Beatrice, ever cautious, wouldn't blindly trust the kidnapper's words. She cast a powerful illusion spell, one that required the target to remain immobile, a condition the captive readily t. The spell's intricate execution took ti, but it would reveal the truthfulness of his claims and potentially yield more information.
anwhile, William rushed to Jas and Leonard, removing the gags from their mouths.
"William!" Jas exclaid, relief washing over him. "You found !"
Leonard nudged Jas with his elbow. "This is the student you ntioned? He seems quite capable."
A warmth spread through William's chest. It was gratifying to know that Professor Jas had spoken highly of him to his friend.
"What happened?" William asked, eager to free them. "How can I remove these cuffs?"
"The leader likely has the keys. Check his pockets," Leonard advised.
William swiftly searched the leader's clothes and found the keys. Jas and Leonard, freed from their restraints, rotated their wrists with audible relief.
"Much better," Jas declared, picking up the discarded cuffs. "We should keep these."
Beatrice, her spell nearing completion, focused intently on the captive's mind. Images flickered before her eyes, revealing the prince's clandestine eting with the kidnappers, his instructions clear and his deanor nacing. The prince's motive, however, remained shrouded in mystery.
Suddenly, a sharp cry pierced the air. Beatrice whirled around, her eyes widening in alarm. One of the fallen kidnappers, seemingly lifeless, had sprung to his feet, a dagger clutched in his hand. He lunged towards William, his face contorted with rage.
William, caught off guard, barely had ti to react. The dagger plunged towards his chest, its point glinting ominously in the moonlight.
Just as the dagger threatened to pierce William's flesh, Leonard intervened. With astonishing speed, he moved in front of William, his hand intercepting the blade.
The dagger shattered against Leonard's palm, unable to penetrate his skin.
"W-What?" the attacker stamred, disbelief etched on his face.
Leonard's expression remained cold as he delivered a swift kick to the man's head, ending his life instantly. Experience tales at empire
William, shaken, stared at the scene. Leonard's speed was terrifying. It was unsettling to realize soone could end his life so easily.
Jas, sensing William's apprehension, explained, "Leonard specializes in body enhancent magic, like you. Between the two of us, he was the only one capable of reaching you in ti."
"That was incredible!" William exclaid, admiration replacing his fear.
He then noticed Jas's troubled expression. Jas was repeatedly attempting to cast a simple spell, but nothing happened.
"Damn it!" Jas cursed. "He was telling the truth?"
Leonard, noticing his friend's distress, rushed to his side. He pulled up Jas's shirt, revealing a rune etched onto his torso.
"Do you think that Runic Sealer was serious?" Leonard asked, concern in his voice.
"It seems so..." Jas replied grimly.
William, confused, sought an explanation. Jas's words filled him with anxiety.
"They hired the best Runic Sealer in the kingdom," Jas revealed, his voice trembling. "He sealed my mana. I can't cast spells anymore." He paused, his gaze distant. "He claid to be the only one who can remove the seal, and he's long gone. I'll have to find a way to break this seal..."
Leonard, skilled in body enhancent magic, was also adept at creating magical formations, including those designed for sealing. He examined the rune on Jas's torso, his expression growing grim.
"I don't believe anyone possesses the knowledge to remove this rune..." Leonard admitted. "You might have to endure it for so ti."
William's apprehension grew. If the prince had orchestrated Jas's incapacitation, he must be aware of their mission to gather the antidote ingredients. With Jas powerless, the responsibility now fell solely on William's shoulders.
"Let's leave," Beatrice declared. "The captive has no further information to offer. We should hand him over to the authorities."
They returned to the city, the kidnapper leader bound and secured. They inford the guards, and the man was promptly arrested.
Beatrice bid them farewell. "I can't stay away any longer, or the family I work for will beco suspicious."
She embraced Jas. "It's been a while, Jas. I'll do everything I can to help you remove that seal."
William observed their interaction and sensed an underlying connection between them. He wasn't oblivious, but he wisely chose to remain silent, saving his teasing for a more private mont.
After Beatrice departed, Leonard followed suit. "I need to return to my house," he explained. "If your student and Beatrice were able to enter, it ans the traps are deactivated."
With Leonard gone, Jas and William were alone.
"What should we do now?" William asked as they walked towards the palace.
"The prince is behind this," Jas mused, "but I can't confront him while my mana is sealed. I believe staying in the palace is the safest course of action for now. No one will attempt anything there."
Within the palace walls, the prince wouldn't dare to act against them. The king's guards were nurous and vigilant; the prince wouldn't risk such a brazen attack. That's why he had seized the opportunity while Jas was outside.
With his mana sealed, Jas was vulnerable and needed a safe haven.
"I'll speak with the king and see if he can help with this seal," Jas decided. "Should I tell him about the prince's involvent?"
William considered this. "Yes, I think so. It's better to inform him and avoid any surprises. If he knows his son is plotting sothing, he can monitor his actions."
Whether it was the right decision remained to be seen, but they were willing to take the risk.
However, another challenge arose. "How will I gather the ingredients alone?" William expressed his concern. "I'll have the crew, but without you, I'm not sure I can succeed."
Jas placed a reassuring hand on William's shoulder. "I have faith in you," he said. "I believe the king will assign another powerful mage to assist you, soone he trusts. It won't be the sa, but it will have to suffice. We can't afford to delay; the king's life is at stake."
The mission was indeed critical. With war looming, the king's survival was paramount. He was a powerful figure and a symbol of the Black Fla Kingdom. His death would have dire consequences.
They returned to the palace and retired to their chambers. It was too late to speak with the king that night. After a restless sleep, they scheduled a eting with the king in his private chambers.
When Jas inford the king of the events that had transpired, the old man was overco with a mixture of anger and sorrow.
"My son has always been troubleso, but to act against ..."
King mphis's sadness was palpable. His strength seed to drain away, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes held a vacant expression. The betrayal of his own son had dealt him a heavy blow.
"I won't reveal to my son that I know his intentions, but I'll keep a close eye on him," mphis assured them. "I'll also find soone to examine this seal on you, Jas. If it cannot be removed, I'll assign another mage to accompany William. We'll need to wait a few days."
Jas and William departed the king's chambers. As they entered the main palace area, they spotted the prince strolling through the corridors. He smirked at them but remained silent. Jas felt a surge of anger, but he was powerless for now. Revenge would have to wait.
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