“…I got it.” Tinda whispered with a wide grin as she broke through the final layer of the magic barrier protecting the egg. With a quick puff, she loosened her neck muscles a little before reaching for the door, only to sense that the physical lock was also emitting a source of strange energy. It appeared that the lock was magically imbued to make sure that it could only be opened with the appropriate key.
Shu controlling the guards noticed her hesitating and could not help but laugh at the drow. “I thought being Kraft’s number one student would mean that you could break into anything? And now a simple magic lock fumbles you? Hahahah!”
“Shush, you big old tree. Why bother breaking the lock when you can go in without going through the lock?” Tinda retorted as she first placed her hand on the door to check for any other magical abnormalities or problems that could occur if she entered forcefully.
To her fortuitous luck, there did not seem to be anything to worry about. Seeing that Shu and Sandy had analysed via the System Channel how the traps had been interlaced at certain points of the hatchery’s basement when Tinda pointed them out, she too had realised that the mages hadn’t been as scheming as she had initially expected them to be. (Perhaps the influence of a certain foxy had made her assume the worst case scenario in each and every situation.)
Upon a second more thorough check, she confirmed that with the barriers gone, it should now be possible for the System to teleport her into the room to get the egg. However, before the Dark Elf could request the System to do so, the System informed her that the egg had already sent them into the most optimal environment – the Farming Sectors of Pandapolis.
“Haha, sorry dear Tinda. I was unable to restrain myself from competing against you.” Sandy informed her in the System Channel. “I have found the properties of this world’s white sands to be rather fascinating and made some shocking discoveries upon pouring some magic into it.”
At that moment, Tinda could see specks of white sand seeping out of the stone walls and a thumbs up sign formed right in front of her. The Dark Elf presumed that since the Sand Witch was hovering her magic to control the sand, she must have been able to mould it into a shape where it could grab the egg to subsequently teleport it into the System’s embrace.
“I thought it was a little strange how the sand managed to create the shelter when we first teleported here faster than I had expected and through a little bit of experimentation, I found out that this white sand is extremely sensitive to magic, allowing it to not just store magic per se, but more importanly help me to manipulate it very easily.”
“So, I guess this means the mission is complete?” Tinda scratched her head wondering if all her effort breaking these magical barriers had been rendered moot. It seemed that even without the lead fox’s training, Jin himself had gathered a variable set of monsters that could perform wonders for him.
“You could say that. I’ve also taken the liberty to snatch all the other eggs from this hatchery. All of them have been swapped out with chicken eggs who had received cosmetic inscriptions in case the Guards checked up on them. Hehe!” Sandy boasted while the white sand in front of the Dark Elf returned back into the wall, leaving no trace of evidence behind.
“Won’t they know that those eggs are fake? I am actually surprised they do not have observation magic to check on those eggs constantly.” Tinda sighed as she shook her head looking at the far end of the basement tunnels.
“Kraft made you too sensitive and overly paranoid. Relax, girl. Even if they notice, not like they can do much after the deed has already been done.”
Shu still controlled the guards as he verified the extent of how precise he could command them from his distance. After all, it’s not every day he got the opportunity to grab some random humans and turn them into his playthings.
So before they went back to how they were, he made them perform more refined movements such as twirling the sword and doing quick step movements.
Suddenly Jin chimed into their System Channel and congratulated them on a job well done. “You do not need to stay there any further. While confronting Saberteeth would be a boon for the Nine Oceans Phoenix, we should –”
“Boss, I think you should let Nine Oceans Phoenix have her revenge.” Shu interrupted Jin know how his nature was to not be going around poking the hornet’s nest further. However, this had to be done from the monster’s perspective.
“It’s true that we have achieved what we’ve come to do, but look at it this way. You’ve technically allowed their capital to be destroyed, robbing them of their livelihood. They are bound to come hunting any monsters relentlessly to make up for the loss and will likely try to hunt any other phoenixes without any prejudice.”
“Besides, now that we know that they are doing such evil stuff, all the more reason they should join us. If not, the repercussions might turn into a tidal wave down the line. You eventually plan to gain full control over the Northern Region, don’t you? Turning Saberteeth into our ally will allow us to have the chance to get against the Demon Rats and should allow you to unite the captured Southerners, making them work hand in hand with us, despite the destruction you’ve caused.” Tinda added in. Jin was left speechless. Somehow Kraft had managed to indoctrinate his own beliefs into the Dark Elves. This was exactly what the dungeon supplier would have expected to come from the Original Bellator.
“Especially when it comes to their leader. The fact that he seems to have congregated all the mages into this hatchery as his pet project, only serves to show further that he only keeps the elites of the elites in this place. Just think about how much it would help our own research lab if we take this place over. Not to mention, with the System’s control, they will do much better taking care of our own foody monsters with their explicit knowledge.”
“And you have a ton of Southerners being imported in by the System, well the more innocent ones. Even if the leader is a shitty leader, it’s best to have a leader that they are familiar with. That will improve their morale a whole lot. And if you influence their leader, the people would sway along with them. The Templars are a good example. We thought them to be a cult not to be trifled with but in the end, they did a hell lot of good for the Northerners~” Sandy commented and stated that Jin’s System had always been about second chances. “At the very worst, you could simply tell the System to get rid of their souls. It’s as simple as that.”
“And with the egg safely tucked in our possession, there are really not many risks involved in this revenge scheme Even better if you get to save the Nine Oceans Phoenix if it found itself incapable of fighting against Saberteeth.” Tinda added as the System opened a portal for her to jump in when she found that the coast was clear. “Thus this gives you the leverage to let the Nine Oceans Phoenix join you…now that you have two of the kids in your possession.”
“You make it sound like I am an evil overlord who is blackmailing her.” Jin smiled bitterly.
“It’s all for the good of the rising Panda Empire.” The Drow replied as she returned back to her training camp, cutting off any communications.
“I can be around to deal with the killing blow since this white desert is my territory now that I learn how to use them more effectively,” Sandy added and Jin sighed. There were no doubts that even if Jin did not let Sandy participate in the battle, the System would already implant the capturing module into the Nine Oceans Phoenix some way or the other considering that the Phoenix was in its instance.
After all, considering the System aversion to outsiders, it let the mother monster to come in without any complaints. But as insurance, Jin nodded his head to the matter and decided to tell the Nine Oceans Phoenix about the whole ordeal.
