The loud explosions that rang throughout the Newman Highlands could be heard as far as even Findel while clouds of smoke rose up and covered much of the sky to the extent of blocking sunlight.
But this didn't end there, the ground as a whole began to rumble madly as the highest peak of the Newman Highlands began to tremble violently.
The sovereign was quite the distance away on what was a slightly shorter peak. All the members had now gathered on the deck with concerned expressions as they watched explosions erupt from the ground not too far away from their ship.
"What's going on!?" A concerned member yelled out in panic and the others shared his worry as they all began to ask Claudia for answers.
Claudia had also been deeply worried but upon seeing Lady Rose standing on the deck calmly she realized they may not be in actual danger.
This worry was further eased when Aron finally came up to the deck and had all attention on him. "While we were investigating, we discovered that the Newman Highlands is actually a area made of numerous dormant volcanoes. It seems the other people exploring have done something to trigger this. For now don't worry as the peak we're on is completely safe." Aron calmly explained and eased the hearts of many present with his lies.
Boom!
Just as Aron finished speaking another explosion had rang out and caused everyone to look in amazement at what was happening.
The once grassy peaks filled with flora had now turned into a deadly inferno as molten lava made its way to lower areas. Those unfortunate enough to have been within range of the blasts had been turned into nothing but ash.
"Is it really safe?" Claudia asked in a worried tone and Aron actually shook his head in refusal. "Of course not. That's why I said for now, judging from the looks of it once that main peak fully erupts... the entire northern region will face a great calamity." Aron spoke with a serious expression that many found discomforting.
"Those who are worried can go back because I still plan on going into that disaster to search for the ruin. Take the airship and retreat."Aron announced and caused even Jagu to look at him as if he were insane.
The heat from the explosions alone could be felt from where they stood and that was with the airships mana barriers active. To go down onto the ground and even explore when eruptions kept occurring was basically suicide.
"You can't be serious..." Jin who was usually willing to trust Aron's methods was also taken aback, outside the barrier's it was likely one could barely even breathe and see let alone explore and investigate. It was beginning to look as if Aron was obsessed.
"He won't be alone. It will be tricky but not impossible." Lady Rose finally commented on the matter and waved her hand towards the entrance of the airship. A moment later her scouting devices emerged from inside and came to hover beside her.
"If you have the means to come along by all means do so, but keep in mind I won't be taking any risks for anyone. In an area such as this only one's life matters." Aron had expected it wouldn't be so easy to dissuade Lady Rose, the fact she had measures to handle such a situation was commendable.
As for the others? He was sure they didn't have any such thing. He could only separate with them here and hope the ruin actually had the means to send him to Limbo.
"Evanora wants to come as well." Evanora raised her hand without much interest and proposed she come along. Aron was unsure if she could protect herself from the air and heat but such a matter was simple for him to do. 'Could she be of help during?' Aron didn't answer immediately but instead looked at her oddly.
"Drop the the mana barrier, those of you who can't handle the heat should go inside because it will only get worse after that." Aron announced before adjusting his cloak, the only way to know if Evanora could handle herself was to see first hand how she handle the heat.
Those who were already feeling the heat listened to Aron's words and went into the airship, Jagu and Claudia included. As strong and tough as he was, too much heat was not good for his race which thrived in much colder areas. Then as for Claudia, it didn't need to be said that she wasn't suited for it at all.
Jin and Xavier tried to stay but once the shields came down the atmosphere felt entirely different. Lady Rose stood there unfazed just like Aron and Evanora.
Each one of them had their mana create a protective layer around them which left them unaffected. For Aron he had to make his mana do this while for Evanora it was surprisingly passive as if her mana couldn't allow harm to come to her.
As for Lady Rose... Aron could not tell what was the case behind hers and now wasn't the time for him to investigate it either. Once Jin and Xavier retreated into the airship, he finally revealed some truth to Lady Rose
"We better hurry, the formations I set won't activate the main peak but it may still erupt naturally due to all this activity." He explained before jumping of the side of the airship.
Lady Rose had known they had to be some connection between the eruptions and his formations but even she didn't think he could just make them erupt at will.
She clicked her tongue in irritation and put aside her curious mind as now wasn't the time. Unlike Aron she had glided down the airship using her scouter while Evanora had jumped.
"Which way?" Lady Rose asked as she could barely see in the distance anymore, what was worse even trying to detect mana was useless as the dense mana began to leak everywhere.
.....
Meanwhile the Galos Academy airships were hovering in the outer area with the majority of people present as only a few people had been sent to scout but unfortunately now they could only be assumed dead.
Brutas who stood on the deck of his assigned airship with his comrades watched the scene with a worried expression. He had been very keen on coming early and even complained when they delayed starting the exploration.
"If it wasn't for Annie telling us to be cautious and observe longer that might have been us down there." Emilia muttered as she watched the scene before her eyes flickered with both relief and fear.
As for Brutas, although he was glad to be unscathed he knew that now in the eyes of many he would be seen as an incompetent leader who may have rushed them all to their death if it wasn't for Anastasia intervening.
"Okay for now we'll retreat! It's too dangerous!" Brutas announced with a heavy heart. This was his chance to regain the honor he had lost after all but if he carried on and even failed then he would be remembered as a fool instead of pathetic noble.
"Wait, where are they going?" Esmeralda spoke up and looked towards Anastasia and Juliet's airship which was heading back into what was now a hellish valley.
Everyone now looked confused. Weren't they supposed to retreat? But seeing someone as calculating as Anastasia and someone as keen as Juliet make a move made the four of them wonder if they had a plan.
"We should follow!" Without hesitation Brutas completely changed his order. He had a sort of unfaltering trust for Anastasia and knew she wouldn't do something without planning.
Esmeralda however thought different, she knew that friend of hers would never risk her own life even if it meant making massive gains. She's always been someone who likes surety. "I agree let's follow them." Esmeralda voiced without hesitation and no one seemed ready to argue as they felt the same deep down
….
Meanwhile within Anastasia and Juliet's ship, the two were standing inside a luxurious room with a view of the front of the airship which had changed from beautiful and mysterious to deadly and suffocating.
"So then, will you tell me how you knew this would happen? I do admit your skills of deduction are rather impressive but if they were this sharp then you wouldn't have been fooled by Aron back during the Journey... unless that was faked as well?" Juliet asked bluntly with no emotion in her voice but Anastasia maintained her calm expression.
"All I can say is that I expected something to occur but even I didn't think it would something like this. I don't need to say anymore than that, you have your secrets and I have mine." She responded without even facing Juliet. Juliet however wasn't satisfied with such a vague answer and continued to press on.
"Does that secret have to do with a woman skilled in stealth seeing you that night after the meeting?"
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