397 The Strange Change (2/2)
The voice was rather familiar.
Andris suddenly jumped up with his hands covering his lower parts. Turning around, he saw that the several nobles who just fled away had come back.
”Don't let Jocelyn see this, haha!” Another young noble burst out laughing so hard.
”You were always saying that among all the high-level squires, you're the most powerful one. But why you couldn't even handle Beaulac's one single hack? Look at yourself…” The young noble who disliked Andris seized the chance to humiliate him even further.
”Why Beaulac did not hurt you and send you out of the palace? Well, did you…? Hahaha…” said another noble in a dirty tone.
The words were like arrows stabbing right into Andris' heart. Holding his fists tight against the floor, Andris could feel the blood rushing to his brain. Shame, hatred, and the lingering fear were burning his guts. He felt extremely dizzy, and his eyes had gone red.
”Are you alright, Andris?”
It was Jocelyn's voice.
Andris could not help bursting into tears, but crying did not really help.
...
Proceeding along the several corridors, Lucien suddenly looked back. They had gone through three gates.
”Beaulac, what is it?” asked Sophia, who was studying the layout of the palace.
Lucien slightly shook his head, frowned, ”Nothing big. I felt someone was watching us from behind.”
”But my warning spell did not go on,” said Sophia.
”Maybe I am wrong,” responded Lucien. Of course, he would not tell Sophia that he had felt some strange changes in this underground palace. He sensed something familiar, but they also disappeared all of a sudden. And only a senior-rank sorcerer who had a deep understanding of magic circles could notice.
Lucien held the sword in his hand tight, feeling the power changing in the palace.
Sophia did not ask further. Holding her magic staff, she walked beside Lucien and gave him directions from time to time.
Lucien was surprised that the direction given by Sophia was completely correct. When they were proceeding, Sophia was in a pretty good mood and she kept playing jokes.
”Wait!” Lucien lifted his left hand and stopped Sophia.
”What is it?” Sophia bit her lips and became serious.
”I smell… blood,” said Lucien, frowning his eyebrows.
Sophia got excited, ”It's time to let them see my fireballs!”
”Watch out.” Lucien held the sword with both hands, and very carefully, he pushed open the gate in front of them.
The metal gate slowly opened, and the strong smell of blood was overwhelming. Lucien saw a black figure kneeling down on the floor, and there was a man wearing black armor lying in front of the figure. The man's throat was cut open, and blood gushed out from the cut.
Hearing their footsteps, the black figure hurriedly turned around. It was Duda!
Looking down, Lucien saw the big cut in the man's throat more clear. The cut was so deep that the man's vertebra was revealed. Obviously, the man had already died.
Lucien recognized the dead man. He was Relph's helper, one of Relph's noble friends.
”I… I didn't mean it!” Duda's face was as pale as death.