Chapter 164 - 160 : Curtis (1/2)

With both of her blades unsheathed, Taliya scared the crowd and forced them to drawback, then she shifted her attention to the still intact iron bard, which blocked their way of escape.

Although the bars were unscathed, it won't be too long before the roof will fall on them, Taliya may not die, even Alina will only suffer minor injuries, however, the maid and Lucas were not going to let this happen.

'bang!'

Lucas was the one who acted first, he walked near the iron bars and struck them with his legs, the attack did close to no damage as the iron bars shook by a little bit. Lucas didn't flinch and continued with a violent series of kicks. As if they already agreed on this, Taliya followed him and used her sharp blades to slash at the iron bars, trying to cut them or weaken bit by bit.

Although they looked like normal iron bars, these were reinforced with a special kind of iron found in nearby mines, if Taliya was in the Spirit Realm, breaking out of them wouldn't be that much of a struggle, unlike now.

The difference but the Mortal Realm and the Spirit Realm is a big deal, after all, only by overcoming their Mortality and feeling the Energy of the world would the person be able to break free from the shackles that were holding him down.

Precise and powerful slashes landed on the iron bars, unlike Lucas, who couldn't do any damage to the bars, Taliya was slowly but surely causing these bars to weaken and tremble, the never-ending fast slashes of Taliya coupled with the big pressure the roof was exercising on the iron bars, it wouldn't be a long time before they finally fall.

Taliya fully knew that shattering the iron bars would result in the roof falling, but she was confident in being able to get Alina out of this underground room before it collapses completely, the stairs were just a couple of meters away from the cell.

Alina was standing at the back, with an anxious expression, she looked at the roof and couldn't hide her worry. She knew that her aunt will save her but the others would surely die miserably.

She sneaked a glance at the female beastmen and Sonia, but the redhaired lady was still unconscious with a pale face. Mary kept a stubborn attitude and didn't take the potion that Taliya put on the ground.

Some prisoners joined Lucas and Taliya and started banging on the iron bars with all their strength but it only resulted in them being tired and panting heavily as they didn't have a strong physic and their Stamina was bottom-low.

As they were struggling to get out of here, a whistling noise came from the other side of the room, which led to the cell where Arthur was held. The whistling noise obviously attracted the attention of the everyone, including Taliya, who had stopped her slashing.

It didn't even take a minute before the source of the whistling arrived near the iron bars, he had a calm look despite his tattered clothes and poor state. With a playful smile, he turned to look at the prisoners and casually said

”If it isn't my ex-roommates! Are you doing alright, Alina?”

He didn't seem to be bothered by the falling stones all over him, it's as if he had all the time in the world. His gaze swept everybody before it fell on the figure of the Demon Princess, Alina.

Vyncent was someone who had been imprisoned in the same cell as them but his behavior was eccentric, he was way too friendly and despite being tortured for a long time, that smile never left his face. Quite honestly, Alina used to talk a lot with him so their relationship wasn't that bad.

”A-ah it's Vyncent! hurry up and get us out of here, please!”

Alina was surprised and happy to see her friend, she didn't know how strong he was but she was not a fool to think he was a weakling. Just by the fact that he is standing in front of her eyes proves that he managed to escape his cell, one way or another, moreover, his cell's iron bars must've been stronger than these ones, which were on the brink of shattering with a little push.

Vyncent didn't seem to object, he nodded his head and lifted his head to look at the slowly falling roof. He put a hand on his chin, pondering for ten seconds before he shook his head and said

”It seems the situation is a bit tricky. if I cut the iron bars, you'll only have a few seconds to escape and judging by your numbers and the narrow escaping route, the outcome is easy to predict and most of you bunch will die whilst you are trying to escape together.”

He stopped for a second before he lifted his hand and showed one finger

”One, that is the number of people I can save from this place.”

As he said that, Vyncent's focused on Alina's expression 'Let's see what choice are you going to make, Demon Princess.'

He talked a lot with her, so he knew about her exaggerated kindness and her will to save everyone, now that she is stuck in such a desperate position, he wanted to see what choice will she make.

....

With clenched fists and a pale face, Alina stared back at Vyncent without retorting, she knew that saving everyone with only her power is impossible, even a person such as Vyncent wouldn't be able to save them unless he showed all his power. An Immortal could easily use his Nether Energy to stop the roof from falling, it's an extremely easy feat, but he wouldn't do such a thing, he didn't owe these prisoners so it's needless to sacrifice being found out just to save their pitiful lives.

”F-fine then, I want you to save my aunt!”

Alina felt guilty as her aunt came all the way from Astria just to save her yet she would die when she almost succeeded. Although Alina wanted to save the silent woman who came with Taliya too, perhaps her selfishness and her love for her aunt made her made this choice. Many people looked at her with a sad and begging expression but she ignored them all and chose her aunt, who was flabbergasted as well when she heard that.

The maid walked to the young girl, held her shoulders and said

”Alina! What are you saying! Quickly tell him to get you out of here, I'll follow right after!”

