Chapter 122: Chapter 18 - Preparation For The King's Game (6)

A ticket could be obtained from a ticket holder through negotiation or coercion. Coercion wasn't just about using words to manipulate; it could involve physical threats or psychological manipulation. Zeruel was the kind of woman who wouldn't back down easily, so physical threats were unlikely.

Since the incident occurred in the sanatorium, where Zeruel was most vulnerable, it was likely a psychological tactic. Whoever did this knew Zeruel had the ticket and had researched her weaknesses thoroughly. I had done my own research too, but instead of coercing her, I negotiated with her. I offered to help with her issues in exchange for the ticket.

Whoever these assholes were trying to snatch Zeruel's ticket like this. Since Zeruel's mother was in a coma there, she'd do everything to get out of that burning sanatorium with her. But it seemed whoever did this was blocking her way out.

I could've intervened, but... I glanced subtly behind me. There she was, finally revealing herself from her not-so-secret hiding spot. Isiliraiellyn, her left eye covered with an eyepatch, the other gleaming with excitement as she watched the flames engulfing the building, perhaps thinking this was her chance to play hero.

With theatrical flair, Isiliraiellyn dramatically removed her eyepatch, revealing her golden eye, and struck a chuunibyo pose. While her actions seemed dramatic to some, they only elicited cringes from me. After her pose, she declared, "With the power of my Eye, I will save those trapped inside!" before pointing dramatically at the burning building and sprinting toward it at full speed.

As she charged forward, those blocking the path of people trying to enter the building attempted to stop her. Ignoring their attempts, Isiliraiellyn charged straight ahead, leaping over them with a nimble backflip in midair. Landing gracefully on both feet with her arms outstretched, she turned to face them, mockingly sticking out her tongue and putting a finger near her eye.

"Stupid!" she taunted before turning back and sprinting toward the building.

After a while, Isiliraiellyn managed to enter the building. She was certainly something. If not for her antics and behavior, she could have been seen as someone destined for great power, appreciated by many.

While I observed this, I noticed that Shredica had vanished from beside me. It seemed she wanted to join the action too. Well, perhaps I'll just watch how things unfold from a safe distance.

***

Shredica's POV

I stealthily crept toward the flaming building and slipped inside. The interior was scorching hot, the heat searing my skin. However, I paid it little mind. While I wouldn't say I was accustomed to such intense heat, I had endured plenty of pain in the past, making this bearable to some extent.

As I made my way through the interior, the cries of children echoed in the halls. I hurried toward the source of the cries, but amidst the thick smoke and engulfing heat, pinpointing their exact location proved challenging. I strained my senses, but the smoke and crackling flames drowned out everything else.

Unable to rely on my senses, I resorted to kicking down the doors of each room in search of the children.

I was somewhat taken aback by her revelation, albeit mildly. So her skill didn't have long-range vision capabilities? That meant her insight was just natural talent. This woman might prove to be quite useful to me in the future.

After contemplating, I returned to the burning establishment, now engulfed in flames with its structure beginning to crumble. It was astonishing how the building still stood despite the relentless inferno; perhaps they had exceptional engineering in this world too.

Eventually, I reached the top floor, where two figures stood—a woman with brown hair and a man with golden locks, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Hand it over, and I'll let you pass," the man demanded. "Otherwise, you'll just perish in these flames like the worthless person you are. And your dear mother? Well, she'll meet the same fate. The smart move is to give me the ticket. Then you can go free.

Though I can't promise your mother will survive without that magical implement keeping her alive. You can't exactly carry her out with that with you, can you?"

"You bastard..." the woman snarled, her voice dripping with venom. I recognized her immediately; she was the one currently holding the second-highest rank in the gold class. Clasped in her arms was another woman with matching brown hair, connected to a large green gem by a network of tubes. The gem remained inside the room, while the tubes stretched just far enough to reach where she stood.

Any sudden movement risked disconnecting the tubes.

I knew this woman's mother was gravely ill, but the specifics of her condition eluded me. From their conversation, it was clear that the woman couldn't afford to move too much, lest the tubes linking the green gem, a magical device keeping her mother alive, to her mother be severed. Even the slightest shift could mean her mother's demise.

That meant she couldn't fight this man, even though she badly wanted to.

The man's gaze bore into her with amusement, his eyes gleaming with a twisted sense of pleasure. "Ha ha ha! I like the fire in your eyes! It's rather exhilarating!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with a dark amusement. "You know, I've been a fixture in this kingdom my whole life, always addressed with the title of Prince before my name.

So, hearing the word 'bastard' directed at me, especially from a commoner like you, is quite the unexpected delight. If circumstances were different, I might have had you dispatched on the spot for such insolence." Chuckling to himself, he continued, his tone turning dark and cold as he fixed his gaze on the woman once more.

"My father, the King, he's a man of grand gestures and empty promises, but he's also a coward. That's why, when I dared to request a ticket, he denied me. Perhaps fearing for my safety. But I'm desperate to partake in his game, and I'll resort to any means necessary to obtain a ticket. Even if it means employing tactics as deplorable as this. You needn't forgive me.

You're simply unlucky to be the most vulnerable target, for I know your weakness all too well. So, how about you hand it over already?"

As he spoke, the fire intensified around them, casting flickering shadows that danced across the scorched walls and floor.