Chapter 79: Equal Grounds (2/2)

The question was how to know if she had already told them his identity. The thing is that she was unmasked, making this all the more complicated. If he left her, she would tell them who he was. If he saved her, they would still know she was with him. They would search for her and find the truth in the end.

The best solution would be to save her and then kill her.

Arthur felt his sides turn cold at the image in his head, but there was no other way. He couldn't risk these people knowing who he was. It was her fault for following him.

”Untie her and remove the clothes from her mouth.”

Arthur ordered and the man in charge signaled for them to do as he wanted. Arthur looked at Amelia with coldness as she rubbed her contused wrists.

”Did you tell them anything?”

Amelia looked around with confusion as she couldn't spot Arthur anywhere. Arthur felt even more complied to kill her now.

”Answer!” He barked.

”No, I didn't.”

”Come here.” Arthur gestured with his chin for her to come forward. However, the golden masked person raised his arm in her path.

”Release him first.”

”Yeah no way that's happening,” Arthur almost laughed out loud at the ridiculous notion. He was sure they'd attack as soon as he released him. ”I have no use in hurting him, I just want to leave this place.” The man lowered his arm when he heard those words. Amelia tottered toward Arthur and stood beside him.

”But to be on equal grounds, let's unmask this fellow first,” Arthur said and took off the mask the man had on his face.

”NO!” The golden masked roared as he took several steps forward.

”Don't move!” Arthur roared back making the man halt his steps. Arthur had no way of seeing the face of the man he was holding from behind so he looked at Amelia's shocked expression and asked her. ”Is it someone you know?” Amelia nodded her head with her hand on her mouth. ”Who is it?” Arthur proceeded to answer. ”Answer!” This girl was getting on his nerves.

”The… Third Prince of Yalen Kingdom…” Amelia gulped at those words. Arthur frowned heavily at those words. However, in the next moment, he saw the solution to his dilemma.

”Haha, to think it would be the royal family who would do such a thing.” Arthur could feel the atmosphere changing into that of bloodlust when he said these words.

”If you know, then let me go immediately!” The third prince said coldly while feeling the cold edge of the dagger.

”I can't do that, your highness. In either case, you'd have hunted us down regardless. That's why it was necessary to play on equal grounds. But now, the situation is different. No one knows what's in that cave but me, and if anything befalls us the whole world would know of it.”

Arthur's aim was obvious. He wanted both sides to back down. Since Amelia didn't know what's in the cave, they didn't have to go after her. If they did go after her, the whole world would learn of the truth. By that time, the situation would be chaotic, and doing anything further would prove their guilt. Furthermore…

”If rumors about you get nasty, there's no way you'd inherit the throne.” Arthur's words made the other side shut his mouth. It was true that only mutual destruction would befall them if words got out. Whether it was truthful or not wouldn't matter anymore, as the public would still suspect the prince.

”Come here,” Arthur had Amelia stand behind him and pushed the prince forward. ”This is our parting gift,” Arthur said as he used his fire rune on the prince's back as raging fire engulfed the view of everyone. The fire appeared so suddenly and it was blazing enough to scorch the skin of the golden masked person.

”Bastard!” The man roared and rushed toward the prince but Arthur was already on the run. ”Catch them!” If they managed to kill these two, every problem they had would be solved. The rest rushed forward in pursuit.

It was now a race between cat and mouse. If Arthur managed to flee, he would have enough time to figure things out. The thing is… he wouldn't be able to use mana in a few minutes. Moreover, the backlash from using the Release rune would so make him collapse.