human
Action:  Now that they understood victory would require getting Vincent back to the palace, they had emerged from the guardhouse. Unfortunately, the group promptly stopped dead in their tracks when they sensed they were surrounded by innumerable hostile presences.
gpt
Reinhard:  “So many of them. I can’t believe I didn’t notice… They really caught us with our pants down.” Reinhard, like Julius, scanned the area, frowning to realize they’d been taken completely unawares. This look of chagrin was unusual for him, but his frustration with himself was understandable. They were encircled by so many; it should have been impossible not to notice them.
human
Reinhard:  “Ten, twenty… No less than fifty, I’d say.”
gpt
Ferris:  “Wow, that’s not good news. I didn’t know your Sprouts could count, Julius.”
human
Julius:  “For better or worse, they’re excellent students, and I’m a proud teacher.”
gpt
Ferris:  “Hmm, not the brag I was hoping for…” Ferris quickly hid himself behind Julius and Reinhard.
human
Action:  When Julius had his greater spirits confirm the number of auras surrounding the guardhouse, he discovered it was many tens of times their own. They were not Volakian troops, however. Rather, Julius was certain these were assassins sent by whosoever was hunting them. The killers seemed to meld with the trees, preventing the spirit mage from getting a good look at them. Even if he strained his eyes, following the guidance of his spirits, he still couldn’t seem to make anything out.
gpt
Vincent:  “It would seem even the vaunted Sword Saint can’t elude the empire’s prized hunting hounds.”
human
Ferris:  “Are you implying you know who they are, Your Majesty? Maybe you could give them a good shouting-at, then? We share the same fate meow, it looks like.”
gpt
Vincent:  “I very much doubt it. If they’ve allied themselves with the rebels, then they won’t care whether I personally approve of what they’re doing. It’s obvious enough from the way they’ve thrown aside their role as spies and informants to turn into simple assassins.” Vincent crossed his arms and remained suitably imperious as he eyed the auras around them.