Taliya was a bit relieved as she thought the whistling was coming from Arthur, who finally decided to show up after so much time have passed, however, it was a complete stranger, nonetheless, he seemed to be friends with Alina and she could feel a strange oppressing aura emanating from him, if he's that strong, then he may be able to get her niece out of here, she was confident in being able to sustain the damage from the falling roof.

Alina resolutely stared at Vyncent, from the look on her face, anyone could guess that she wasn't going to change her choice. Vyncent's smile became a wide grin, he shrugged his shoulders and said

”Are you sure?”

In response to him, Alina nodded her head and gestured for him to hurry up as the iron bars started shaking. Seeing that her words have no effect, Taliya turned around and walked to the iron bars and resumed fiercely slashing her blades. The blades were emitting a frosty aura due to using Ice related sword skills, the aura around her intensified and the iron bars started freezing with one of them shattering the instant the blades struck it again.

”Vyncent! After all the time we passed together, you still try to maintain that stupid pride!”

Lucas wasn't happy about the presence of Vyncent, he stared at him with eyes radiating killing intent, it is as if he would leap at him through the bars and tear him to shreds.

The grinning young man chuckled as he waved his hand, binding Taliya's movements and stopped her torrent of slashes, then he nodded his head as he looked at Alina 'Indeed, I did not choose wrongly, she is perfect!'

Just as he was going to take Taliya and Alina out of the iron bars, a chill ran down Vyncent's spines and his grin disappeared. It was because of the sudden appearance of a tall black shadow in front of him. The iron bars all fell at the same time as they couldn't hold the roof anymore, the big boulders and dirty sand fell on the big crowd of prisoners, who cried desperately and covered their heads.

Five seconds passed yet none of them was hurt, just as the tall shadow appeared, the falling boulders froze mid-air and not a single grain of sand fell on the prisoners. With a slightly long grey hair and smooth white skin, a man appeared in front of Taliya and Lucas.

It was Arthur, who was using his real body, he flung the people outside far from this area and teleported inside the cell. He was going to act immediately but he chose to patiently wait for a second just to see what this Immortal young man was going to do.

Using [Eyes of the Noble Sea], Arthur was easily able to see Vyncent's Nether Energy circulate and lock on Alina the moment he appeared in this room. From the very start, he was planning on saving the princess. He said he could only save one person to see her reaction and choices and at last, he chose to save Taliya too since Alina said so.

Although it was a strange skill or technique, Arthur was able to feel the Nether Energy slowly transforming into a yellow mist of magic belonging to the Earth Attribute, it wasn't hard to guess that this young man specialized in Earth Skills. Navigating underground or getting them out of the room shouldn't be a problem for an Earth-attribute user.

Lucas stared at Arthur with a bewildered expression, the words he wanted to blurt out got stuck in his throat with the sudden appearance of Arthur, his eyes also landed on the frozen boulders mid-air, it didn't take a genius to guess who did it.

Alina had wide eyes as she lifted her head from Taliya's chest, who instantly appeared next to her and hugged her as to protect her from the falling boulders.

”A-ah....”

With the exception of Lissandra, who had a vacant look, all the prisoners were staring at the stranger who appeared out of nowhere.

Taliya soon followed as she turned around and saw Arthur. Before she could mutter any word, another person talked

”A-Arthur..... is that really you?”

The appearance of Arthur changed drastically since Mary last saw him, whether it's his left eye which would rotate between grey and red every few seconds or his long hair, he became a bit taller and the aura around him was a bit different. In the past, he would always radiate a negative cold aura, which pushed everyone from him, but now, despite the fact that the cold aura lingered, it wasn't as intense as before, and the look in his eyes didn't emit disgust when he stared back at her.

”Yes, I'm sorry I was late, I had a few things that needed to be taken care of.”

No matter what she had done, Mary was Lucy's friends, and in his heart, he had already forgiven her for what she did to him and Lucy, her and Sonia's safety was his highest priority as they could be considered members of his family.

*************

As he said that, Arthur glanced at the unconscious Sonia, who was still suffering. With appraise activated, he was able to see what the debuffs were, as he previously assumed, one high-quality Healing Potion or a Medium-quality Poison Resistance will drive away the lethal liquid out of her body.

Although she was suffering, her condition was not urgent, even if he did not interfere, she would survive for a few more days. However, he wouldn't be so mean and ignore her completely, if he did that and Lucy came to know, he'll surely be glared at and ditched for at least a week.

It's kind of funny how Lucy never yells at him when she's angry, she just snorts and ignores him completely, if he tries to embrace her, she would just dodge and throw him a piercing glare, making him break with cold sweat.

Arthur paid no heed to the dumbfounded looks all the people were giving him, he walked near Sonia and fed her the Potion that was left alone earlier by Taliya, since no one came to proclaim it or touch it, it laid there on the ground for quite an amount of time.

Gently, Arthur lifted Sonia's head and used his telekinesis to drive the liquid of the potion down her throat. Its effect should be near instantaneous so Arthur didn't bother ascertaining.

