Medica Materia A Mob Psycho 100 Fantasy AU

Chapter 8

The fortifications at Saffron Heights were hardly imposing. A tall wooden fence surrounded most of the compound but there were sections that were of thick stone. It appeared as though the camp were under construction with the stone slowly replacing the fences. From the south woods, the party could see multiple crudely built barracks, a mess hall and a few small fields of crops.

There were sentries but they were few and far between. The rescue operation would be simpler than first thought.

"Do you sense any Mages?" Reigen asked Serizawa and Mob. The woods obscured the party from any errant eyes, but sound could still carry so they kept their voices low.

"Maybe about twenty," Serizawa answered.

Mob's contribution to the conversation was telling: "They're very weak though."

Reigen processed this information. "Twenty Mages but none with any real power; I don't think the Kingdom of Claw believes these prisoners to be very dangerous."

"There were no other magic users in Seasoning other than me and my brother," Mob said.

King Suzuki had a low opinion of those unable to wield magic. Serizawa did not find the meager defenses surprising at all. "The King would rather have his best men engaging in conquest or guarding high risk targets. Peasants for his new kingdom would be a low priority."

"Just the backbone of his new society," Reigen sneered, "no one important." He did not seem to share King Suzuki's dim views on the world. This was another point in the Apothecary's favor in Serizawa's eyes. "Mob," Reigen addressed his Apprentice, "has there been any sign of your family?"

The boy's eyes dropped to the ground. "Not yet," he said.

Reigen tried to reassure his Apprentice. "We've only been here an hour or so, hardly enough time to judge."

Mob raised his head; he did not look entirely convinced but at least he was no longer downcast. Before they could move on, Dimple appeared at Mob's side. "I think you're going to want to see this," he told the party before leading them through the woods. Dimple took them to a gap in the fence where the stone wall was under repair.

A group of teenage boys about Mob's age were setting stone to mortar, building the new fortifications. They were all bound together with leg chains to prevent their escape. Serizawa was astounded at the sheer muscle mass of the youths. They were far larger than Mob, veritable giants. One of the youths, their apparent leader, wiped off his manly brow. "All right, we have completed this section of wall."

The group clapped in self-congratulation, proud of their accomplishment.

"To celebrate, we will now do twenty squats. Hup!" And the burly youth began to do just that, sitting back on his heels. His stature and breadth, coupled with thick eyebrows and an almost leonine countenance made him an intimidating sight. The other young men joined in, an entire group of teenage boys enthusiastically squatting and chanting: "Fight on! Fight on!"

Serizawa raised an eyebrow at this eccentric performance. Reigen and Mob, however, were unphased. "Good to see imprisonment hasn't dampened their spirits," Reigen said, deadpan.

"Maybe they could help us fight the Mages," Mob said.

"Or any other guards," Reigen thought aloud, "that's a good idea, Mob. I don't doubt your friends will be eager to help."

"Mob's friends?" Serizawa asked, reminding the rest of his party that he had been only been in their company a week.

"Right," Reigen said. "These are Mob's exercise buddies." He jerked a thumb at the lads who had just finished their squats and had gone back to work. "Let's continue scouting, maybe we'll get some other good ideas."