With Ash's cleverness and Corner and Arthur's skilled detection techniques, they managed to safely avoid the eyes of the guards throughout the cave and managed to arrive in front of the door that lead to the underground.
"There are guards outside the door."
"What do you think we should do? They don't seem affected by the distraction outside."
"You take the left, I'll handle the right."
Corner came to a pretty simple conclusion as he ordered Arthur. Soon, they took care of the guards without even letting them make a single sound.
"I'll take the lead."
Corner was acting as a proper knight and not like Ian's guardian for once as he lead the team of three. Inside the underground cave, their arrival started to create small ripples among the captives as they went through the hundreds of cells in order to find Ian.
"There. Brother
"I got him, young master!" Said Corner as he approached Ian while dragging one of the guys behind him. It was a middle aged man. Ian couldn't see what his face looked like since Corner seemed to have beat him into a pulp. But he could tell who it was by his fighting style. 'One of the executive's assistant, Neil. He'll be useful..' "Good job, Corner! He looks like someone important. You're so smart! Father would be very proud." For the first time, Ian praised Corner the same way Corner used to praise him all the time. Corner, getting a taste of his own medicine, scratched his head in embarrassment. The executive in his hand dropped to the ground as he did. "Whoops.." He picked the guy up once again. "Was there anyone else?" Ian asked as he tried to peek behind Corner. At that moment, Arthur blocked Ian's view as he smiled politely. "There were only weaklings with him. Please wait here for a moment as I take care of the scene. It's too vulgar." Ian instinctively nodded his hea
"I'll try to block the explosions from going forward. Anyone capable of defensive spells stay behind. Everyone else, leave first." Miller ordered as he turned around. One third of his knights also stopped and took on defensive stance at that moment. The other's were helping the rescued people and took their leave immediately. Ian was amazed Miller's swift decision making skill and leadership as he looked forward to his next words. That's when he felt a tug on his arm. "Young master.." "Yeah? Are you also leaving?" Ian looked behind and it was none other than the protagonist. "That's not it. The Duke asked you and Miss Rianne to leave first." "Oh..Looks like she's leaving.. You're here to escort me?" Ian asked as he glanced at the retreating back of Rianne and her knights. They were only here for the extra credits, so it was
"It's safe inside." Ian said, pointing towards the massive gate behind him. "What.. is that gate?" Miller asked, amazed by the scene in front of him. The other's also held their breath as they tried to take in the view in front of them. "I'll explain later. We don't have much time. Please, father?" Ian said with urgency in his tone as he pointed upwards. Only then did the other's came back to their senses. Arthur, the one holding the peculiar shield, was also surprised by Ian's action but he didn't let go of the shield. 'What a perfect protagonist.' One after another shock made the people lose their rationality as they looked at each other. At that moment, Miller took a step forward and shouted. "Everyone! Enter the gate right now!" With his command, the other's managed to handle
"It was so cool..."Ian said as he made an amazed expression, putting all the stage lights on Arthur. The other's also remembered the unforgettable scene that they witnessed inside the cave as they looked at Arthur."You're over praising me, young master..."Arthur said, trying to act as modest as he could."Not at all! Everyone here is a witness! Right, Corner?"Ian tried to bring other people into the conversation as he looked at Corner. He nodded his head in agreement with Ian."It also seemed pretty durable. What exactly was it?""That... I can actually use more than one attribute.."Arthur, who was no longer being blackmailed by the organisation, had no reason to hide his talent anymore. And more than that, the people inside that room were those whom he judged to be trustworthy."What? More than one attribute?""Is that even possible?"B
"You're amazing..."Ian said with a look of reverence on his face as he looked at Corner. He genuinely wanted to keep Corner by his side forever, after what he witnessed moments ago."I can't believe you didn't leave that bastard behind and actually brought him with us..."The bastard Ian was talking about was none other than Neil, one of the organisation members. Even among that crowd of explosion all around them, Corner hadn't let go of that bastard or leave him behind to die. Seeing his work efficiency, Ian was simply in awe."Young master... Why are you doing this?"Asked the knight with an almost teary face. Corner thought that he was being teased like that(Ian praising him) because he always used to praise Ian. Well, Ian's words did have a sarcastic tone to it. But it was only a habit of his, he did actually mean it when he praised others.Seeing Corner suffer like that, Ian decided to praise him eve
"What a troublesome Prince...haah.."Ian sighed again as he opened the letter. Water dripped down his hair into his face, rolling down his cheek. He had a slight reddish glow on his skin and looked slightly pale.As he sat down on the couch leisurely, opening the letter and reading it, one could paint an amazing portrait out of him at that moment. But sadly for him, there was no artist nearby." 'My dear young master Adrian..' heh.. What 'my dear' is he talking about?"" 'In the beginning of my letter, I wish you good health and quick recovery.' What recovery? I'm completely fine.."Ian chuckled as he continued reading the letter."' You cannot imagine how hurt I was when I heard that you went through something so cruel.. Thinking about it still gives me goosebumps!' What's his point? So many useless things.."Ian kept reading in between the lines as he tried to understand the summary of the l
"Sorry. I don't want to be your secret friend." Ian said with a stern expression. Seeing how the prince's eyes grew bigger in shock, he could confirm that his doubts were right. The prince didn't make an official visit and instead came to meet Ian in a disguise. It was all due to political reasons. Prince Albert was actually being considerate towards Ian's situation. The Dicarious duchy was a neutral household. A prince giving them a personal visit would put the duchy, Miller and his whole family in an awkward situation. People would gossip and the nobles would become alert. As such, Prince Albert decided to visit in disguise. Even now, he only wanted to be Ian's friend. It was his honest intentions. And he also had no intention of making their friendship public, all for the sake of giving Ian a peaceful life away from the Royal fight for the throne. And Ian, the target
"Are you crying?"Ian asked as he placed his hand on Albert's shoulder. He didn't mean it literally, since there wasn't any tear in the Prince's eyes. He just felt like Albert's expression was weird when he looked at him. And the surprised expression the prince made at his question was more than enough as an answer.'This guy... He's so happy with just this much?'Ian felt a sense of regret and helplessness as he looked at the young prince. He wasn't even twenty years old and yet he had to face so many hardships. Not even having a place to call home after fighting enemy's all day long, it was such an exhausting feeling, and Ian knew it very well."Who's crying? Have you finally lost it?"Albert tried to avoid the topic by making silly jokes and Ian also went along with his jokes."I lost mine years ago, you didn't know that?""You really are crazy.""Haha.. alright alright.. Let's