Some time later, Zyro was making his way into the mansion basement. It was mainly used as a storage room, but sometimes, it serves as a prison chamber for unruly individuals.
After a while, Zyro arrived at a particular door front alone. He didn't bring anyone and even insisted on going by himself. Because the deeds his about to do here are not pleasant, to say the least.
He hesitated for a moment, before entering which caused the door to produce creaking noise.
That sound alerted the prisoner inside the small room.
"Oh, did you finally remember that I need food, too? Do you people have any idea how starved I was! Give me my food, you ungrateful fools!" Said Boru angerly.
Zyro eyed him with the aid of a lone lamp dim radiance. Boru no longer wore an neat garment over his plump body. Instead, tattered clothes stained by blood and dirt covered him as he sat on the floor with his lifeless limbs down. Technically, his arms and foot weren't dead yet, but unable to move due to severe bone fractures intentionally inflicted by Scarlet.
Seeing what Boru had become, Zyro take back his thoughts of Scarlet being innocent and kind.
'She's merciless.'
To disable someone from arms to legs was beyond ruthlessness. It makes him wonder what this fat man do to anger the princess to deserve this.
Was it to avenge them, perhaps?
It's possible for her to know Pert had died because of the excessive Aster blood that been spilled in the battlefield against the Falcon unit. Leading her to trace the source of this situation, which is Boru.
However, Zyro's peculiar blood isn't there. That clue is enough for Scarlet to know his alive, yet she left despite that. Hence, the fact remains that she abandoned him.
Zyro shook off grim thoughts aside, not wanting to think about her anymore.
"Nice to meet you again, Boru. Let's get straight to the point. I want you to tell me why did you want to reopen the underground passage."
The fatty flinched slightly after hearing his secret from others mouth. Before recognizing Zyro's face. Or rather, hair color.
Months ago, he hosted a trial between the beaten plunderers claiming that Zyro, the black haired miner committed a grave crime of killing a mine-guard at the rank of an Alpha which ended in Zyro's win against the Plunderers.
Back then, Zyro seemed like any other insignificant slaves with nothing but rare characteristics.
Frowning, Boru narrowed his eyes.
"You..."
"Answer my question." Demanded Zyro, his tone cold as steel.
Fortunately, Boru was quick to understand his situation.
He asked smugly.
"And what do I get?"
Zyro responded with indifference.
"I'll let you live."
Hearing those words, Boru suddenly laughed.
"HaHaha, come now, your kidding right? After all I did for all for you, and this is what I get in return?! Brat, you should be grateful and help me escape instead of threatening me. I am-"
"Don't mislead the topic, fat mustard. Answer my question, why are you digging that passage?"
Zyro was getting suspicious of the fat man's odd behavior. By now, he avoided his questioning three times already. For some reason, Boru was really reluctant to spout the truth behind the underground passage reopening attempt.
Boru stayed silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke an answer instead of another misleading word.
"Because I want too."
It was ridiculous, really. To state such an obvious lie.
Wanting to unseal the deep passage under the Mine that will let outside monstrosities in would ensure the Mine destruction. If Zyro didn't know he killed his family for the ownership of the Mine. He might have believed it.
Boru did so much to appease his greed, so there's no way he would destroy it willingly. And above all, the fat man before him doesn't seem to be that insane, at all.
After a while, Zyro looks at him in the eye.
"It's someone's orders, isn't it? Someone you are really afraid of... Let me guess, that person is also the one who helped you massacre your family so you can claim ownership over the Mine. Isn't that right?"
As expected, Boru showed signs of surprise before staying strangely still. Not daring to say another word to this young man, afraid more information will leak.
Zyro sighed, silence often meant positive. Which supported his conclusion that Boru was ordered to reopen the underground route through the ruins in exchange for helping him claim the Mine. However, Boru's fear suggests his backer dreadful power. Making this entire matter troublesome.
Although, the evil operation beneath the Mine was stopped for now. If that person really willed it to be completed, then the entire Mine would have no choice but to obey. Unless someone of equal power interfered for a better outcome.
