The Crimson Magister

Aqua noticed that Azure was confused as she glanced back at Aqua, but it did not last as she noticed Aqua's serious expression which forced her to focus.

The man pulled out a chair as he sat before the trio, he did not speak as he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Golden Rose, I presume" He spoke with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

His gaze washed over 3 women as he continued "Golden Rose already passed into Red Dawn."

He crossed his arms as he observed the trio with suspicion, his eyes analyzing the women to the best of his ability.

"We were not expecting additional wagons. And yet here you are." He spoke plainly.

Laura was about to speak up before the man raised his hand, not allowing her to speak.

"I will not have excuses, you will tell me who you are." He shouted as he leaned towards 3 women.

His face turned from Laura to Aqua and then finally Azure "All of your wagons will be seized, and you will be arrested. But you can collaborate by telling me who are you, which could reduce your sentence for impersonating Golden Rose members."

Aqua was worried that this man saw through her illusion, but it still held firm as she glanced at her companion and then at her own hands.

Something fishy was going on, and she needed to know what, she did not know about the structure of the golden rose but from what she gleamed from Laura's mind is that their leader would never abandon them.

Before she could do anything she was pulled from her thoughts by Laura's words.

"That is not possible. We are the remaining Golden Rose fighting force" Laura produced an insignia in the shape of a small rose made of pure gold, before placing it on the table.

Man picked up the insignia before inspecting it "This seems to be genuine" He sighed as he handed the insignia back.

"You 3 stay here" Man ordered as he exited the room, leaving 3 women alone.

Once the coast was clear, Azure was first to ask "Lady Aqua, what is happening?"

Aqua could only shake her head, she did not know, and could not say anything but one thing.

"It seems your beloved leader betrayed you, Laura." She spoke in a quiet tone as she turned to Laura.

While two disguised elves were confused, it wouldn't be comparable to Laura almost having a mental breakdown.

Calling it a breakdown was putting it lightly, she was trying hard to process the information while keeping herself calm and collected but failed terribly.

Both Aqua and Azure looked at their former enemy with concern, after all even if she was the enemy, betrayal would still hurt and anyone could sympathize with it.

"They are lying, they must be lying!" Laura slumped down as she tried to process what Aqua said.

'No, Fang would never betray me or Golden Rose' She shook her head.

He would never throw away the organization he spent so long building up, that Laura was sure.

Which meant, that the guards were either tricked or worked to deceive her.

'And yet the guard seemed to be as confused as us when he saw the insignia' Laura bit her lip as she tried to explain the current situation to herself.

Just after what seemed like moments, the man returned with 2 hooded figures at his sides.

Their grey robes flowed to their feet, their hoods obstructing their faces, and with a silver eye sewn into the hood, in their hands they held a plain-looking staff.

These were disciples of mind, a group that was responsible for the brainwashing of so many elves.

Man took his seat before speaking "You 3 will submit to examination of the mind, as is your duty as officers. If you pass we will let you pass the border"

He spoke as he gestured to two hooded figures bowed and then approached Aqua.

"You first, young lady, stand up and submit to examination of the mind" Aqua was the first one that was ordered to submit.

Two figures took the stance next to the table as they awaited.

Laura and Azure gulped as Aqua confidently stood up and spoke "It will be fine, Examination can't hurt" she winked at Azure.

Aqua took a spot between the two figures as she smiled they planted their staves on opposite sides of Aqua.

The flow of mana rushed from nearby Siphons directly powering their spell.

Man took a moment as he observed mana flow before announcing "You may begin examination."

Figures nodded as their staves glowed, they placed one hand each onto Aqua's head.

Aqua shuddered a little as two strangers touched her

'Do they have to touch me…' she thought as two men tried to invade her mind.

While their attempts were not the strongest, she would allow them to examine her mind.

It was just a moment before they spoke in unison.

"Golden Petal Aqua, rank Golden Petal, Race Human" Both disciples of mind spoke in unison, giving it a creepy tone.

While Laura wasn't surprised that the disciples didn't see through the illusion, she was surprised her mind managed to trick them.

Even then while Aqua passed inspection, she doubted her and other elven girl's ability to hide from disciples of mind.

Laura was ordered to approach next, and in the same manner as Aqua, they probed her mind.

But despite Laura's expectations, she felt no intrusion in her mind, instead they just called her name, rank, and race.

And similarly, the same thing happened to Azure, who was now at her limit, where even a slight push would cause her to faint.

Man sighted before sending two disciples of mind back before sitting back down.

"It seems you were speaking the truth, you may proceed to Red Dawn" He shouted as he took out a parchment, before stamping it with a bronze stamp and handing it to Laura.

It took mere minutes before Wagons were ready to be on the way again.

They proceeded past the checkpoint as they finally arrived in the Kingdom of Red Dawn, and soon after Great Walls of Razul would be visible on the horizon.

"Lady Aqua, Lady Azure. I know we are enemies but I would like to ask you to help me find our leader once we arrive at the City of Razul" Laura spoke with deep sadness in her voice.

"I know he would never betray us, and I need to confirm it myself otherwise I won't be able to live with myself." She continued speaking, her head held by her hands.

Azure was first to speak up "Laura, of course. Once we rescue my friend we will find your leader. After all, he has a lot to answer for" She sat closer to Laura as she patted her back.

Laura nodded "I will submit to your judgmentt once I know that my dear Golden Fang wasn't a traitor. Something must have happened!" As tears welled up in Laura's eyes Azure hugged her.

'Azure, being that merciful will come back to bite you' Aqua sighted at her companion's behavior.

One should never comfort their enemy who only cooperates with them due to a threat.

'And yet it fits her that she is so caring' Aqua smiled as she looked at her good-hearted friend.