On the other side of the opaque hole, Mathilda found herself on top of a cliff.
The hole disappeared instantly, leaving her with no means to return to the temple via the same passage.
She has a pained expression, not because she's hurt but rather a deep sense of irritation.
Mathilda already knew something was wrong with the acolytes when she entered the temple, but she didn't do anything yet to observe further.
She doesn't want to ruin the ceremony so she kept quiet, however, she whispered to Vivienne about her discomfort with the acolytes.
The two of them observed, until the first phase began...
As a parent and the acting guardian of Voltaire, Mathilda was filled with excitement, momentarily letting her guard down because there are only few minutes left before Voltaire's turn to get asked what color of mana he has.
And that's when her irritation came. The moment she let her guard down, is the time where the acolytes acted aggressively.
"Tsk. If I acted right away, this wouldn't happen in the first place," Mathilda muttered through clenched teeth, her frustration shows as she tightly clenched her fist.
"It seems we have new enemies, but what are they aiming for?" Mathilda pondered, acknowledging their audacity to act in her presence.
It's one thing to have someone harming her people, and another if they pose a massive threat to her family.
"Voltaire already received the blessings but he's still incapable of using it... He's defenseless against those acolytes."
Although she knew it's going to be all right since Vivienne is still there, she can't help herself to worry.
However, a strong emotion is overpowering her worries: madness. Mathilda is mad. She's very mad at herself.
The fact the she can prevent it from the beginning made her hate herself.
The fact that she can't protect Voltaire in this circumstances makes her blood boil.
The fact that there are monsters' presence nearby, waiting to see Mathilda show a sign of weakness so they can attack made her bloodthirsty.
"Oh? So you pebbles think you can make a meal out of me?" A cold voice full of killing intent resonated as Mathilda glanced sideways.
Knowing that Mathilda already found them out, the monsters showed themselves from their hiding spot. Three monsters were hiding behind a boulder that was three meters tall (9'8 feet) and four meters wide (13'1 feet).
Shortly after, another two came out, jumping from the colossal tree branch to join the others on the ground.
"Creepers huh. You all aren't even enough to be considered as a warm up. But it doesn't matter. I will obliterate all of you without mercy to lessen my irritation." Mathilda declared, looking down on the Creepers.
The Creepers are monsters standing on four legs with its forearms longer than its hind legs. This monsters have a size of 50-100 centimeters tall(1'6-3'2 feet) and 15 centimeters in length(0'4 foot).
It has three-inch fangs and huge claws like well-sharpened knives. Due to their small size, these monsters are quite agile.
Despite these features, the Creepers are labelled as one of the weakest monsters due to its small size.
The only saving grace of these monsters are its intelligence. Creepers are astute enough to recognize their weakness that is why they hunt in group of 5-20 Creepers.
While these beast are a threat to beginners, an experienced Archon like Mathilda could easily overpower them with brute force.
The Creepers started to move separately trying to surround the lonesome queen.
They move with full caution, knowing Mathilda is far stronger than them.
For monsters as weak as them, its always now or never when it comes to hunting their prey.
Now, they finally surrounded Mathilda.
She observed them quietly, thinking how to deal with the acolytes as swiftly as possible when she return.
"Like I thought, I can't afford to waste my time to the likes of you."
The Creepers are now moving forward, closing the distance on each of their steps.
With a displeased sigh, Mathilda's eyes glow and a ring of dark red lightning started to materialize around her waist.
Creepers saw this and they knew they would be obliterated by this lightning if they don't hurry up.
One of the biggest Creepers leaped forward and prepared its claw hoping to deal serious damage before Mathilda could use her lightning.
Then another one tried to sneaked from behind thinking Mathilda is occupied by the bigger Creeper in front of her.
"Too simple." She declared.
With a flick of her hand, the lightning ring extended on all sides with great speed, hitting all the Creepers encircling Mathilda.
It was so quick and precise attack from Mathilda that the Creepers couldn't react in time despite their agility.
The shriek of the Creepers and the sound of their bones shattering resonated through the cliff until they completely reduced to dust.
The unleashed energy of the lightning ring rent the boulders and trees nearby, cleaving them apart as it extended itself for a span of 20 meters, before ultimately fading away.
"As expected, I should pour all my frustrations killing those acolytes and their ringleader instead." Discontent by the lack of challenge the Creepers possessed, Mathilda moved forward slightly.
From the cliff, she started to scanned the surroundings.
"This cliff, is it the one from the east or the other one from the northwest?" She ponders, and then she lick his finger slightly.
She raised her pointy finger upward as if she's asking someone to look up. Mathilda did it to get a feel where the wind is coming.
"So it's the former then. 7,000 kilometers from the capital... Not too far I guess. I'm glad the person who uses a portal isn't so skilled enough to take me further away."
Indeed, this place is one of the dangerous area of Geayforth Kingdom where a person is prohibited from going unless they're an Archon.
Mathilda started to ripped her dress so she can move her legs more freely, tied her hair up in a ponytail to not hinder her vision, and removed her luxurious-looking shoes.
"It's time to show those bastards what the queen is capable of when you make a mess of her kingdom and pose a great danger to her family."
With deep focus looking from afar, Mathilda stepped back 10 meters away from the edge of the cliff.
She crouches and prepared herself to dash forward in one sudden burst.
As she's doing it, another dark red lightning started materializing on her side, this time in a shape of a 200 centimeters spear (6'5 feet).
Mathilda fired the floating lightning spear forward directed to the royal capital with all her might.
And then she finally dashed forward, with all the momentum and piled up energy on her feet, she immediately catches up with her pseudo spear.
She hopped and ride the spear with her foot.
"This way, I can go there easily."
***
-Additional Info-
Creepers(Grave Class) - A four legged monsters. Its forearm is twice the length of the hind legs. Stands at 50-100 centimeters tall and 15 centimeters long.
Physical Capability: It has strong and deadly bite due to its fangs, its claw is also a threat, and quite agile.
Weakness: Due to its small size, an experienced Archon can easily beat this with brute strength alone.
Trait: Intelligent. Always hunt in a group of 5-20 members to compensate for their weakness.