Kris stared at the empty prison wagon, stunned.
“The magic… it should have been sealed…”
“What did that bastard do?”
Just then, a knight who had been scouting stepped forward to report.
“Your Highness, the magic tracking device has no response. It could be that they deliberately concealed themselves, or perhaps…”
“They’ve already left the detection range…”
“Useless!”
Kris punched the man viciously in the face. The sound of bone cracking rang out, and blood splattered everywhere.
A few Paladins nervously stepped forward and dragged the wounded man away.
The captain, seeing his subordinate beaten, dared not speak out in anger. He could only lower his head and clench his fists.
“Let’s go. Return to Matthews Territory immediately.”
“…”
“I said go back. Can’t you hear me?”
“…Yes, sir.”
Faced with a gaze as sharp as a dagger, the Paladin leader had no choice but to yield.
“Also, notify the stationed troops I secretly called in. Have them come as well.”
“The Matthews Territory can now be considered a hostile force!”
“But… Count Matthews was just granted the Hero Title for opposing the cult. Moreover… there’s no direct evidence yet.”
“Is this… inappropriate?”
Kris’s eyes instantly turned cold, murderous intent radiating from him.
“You just need to carry out the order.”
“This is the last time.”
“…Understood.”
…
Man En rushed forward with Sophien toward the rendezvous point they had agreed upon with Dulufu and his group.
To be honest, he hadn’t expected Kris to set up a Sealing Magic Array around Sophien.
If his energy source hadn’t been Rune Script, he would probably have been captured.
But even after escaping, his body was already at its limit.
Because the low level of the Rune Script caused energy to dissipate, the power it provided was about to run dry. The drained runes affected his body as well, but now he couldn’t actively expel them. He could only rely on his body’s instinct to repair itself.
This process was excruciating.
An unexpected situation. It seemed that in the future, he would have to force the runes out of his body before their power completely vanished.
“Lord Mann… are you alright?”
“…I’m fine…”
Just hold on a little longer… just a little longer.
“Your hand is very hot… and we’ve already escaped them. How about we stop and rest a bit?”
“…”
Man En remained silent. His consciousness was beginning to blur.
Ahead, he could already see Dulufu and his group, draped in black robes, waving at the two of them.
“Listen… go find Yi Laisi from the academy. She’s a member of the Elf Race, and she came out to investigate because the Armor of Time was stolen by the Heretic God Sect.”
“And the Heretic God Sect became active after that incident, so heading to the Elf Race’s territory should help uncover some… things.”
“But… why don’t I know about this?”
Man En’s eyes had already lost their luster. He was holding on purely by willpower.
“If things end smoothly, I’ll tell you…”
Man En didn’t even hear Sophien’s question. He just felt that Sophien would ask it.
After all, Yi Laisi’s identity as a Demihuman was very sensitive, but the current situation no longer allowed them to consider that.
Another reason he made this suggestion was that Kris probably couldn’t escape blame for the early theft of the Armor of Time.
If before it was just suspicion, now he could probably confirm it.
Because in the moment their forces clashed earlier, Man En had sensed a Power of Time similar to his own.
If nothing unexpected happened, the Armor of Time should be in Kris’s hands.
As for why Kris could use it, there was probably another hidden reason.
But all of that was for later. Clearing his name was the top priority now.
For both Sophien and the Matthews Territory.
“And now, I need you to investigate the connection between Kris and the Heretic God Sect in a short time… We’ll stall for you in the meantime.”
“As for the specifics… go ask… Dulufu.”
When Dulufu saw the two approaching, the expression on his face gradually relaxed.
“Your Imperial Highness, are you alright?”
“…I’m fine.”
“Time is of the essence… let’s move quickly…”
Sophien lowered her head, pondered for a moment, then pulled out a deep purple gem and pressed it into Man En’s hand.
“I’m sorry, but… thank you, Lord Mann.”
“Take care. We’re leaving.”
Only when he felt the gentle Magic Fluctuation emanating from his palm did Man En realize what she had stuffed into his hand.
“A Magic Stone… huh? Too bad, I can’t use it in my current state…”
“Have to… return to the territory… before Kris does.”
But the moment he took a step forward, he collapsed weakly to the ground.
As something emitting a faint golden light was spat out, not a shred of strength remained in his body, and his vitality was severely depleted.
“Finally… it’s out…”
Sophien’s heart suddenly clenched in pain. She instinctively looked back, but saw nothing.
“Are you worried about Lord Mann?”
“That guy will definitely be fine. He always is. So trust him this time too.”
Seeing Sophien’s expression turn odd, Dulufu spoke up to comfort her.
“Besides, our mission now is to find evidence as quickly as possible. We have no time to waste.”
“Yeah… you’re right.”
With that thought, everyone involuntarily picked up the pace.
…
“Young Master Mann!”
“Holy Son!”
When Man En suddenly vanished, Ge Rui En guessed that he had gone alone to rescue Sophien.
And relying on a faint connection with Man En, Mei successfully locked onto his location.
Seeing Man En collapsed on the ground, the two hurried over.
Mei grabbed Man En in her arms, a few tears falling.
“Miss Mei…”
“…I know.”
“Let’s go, Master. We’ll take Young Master Mann back to the mansion.”
…
Not long after, inside the mansion.
Count Matthews looked at the unconscious Man En, his expression turning complex.
“Take him to his room. Call the doctor. Hurry!”
The moment he finished speaking, a scout rushed in frantically.
“Lord Count, His Highness the Prince has surrounded Matthews Territory with the Imperial Army!”
“What did you say? What’s the reason for the siege?”
“This…”
“Negligence in territorial management… collusion with the Heretic God Sect… unlawful seizure of important prisoners…”
Before anyone noticed, Kris strode straight in, as if entering an empty room.
Even though his face was full of smiles, it sent chills down Count Matthews’s spine.
“I wonder if these reasons are enough, Uncle Matthews?”
“Hmph! Don’t call me uncle. I can’t bear it.”
“And you, boy, if you want to handle things by the book, that’s fine. But arresting people based on your own conjecture—are you really not taking me, a count, seriously?”
“Considering your current actions, according to imperial law, I can identify this as an invasion.”
Kris looked at the count, his eyes instantly sharpening.
“Oh? So what are you going to do, Uncle?”
“You want to try? Don’t blame me for not warning you—even if I kill you here, your old man wouldn’t dare fart a word!”
“Is that so? I think it’s you who should be careful.”
As soon as the words were spoken, countless Arc Lightnings surged from Matthews’s body.
“Hand over Man En, and I’ll withdraw my troops immediately!”
“Dream on!”
The moment the words fell, a Giant Blade wreathed in Arc Lightning swung down violently, slashing at Kris’s head with the sound of thunderclaps.
But Kris didn’t move an inch.
He was absolutely certain the count wouldn’t dare to strike.
“How strange. It seems your blade is quite hesitant?”
“Let me make it more decisive!”
Kris suddenly closed in on the count, gathering a massive amount of Mana into his fist.
Then a crisp sound rang out. The count, blocking with his sword, stumbled back several steps.
On the frightfully large giant sword, a wisp of white smoke slowly rose.
“You little brat…”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.