"Khailian, it's about to collapse!" Arnin warned, looking at Prince Khane.
Outside, Prince Eyrin, Lourix, and Palov watched as the inn slowly crumbled. Passersby gathered, witnessing the chaos. The inn master stood aghast, his newly rebuilt establishment crumbling once more, just like last year when Nameless destroyed it.
"It looks like he'll die inside, if he doesn't come out. That's good," Palov said to Prince Eyrin, referring to Prince Khane.
Prince Eyrin remained silent, hands clasped behind his back.
"Your Highness, we should proceed. I'll scout for a good inn you can stay in, or would you prefer to see the alchemist first?" Palov asked.
Prince Eyrin slowly placed a finger on his lips, signaling silence.
"I understand, Your Highness," Palov whispered.
Just then, Ningtin leaped out from the collapsing inn, followed by Prince Khane, hand in hand with Lady Pherna, and then her bodyguard.
Palov saw Prince Khane escape and his face contorted into a frown. "Your Highness, I suggest we kill him. If he tells the authorities here who he is, I'm afraid it will bring danger."
Prince Eyrin's sideways glance pierced Palov like a dagger.
Palov's eyes met Prince Eyrin's, and he looked down, slapping himself. "Forgive me, Your Highness."
Prince Khane asked Lady Pherna, still holding her hand, "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "I am."
"Arnin!" Prince Khane called, but received no answer. He searched around.
Prince Eyrin, watching from afar, noticed Arnin's absence. He grinned. "He escaped with the ugly duckling but forgot his so-called friend. HOW FUNNY."
"I thought he came out first; maybe he's in the carriage," Prince Khane said, walking with Lady Pherna.
At the carriage, Prince Khane opened the door to find Ningtin inside. "Hey! Hurry up, let's leave. The inn owner will charge you again. You still have last year's debt."
Prince Khane helped Lady Pherna in. "Arnin is not here."
Lady Pherna held Prince Khane's hand. "It's just a collapsing inn; he can save himself. He's a Phase 5 martial artist... whereas you..."
Prince Khane understood her unspoken concern.
Prince Eyrin mounted his horse. "At last, he didn't go back in. Let's go."
Lourix and Palov followed.
At the carriage, Prince Khane released Lady Pherna's hand. "I'll catch up with you later."
He slammed the door shut and sprinted towards the crumbling inn. Prince Eyrin turned back, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched Prince Khane's frantic dash.
Just then, Arnin burst out, grasping Prince Khane's shoulder. With a swift leap, they soared through the air, landing beside the carriage. The inn master's furious yell echoed: "You scoundrel, Nameless! You must pay for this!"
As they touched down, Arnin utilized his inner force to swing open the carriage door. Him and Prince Khane stepped inside, and Lady Pherna swiftly closed the door behind him. Her bodyguard spurred the horses forward.
As they sped past Prince Eyrin and Palov, Arnin panted heavily, clutching his chest. "Hey..." he gasped.
"What were you doing inside while we were out?" Prince Khane asked, concern etched on his face.
Arnin chuckled. "Having fun." But his mirth faltered.
"Do you hear that?" Arnin asked, pushing aside the window curtain.
The inn master's venomous shout reached them: "You're dead!" He rode alongside, his horse's hooves pounding the ground.
"Ride faster!" Arnin yelled.
Lady Pherna's bodyguard whipped the horses, accelerating their escape.
Arnin spotted Ningtin inside. "What is he doing here?"
Ningtin shrugged. "I thought I was unseen."
"Go to your wife," Arnin ordered.
Ningtin's gaze locked onto Prince Khane. "So, who exactly are you? Prince Khane, Nameless, or Khailian? You resemble Nameless, but lack his essence, and your sword—your 'wife'—is absent.And as for the person,prince khane ,he_&?_."
Lady Pherna intervened, her voice measured. "Wait."
Ningtin's words sparked her curiosity. "His wife is a sword?"she asked
Ningtin nodded. "If you've heard of Nameless, you should know his legendary sword, which he calls his wife. A powerful magic weapon."
Lady Pherna's eyes narrowed, shifting to Arnin, who avoided her gaze.
"You knew, didn't you?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
Arnin cleared his throat, uneasy. "And, as for Prince Khane, he died 10 years ago. So, who are you, really?"
Arnin's expression turned stern. "We should stop the carriage and let Ningtin out.
I don't know what his intention is we are far away from those people .Goodbye married man,I can't see you out."
Ningtin smiled, unfazed. "I invite you all to stay at my manor. You've had a long journey and deserve rest. Some of you," he glanced at Arnin, "haven't bathed in a while."
Arnin's eyes narrowed as he sneered "Your manor? You mean your wife's manor?"
Ningtin's expression turned grave, his voice measured. "You talk too much, Arnin. My offer is sincere. Inns are no longer safe here in Essed. You can still be killed."
Arnin's jaw clenched, defiance flashing in his eyes. "I believe we can protect ourselves. I've fought demons, not once, not twice."
Ningtin's gaze intensified, his hands rubbing together in a deliberate motion. "Have you fought Bain?.You haven't heard of the recent occurrences,have you?"
The carriage's interior seemed to shrink.
Lady Pherna's eyes widened, recalling ancient texts. "Bain? I've heard of him. No, I read about him. He's one of the deadliest demons, cruel and ruthless. His face is badly scarred, hideous. He covers every inch of his body, except his eyes, due to his ugliness."
Prince Khane's gaze drifted, lost in thought. A memory resurfaced, transporting him to a misty woods.
He walked alongside a mysterious figure, the rustling of dead leaves beneath their feet the only sound. Prince Khane struggled to see the person's face, until finally...
A young man in black stood before him. The majestic cloak and hood obscured his features, leaving only piercing eyes visible.
Prince Khane heard his own voice, barely above a whisper but it sounded different. "Bain... The rumors are true, aren't they? Are you truly ugly behind all that?"
Bain sneered, removing his hood and facial coverings. But Prince Khane's vision blurred, unable to discern Bain's face clearly.
Back in the carriage, Prince Khane's voice trembled. "Bain..."
Lady Pherna's concern deepened. "What's wrong?"
Prince Khane's whisper sparked curiosity. "The rumors about his looks are not true."
Arnin's intrigue grew. "How do you know?"
Prince Khane's eyes refocused, his voice laced with uncertainty. "I have seen him before... I think I have."