I swore under my breath, glaring at the dimly lit windows of the quest interface. The illusion of choice taunted me, mocking my predicament. Live in heaven with Arlene or become a fugitive because of some sub-quest you forced me into. If you're really up there, genius, then congratulations.
No matter how I twisted the problem, it felt like the path had already been laid out for me as if true freedom was a cruel joke. I reached out and grabbed Joshua Langs' hand, shaking it firmly. "I'll follow you for now, Future King."
Joshua's smile was cheeky, and a mischievous glint in his eyes made it clear he was about to savor every moment of this twisted journey.
Suddenly, Fritz's hand clamped around my arm, his grip like iron, effortlessly overpowering mine. "You're pledging your life to some noble who can't even guarantee your safety? Are you out of your mind?"
He threw a disparaging glance at Joshua, his voice dripping with bitterness. "He'll toss you aside when he no longer needs you… like all nobles do."
"Then that shall be my fate," I muttered, lifting my hand to signal him to continue. The decision was made; I was committed, for better or worse.
"You'll regret this," Fritz whispered, his voice a low rumble of dissatisfaction before he turned and moved ahead, his steps heavy with reluctance.
"What's the plan now?" I asked, my voice echoing through the damp tunnels. The rain had ceased, leaving only the steady drip of water from the overhead drains. "I need to improve my rune-crafting knowledge."
Our footsteps splashed through the shallow water that coated the tunnel floor, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying stone.
"Fritz," Joshua called out, his voice carrying an edge of command. "Lead us to the Ubuian hideout. Don't try to hide it—I've read all about it in the books."
Fritz stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Why would I just guide you there? Do you think I'm as foolish as Matt?"
Joshua halted at the crossroads, blocking Fritz's intended path to the left. His face was set in a serious expression, one far beyond his years. "Who's to say I don't already know where it is? We need an escort if we want to avoid getting killed. Either you take us there, or we go and tell everyone you were the one who informed us."
An uneasy silence fell over the group as Fritz stared into the darkness ahead, his gaze shifting as he weighed his options. The tension crackled in the stale air.
"Damn it," Fritz finally growled, shaking his head in defeat. "Fine."
Fritz let out a quick sigh as we stood at a crossroads, massaging his temples before extinguishing his candle.
The sewer was now barely visible, swallowed by the encroaching darkness. "We'll take the path on our right, walk straight, and just keep walking straight. Further ahead, there's nothing but blackness, not even a hint of light from the drains. Just follow the sound of footsteps."
Time dragged on, one step after another, as my right hand traced along the tunnel walls, desperate not to stray off course. The atmosphere wasn't tense, but awkward, a silence hanging between us like a heavy cloud. Our relationship had soured in the past—I couldn't even tell how long it had been. Eventually, our bodies were entirely engulfed in darkness. I glanced down, only to find that I couldn't see my own feet.
The walk continued, each step amplifying the impulsive thoughts pounding in my head. An inherent fear welled up within me as hallucinations of crawling corpses flickered in and out of my vision. No matter where I turned, familiar faces haunted me until, finally, a sliver of light appeared at the end of the tunnel.
"Behave when you're there," Fritz warned, turning his head to us, then to Joshua. "Especially you."
No reply came.
As the light grew stronger, so did the sounds of muttering, chatter, and laughter. The clamor of dishes echoed into the tunnels, drowning out the steady tapping of our feet. My eyes gradually adjusted to the brighter lights, revealing two burly Ubuians standing guard before the tunnel entrance.
"Fritz. You brought a Noble?"
Fritz averted his gaze, but he nodded.
"Then you all have to meet the head first."
Fritz walked ahead alongside one of the guards, and we followed closely behind as the underground area unfolded before us. It wasn't a very large chamber, but it was large enough—a somewhat open space with planks covering the bottom to conceal the gaps for the drain.
As we moved through the tunnel, I noticed stores lining the sides, selling all kinds of food that I couldn't even recognize. In fact… now that I think about it… I'm kind of hungry, and the last time I ate was before I left the army.
Bright torches perched upon the walls at regular intervals, casting flickering light across the space. Beside them were seats and tables occupied by other Ubuians, all laughing and cheering—until they saw us. Around us, the Ubuians' expressions shifted to disdain. I pulled Joshua closer, ensuring no one tried to grab him.
As we walked further, the number of stools and desks dwindled, transitioning smoothly into racks and clothes hanging from the walls. Sneaking a peek behind one of the curtains revealed hastily made cushions, likely for sleeping.
A stench of sweat began to assault my nose as we walked deeper into the tunnel until we reached a final curtain that blocked the entire passage.
"The head will now see you," the guard said, opening a small gap in the curtain by the side, allowing us to pass through.
The tunnel opened into a vast chamber, its rough stone walls dimly lit by flickering torches that cast long shadows. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and rust, an oppressive atmosphere that matched the scene before us.
At the heart of the chamber stood a towering throne—a grotesque construction of rusted metal bars and jagged plates, rising nearly to the arched ceiling. The throne seemed more like a cage, a twisted mockery of regal splendour, with its dark edges glinting ominously in the wavering light.
Sitting on the throne was a woman whose presence dominated the room. Her attire was as provocative as it was functional—strips of triangular fabric barely containing her ample breasts, the material winding into a warrior's top that hinted at both strength and sensuality.
Her long, ebony hair was tied back into a single, thick ponytail that cascaded down her back, the ends brushing the tarnished metal of her seat.
One leg was perched lazily on the throne's armrest as she shoveled the last of her meal into her mouth. The food itself was a repulsive mush, a blend of unidentifiable ingredients that seemed barely edible, but she devoured it without a second thought.
We stood silently at the chamber's centre, the cold stone beneath our feet sending a chill up our spines as we waited. Her eyes flickered up from her meal, barely acknowledging us, before she returned to her plate. But then, something made her pause. She did a double take, her gaze snapping back to me suddenly.
Her eyes widened in shock, the dish clattering as she hastily set it on the small, dented table beside her. The transformation in her demeanour was immediate—what had been indifference became urgency.
She rose from the throne, her movements fluid and commanding. Her gaze never left mine, as if she feared I might vanish if she blinked. Her boots echoed through the chamber as she approached, each step deliberate, filled with an emotion I couldn't yet place.
Finally, she stood before me, wrapping me in a tight embrace without hesitation. The embrace was fierce, almost desperate as if she were holding onto a lifeline.
"Welcome home, brother Vadek."
. . .
"You mean to tell me you failed to kill the second prince?" The first prince was enraged as he smashed the wine glass into the ground. "Explain yourself, Royal Alchemist."
"Sorry, my lord. I had intended to bring in an Ubuian to be a scape goat for when we kill the King in his chambers. In fact, he was right outside when I went in." The Royal Alchemist paced up and down the room, trying to find the right words to show that he is innocent, "but it seems he might've interacted with the 2nd prince and saved him from the assassins as well." He walked towards the enraged prince, who was panting heavily as he tried to figure out his next moves.
"Leave the rest to me, my prince. You focus on the upcoming coronation." The alchemist carved a rune into the air, restoring the shattered glass to its original form. I will make sure I find them and kill them."