Chereads / Three Kings / Chapter 221 - Meeting Ri

Chapter 221 - Meeting Ri

They finally met with the person meant to guide them to the resistance. When Commander Lei and Lieutenant Sanjay arrived at the man's place, they weren't exactly welcomed, considering they were looking for the resistance. After all, many others were searching for it. However, Commander Lei was able to gain the person's trust. He didn't mention Kin, but he did tell them that they had a plan with General Farouk to end Jai's reign. Commander Lei knew no one trusted the prince at the moment, so he used the old dog's name instead. Given their connection to the General, the man agreed to meet with the resistance, but only if they came as prisoners. Commander Lei accepted the terms.

The man told them to wait until nightfall when they would proceed. Commander Lei and Sanjay then informed him that they had some business to take care of first, so they went back to where they had left Kin, leaving Zinna behind. At first, they had planned to storm the place and take Kin by force, but that would have drawn unwanted attention. As they were about to devise another plan, they saw the house was ablaze, and a figure emerged from the smoke. They recognized it and followed.

It was there that they met Kin and Su Yin. After reuniting with their final member, they returned to their contact, who was happy to take them to the rebels. At first, he was shocked when he saw them return with two children. However, after hearing and even confirming their stories, they didn't pose any immediate threat, so he agreed to lead them.

It turns out the weird couple was under the radar of the resistance. Learning they were gone fueled his desire to take them to see Lady Ri.

With the chaos Kin had caused earlier and their guide's knowledge of the city, they managed to navigate through the Celestial Zone and leave unnoticed, using a gap in its wall that the man knew of. He led them to the Trade Zone, where beasts and beast parts were sold, but it was quiet since it was nighttime. Avoiding the guards here was more difficult, but with Kin's help and the man's knowledge of the area, they were able to stay out of sight.

Kin didn't reveal his abilities; he simply mentioned that he could hear someone approaching—and he was always right. They assumed he just had a keen ear. Once they reached their destination, the man opened a hidden cover on the ground that led to the tunnels, which were used for drainage. He guided them slowly, as if using the walls to navigate.

He suddenly stopped when they reached a wall. The others looked at him as if he were crazy, watching as he traced his hands around the wall in a bizarre manner. Kin used the Eyes of Ra and could see it: strange circles were drawn on the wall. Kin guessed it was no ordinary circle.

The man moved each circle differently, as if arranging a puzzle. A few seconds later, he stopped, and the circles were now aligned. Suddenly, a door appeared out of nowhere, right where the wall had been.

The man turned to the group. "As agreed?" he asked. Commander Lei stretched out his hand and surrendered his weapon, as did Sanjay, who was still carrying Su Yin. Kin wasn't holding any weapons, so he simply walked in.

Once inside, Kin couldn't believe his eyes. He looked toward his left and right and saw doors everywhere spanning across the room on both ends. Different kinds of doors, and Kin could only guess they led to different kinds of places. Right at the middle of the place, men and women were working, moving around in a way that felt like a completely different world. Kin thought it was a massive space, stretching like a long hall with doors on either side. Some people were making weapons, others were conducting mission briefings, and some were sleeping, among other tasks.

Kin counted nearly a hundred people here. The others were just as bewildered as Kin. They could only imagine one thing: a blessing was responsible.

"This must be Kali's blessing," Ashell said.

"Space and time, huh? It's amazing," Kin thought.

The man who led them there allowed them to take it all in for a moment before he asked them to follow him. As they walked, many people greeted him and spoke to him, and Kin noticed that he was well-respected there.

Eventually, the man led them to a door and knocked.

"Come in," a voice called from within.

The man opened the door, and suddenly the scenery changed—they were outside, standing on a hill. A woman stood at the edge, gazing into the distance. When she turned around and saw who was behind her, she recognized him immediately.

"Cousin Jim," the girl said.

"Ri," the man replied with a smile.

Even though it was dark, Kin could see her. It had been a while since he'd seen her, but she didn't look too different. Dark hair with silver streaks at the edges, brown skin, brown eyes, and freckles on her face. She wasn't an ethereal beauty, but there was a certain charm about her that made most people's hearts race.

"I can understand why that man fell for her," Kin thought. "But how can a sweet girl like her fall for him?"

Ri noticed that her cousin wasn't alone and spoke. "Who are they?" she asked.

"They're from General Farouk," Jim said. "He has decided to help us win Dura back."

Ri stared at Commander Lei, who stepped forward and bowed.

"Lady Ri, it's a pleasure to meet you once more," the commander said.

"Commander Wu Lei, second-in-command of the Dire and the first Sands of Wize. You sneaky bastard," Ri said with a smile.

"Don't call me that in public, my lady," Commander Lei replied.

"Many people already know who you are," she teased.

"Yes, but I'd still prefer to keep that information to myself, unless necessary," he said.

"Tch. You're no fun," Ri replied.

"So, General Farouk sent you here? Or was it the prince?" Ri asked.

"Are you aware he's alive?" Commander Lei inquired.

"Oh yes. My uncle's assassin told me he encountered the prince near the Whispering Mountains. The assassin claimed the prince left only him alive and told him to spread the word of his... apparently new and improved appearance," Ri said, smiling.

"You are as cocky and dumb—maybe even slightly dumber—than ever, Kin," Ri said, looking at the young boy behind the commander.

"Tch, she already knows me," Kin thought.

Kin walked up to her and spoke.

"Lady Ri," he said.

"Your Majesty," she replied. "It's nice to see the Sun of Wize in good health."

"It's good to see the light of Dura, alive and kicking," Kin replied.