Arella's insides became agitated. A few words from Nicholas had shaken her terribly. She didn't know what to ask. She should be happy at the news, but under such circumstances, it was nothing but dangerous!
She was afraid if she asked more, more terrible news awaited her. So, she remained quiet. Entangling the meaning behind his words.
"This place has solar flairs in the day and acid rains during the night." Nicholas still didn't know why everything went astray.
They had already gathered the required intel successfully. They only had to go back to their planet. But the sudden solar flair was the beginning of their nightmare.
"Four days ago, when we were about to come back, a sudden solar flair took us by surprise. The armor resisted but got damaged with a few holes appearing on it. Our ship got damaged. We went back to the underground cave." Nicholas recounted quietly.
"The signals were interfered with. We could contact you. Things were still okay, but the Hyenas got wind of our ship and frantically started chasing us. In order to confuse them, we separated." Nicholas spoke with a heavy core.
"When I found him again, he was surrounded by Hyenas. The armor was already damaged. Poisonous gas, smoke bombs, and other items didn't work on the Hyenas. We could only rely on our strength. Then, while fighting, Adrian might have reached his edge, forcing a breakthrough." Nicholas wasn't sure about this.
"He suddenly started losing control, frantically destroying everything, killing everyone. He didn't even recognize me. And then, as if he ran out of energy, he got subdued by the Hyenas." Nicholas managed to relay.
"Where is he now?" Arella asked feigning calmness. She was perturbed by the information. He broke through! His mental state should be very delicate right now.
The ice dragon must be agitated. She wanted to go to him at this instance. She thanked Beast God for bringing her here. With her here, she could calm Adrian.
"In the underground museum," Nicholas answered with narrowed eyes.
"The what?" Andrew and Princess asked at the same time, while Arella kept looking at him with bated breath. This…didn't sound like a good news.
"This is what we found out. The secret of Planet X." Under other circumstances, Nicholas should have boasted of finding out such breaking news, but now, with Adrian captured, it was weighing down his shoulders.
"Hiding from the environment, the Hyenas have made a home in the underground. They live a primitive life, and many have lost the ability to transform into a human form." Nicholas began.
"There are three main areas underground. One is used for living, second is retained for food, and the third..." Nicholas looked conflicted. He didn't know how to put it in words.
"The third is a laboratory, used for experimental, collection, and innovation purposes." Nicholas sighed, not knowing if he had said it correctly.
"Where is Adrian kept? In the second area?" Andrew asked frustratingly.
"No. In the third area." To them, Adrian isn't food, but a treasure.
"Explain clearly!" Princess Anna rebuked irritatingly.
"In the second area, they keep the female Hyenas for proliferation. To them, their cubs are food." Nicholas took a deep sigh and uttered with a dark face.
The trio had only one thought, 'what in the name of Beast God was this?'
"They drink blood and eat their own cubs to survive. Their rate of reproduction is high. They leave a few cubs in each batch alive and eat others. All females are chained and trained for the reproduction purposes only." Nicholas had gone numb when he first learned of it. It was absolutely cruel, but strangely, for the treacherous Hyenas, it was normal.
"The third area, what about that?" Arella asked straightforwardly. While they were still shocked by the news, Arella was only concerned about Adrian. From beginning to end, only Adrian mattered to her. Everything else didn't matter to her.
"The third area is used by a few Hyenas who could transform. They use it like a laboratory to experiment, research, gather resources, and observe their subjects." Nicholas looked like he didn't want to elaborate at all.
"They won't kill Adrian because he is still useful to them. So, go back and bring the army. I will stay back and find a chance to rescue Adrian during the chaos." Nicholas finally thought it through.
He handed over a device that had all the information regarding the underground area. He had everything from the number of the population to their routines. With it, it would be easier for the Army to attack them. And in that chaos, Nicholas could take action and rescue Adrian.
"I will stay too," Arella spoke up. All others turned toward her with a complex emotion.
They were afraid that Arella would be scared or a burden or break down, but so far, Arella hadn't troubled them at all. Instead, it was her calmness that was scaring them now. The more strong she acted, the more pitiful others took her to be.
Arella ignored their reaction and looked at Nicholas only.
"He just broke through. His mind might be restless. The Ice Dragon would be on guard against everyone except me. If you went alone, chances are that he won't recognize you at all. Take me with you." Arella counted her reasons one by one.
Nicholas kept looking at her. Her eyes didn't have an ounce of hesitation. He did not doubt that even if he didn't agree, she wouldn't listen to him at all. So, he became quiet, looked at others, and silently pleaded.
Others were in a fix themselves. Andrew was troubled because he had promised Adrian that he would take care of Madam. Now, if he took Madam to safety, he would be putting Sir at risk.
Because whatever Madam said was the truth. Sir should be needing Madam the most right now. She was his soul companion after all! Only she could help him through the S rank turbulences!
Princess Anna was troubled as well. When she was young, she had seen the situation when the Prince broke through S rank. She had only one word to describe the Prince: Mad! He was always agitated, attacking people and destroying things. They had to chain him down!
Now, Adrian had also broken through. Princess knew that it would be better for Arella to approach him. But leaving Arella behind might put her at risk. She had to choose between Adrian and Arella. The choice wasn't tough.
"Okay. Andrew and I go back. We will bring the army within 24 hrs. You be ready. Once you find an opening, rescue Adrian and approach the army." Princess Anna made up her mind.
She brought Arella thinking of her as a burden. Who would have thought that now Arella was the only one they could rely on? How the situation changes!