Chapter 171
Clang! Clang!

“Aaaah!”

“Stop! Please, spare me!”

“Don’t let a single one escape! This way!”

“Kill them all! For Gale’s sake!”

“Lady Marib is watching!”

The midday scene was drenched in madness. If only it were night—then the darkness might have hidden some of this horror. But under the blazing sky, it felt like hell itself had broken loose.

Crash!

A corpse slammed through a window, splattering blood across the outer wall. Shards of glass fluttered like sleet, and Ian instinctively raised his sleeve to shield his eyes.

Whoosh!

Spears and arrows flew without aim. Berrick swung his sword with precision, shouting at the top of his lungs.

“You idiots! Look before you throw!”

“Charge! Charge!”

“Kill them all!”

“No, this is Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Department! Our master! Ian, didn’t you say saying your name would keep you safe?”

“Words are useless to those who refuse to listen.”

“Slay the traitors! Protect Bariel!”

“Ah, damn it! If it comes to this… I have no choice! Ha ha ha!”

But those consumed by madness wouldn’t hear reason. Berrick swung his sword mercilessly at anyone blocking their path. Blood spurted along the trajectory, screams tore through the air, and his laughter slipped out.

“Berrick, that’s enough. Let’s move.”

“They’re practically begging to be killed.”

“Should I go first?”

“Not yet. Let’s go.”

Chaos itself. In the tense dance between life and death, it was impossible to tell friend from foe. One wrong move could mean death.

What could be more pointless than a war fueled only by blind rage, without conviction? Ian pressed his shoulder against the wall, weaving through the chaos.

Clang! Clang!

“One, two! Incoming! Block! Okay!”

“Berrick, quiet down. Too many eyes are on us.”

“I’m the quietest here!”

Despite his words, his protection was flawless. Though he couldn’t stop the blood from flowing, not a single minor attack reached Ian.

Clang!

“This way, Berrick!”

“There? Seriously?”

Ian, familiar with the palace layout, spotted a shortcut. It was one often used by lower officials. They dashed through it, and the battle cries gradually faded. They were moving away—from that dreadful hell.

Tap tap tap!

“What’s at the end of this path?”

“The back gate of the Third Imperial Palace. It’s a bit far from Delaina’s quarters, but it’s best to meet up with Xiaoshi first, then find the others.”

Whether Delaina and the twin princes had guards was unknown, but if not, Xiaoshi alone would be a great help. After securing reinforcements, returning to the Magic Department was the best plan.

“Huh? Ian, this is a dead end.”

“Get down.”

Thud!

At Ian’s command, Berrick lowered his back. Ian stepped on it and climbed over the wall. Right there was the entrance to the Third Imperial Palace’s underground prison. Guarded by heavily armed sentries, they leveled their spears at Ian.

“Stop! This is the palace’s underground prison. Turn back!”

“I am Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Department. I’ve come to find the intruder who entered Lord Gale’s quarters at dawn.”

“…Sorry, but we cannot allow it. We’re on high alert due to a dangerous situation. There’s a risk the prisoners might escape.”

The guards lifted their helmets, showing troubled expressions. The distant roar of battle was growing closer, as if the fighting was about to spill into this place.

Buzz.

Ian unleashed his magic, warning the guards.

“Your dedication is commendable, but assess the situation properly. Who is your superior?”

“W-Wyvern.”

“Good. He’s currently ensuring safety at the Magic Department. He’s entrusted me with authority. I will take only one prisoner. If there’s a problem, report it under my name.”

The guards exchanged glances, silent. The palace was in such turmoil that they couldn’t decide.

“He’s a key figure to restore order here. If you refuse, I will break down the iron gate.”

“Break it all down? Huh? Smash it?”

“Wait! Please, some proof.”

Ian removed his uniform jacket and handed it over. It was soaked in unknown blood, but it was enough to serve as identification.

Click!

The iron gate creaked open. Ian and Berrick descended into the underground, guided by the guards. No sunlight reached here; the damp, moldy air was suffocating. It felt like a world apart.

Squeak.

In the darkness, Ian spotted a man collapsed on the floor. Bound and curled up—Xiaoshi. His eyes were covered, but his ash-colored hair was unmistakable.

“Untie him.”

“Yes, please wait.”

The man’s ears twitched faintly, as if waking from death. When the guards removed the blindfold, his mismatched eyes met Ian’s gaze.

“…”

“Xiaoshi, can you walk?”

“Hey hey, hello hello.”

Ian raised a lantern, illuminating Xiaoshi’s bruised cheek and a deep cut across his arm. The light was too bright; Xiaoshi squinted.

“…Where am I?”

“Where? You’re here because your master came looking for you. But these wounds… they’re serious.”

The order was strange, but Ian promised Xiaoshi’s safety. Still, why was he in this state? Ian had warned Gale firmly.

“…”

“Speak.”

“He said he wanted to see blood, so I did it myself.”

Ian’s suspicion was confirmed. Gale wanted to give Ian a reason to accuse Xiaoshi later by injuring him. But the cheek wound? Ian looked at the guards, who shook their heads nervously.

“We didn’t torture him. We just brought him here and locked him up.”

Boom!

A distant explosion echoed. If it was that loud underground, it must be massive. The battle was closing in on them. Ian signaled Berrick to help Xiaoshi up.

Swish.

“…What should I do now?”

