While the attack on the ve caravans can be done with no discretion, doing so towards the ve traders inside any settlements, unless it is a vige, is considered suicidal behavior.
After all, the guards, while have no magic, would overwhelm them in a short time, as the witches need to split up their forces to free every single witch without the Duchy realizing something is wrong.
However, besides the need for secrecy, the witches assigned to attack the settlements are stronger and have more experience, and unlike the capital which is engulfed in fire, the settlements are rtively quite and calm, not knowing they housing enved witches, allowing the witch to do a quick and stealthy strike, with the help of several small assistance of course.
-x-
"Go," several Phantom Wasp flew towards the guards, before giving them some painful stings. The guards yelped in pain before their body shaking and seizing, unable to react to what''s around them to the immense pain they currently feel.
The witches walked towards the guards and grab the key to the warehouse, opening it as some were left outside to keep an eye on any other guards or suspicious activity.
After rescuing the witches inside, all of them looking slightly malnourished, but at least alive, the witches head towards where the ve traders are, ready to give them some rightfully earned payback.
-x-
While the attack in smaller viges are quick and usually resulting in no one aside from the ve traders knowing about it, right before they are killed or captured, the same could not be said about the towns and cities.
Due to higher poption concentration, not to mention being more important to the Duchypared to a vige, there guards there are both superior in terms of quality and quantity of the guards of the vige.
While the witches did their best to ensure the operation is done as stealthily as possible, sometimes, they are not given the chance to do so.
"Barrier!" casting a magic barrier in front of her, one of the witch quickly retreated, not nning to stay any longer.
"Where are our captured sisters?!" another witch yelled before sting a Arcane Shot at one of the guards, killing him immediately.
"The one inside only just get to them!" the third which said before blocking an arrow to her face. "There are more guards than what our spy found!" she continued before casting another barrier spell, supporting the first witch who looked close to keeling down from exhaustion.
"Tell them to hurry up! We can''t stay here any longer or-" the witch stopped, the sight of the person in front of them is enough to ignite the terror they felt.
"Surrender or you will learn the meaning of suffering," a Witch Hunter eximed, being nked by 2 other Witch Hunters, the one who hunted down witches all over the Duchy with great efficiency, when they have the proper information that is.
-x-
"Looks like the one in Wiro City needs reinforcement. They did not get out before a Witch Hinter squad arrive," one of the witches in the mainmand center reported, the 7 elder witches looking unconcerned.
"In that case, send in the reinforcement,"
-x-
As the three witches feel great despair, the air behind them changes, they did not dare to turn around, none of them stupid enough to turn their backs toward their foes, though they do try to gauge their enemies expression, to tell them what is behind them.
From the look of it, it should be something surprising, as even the Witch Hunter seemed shock, though it was hard to tell with the mask on.
A familiar growl quickly tell them of what was behind them, as arge Lizardman with dark and red coloring stare at the Witch Hunter, rage and burning desire to kill in it''s reptilian eyes.
Seeing that new enemies emerged, the Witch Hunter no longer daily and instead attack them, but their crossbow bolt was easily blocked by the Lizardman, who charged at them with terrifying speed, reaching one of the Witch Hunter and ripping them apart.
Seeing one of their own died, the other two ignored the Lizardman, opting to find the witch who control them. A sound but wrong decision, as none of the witch control the monster, only able to give itmand that it will follow but can ignore.
As the Witch Hunters we''re forced to focus on the Lizardman when it get to close, the witches took the time helping their sisters getting the rest of the enved witches out of the city through the portal, while some stay behind to help the Lizardman dealt with the Witch Hunters and guards.
-x-
"Looks like Wiro City''s group had finished their job. Looks like the portal you developed during your time outside is truly helpful, Phoebe," the witch in question merely looked away, embarrassed by the praise of one of the elder witches.
While most witches stayed in the Dominion, unable to leave due to their love of their homnd and wanting to save their captured brethren, some do leave, though they always returned, and those that don''t likely meet their end outside.
One of the people who left was Phoebe. Knowing the strength of the witches could not hope to stand against the Duchy, she seek for more knowledge, and travelled far and wide.
In the end, she returned after developing a magic portal. Something she learned and duplicate in her time inside the Arcana Divine Empire.
While the one she created is cruderpared to the one the Arcana Divine Empire possess, it is faster to form and more convenient, not to mention able tost from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of mana poured into it.
Their ns would not have been so ambitious if not for her creating such portals. With the assistance of their demon master, they were able to taught and replicate many items needed for the creation of multiple magic portal.
The only side effects were slight headache when passing through the portal, not to mention that it is more dangerous than true magic portal. However, it''s convenience more than made up for it''s weakness, allowing the witches to extract some groups that are unable to leave due to being found.
"Looks like the one who attacked the different towns and cities also have finished the job," the elder witches all looked happy at the end result. While there are someption, in the end, the witches in different settlement had been liberated, which is a huge win for them.