After the second session of the match was over, Vonzo entered the arena and made an announcement.
Vonzo's voice boomed in the centre of the arena, drawing the attention of everyone in the arena. announced 'Attention, participants and spectators! The next match will begin in one hour. Please utilise this time to recharge your batteries and prepare for the next challenge. In this round, only the toughest will survive!'
He paused for a moment, looked at the participants, then added in a serious tone.
Vonzo added 'And for all of you who are wondering, where are the participants who sustained injuries during their defeat? They are now in the medical ward under the supervision of the royal family after their defeat from the arena was confirmed safe. Please understand, and stay focused for the next match.'
In the corner of their seats, Scafco, Stella, and Primo sat side by side, looking increasingly anxious at the latest news. They looked at each other, each realising how serious the situation was.
Scafco squeezed his hands together, his eyes fixed on the sky as he said. 'Taken to the medical room... under the supervision of the royal family? This is no longer just a matter of ordinary treatment. Why did they have to get involved? Moreover, can they be trusted?'
Stella sighed, while looking at the bench Evee and Sylvian sat on her voice trembled with pent-up emotion. said 'I don't understand either. Sylvian and Evee are strong enough to deal with a lot of things, but if they have to be treated like this... it means their situation is much worse than we think. The royal family wouldn't intervene without a serious reason.'
Primo's eyes were misty, anxious that he could not hide. said 'I... I'm not at ease either. Sylvian and Evee are tough fighters, but Enzo and Emzo just destroyed them. If they were taken by the royal family, I'm afraid their condition is really bad. Moreover, we don't know where Sylvian and Evee are. There's too much we don't know about this.'
Scafco folded his hands uneasily, trying to contemplate. said 'I don't like this, Primo, Stella. Why is the royal family interested in them? They may just want to make sure these warriors recover, but somehow I feel there's something to hide behind this attention.'
Stella Her eyes were now glazed over, biting her lip trying to hold back emotions. said 'Sylvian and Evee have sacrificed a lot in this match, even more than we know. Now that they're being taken like this, I'm afraid... that there's more to it than just medical treatment. What if they are in danger? '
Primo Raised his head, looking at Stella and Scafco with a determined look in his eyes. said 'If that's the case, we have to be careful. We're not just fighting to win; we're fighting for them too. Sylvian and Evee have already fought tooth and nail for us. Now it's our turn to protect them, no matter what.'
Scafco nodded, his gaze growing serious. 'Primo is right. We must defend and strategise. It's not just about the match anymore. It's about uniting our forces. If the royal family has other plans, we must be ready to face whatever comes.'
Stella took a deep breath, looking even more determined. said 'We won't give them up, not even to the royal family. If Sylvian and Evee are in danger, we will do whatever needs to be done.'
Primo asked Scafco 'Do you have any ideas on their condition? '
Scafco, who suddenly closed his eyes, said in a harsh tone 'Be quiet, I'm looking for them. If you interrupt my concentration, there is no way to confirm their whereabouts. '
Primo was silent and curious about what Scafco was doing as well as Stella who was confused by Scafco's strange movements.
A slightly annoyed Scafco said 'Instead of you guys staring at me like that it's better to look around for anything suspicious. '
Primo and Stella followed Scafco's instructions.
On the other side of the medical room
Evee, her eyes blazing with fear and determination, gripped the arm of Sylvian who was still weak on the bed. trying to wake Sylvian up by saying 'Sylvian... wake up I just saw for myself what they are hiding in the next room. This royal family... they sell organs. There are tables covered in blood, and the organs are marked like merchandise. We're next, Sylvian, wake up quickly. We don't have time.'
Sylvian woke up while holding back the pain and hatred that was building up inside his chest, trying to sit up. said 'So we're just considered pieces of meat? They think we can just be sold? Evee... we have to get out of here. No matter what, even if we have to fight to the last man and report this to Scafco and the others.'
Evee nodded with a tense face, and then looked towards the door of the medical room. while explaining the current situation said 'There, stood a large guardian figure-a half-lion man with a burly body, brown skin with bushy hair, and sharp eyes that swept around the room. His breathing was regular, his pointed ears alert for the slightest sound.'
Evee, her voice trembling, whispered to Sylvian. 'The guards are not ordinary people. They mobilised a half-lion human to guard this room. In our current state, our chances of escape are slim.'
