Karina did detect a group of people. After walking for a bit, we are hiding in a few bushes and looking at the other side of the river, where there is a small camp.
Some of the people there are moving around, taking guard. What calls my attention is the presence of an eye with a flower-like iris, encircled by a red background and some banners. That means this is not a random bandit group or anything like that. This is a full-on faction.
The members had better armor than any thief or robber. Medium leather armors seem common among them; some have metallic plates covering important body parts, with big furs of animals to cover themselves from the cold of the region and season.
I have no idea if they are friendly or not. I don't recognize this faction in my game, and I never attack a faction without any good reason. Buuuut....
"I think I see around 15 people," Karina explains. "One of them is particularly strong."
"Stronger than Aurelia or me?"
"Definitely weaker than Aurelia, and is around you with the buff."
"Wait!" Lisa says. "I know who these guys are! The people I saw stealing the Holy Symbol from Demisaus's prophet!"
"Oh?" My interest is piqued. She mentioned that in the temple. "Can you describe this symbol?"
"Ah? Well, it is meant to be an amulet held like a necklace. It has the symbol of the Holy Rose of Demisaus with a purple background and golden finish."
And if I wanted a reason, that is one.
My tail is moving without my control behind me.
I know what that item is! Is the [Sacred Amulet of Demisaus of Renewal] a godly-level Unique item. It always has the same base stats and is upgradable by getting the blessing of Demisaus in one of her altars, doubling the enchantments!
+20 to Faith stat
+10 to Constitution star
+10 Spell Levels to casting any regenerative spells
+100 HP regen
+50 MP regen
+15 Poison Resistance
+20 Dodge
+25 Defense
+20 Chaos Resistance
+15 Fire Resistance
+15 Cold Resistance
+15 Electric Resistance
+10 Sound Resistance
That +20 to Faith with the 10 to Constitution is nasty. Any item that has that amount of stats in 1 slot is so grotesque it feels like cheating. Even if my main stat is Magic and not Faith, it still gives me an MP bonus that I can use to cast more spells, and if I decide to follow any deity, it will make the job so much easier to gain their favor!
And it is unique, so it always has those stats; it doesn't matter if I cannot identify it, it will have those stats no matter what. And with the capacity to double it with the blessing of Demisaus, it makes it a good item all the way from early to late game if you grind the favor!
And even then, Aurelia's Buffs have regeneration on them, so they are considered as such. If she wears it, the benefits could be impressively powerful.
To think this whole time it was sitting in the temple of Lakemar... I could have just attempted to grab it during my save!
"S-she has been drooling since she heard about the amulet," Lucio says.
"And her tail is starting a tornado," Aurelia points out.
"I am sure you are thinking something nasty..." Karina says to me.
"Ah!" I clean the saliva from my lips and attempt to compose myself, but my tail is betraying me by moving from side to side. "We are recovering the Holy Symbol from them. And taking any treasure they have with the food and whatever we find in their camp."
Lisa gasps. "Really? The trifecta blesses you! It is an important symbol of faith for the followers of Demisaus, they will be happy when it returns to the temple."
"Y-yeah, right... *Ahem!*" I clear my throat. "I will make initial contact; if things get bad, everyone will support me. Aurelia, stay hidden."
Everyone nods, and I get into action.
Time to make a bit of a display of power to make sure they see what they are dealing with.
With a skip, I jump into view and start to approach the shore of the river. My left hand is on Bloodless's scabbard, angling it to walk comfortably and pull it out in case of conflict.
I want to first send a message, see if that is going to make them not attack or try anything stupid without thinking twice. Because of Aurelia, I have the advantage no matter what.
I have been mostly using spells for which I have a large amount of charges. [Ice Bolt], for example, still has 246 more casts before I need to recharge them. I have been conservative with the rest because I don't have that many charges. I have the majority of elemental and sound spells, and only a few godly-level ones. But their charges are low, and I use them more in emergencies. Spell charges stop being a problem when you reach the endgame.
[Cold Aura 2300 MP Lv 16 Charges 6
Lower the temperature to a freezing point around you. Water will become ice, allowing one to walk through water bodies. Normal resistance reduction]
To recover those charges, I need grimoires, which I do have, but I have no idea what it is and I am not risking failing to read can be problematic.
I cast [Cold Aura]. A white cold mist starts to surround me, and the surface of the river starts to freeze as I step in, allowing me to walk as I approach. My presence calls the attention of some of the camp inhabitants, who seem to be extremely perturbed by the sudden appearance of a Vulpin making ice appear.
"Hey! Who goes there!" One screams and points towards me.
The camp activates, and everyone moves to meet me.
"You got their attention, everyone is moving... There, that is the strongest one!" Karina points towards one that is carrying a helmet with a big red feather on top of it under its arm.
As I reach the other side, everyone is looking at me and back to their companions when they see me walking through the river, freezing it with my steps.
"Good day. I wish to speak with the leader of your group." I say as my feet touch the snow on the other side. I look directly at the one who is carrying the helmet. "You seem to have stolen something from a nearby temple. I want it back."
The leader smirks at me when I make the claim.