.”

Valerian was confused when the dragon said, “Stupid, this thing defies anti-magic and boosts your spells by ten folds. Understood?”

The silver-haired boy was shocked, and he did not know what to say. He thought that this sword was a toy. Fortuna flicked her tail and asked, “What do you think? Am I good to you?”

Valerian nodded, and said, “Thank you.”

Fortuna nodded and said, “Let Linea take you high in the sky, and then dive down. Hold the sword and cast a light displacement spell to avoid getting sighted by the soldiers.”

Valerian nodded and followed the plan. Soon, Linea was climbing the sky with gusto. When it reached the center of the city, Valerian said, “After I jump, go and wait for me on the cliffside. I will give you a signal, like a firecracker sparkling in the sky.”

The boy held the silver cat in his arms and jumped from the back of the Thunder Falcon. The cold air whooshed past his face and Valerian was struggling to breathe, when a voice sounded in his mind, ‘Wing Shield.’

Valerian could recognize that it was Fortuna, telling him what to do. He nodded and with a thought cast the spell. A wind bubble shield appeared around him and the pressure was decreased completely. He said, “I have a lot to learn.”

Fortuna nodded in her head when she heard this. The distance between them and the ground was shortening at a frightening speed, and when they were a few hundred meters away from the ground, Fortuna said, “Now, focus on the shining dome and cast the spell.”

Valerian focused on the shining dome and said, “Mico Corpus.”

His body was covered with a thin film of light and along with him, fortune was covered with it too. Then they vanished from the skies and appeared on the top of the palace dome. Valerian held onto the pole extending from the dome and said, “Time to explore?”

Fortuna nodded and said, “Let’s move in the day, they will have higher security at night. Given that they are conspiring, it will be risky to move.”

Valerian agreed and said, “What you said is correct? Let’s move.”

Then he looked at the cat and said, “Your Highness can you please lead me.”

Fortuna nodded and said, “You do have your mannerism correct.”

She jumped down from his arms and climbed down the dome, locating the places that could be used as a footrest. They moved quickly while avoiding detection of the forces of the Sapientia. Soon they landed on a balcony. The reason Valerian asked Fortuna to lead the way was her keen senses.

She was not just a beast, but the god among beasts. She would be able to get down on this unfamiliar terrain with her agility and her instincts will allow her to avoid the detection of the guards and the hidden forces.

When they landed on the balcony. Fortuna said, “This is odd, they do not have any hidden forces at work.”

Valerian thought for a bit and said, “I suggest that we think about that later and first try to get inside the palace, and find as much information as possible.”

Fortuna nodded and they looked around, Valerian found a door at the side of the balcony. He slowly crept closer to the door and placed his ear next to it. There was no sound from inside, he bent down to look through the gap below the door.

He found it to be a dark place, with no movement. Then he exerted little strength on the locks of the door and broke them open. The door opened slowly. Valerian entered the dark room and Fortuna followed him slowly. They were both channeling mana in their eyes, looking around the dark room carefully.

This place was a bedroom. Fortuna said, “This is a princess bedroom.”

Valerian nodded, he could tell from the decoration in the room. Suddenly there was a loud noise outside, “Stop it, Uncle, what you are doing is wrong. Do not do it. Have you lost your conscience for a piece of land? Shame on you Emperor Thales!”

‘Smack!!!’

Valerian and Fortuna quickly hid behind a curtain and the entrance door flung open a figure was flung inside, followed by a roar, “You better stay in here from now on. If you came out try not to be a hindrance to my work. Sylvia, stay with her, she is not to go out of this room. Understood?”

The maid nodded meekly as she stepped inside the room and Thales closed the door with a loud thud. Valerian was looking at this scene with a gleam in his eyes. He discovered something important. Ashlyn just addressed Thales as her uncle. Things were getting interesting.