Chapter 338

Chapter 338

The place I had told Mason about was behind the communal tombstone outside the western gate. I had lied, saying that there was a passage here that connected to the Lake Kingdom.

The area was seldom visited by people, so there was little risk of civilians getting caught up with these guys. Plus, it was a distinctive location that I frequented.

"Hmm, hiding a passage behind a tombstone, huh..."

It was a blatant lie, but I acted as if I was under some kind of hypnosis. Mason seemed somewhat convinced.

The officer from the Aegis Special Forces standing next to Mason whispered something into his ear.

"The succubi-extracted hypnotic directly interferes with the mind. It can even break down the psychic barriers of the Ivory Towers Archmage. Theres no way the Prince could resist it. Its highly likely to be true."

"I still have my reservations... Ill scout the passage alone for now."

Mason gestured with his chin towards me as he stepped outside.

"Keep a strict watch on the Prince."

Mason left the room.

Quickly, I scanned the remaining members of the Aegis Special Forces. Four men in the room, one at each wall.

Tied up in the room were myself, Godhand who had been subdued and was lying on the floor, and Burnout.

I locked eyes with Godhand. Groaning in pain just moments ago, he formed a subtle lip motion as our eyes met.

Bodybag.

Of course.

The current Shadow Squad consisted of three members: Metal Manipulator Godhand, Explosive Archer Burnout, and Telekinetic Bodybag.

Godhand and Burnout had been captured, but Bodybag wasnt here... meaning she wasnt captured and was observing the situation from outside.

Theres a chance.

I took a deep breath and waited for a few moments. Until Mason had left the house and was far enough away.

About ten minutes later, I felt it was time. I lifted my head.

Alright, lets get started.

"Hey, can you loosen these restraints a bit?"

I whined, looking at the Aegis Special Forces members who were keeping watch over me.

"Theyre too tight; it hurts this Princes arms. If you take this off, I can use my magic power, and it will be more comfortable."

I was practically talking to Godhand, signaling for him to handle the restraints.

The squad members exchanged uneasy glances.

"Captain, it seems like the hostage is trying to wake up from the hypnosis."

"Lets blindfold him again."Rread latest chapters at novelhall.com

Masons lieutenant, their captain, picked up a cloth bag to put over my head again. I frowned.

"Hey, you really gonna put that on me? You sure you can handle the consequences later? You know Ill remember your face, right?"

"..."

The captain broke into a sweat but continued to approach me. Just as he was about to put the bag over my head, I yelled.

"Now!"

"?!"

Then, from outside, a whooshing sound signaled something flying toward us.

Boom!

One of the walls completely shattered, sending large fragments flying into the room.

They were pieces of building debris thrown in by Bodybag using his telekinesis. Seems like there was plenty of that lying around in this ruined village.

The fallen walls debris crushed one of the Aegis Special Forces members who had been standing there.

"Ahhhh!"

"Whats going on?!"

"Its an ambush!"

In the split second that the Aegis Special Forces members were distracted, Burnout silently stood up, pulled his gag off with one swift motion, and

"Aaaaah!"

spewed fire from his mouth.

So thats why he was always gagged.

"Ahhh!"

The captain, engulfed in flames, screamed as he rolled on the ground, setting the room ablaze.

Even if they were part of the Aegis Special Forces, with building debris being bombed from outside and someone breathing fire from the inside, chaos was inevitable.

Simultaneously, Godhand sprung to his feet and transformed his arm into a blade.

His hands were metal prosthetics... and Godhand was a metal alchemist.

It was as if he had been carrying emergency weapons in his hands from the beginning.

"Your Highness!"

Godhand, who had rushed toward me, swung his blade effortlessly.

Swoosh!

My restraints were severed in an instant, and the moment the magic seal tied to the restraints disappeared, magic power flowed back into me.

"Ah, this chilling yet heavy sensation. Its been a while."

I muttered as I stood up from my spot.

"The long period of humiliation and persecution... was a bitter cup to drink. Thank you, Godhand."

I glared at two special agents who were belatedly rushing in.

"You two there!"

Our eyes met.

And when eyes meet?

[Gaze of Command] activation condition met!

"Jump in place 10 times!"

Flash!

[Command Difficulty: Easy]

[Comparing the users Intelligence stat to the targets Magic Power stat.]

"I managed to crack the heads of about three of them while making my way in, but thats it."

Lucas calmly stated his condition.

"Each and every one of them is formidable. It will be tough to hold them off any longer."

"..."

"Moreover, all the outside security forces are converging here. And Mason has probably sensed something is off and is on his way."

I gritted my teeth quietly.

If Lucas was saying this, then were we really out of options?

Thats when Lucas picked up something from the floor.

"...However, my Lord. There is one way."

It was the bag they tried to put over my head.

Holding the bag, Lucas softly said,

"Do you trust me and leave it to me?"

Was it my imagination?

Although obscured by the tin helmet...

Through the gaps, it seemed like Lucass eyes were faintly smiling.

***

"What the hell happened?"

A short while later, Mason, who hurried back, growled at his subordinates.

"I told you to handle everything as quietly as possible. If we cause this much commotion, the troops from Crossroad might even come rushing!"

One of the special agents standing guard outside reported.

"A knight and a mage broke in from outside, attempting to rescue the prince."

"What happened then?"

"Four guarding the room were killed, and three outside were severely wounded. The squad leader is also dead."

Among the neatly laid corpses, Mason saw his scorched special forces squad leader.

He was the only guy with some brains among the dumb muscle in the special forces Team 1... Mason clenched his teeth as the agent continued the explanation.

"As you can see, one wall of the hideout has completely collapsed and is no longer functional..."

"Skip that, you idiot! What about the prince!"

Mason yelled, and the agent pointed inside the room.

"Hes in there."

"What?"

"The prince is still there while the others escaped. We didnt pursue further after confirming that he was still there..."

Unable to comprehend, Mason looked inside the room.

It was true. Ash was still there.

Bound to the chair, slumped over, with a bag over his head, he was sitting quietly.

The agent added,

"He might not have been able to move because the hypnosis hasnt fully worn off yet?"

"..."

Staring at Ash, Masons eyes narrowed.

"...Hold on."

"Yes?"

"Doesnt the prince seem to have grown taller?"

Mason clenched his fist tightly.

"Did you check?"

"Huh? Check what?"

"Did you check his face, I said."

"Only captains and above have the authority to approach the Imperial Prince..."

Cutting off the incomplete reply of the agent, Mason gritted his teeth and walked briskly towards Ash.

Whoosh!

As Ash removed the bag covering his head

Between the disheveled blonde hair, a pair of smiling blue eyes appeared.

"Hello, Mason."

It wasnt Ash.

It was Lucas.

Ash and Lucas had swapped clothes and armor, exchanged their head coverings, and while Ash had escaped, Lucas remained as a stand-in.

"...Haha."

With a resigned laugh, Mason raised his fist high above his head,

Whack-!

And swung it violently, striking the agent next to him.

Thud! Crash!

The agent flew like a broken puppet and slammed into the wall, unable to move any further.

"Falling for such a pathetic trick..."

With a face sinking into despair, Mason sighed deeply as he glanced at the agent whod met his demise.

"Must be the side effects of the Beast Transformation Serum; I cant control my anger."

Turning his venomous gaze towards Lucas, Mason revealed his beast-like fangs.

"You must have stayed because you think you can handle this rage, eh, sir?"

Lucas only responded with a sly smile.

Above that knights face, Masons fist descended with a resounding crash.