Chapter 113: Florida Man Walks 1,000 Miles to Abandon Wife and Return Home

Martin canceled his spells and landed in front of Felix, opening his mouth as if to say something. He wanted to convince the young man to stay, but shame weighed on him—the unfair magic contract he had signed with the emperor hung over him.Despite his regrets, Martin believed that what he was about to do would be better for Felix's future. He retrieved an item from his subspace and handed it to Felix.

"The emperor's eyes and ears are everywhere. This will help you avoid his agents," Martin said, offering Felix an earring.

Felix glanced at the small object, a wry smile forming. Earring wasn't his style, but he accepted it nonetheless. As he habitually checked his system map, he noticed something surprising: Martin's signal had stayed green throughout the entire ordeal. Felix gave Martin a meaningful look, silently acknowledging the elder's unexpected kindness.

"Godspeed, child," Martin said softly. "Don't let the emperor's men catch you. Leave the empire if you can. He's preparing for war, and I don't think we're ready. Hell's about to break loose."

Felix flinched at the warning. "What about you? Do you have somewhere to go when it all falls apart?"

Martin chuckled. "I'm already old. I should have died on Earth, but I got a second chance. Don't worry about me—just go. I'll handle the rest."

"…Thank you," Felix said, offering a small bow before turning to run toward the gate. He quickly stored the crashed ATV in his inventory and moved onward.

…

Martin watched him leave with a gentle smile, sighing as he turned to face the approaching cleanup squad from the palace.

Garudeer, Zen, and Tanaka arrived first, locking onto Felix's mana signature before turning to Martin with questioning eyes, silently asking why he hadn't stopped the young fugitive.

Martin met their gazes with a bitter smile. "Is there anyone here who really wants to capture him?"

Garudeer scoffed. "Why should I? It's my fault he's here in the first place. I got greedy and invited him."

Tanaka crossed his arms, smirking. "Come on, pops. You want another Earthling to join our little contracted slave gang? It's a pity we can't work together, but the kid's better off free."

Zen, though not understanding all of Tanaka's slang, agreed. Emperor Saucon had crossed a line, and she believed Felix was a victim.

"Do you gentlemen know the terms of the contract His Majesty imposed on the boy?" she asked.

Tanaka and Martin exchanged knowing smiles. Martin, the contract's drafter, summoned a hologram of the document for everyone to see.

As Garudeer and Zen read through the clauses, their faces lit up with amusement. Tanaka glanced at the penalty section and smirked, wondering how the empire would enforce the consequences, given that the emperor himself was above the law.

"Lord Magus," Garudeer said, puzzled. "The penalty for breaching a contract isn't just in the clauses. Normally, a physical backlash strikes the violator and won't stop until the official penalty is resolved. Doesn't this mean the emperor will face continuous backlash?"

Martin and Tanaka burst into laughter. This was the part they had kept from Saucon, waiting for the day he would betray them. Still chuckling, Martin whispered to Garudeer, "Never tell the emperor. He doesn't know."

"W-What?! But that's basic magic knowledge! How hasn't he figured it out?" Garudeer stammered.

Martin smirked. "He's an aura knight, barely dabbling in magic. Let him stay in the dark."

Zen and Garudeer exchanged knowing looks with Martin and Tanaka. They all understood the hidden agenda at play. seaʀᴄh thё NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"I see," Garudeer murmured. "Seems like we share the same goal."

Zen giggled, her voice turning cold. "The Matriarch has been waiting for Saucon's downfall ever since he forced her daughter into marriage and murdered her a year later. And that's not even counting the 58 priestesses his men abducted and sold to the nobles as concubines."

Garudeer blinked in shock. "Zen, you…"

Zen's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with the anticipation of a bloody future and the fall of the Dragoon Empire. "I look forward to working with you, gentlemen."

"Likewise," Tanaka and Martin replied, snickering.

…

Meanwhile, Felix sprinted with all his might, trying to put as much distance between himself and the city as possible. As he ran, he opened his system inventory.

The ATV was wrecked from Sean's tentacle attack, leaving him no choice but to travel on foot.

After an hour of running and jogging, Felix finally stopped at the top of a hill, turning to look back at the destruction below. From his vantage point.

The city of Big Zoot was a dusty mess. Brown clouds still covered half the city as tourists and nobles fled along the road.

Felix sighed, his heart heavy as he considered how many innocent lives had been lost since his arrival in this world. The weight of guilt pressed on his mind. But before he could spiral into self-blame, his darker instincts kicked in, telling himself that none of the incidents were his fault.

He slapped his forehead, forcing himself back to reality, and checked the earring Martin had given him.

…

Earring of Disguise

Crafted by Martin, the Magus of Light. Wearing this artifact will shroud the user's face in a veil of light, making them appear plain and unremarkable. Requires mana to maintain.

Mana Requirement: 10 Mana per Day

Effect: Conceals and disguises the user's face

…

It was a simple gold dangle earring, with the gold stick as its main body and rings and chains as decorative accessories. Unlike system items, this one required real mana for upkeep.

Felix shook his head slightly before piercing his earlobe to put it on, grimacing as blood trickled down his cheek. After wiping it away, he was ready to continue his journey—on foot.

"I shouldn't have come here. What was I thinking?" Felix muttered.

As he set off, Jiji emerged from the system portrait, floating alongside him to keep him company. Eins took the chance to come out too, resting on top of the lamia familiar and enjoying the open air.

Felix glanced at his two companions, a faint smile forming on his lips. "It's gonna be a long walk. Sure you want to be seen in public?"

"I don't mind, as long as you're not bored with us, my lord," Jiji replied.

Felix chuckled. "Only a fool would get bored walking alongside a lamia princess."

Jiji giggled as she followed Felix along an animal path, heading westward.

Their next destination — Highland Province.