No orders. That was the hardest part of being imprisoned. Born a slave, every moment of life had been dictated by commands—eat, sleep, rest, work. Without orders, it felt like the signposts had shattered.

“What weapon do you usually use?”

“…In the arena, I mostly fight barehanded.”

“You’d die meaninglessly like that now. There’s someone we need to bring through the chaos.”

“…A dagger.”

A dagger? Ian glanced at the guards, wondering if anyone carried one. One guard startled, patting his waist.

“I-I have a small knife I sometimes use to peel fruit.”

A folding knife that fit in the palm. Xiaoshi took it silently, while Berrick waved his hand in disgust.

“How can you kill someone with that?”

“…”

“If you stab deep, it’ll smell like fruit! Xiaoshi, don’t do that. Take something longer. Then you can slash and hack properly.”

“Enough. We don’t have time to waste. Xiaoshi, tell me everything that happened last night on the way.”

“…Yes.”

Tap tap tap!

Ian led Xiaoshi out of the underground prison. In the darkness, Xiaoshi’s ash-colored eyes shone differently. The guards at the entrance panicked, shouting.

“Should we open the gate? Hurry if you’re leaving!”

“The battle has spread here. We’re sealing the gates!”

The fighting Ian and Berrick had passed through was now crashing down here. Flames and smoke rose everywhere, sounds of destruction echoed. Ian gestured to open the door and ran.

Thud!

“Argh! Kill them!”

“Don’t spare a single one!”

“Their blood will nourish Bariel!”

“Filthy vermin! How dare you speak of Bariel!”

Boom! Bang!

Clang! Crackle!

The floor was soaked with blood, like embers feeding the flames that threatened to burn the building down. That was why Ian’s clothes were stained. Xiaoshi was a bit startled but held the knife firmly, steady.

“You said you hate seeing blood.”

“…I’m fine.”

“Yaaah! Kill!”

Whoosh!

“Aaah!”

“Yes. You have to be okay now. That’s how you survive.”

Berrick plunged his sword into a soldier’s heart who lunged at Ian. Pulling the blade out through the back, he slashed the side again.

Xiaoshi frowned, watching the soldier writhe. If he’d died instantly, it wouldn’t have been so painful.

“Dieee!”

Another soldier charged at Ian. Berrick tried to block, but the corpse got caught on the blade. Ian opened his golden eyes, gathering magic.

Buzz. Zing.

Crash!

But faster than that, Xiaoshi intercepted. Grabbing the attacker’s hair with one hand, he plunged the knife into the eye socket with the other.

“…”

There was a clear intent to end his breath in a single, slaughtering strike. The movement was precise, targeting the vital spot without any wasted motion. The soldier collapsed forward without even a scream.

Thud—

“…….”

“…….”

“…Hah.”

Heavy, concise, and swift. Even in the hand that retrieved the knife, that same force was palpable. Berrick stared at Xiaosi with his mouth agape, while Ian was equally stunned into silence. Only Xiaosi sighed, rubbing the knife against his shirt.

“…Aren’t you coming?”

“…I’m going.”

“Yaaa! Xiaosi! What the hell are you? What are you doing?!”

“Shut up, Berrick. Don’t get distracted.”

“No, Ian, you saw that too, right? Swish, crack! Ugh! What was that? How do you do it? Teach me! No, wait—let’s spar right now!”

Zzzzzing!

As Berrick clung excitedly to Xiaosi, Ian opened his golden eyes, as if warning him to shut up and follow or face the consequences. Berrick snapped back to attention, blinking wide-eyed.

“I almost messed up there, huh?”

“No second warnings, Berrick.”

“Aw, come on, why so scary? How about we settle this after all this is over? Xiaosi! Xiaosiiii!”

Crack!

Ignoring Berrick, Xiaosi strode ahead, cutting down anyone blocking Ian’s path with clean efficiency. Though the sight of blood was unpleasant, the master’s orders left no room for hesitation.

Ian followed the path forged by Berrick and Xiaosi, lifting his head. Soon, they would reach the royal palace of Dilaina.

*    *    *

“Lady Dilaina! Lady Dilaina!”

“There’s trouble! Lady Dilaina!”

Dilaina coughed a little later than usual. She had been restless in her sleep, haunted by uneasy dreams. As she sat at her vanity, preparing herself, the shout from the chamberlain reached her ears.

“What’s going on?”

The chamberlain, normally calm, was now frantic and out of breath.

“Prince Marib has obtained His Majesty’s imperial seal. Hah, there’s been an intruder in Lord Gale’s quarters…”

“Speak clearly!”

The atmosphere turned tense. The sounds of guards rushing in echoed through the halls, and heavy furniture was dragged to block the palace entrance.

“Prince Marib and Lord Gale are fighting over the emperor’s seal. Knights and soldiers from all the noble houses have entered the palace and are now at a standoff.”

“What… does that mean?”

Her mind went blank. To fight over the emperor’s seal? Then what of His Majesty?

“The Magic Department has sealed the exits. There’s no way out. It’s best you stay hidden here—”

“Arsen! Jin!”

Dilaina dashed to the princes’ chambers. If Marib and Gale had drawn their swords, the danger would surely spread to them as well.

Bang!

She flung open the door to find Arsen and Jin seated on the sofa. Arsen was grinning broadly, looking unusually pleased.