Zyro isn't sure what to do. Because first of all, this issue did not concerned him at all. And even if the passage was unsealed, the greater authorities would solve the problem easily. However, the innocent Miners would be dead by then. He only involved himself in this matter because he did not want the Mine to perish, hoping he could do something to prevent the calamity.
Furthermore, the magic stones source would be of use to his future plans. With Baron as it's head, resource dealings would be much easier and advantageous.
Zyro contemplated on what to do for some time. Eventually, he decided to put it on hold. There's nothing to worry about the passage opening for now. And continuing it would require that "Person" contacting the new Mine owner, Baron, who will then informed Zyro.
'What a nice plan.'
Done with his business here, Zyro look at Boru again who remain stubbornly silent the entire time. Thinking wether to kill him or not. Scarlet noted to not kill Boru before leaving because he doesn't deserve such mercy.
"Like I care."
He mumbled as he pulled out his revolver.
He may harbored grudge against Boru for sharing a fault on Pert's death. However, prolonged torture doesn't suit him well as someone who experience it himself. And he can only rest easily when his enemies are dead.
Also, this is Zyro's revenge on Scarlet by opposing her orders. He will not respect her will, not anymore.
Boru frowned, glaring at Zyro's and his gun with a questioning look. For him, a gun was a strange object instead of a dreadful firearm. That's why he did not panic when the gun was pointed at him.
Bang!
Until he felt something hit his chest. Boru's eyes widened, shocked. His breathing became labored and painful as his lungs began to bleed.
Normally, his revolver firepower is enough to send a bullet through a human body thanks to the magic stones explosive power being superior to gunpowder. However, Boru is a Gamma, third Mark bearer. Therefore, the shot only go midway. But that's enough to put a hole in his lungs.
Slowly, Boru dying. For the bullet in his lungs would soon be the death of him.
He was in the midst of walking out of the room when he heard Boru's hoarse voice.
"Brat... Don't think this is over... The Demoness will kill you. You can't stop her from spreading. death..."
Zyro stopped upon hearing the term "Demoness" came out from the dying Boru's mouth.
'So it was her.'
The one behind Boru's orders to uncover the collapsed route beneath the Mine. The question is, why would she wish calamity to befall on Foggy Ring?
Well, she wouldn't be refereed as "Demoness" for no reason. Her name suggests evilness,
which she probably earned by doing wicked deeds. Thus, earning her a notorious title.
Come to think of it, she's also responsible for Golden Dawn downfall according to Legends Tales revelation.And it just so happens that the Mine was part of her pending mischief. Aimed to victimize more lives if not for his interference.
Zyro suddenly wished to bring Boru back to life. Sadly, the fat man was no longer breathing. He didn't expect Boru to actually possess clues regarding the Demoness.
'Lucky for him.'
If he did, then Boru won't have a peaceful death.
Zyro let out a heavy sigh as he made his way out.
Apparently, the Mine is in a way bigger predicament because the Demoness is someone even kings feared. Her background runs deep in history, so does her power. His chances of defying such foe is almost nonexistent. Even Pert only made him promise to find the Demoness, knowing he can't defeat her.
Involving himself in the wicked woman baleful schemes is bound to be problematic, that's for sure. In any case, this matter is on hold for some time. Giving him time to grow further.
Eventually coming out to see the bright world outside. Zyro gazed up and saw the Highland lifted by roots from afar, majestic as ever. He remembered the bitter days he spent imprisoned there and arduous night of his escape. Below it lay the kingdom of vampires, a place he wasn't capable of stepping in but lucky enough to meet it's princess.
He look around him, greeted by the familiar atmosphere of the Mine where slaves and guards works to produce magic stones for societal use. It was a poor place, yet his time spent here is more precious than other grand places because of Pert, a true friend of his.
Lastly, like always, the Great Wall of Fog which turned out to be a titanic serpent remains encircled the entirety of Foggy Ring, securing it in it's embrace.
Zyro felt bitter sweet at the thought of leaving this place. Mostly sweet, of course, because his experience here was more painful than pleasant. A little bitter, because this is where he learned to adapt in this new world. In a sense, Foggy Ring is his hometown or birthing place. It's more of a crashing place, though.
However, his determined to leave this place at all cost. Even if he have to do it alone.