Kael listened while crouching by the iron door. The voices were firm but quiet inside, engaging in a conversation too distant to make out.
With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved a small vial of corrosive essence from his belt. The liquid quickly ate through the metal, hissing as soon as it came into contact with the reinforced lock.
He opened the door with a cautious push.
Torches set on stone walls provided a soft glow for the room beyond. Four figures turned toward him.
Prince Dain, the crown prince of the Earth Kingdom stood with his arms crossed, his sharp features unreadable. Kael could tell by his broad frame and military stance that Dain was a warrior first before anything else.
Beside him, Lady Elira, the young Princess, moved forward with her chin up. Her ice-blue eyes blazed with challenge, and her silver-gold hair shone even in the dim light.
The third one was a Forgotten Royal, Lord Arid. He was leaning comfortably against the wall, his dark robes blending into the darkness. His expression was unreadable as he hardly gave Kael a glance.
Then there was the Puppet King, King Eldrin. His robes were finer than the rest, though tattered from captivity. He sat stiffly in a wooden chair and watched silently.
After looking into each of their eyes, Kael got right to the point. "We don't have time. We're getting you guys out."
Nobody made a move.
Dain was the first to speak. "We're not going anywhere."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "What?"
Elira took a step ahead. "This war has not ended. And we will not abandon our kingdom in cowardice."
Kael scoffed. "Cowardice? You are prisoners."
Dain's gaze flickered. "For the time being."
Something in his tone made Kael pause. They weren't just sitting here waiting to be rescued.
"Elira," Lord Arid's voice was smooth, but there was a sharpness beneath it. "Let's avoid wasting time on arguments."
Kael looked from one to the other, then let out a slow breath. "We are leaving, now. Before reinforcements arrive."
At last, the silent King Eldrin spoke. "And if we refuse?"
Kael's grip on his dagger tightened. "Then I'll drag you out myself."
CLANG!
A sudden clang echoed...
Kael spun around just as the second door at the back of the chamber burst open.
Fire Kingdom guards.
One. Two. Five. Seven.
'They must have been waiting nearby. Waiting for me to open the door.' he thought.
Kael's gaze flicked back to the royals.
Elira had taken a step back, Dain's expression remained unreadable, and Lord Arid smirked slightly.
They had led him into a trap.
Mira's voice crackled in his earpiece. "Kael, what is going on?"
Kael remained silent.
The lead guard raised a flaming spear, his armor glowing in the dim light. "Surrender, and we'll let you live."
Kael smirked. "You're welcome to try."
And then he moved.
The first guard sprang forward, thrusting his spear. Kael twisted to the side as the flames touched his cloak and reacted with a swift cut to the man's throat.
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 5 Earth Kingdom guard]
[Essence Absorbed: +95 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 1375/1300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 99%→ Ready for Breakthrough]
———
[Level: 4 → 5]
[Experience Points: 75/2100 EXP]
[Blood Points: 4 → 6 BP]
[Level-up Progress: Completed]
———
One down
Kael ignored the system prompt. He dodged as a second guard swung his sword and then he stabbed the man in the ribs, twisting it before ripping it free.
The remaining guards hesitated for just a second.
That was all the time Mira needed.
A bolt of lightning shot through the air, slamming into three of them. The impact sent them hurling and crashing into the stone walls, their bodies twitching.
Sera's arrows rained down from above, striking two more guards before they even realized where the attack was coming from.
Dain finally moved, but not to get away. He picked up a fallen sword and charged straight for Kael.
Steel clashed against steel.
Dain moved with excellent agility. He was well-trained. His stance was perfect and every swing was flawless. He fought as though he had been on the front lines for years.
Kael dodged a downward slash, then countered with a dagger strike aimed at Dain's throat. Dain barely managed to block, but Kael didn't stop moving.
Dain narrowly avoided both a kick to the ribs and a side slash from the dagger.
But then Kael noticed a momentary hesitation. Dain wasn't trying to kill him.
That was his mistake.
After making a quick leftward feint, Kael turned sharply and slammed the hilt of his dagger into Dain's chin.
The prince staggered back, dazed.
Kael didn't hesitate. He grabbed Dain by the collar and smashed him into the wall.
Dain snarled. "You don't understand—"
Kael put his dagger against Dain's throat. "I understand that you just tried to kill me."
Dain's eyes blazed with frustration. "You think ending this war is that simple?"
Kael didn't answer.
But suddenly, his side exploded with a piercing pain from Elira's blade.
Kael gritted his teeth, turning just in time to see her step back, her sword wet with his blood.
Before she could strike again, Mira's lightning sent her sprawling to the ground.
Kael hissed, pressing a hand against the wound as his regenerative ability kicked in and it slowly healed. It wasn't too deep, but it might slow him down.
Sera dropped into the room with her bow still raised. "Are we saving them or killing them?"
Kael glared at the royals. Despite his labored breathing, Dain remained stubborn. Elira forced herself to stand, her face unreadable. Lord Arid only gave a slight smile, as though he was enjoying the show.
And King Eldrin? He simply watched on from the side. Unmoving and without care.
Kael exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm. "Tie them up."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"
Kael wiped the blood from his blade. "We're taking them out of here, whether they like it or not."