Seeing the worried look Mary had on her face, Arthur gave an honest smile and said

”She should be okay, you don't need to worry. Just get ready to leave this place, it would be better if you held her.”

Arthur didn't explain the reason but Mary obviously knew his character, even if it's an urgent or desperate situation, he would rather not carry a woman, much less touch her. Neither he nor Lucy would like that, what's more, Mary was not injured so she should be able to carry Sonia with her high Strength.

Now that things quietened again and silence ruled over this cold and crowded cell, Vyncent stared at Arthur's back with startled eyes, only know did he managed to react and say

”I-if it isn't my new roommate! I'm so glad to finally be able to see you again, you left so fas-”

The last word had not yet finished and was instead swallowed down by Vyncent, who received a cold glare from Arthur, it was but a glance, however, the thickness of the killing intent and the oppressing aura coming out of it was something Vyncent never expected, he couldn't help but shiver for a split second. It only took a glance for him to determine that he was not Arthur's match.

Previously, when he saw Arthur disappear from the cell and create a clone exactly like himself, Vyncent had a high impression of him and was both curious and surprised, but now, all he felt was an impulse to run away, which he didn't by the way.

He had a certain goal in mind and going back empty-handed is not a choice he can consider, not in this lifetime at least.

Arthur didn't focus on Vyncent after that, he turned to face Taliya and the Demon Princess and was about to speak again but he was interrupted by Taliya, who harrumphed and said in a reprimanding tone

”Hmpf! What took you so much time! We almost died in here!”

Although she was partially blaming his lateness, Taliya was secretly relieved, with Arthur around, there is no fear of danger as she knew that he has monstrous strength, even her big sister, the real Demon Lord, could never dream to match him, they were just in different leagues.

Shrugging his shoulders, Arthur was already used to such attitude so he didn't particularly get angry

”Some things are more important than others. Now, less talking and more walking, we need to go immediately.”

Using his Immortal Strength, Arthur was able to see who was heading toward the prison, since the range of his Immortal Sense is quite big thanks to possessing thousands of beings who possessed Mental Power.

It is quite complicated to fully explain, however, Arthur's Immortal Sense is a bit unique. An Immortal, even a Peak Grade one, would have a Sense that could spread at most for five hundred meters around him, if it's stretched to only one direction, it would become 1 kilometer, it is indeed a long range.

However, Arthur can spread his sense up to 1500 meters around him and 3000 meters to one specific direction, what's odder is that Lucy, who is supposed to be weaker than him in term of stats, have a range that is more outrageous than his. Just when she was the third Grade Immortal, her Immortal Sense could spread up to 5000 meters around her and ten kilometers if she focused only in one direction.

Lucy said that it is maybe due to her special Yin Body, but Arthur thought differently, he told her that it may have a relation with her Race, the status window showed Half-Demon with the remaining half shown as '????'. No matter what it is, for her Sense be so outrageous and her talent to be top-notch even better than him, who possessed so many beasts and corpses, it's just cannot be explained with only her special body.

...

Sensing no threatening presences around the entrance of the cave, which obviously was the prison, Arthur gestured for the rest to for Mary to follow him before heading out of the room. The rest of the prisoners only stared at him with a mix of awe, fear and some curiosity, as for Taliya, albeit fuming with anger, she grabbed Alina's hand and followed closely behind Arthur. Lucas had long since snapped out of his daze, unlike the other people, he stared at Arthur's departing back with a strange look, with clenched fists and a resolute expression, he followed right after.

The big boulders were still frozen mid-air and by the time the room was empty, they finally fell down, creating loud crashing noises and making huge amounts of dust fly out of the small path leading upstairs.

A small Wind Barrier blocked the dust from disrupting their vision and like that, the group of prisoners with Arthur leading headed left the prison at last.

”A-aunt... who is he?”

Alina nudged her aunt's sleeve and asked with a low voice. It's unfortunate for her that Arthur's hearing is inhuman, so it seemed as if she was talking next to his hear, much less this low voice, even if it is multiplied by ten, he would still be able to hear it and not just him, even Vyncent or a Deity would have extraordinary senses.

”Actually, I don't know much about him either, a lot of things happened since were went missing. He is the Patriarch of the sect controlling the Western Continent, in comparison to your mother, his strength many time higher.”

Taliya didn't hold back and told Alina everything she knew about Arthur, she wouldn't keep secrets from her niece and since they were a distance away from the crowd, only Mary was close enough to be able to hear it, but the beastmen didn't pay attention to the maid and stared at Arthur with a stunned and complicated look.

The young man, Vyncent, felt conflicted too, he was in a rather difficult dilemma as he needed to bring Alina with him, bypassing Taliya would not be hard at all, however, under Arthur's watchful gaze, especially when he knew nothing about his abilities, it would be too risky! Heck! It wouldn't be wrong to call it suicidal, with just that one glare, he knew that the other party wouldn't hesitate to kill him on the spot if he tried to do anything.