Chapter 132
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 132
"Grrrrgh, grrrrgh grrrrgh....(I'm going to die, I'm going to die....)"
The Emperor's entire body ached from the strain of pushing himself so hard.
"Grrrrrrrrgh....(Once you turn twenty-five, I'll make sure to race you this far....)"
Crown Prince Kiaros, who had never yet manifested as a dragon due to his age, clearly had no idea how extraordinary this feat truly was.
"If you drop me from too low an altitude, the shadow will give away that a dragon has appeared."
Crown Prince Kiaros remained fastidious even in these circumstances.
"Since we must enter in secret, please be mindful of that."
"Grrrrgh, grrring?(Then what am I supposed to do? You're in the Age of Darkness—if I drop you from here, you'll die instantly.)"
"Transform back into human form now and set me down atop the Grand Temple, then position yourself elsewhere."
It was a calm directive, but in a way, it was utterly absurd.
The Emperor immediately shifted into human form, cradled Crown Prince Kiaros in his arms, and began plummeting from the sky in that shape.
"Please ensure you don't draw attention from others. We cannot afford to become another variable in Namia Loapi's movements."
As they fell, the Emperor began pouring out words he'd been holding back all this time.
"I really can't stand this. Didn't I tell you to confess beforehand? Why couldn't you do it sooner and create this mess? Even if it's difficult, even if you're afraid, you have to do it. When I was young, I charged straight ahead with the determination to crush stone itself—that's what I'm saying."
It was nagging that felt like his ears were being torn off.
Throughout it all, Crown Prince Kiaros maintained an utterly solemn expression, and with genuine seriousness, he wrapped both arms around the Emperor's neck and clung to him like a princess, waiting for a safe landing.
"But."
As the Grand Temple drew near, Crown Prince Kiaros spoke softly.
"Aren't you curious about Namia Loapi? You must have many questions."
At that, the Emperor, who had been continuing to say 'you should have done it sooner,' let out a long sigh. Then he answered gently.
"I'm truly curious about many things, but for now, I've decided to trust you with this."
"...."
"That child saved Fron and Jayden, as well as you and me. Our entire family is indebted to her... Yes, she may be suspicious and strange. But if you care for her....."
The Emperor smiled faintly.
"...Isn't it a parent's heart to want to give her a chance to confess?"
With those words, the Emperor and Crown Prince Kiaros reached the very top of the Grand Temple.
Crown Prince Kiaros slipped gracefully from the Emperor's embrace.
Crown Prince Kiaros's eyes, concealed beneath a black robe pulled down to his hairline, shone more brilliantly than ever.
"Well then, my son."
The Emperor steadied Crown Prince Kiaros's shoulder with trembling hands.
"Go on ahead... I'll be in that tree over there... Honestly, for the time being I'm far too exhausted to even enter the Grand Temple, let alone destroy it."
Indeed, the Emperor's legs were trembling violently.
He had covered a four-day journey in less than two days, which had taken an enormous toll. Flight in particular demanded tremendous stamina.
"Once I catch my breath, I'll immediately order the Southern Region's forces to mobilize, so wait a little. I'll join you and help as well."
However, that 'catching his breath' seemed like it would take considerable time. Even standing was difficult for him.
The Emperor gazed at Crown Prince Kiaros with concern and added,
"Look at this brilliant, handsome face... Everyone will recognize you as the Crown Prince at once... which means you'll become a target immediately. What am I to do about this?"
He wanted nothing more than to assign additional guards.
However, regardless of the Age of Darkness, only Crown Prince Kiaros could ride upon the dragon's back. Since Crown Prince Kiaros was insisting on 'absolute maximum speed,' this was the best option available.
"You needn't worry about that. I'll be on my way then. Thank you so much."
Crown Prince Kiaros bowed respectfully before descending the outer staircase.
The Emperor squeezed out every last ounce of his remaining strength and concealed himself safely in a nearby tree.
'Just a little rest... I need to sleep just a little and recover.'
He hadn't let Crown Prince Kiaros see it, but truthfully, his consciousness was already slipping away. And yet...
'...Huh?'
The Emperor's brow furrowed as he watched Crown Prince Kiaros enter the building via the external staircase.
'Did I push the cornea too hard? Why does Crown Prince Kiaros's hair look black?'
With that final thought, the Emperor succumbed to sleep.
* * *
The interior of the Grand Temple was already in a state of emergency.
"It seems an intruder has breached the External Maze."
Bibeorus was issuing orders while struggling to maintain his composure.
"They're not Imperial Servants. Keep the researchers in the Experimental Laboratory until we have a clear picture of the situation. Summon all the executives."
The executives rushed in hastily.
Bibeorus noticed an empty space and frowned.
"Where is Aran?"
Guardians in black suits patrolled the interior of the Gaejo Faction.
They monitored the test subjects, moved about the building, and ran errands for the executives and researchers. Most were typically former mercenaries with criminal records.
One executive quickly gestured to a guardian behind him and spoke.
"I'll send someone right away. She's probably in the Underground Prison and didn't hear the summons."
It was common knowledge among the Gaejo Faction's executives that Aran frequented the Underground Prison.
The Underground Prison was where Cedric Loapi was confined.
Aran would go down there often, insisting she would "persuade" him, claiming there was no finer test subject than him.
"Why is she always sneaking around down there? Huh?"
Bibeorus, already on edge, erupted in anger.
"Bring her here at once! Now!"
That was when it happened.
A loud crash echoed from outside, and the ground shook violently.
* * *
Just as my grandfather showed me on the map, I entered through the side gate.
From far to the east came a loud explosion. It seemed my grandfather was causing quite the disturbance.
'Please... keep everyone safe. Until His Majesty arrives...'
Whether because everyone had rushed eastward or because I was close to the Underground Prison entrance, I encountered no one.
I proceeded smoothly toward the entrance of the Underground Prison.
'Phew...'
Peering around the corner, I saw two guards standing at the Underground Prison entrance.
Honestly, using an attack scroll to kill them wouldn't be difficult.
But having never harmed anyone before, I couldn't help but hesitate.
'I see. Even the strongest need a disregard for life to wield their power freely.'
Becoming the strongest of the physical faction was truly not an easy feat.
'Without field experience, I can't help but be inexperienced.'
Back when I caught spies alongside Crown Prince Kiaros, I had devised the entire plan, yet I faltered in actual combat. The problem was simple—I lacked direct experience in physical confrontation.
'It seems my nature is better suited to sitting above and overseeing, giving orders.'
Even when dealing with members of the Gaejo Faction, I hesitated at the thought of simply grabbing them and resorting to violence.
In the end, I took one of the two concealment scrolls my grandfather had given me and dismounted from Kibon.
I scratched Kibon's neck and whispered to him.
"Hide your body here. Since you're an experimental subject, even if you're chased back into the Maze, you won't die."
"Woof, woof."
"When I call, come to me then. You can do that, right?"
"Woof, woof!"
My plan was simple—if I managed to rescue Father, I'd mount Kibon and gallop away without hesitation.
I activated the concealment scroll and quietly slipped between the guards.
Then I began descending the stairs swiftly.
* * *
Though I was not currently the strongest of the physical faction, there had once been someone who held that title. That person was Crown Prince Kiaros.
In particular, he possessed considerable expertise in dismantling criminal organizations like this.
"Don't move."
Upon reaching the interior of the Temple, he selected a secluded spot, seized the guardian who appeared most naive, dragged him into the Restroom, and immediately pressed a dagger against his throat.
"Where are the human experimental subjects?"
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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