Sylvian clenched his fists, his eyes glaring at Evee as he said 'But that small chance is our only hope. If we don't act now, we'll end up like those lying on those tables. I can still create a little plant magic to distract attention, but... I'm not sure I can maintain it for long.'
Evee nodded quickly, her face serious. 'Do it. I'll help with illusions to cover our tracks, and we'll escape while she checks the source of the noise.'
Sylvian raised his hand, gathering the rest of his magic power to create an undulating plant in the corner of the room, just enough to attract attention. The tapping of the plant reflected a faint sound off the wall, making a suspicious noise.
The Half-Lion Guard snarled low, his sharp eyes instantly fixed on the sound. He approached the corner with heavy steps and cautious movements. shouting 'Who's there? Don't try to play with my surveillance.'
As the guard moved away from the door, Evee grabbed Sylvian's hand, urging him to get up, and the two moved as quietly as possible towards the door. But the pain in their bodies was excruciating, making every step heavy.
With a stifled voice, enduring the pain that spread throughout his body, Sylvian said 'Hurry up, Evee... before she realises it's a trap.'
However, the wave plant slowly faded faster than they expected, and the half-lion guard instantly realised the trap. It turned around with eyes blazing with anger and fangs sticking out of its mouth.
The Half-Lion Guard roared loudly, echoing throughout the room. said 'Where are you running off to, huh?! Stop, or I'll make sure you regret it forever!'
Evee panicked, pulling Sylvian to move faster as she said 'Sylvian, don't stop! We have to run right now!'
The guard began to chase after them with heavy yet fast steps, his massive body filling the narrow hallway and creating an eerie shadow behind them. Evee, with her remaining strength, cast an illusion that displayed a blank wall at the end of the hallway for the guard to see as if they were stopped. The guard was confused for a moment, but the illusion faltered and began to disappear.
Sylvian, breathing heavily, grasped Evee's hand tighter, saying 'We're almost there... Evee, just a little more... after this we'll find Scafco and company'.
When the illusion vanished, the half-lion guard saw those who had run far ahead. Furious, he darted after them, his voice echoing through the narrow hallways.
The Half-Lion Guard roared with rage, his steps pounding the ground with a thunderous roar. shouting 'You will not escape from here! I swear!'
Evee Panted, drained of energy but didn't stop pulling Sylvian. said 'We... we can't get caught. We have to get this secret out... let everyone know of their crimes!'
The hallway grew darker and narrower, but they didn't stop, even as their breath caught and their bodies crumbled. Each step brought them closer to freedom-or to greater risk. They knew that if caught, their lives would end as merchandise for the royal family. Yet, with burning determination, they forge ahead, ready to risk anything for truth and freedom.
The Half-Lion Guard pursued and knocked Evee and Sylvian down. The Half-Lion Guard said 'I won't let you out of here!'
Sylvian casts [Root Jail] magic, which is a root that binds the body of the Half-Lion Guard Sylvian says 'Evee run away, I don't have much time'.
Before she could run, Half-Lion Guard managed to release Sylvian's magic with [Body Fire] magic, burning all the roots. The Half-Lion Guard also arrogantly said 'What can a sickly person like you do?'
Sylvian vomited blood and Evee, who was worried about Sylvian, tried to fight the Half-Lion Guard, but the Half-Lion Guard easily hit Evee and pushed her into the wall.
The Half-Lion Guard laughed arrogantly saying 'you're dead' as the Half-Lion Guard was about to attack Sylvian with his claws when suddenly the Half-Lion Guard's movements froze and fell Sylvian and Evee were astonished by this but the sound of footsteps approached.
Sylvian and Evee were even more alarmed that it was Scafco, Scafco said calm down this is my Clone I can't last much longer I've made an escape route for you two (while throwing the royal guard armour) use it to disguise yourself and wait for me outside by the river.
Just as Evee was about to tell her what happened, Scafco's clone suddenly disappeared. Evee and Sylvian put on the royal army armour and left the kingdom safely without being suspected because on the way they saw that the army had been defeated by Scafco.
Turning back to the arena, Scafco said that Sylvian and Evee were fine but they were seriously injured.
Primo asked 'How do you know?'
Scafco explained that his clones searched for Evee and Sylvian's whereabouts and created a safe escape route for both of them.
The three of them were finally relieved by that.