By the time Dean Bruce emerged from the innkeeper's room, the sky had already darkened, and a faint smile played across his lips.
Though he still hadn't uncovered the innkeeper's true identity, the information she provided confirmed one thing—something had gone terribly wrong with the powerful figures meant to protect the imperial capital.
Considering the fact that those individuals were at least at the level of grand archmages, the issue they were facing was certainly significant.
However, as long as he could establish contact with them and resolve their situation, the mysteries surrounding the capital would begin to unravel.
[I'll have to wait for now. When they make their next move, that's when their weaknesses will be exposed.]
Dean Bruce thought with a sigh, returning to his room.
Inside, Apollon Joy was huddled in a corner, watched over like a prisoner. His brother's body remained limp and motionless on the bed, showing no sign of life.
As soon as Apollon saw Dean Bruce, he looked at him as though he were a savior. Meanwhile, his brother's body appeared even more withered, as if the vitality had drained from it entirely.
"Mr. Dean, I feel like my brother's body is becoming more shriveled. If this keeps up, won't he be in danger?"
Apollon immediately asked.
Dean Bruce nodded. "Of course. Without a soul to sustain the body, the blood stops flowing, the muscles contract, and it's difficult to maintain any life force. If his soul doesn't return soon... your brother will die."
"What?"
Apollon frowned deeply, biting his lip in frustration. "Mr. Dean, could you escort me back to the border? If I can return, I can gather reinforcements and march on the capital. Once we take it, all of these problems will be solved!"
"I, Apollon Joy, have the strength to do this!"
"Go back yourself, then," Dean Bruce scoffed, his cold laugh instantly making Apollon lower his head and retreat back into his corner.
Apollon wasn't a fool. Knowing the imperial guards had laid an impenetrable trap, how could he dare attempt to return to the border alone?
"So what now? Do we just sit here and wait?"
Apollon sighed. "Watching my brother like this... I can't bear it."
"Either shut up or go gather information yourself," Dean Bruce said bluntly, settling onto the bed and closing his eyes, preparing for the upcoming battle.
Regardless of whether Miranda Joy was the mastermind or not, Dean Bruce's actions over the past few days had undoubtedly drawn the attention of whoever was pulling the strings from the shadows.
He had seized Linda Quirell's body and now even had the crown prince's body in his possession. No matter who the mastermind was, they couldn't afford to let this slide.
Seeing Dean Bruce close his eyes, Apollon Joy dared not speak further. He lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with Nicholas William.
After all, he hadn't yet been accepted as a disciple by Dean Bruce, and his status as a prince was utterly useless in this situation. How could he possibly give Nicholas William any attitude?
Time passed slowly.
As night descended and Nicholas William, Apollon Joy, and the others were on the verge of falling asleep, a strange magical pulse rippled through the air. Looking up, they noticed that the magical compass hanging at Dean Bruce's waist had begun to tremble again.
Startled, Apollon Joy cried out, "Mr. Dean, your magical artifact is moving!"
Dean Bruce had already sensed the vibration. He opened his eyes and picked up the compass, his expression shifting in surprise.
The source of the magical disturbance was nearby!
As the papers ignited, a strange wave of magical energy surged, and within moments, monstrous creatures with horse heads and human bodies materialized from the mist. Their massive forms let out deep, guttural roars.
"Roar!"
Flames erupted from the mouths of the horse-headed beasts, transforming into dozens of ghastly green fireballs, which shot toward Dean Bruce and his companions with incredible speed.
Having encountered these creatures before, Nicholas William knew how powerful the horse-headed monsters were. Without hesitation, he pulled Linda Quirell's body back to safety.
Meanwhile, Apollon Joy quickly hid behind Dean Bruce for protection.
"Horse-headed beings... I understand now!" Shelly William's voice resonated in Dean Bruce's ear. "This is a form of dark spirit magic. These creatures are called Dark Demon—they fear thunder! The magic that summons them can't be cast from too far away; the caster's true body must be nearby and cannot use a puppet to cast this spell."
"Be cautious. The mastermind is right around here!"
Upon hearing this, Dean Bruce decided not to rush in and destroy the Dark Demon immediately. Since the caster was nearby, it made more sense to bide his time and try to locate their real body.
The priority was to flush out the mastermind behind all of this.
With a thought, Dean Bruce activated the Blue Shadow Ring's clone magic, while his real body entered an invisible state. His clones cast Thousand Mountains Fortress and The Compassion of Heaven and Earth spells.
Buzz—
The earth trembled as walls of soil rose up, encircling and protecting everyone.
"Hehe, the same old tricks?"
Phyllis DeLange sneered. "If this is all you've got, don't expect to leave here in one piece tonight!"
"Explosive Ghost Flame!"
Her sharp, malevolent voice echoed, and suddenly, glowing green circles appeared on the ground, bypassing the earthen walls to manifest beneath Dean Bruce and his companions.
Crash—
The ground shattered, and from beneath the earth, bony green skeleton hands shot out, glowing with a ghostly light. They latched onto the ankles of everyone, binding them like chains.
Fortunately, Dean Bruce, still hidden by his invisibility, remained untouched by the skeletal hands. This gave him a crucial insight: the true caster was indeed nearby, and their power was limited. They couldn't even penetrate the invisibility granted by his magic scroll.
Realizing this, Dean Bruce let out a small sigh of relief.
Now that the Blue Shadow Ring had advanced, he could create more clones, allowing his real body to stay hidden. His clones moved like the wind, dashing through the battlefield just before the flames erupted. Each clone wielded the power of thunder in its fists, shattering the green skeletal hands and freeing his companions from their grasp.
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Though it seemed like a slow process, in reality, the entire rescue took place in less than two breaths.
To the others, Dean Bruce moved like a bolt of lightning, leaving everyone in stunned disbelief.
Even Phyllis DeLange was taken aback. "It seems I underestimated you. But do you really think you can save them again, a second time, a third?"
"Flame of Light!"
Boom—
Green flames exploded, filling the entire courtyard. The fire gathered together, forming a massive glowing orb that spun rapidly in the air, reflecting beams of light that shot out in all directions.