The three were so absorbed in finding weapons that they neglected keeping an eye out for guards. When they heard a voice, they froze in their steps. "What are you doing here?" a guard shouted.
Benedict's and Shirley's heart dropped. Before they could panic, Freon calmly spoke out, "We were on orders to tidy up and reorganize the armory."
"Punishment?" one of the guards snickered.
"Forget about that for now. Didn't you hear about the commotion in the stronghold? We have been called to report to the commanders," the captain disapprovingly explained.
"No, we haven't," Freon frowned.
"The Li Family has apparently decided to revolt. Minister Linshi has declared that the Li Family is now enemies with the Xingyuu Empire. We're supposed to detain Imperian Qiang and the Imperial Princesses." Even as the captain explained everything, he could not bring himself to believe it. It was simply too shocking.
Freon, Benedict, and Shirley were stunned as well with their wide eyes and slackened jaws. Everyone knew exactly how prevalent the Li Family was. If one talked about the wealthiest family amongst the civilizations, it would be the Alzar Kingdom's Daemon Household led by Lord Allen, the Master of Trade. However, if one talked about the strongest family, it would undoubtedly be the Xingyuu Empire's Li Family! With exorbitant power, influence, land, and military prowess, it stood above the other three Great Nobility Families! At its peak, Emperor Lianghu and Empress Mei used it to topple the Mad Emperor's reign! Even Shirley, who hailed from a backwards town on an island, had heard of the Li Family's supremacy.
Sure enough, this is why we were able to sneak out so easily, Freon realized.
But the Li Family is loyal to the Imperial Family, Benedict frowned in incomprehension. Why would the emperor's own daughters revolt against him? What is happening?
Is that why Princess Xiuying decided to give us the key? Shirley pondered.
"If you understand, then you'll also understand how important it is for us to report to duty as soon as possible."
"Yes, yes, of course," Freon replied, but he was inwardly hiding his glee. If they played carefully, then they might be able to sneak out amongst the commotion. As they say, the safest place was often the least expected!
However, fortune and misfortune came in pairs. The room was dark, so the guards had only a vague image of Freon, Benedict, and Shirley. Therefore, when they came closer, one of them squinted and their expression instantly twisted. "You three are prisoners!"
Realizing that their disguises were a bust, without skipping a beat, the three burst into action. Benedict and Shirley were already holding their weapons as soon as they heard the guards approaching. In fact, if not for Freon's quick thinking, they might have already drawn them and started fighting. At this close distance, where the two parties were merely a few arm lengths away, the initiative was firmly in Benedict's and Shirley's hands! Before the guards could react, a sword and halberd were swinging in their direction with frightening momentum! The two aimed for a decisive strike against the squad of five!
Shirley swung her halberd in her hands, slamming down at the nearest enemy. The speed and power were enough to leave goosebumps on her enemy, as he reflexively tried to jump back. However, the halberd was like death incarnate. He could not escape in time. The halberd slashed him across the shoulder all the way down across his chest. The cut was so deep that bones and organs were showing! From a single glance, it was obviously fatal. Blood spewed out with ferocious vigor as color drained from the guard. Although Shirley was not a cruel person at heart, the frustrations of being imprisoned exploded out all at once.
Meanwhile, the captain wore a horrified expression as Benedict's sword impaled his chest, piercing straight through! Blood decorated the man's uniform, as he spurted out blood violently in disbelief. Benedict spared no mercy towards his enemies. After fighting on the frontlines of the war, he knew better than anyone. A single moment of hesitation meant death! You survived by killing your enemies! The knight coldly looked on as the captain's body collapsed. He was dead! Without sparing a second glance, Benedict's sword looked for its next target.
The two remaining guards were enraged and clashed with Benedict and Shirley. The last guard saw Freon undefended. He grinned, unsheathed his sword, and dashed between Benedict and Shirley to kill! This is revenge! Curse your own weakness! the man deviously sneered. However, Freon was not absentmindedly daydreaming as he thought. Instead, the Arcanist was busy harnessing his Magical Energy to flow according to his design. A dim light materialized on the wand as a magical circle blossomed. Freon's eyes shot up as he pointed the wand forward and a massive fireball erupted! Having no idea Freon was an Arcanist, the guard was swiftly engulfed in a blazing inferno. He screamed horribly and thrashed about but the flames were unrelenting under Freon's control. A dense smell of charred skin emanated as the blackened body succumbed to the pain and collapsed.
Though Shirley's halberd was certainly powerful, it was sidestepped by her opponent. Her motions were simple and obvious. Her inexperience was fully shown here! Nevertheless, the guard dared not to face her halberd head-on. He developed a subconscious fear after seeing it kill his companion in one blow. Shirley realized her shortcomings and swung her halberd in a wide arc, covering a massive portion of the room. The guard tried to dodge, but it was too fast! Hastily putting up a defense, it crashed into him with terrifying force, leaving a heavy wound. However, Shirley was left wide open! The guard gritted his teeth and sprinted forward! Being so close, a halberd was useless!
Entering that critical safe zone, the guard slashed at Shirley. She instinctively retreated, while letting go of her halberd. The light cut grazed her uniform. One had to admire her decisiveness to forgo her weapon! The guard charged, thrusting his sword forward at the girl. Wasting no time, Shirley drew her sword and threw her scabbard at her approaching opponent! It perfectly obstructed his vision and he hesitated. That moment was all Shirley needed to retaliate. A breath later and a deep cut formed on the guard's chest, spewing blood out. She won!
Meanwhile, Benedict had a far easier time than Shirley with his ample experience. The battle ended anticlimactically. Benedict breathed out and cleaned his blade of blood before sheathing it. He was perfectly unharmed like Freon! Only Shirley suffered a few light cuts. Fighting three versus five was a risky decision. In normal circumstances, the odds would have been stacked heavily against them. If it were not for the ambush at the beginning, they might have lost. The three tried to calm down after that intense fight, but the stench of death permeated throughout the room. The sight and smell were deeply unsettling. Unfortunately, there was no time to waste. They needed to escape the prison now before they were discovered!