Staring at the Godslayer Staff in his hand, which was now emitting an even more dazzling light, Owen couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.
Although there had been some risks in venturing deep into the Kingdom Vault this time, he had truly obtained a fragment of the Godslayer Staff and unlocked the second seal of this ancient artifact.
Moreover, he had gained the Echo Barrier, a divine skill.
And this was merely the second form. It's hard to imagine how powerful the Godslayer Staff would become after unlocking all seven forms and what kind of insane god-tier skills it would possess!
"As expected of an ancient artifact, the true weapon of the original protagonist, John!"
Owen sighed, preparing to collect his breath and leave contentedly.
But at that moment, his ears twitched, and he suddenly heard a commotion outside the Kingdom Vault, followed by voices questioning loudly.
"What was the disturbance just now from the Kingdom Vault? Who's in there?!"
Owen found the voice familiar; it seemed that the mana fluctuation caused by the fusion of the Godslayer Staff's handle had been noticed.
After all, the Kingdom Vault was the most critical place in the Azure Kingdom and was under constant scrutiny.
If it weren't for Princess Marry's family crest, he wouldn't have been able to venture this deep, even with the twelve gold-tier guards absent.
In the next moment, Owen sensed the Crown Prince Austin, with a stern expression, preparing to enter the Kingdom Vault.
"This crown prince, really afraid of death..."
Owen shook his head slightly.
At this moment, while everyone in the royal family followed the twelve gold-tier mages to rescue the young prince, Austin stayed behind with the palace guards, using this as an excuse to remain in the palace.
Based on what he knew about the crown prince, under the influence and persuasion of the Council of Elders, he was solely focused on inheriting the throne, uninterested in anything else, adopting a cautious approach, and unwilling to face any danger—like a flower in a greenhouse.
Owen didn't take the crown prince alone seriously, but behind him were at least five hundred elite palace guards, surrounding the entrances and exits of the Kingdom Vault layer by layer.
These palace guards were not only powerful but also absolutely loyal, chosen from among the royal relatives. They wore armor made of a special alloy, making them impervious to swords and spears, and providing some resistance to magic.
Even a platinum-tier warrior trapped by them wouldn't be able to escape quickly.
It seemed he was now a fish in a barrel.
Owen's heart tightened, and he quickly looked around.
In this special space, mirrors surrounded him on all sides, seemingly endless, with no suitable hiding place.
Once the crown prince led his men into the Kingdom Vault, there would be nowhere to hide, and he would be discovered quickly.
However, Owen soon thought of something, suddenly looking up at the sky of this space.
Although there was no escape around him, the upper part of this space had a weak point that could give him a slim chance of survival.
Thinking of this, Owen was about to activate his mana and leap out of the Kingdom Vault from above as quickly as possible.
But just as he activated his mana, he felt a sudden chill on his back, as if needles of ice were piercing into his body.
His mind tensed up immediately, feeling an icy killing intent silently locking onto him!
If his mental power hadn't been enhanced multiple times, this intense killing intent would have severely affected his spirit.
The person targeting him was at least a high-level gold-tier warrior!
"I know you're in there. Come out now, and I can give you a quick death. Otherwise, trespassing in the Kingdom Vault is a crime punishable by death, and your family will be exterminated!"
The crown prince Austin said with a highly excited expression.
He hadn't expected that while avoiding danger and hiding in the palace, he would encounter someone trespassing in the Kingdom Vault, a perfect opportunity!
With his strength and the guards near the Kingdom Vault, a trespasser stood no chance—this was a godsend!
"While I still have some patience, come out now!"
Austin's voice grew louder, making the air buzz.
At this moment, Owen's expression in the Kingdom Vault became even more serious.
Now, with that intense killing intent locked onto him and Austin blocking the entrance to the Kingdom Vault with his guards, escaping seemed almost impossible.
At this point, Owen's expression turned cold, a trace of icy killing intent flashing in his eyes.
To leave safely, the only way was to eliminate everyone here!
Since most of the main forces in the palace had gone to rescue the fourth prince, if he could swiftly kill these people, he could definitely leave before the palace experts arrived.
Just as Owen made up his mind, the doors of the Kingdom Vault suddenly opened, and two shadows rushed in.
It was the golden-haired Crown Prince Austin and a woman in a white robe by his side.
Owen's gaze immediately fell on the woman beside Austin.
She was young, dressed in a noble platinum robe, extraordinarily beautiful but with an expression as cold as ice, her delicate eyebrows resembling two thin swords piercing one's heart.
The intense killing intent he had felt earlier emanated from this woman.
Owen paused for a moment before recognizing her—Chelsea.
The chief disciple of the Council of Elders, Austin's wife, and a gold-tier level 8 genius!
As Owen was scrutinizing Chelsea, Austin, who had entered the Kingdom Vault, also immediately saw Owen.
"Owen?!"
Austin's eyes widened in shock, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Earlier, Owen had been on the stage, killing the arrogant Alfonso, who had disregarded the Azure Kingdom's geniuses, earning respect for the kingdom and becoming a hero in many people's eyes.
But now, he was inside the Kingdom Vault, something only traitors would do!
Then, Austin took a step back in fear.
He had witnessed Owen's strength firsthand and knew he was no match for him.
However, upon seeing Chelsea beside him, he regained his confidence.
Although he wasn't a match for Owen, his wife was a prodigy nurtured by the Council of Elders, a formidable fighter cultivated by the combined efforts of many elders.
She was the stabilizing force of the Council of Elders!
She could even contend with a platinum-tier mage!
As long as Chelsea takes action and he provides assistance, Owen wouldn't stand a chance.
Feeling confident, Austin took two steps forward, looked Owen up and down, and taunted:
"I knew it! You're always flaunting yourself, but I knew you harbored ill intentions. I told my father many times, but he didn't believe me, saying I was jealous of your talents. Now, your true colors are revealed!"
"Your treacherous ambitions, plotting against the Kingdom Vault, make you deserve nothing but death!"
As the crown prince finished speaking, Owen shook his head in disbelief.
When he had helped Azure Kingdom save face, Austin had remained silent like a wooden dummy. Now, having caught him in a vulnerable moment, Austin barked incessantly.
Chelsea, staring at the Godslayer Staff in Owen's hand and then at the opened wooden box beside him, questioned:
"You must be Owen, the owner of the Godslayer Staff. No wonder you targeted the Kingdom Vault. We spent a long time trying to unlock this box without success, and now you've taken advantage."
As she spoke, her tone grew increasingly cold.
"Since you're here today, you and that staff are staying."
With that, a powerful surge of mana erupted from Chelsea, like a raging tide, each wave stronger than the last. Her strength clearly exceeded gold-tier level 8, nearing platinum-tier!
At that moment, five hundred palace guards marched in behind her, their presence spreading like invisible tendrils, locking onto Owen.
The oppressive aura layered upon itself, causing the ground of the Kingdom Vault to sink slightly and the space to hum faintly.
Owen immediately sensed danger, his expression growing serious.
Facing both Chelsea and Austin, two gold-tier mages, was already a tough situation.
But now, five hundred palace guards had surrounded him too!
If a battle broke out, it would undoubtedly create a huge commotion, alerting the mage corps in the palace. That would make the situation even more dangerous!
Even without alerting other mages, the combined strength of these powerful mages in front of him exuded a palpable sense of death!
Compared to facing the dark state of Alfonso, this situation was ten times more perilous!