Croix and the young noble entered the large hall in the middle.
Few men of Croix have brought about 7 different people out of the cage and tied them near the lab on the other side of the hall.
Daren saw the two men enter. He was shocked. He knew one of them. And he knew, that man know him as well. Thus he folded his legs up and put his face between his legs and then covered it with his hands.
He still kept a watch on the activities outside with his mental energy.
Croix brought a transparent flask from the lab. He walked towards the 7 people and fed them all a drop of that liquid from the flask.
"Young lord, these are all men of different level. Starting from the right is a man of no cultivation then their rank increase till A. We couldn't catch anyone higher than that rank."
Said Croix and continued. "From the tests we concluded that a normal person can last few minutes, A rank can last few weeks, SSS rank can last few months, and same way we concluded that spiritual realm experts could last from half a year to a year."
"The poison is without smell or odour and can mix with anything without bringing any change to the item its added to. Is it to your liking Lord." Croix said with a smile.
The young man nodded. As soon as he did the first men fell to the ground with foam coming out of its mouth. He struggled for a while before his life faded away. Others started panicking.
" Guess we don't need anymore people. Kill all of the men and keep the women and children alive. They will fetch a good sum." said Croix to one of his men.
Croix men dragged the people out of cage. The young lord took the poison and was about to leave. His eyes fell to one corner and he shouted to Croix men. "Stop"
The men who were about to kill the people stopped. The young lord walked towards one of the people.
"To think that the 3rd prince of Astina, for whom the whole kingdom is searching for, would be here of all places. And that too 'Alive'." said the young lord with a smile.
Everyone was shocked, even his few men who were with him.
"I didn't think I would see you here as well Rudolf. To think the loyal dog of the queen would be here making poisons. Or are you working for the princess now." replied Daren with a smile.
"You don't have to worry about it prince Daren, you are assumed dead by the people.... and you should stay that way." said Rudolf with a killing intent.
" Amazing!! I am impressed. First you plan to assassinate me and when you thought that I am dead you want to poison people of spiritual realm. Tell me what is it that you plan?" Daren asked nonchalantly.
Before Rudolf could reply, Daren continued probing. " Or have you guys grown enough guts to commit the treason of killing the King!! "
Daren said as his eyes became cold. Others were shocked but Rudolf remained calm and drew his sword. Daren didn't mind his action.
There was silence in the area. No one moved, no one spoke.
Yet the silence was interrupted by the shout of one of Croix man, that were guarding the camp. "Enemy attack!!"
Croix and Rudolf were shocked for a moment but they were brought out of their daze with Daren's words.
"Time has come for the annihilation of the Goldman family! Men kill them all. Show no mercy."
With a twist of his waist, Daren moved to the side of the man who was supposed to kill him, At the same time his hand moved quickly and caught his arm. He swiftly kicked him on his back knee bringing the man on his knees. He then held the man's head and with a jerk he twisted the man's head, claiming his life. All it took were a few seconds.
Daren picked the man's sword and rushed towards the next man. By this time everyone has woken up from their daze. His charged was stopped by Rudolf who stood in his way.
"You should just let me take your head quietly Prince." Rudolf said as he charged towards Daren.
"Chicken shouldn't dream of killing Phoenix." said Daren mockingly to Rudolf.
Both clashed swords with each other and both were pushed back a little. Both had a surprise expression.
"So the prince who was deemed to have no cultivation is so powerful. No wonder you didn't die."
"I am surprised to. The polite and humble personal chef of the queen of Astina, who always claimed to have no cultivation, is an SS rank expert. Guess the Goldman family has planned all of this for a long time."
They both seem to be stalling for time.
" No wonder they want you dead. But so what if you know! So what if you figured out! What can you do? You are still gonna die!" said Rudolf.
"Hehe.. You seem confident enough. But sadly for you, it won't be me who will die today!"
Daren and Rudolf again rushed to fight each other. Daren wasn't proficient in sword play. But he can still hold for some time with his strength.
His cultivation technique allow him to fight people above his level. He can best S Rank easily. But to fight with SS Rank he need to struggle a little.
Daren went with a piercing shot aimed at Rudolf's heart. Rudolf parried it with a twist of his wrist. And then kicked Daren in the chest. Daren flew back from that impact and his back slammed against the cages.
He closed his eyes in pain when he open them again he saw that Rudolf's sword was inches away from him. He quickly rolled over to his right and dodged the attack.
When Rudolf went for another attack Daren used his legs to kick Rudolf in the stomach, making him fall back after losing balance.
Daren got up and readied himself for fight. But something stung him in the neck. His hand move reflexively to the place he felt pain. He discovered it was a needle that stung him. He looked in the direction it flew from to see Croix staring at him with a smile.
Daren body begin to feel numb. He was losing concentration. By this time Rudolf got back to his feet and walked towards Daren with a smug.
"This a poison I created from the poison of the one eyed spider mixed with the poisonous red berries grown in the swamps of the great beast forest. Once it enter your body you body feel numb. You start losing lose your senses. Though it will not kill you, you will still be in this situation for days if not weeks... Hehe" Added Croix
Daren could feel losing control over his senses. It wasn't this bad yet but as time goes it will worsen. He needed to finish this and fast. "Hehe...You can never kill me! I'll survive!! and I'll be the the one to put an end to the lives of all those who are related to Goldman clan!!"
" You could barely talk and you still want to keep blabbering. Didn't I tell you, you will die here. You should accept your fate. Just die!!" Rudolf said with an annoyed expression and rushed towards Daren.