Chapter 50 - Falling Into Danger

The chief greedily looked at the gold coins that sparkled in his hand and swallowed. As he showed a sign of conflict, the black bandana smirked. “Hey, do you think we’re doing this because we don’t have the power to shut you up? We’re only doing this not to go through the trouble of killing many. Or, do you want to get something else than money?”

He threw the dagger and caught it in the air. The chief turned pale and stepped back. “No, that’s not what I mean!”

“Then just stay quiet.” The black bandana tapped the chief’s head lightly a few times and left the house. After sneaking out of the village without being seen by others, he ordered his subordinates. “You, watch the chief for a while. Since he’s greedy, he won’t blab so boldly, but if he tries to do something suspicious, get rid of him.” 

“Yes, sir.”

“You three, go to the wizard that is said to live in the woods. If he accepts, give him money, or just get rid of him.”

“Okay, sir.”

“Since he has a pupil of that level, he can be an outstanding wizard. Don’t let your guard down.”

“If he’s good, should we recruit him?”

“It’s hard to persuade old people, not to mention, they’re hard to trust. It’s more true for wizards. They can betray you anytime using communication.”

“Okay, then we’ll take care of it.”

“Great, now go.” The men who received the order scattered. The rest of them moved quickly carrying Charles and Azriel in sacks.

*

Azriel, who had been passed out, woke up feeling coldness and stuffiness. The floor was shaking.

‘A Carriage? A Ship? A Train?’ She could not see anything apart from pitch darkness. She, who was going to rub her eyes, realized that both of her hands were tied in the back. “…!”

It was a pair of metal handcuffs. She tried to take her hands out of them but all she could hear were clanking sounds. She wanted to say something, but her voice did not come out. Her mouth was gagged. If she could not talk, she could not use magic. Without magic, she was no more than an ordinary ten-year-old girl. She suddenly got scared.

“You’re awake. Are you alright?” Beyond the darkness, she heard a boy’s voice. It was Charles. “…You were dragged into this because of me. I’m sorry.”

Charles spoke in a depressed voice. Azriel struggled to lose the gag. It did not budge. She was in agony because the inside of her mouth was dried up due to the lump of cloth that was stopping her mouth.

“They must know that you are a wizard. I want to set you free… but the iron bars are blocking us,” he let out a deep sigh. “This all happened because of me, and it would be rude if I continue to hide it. I will tell you all about it.”

“…”

“You said your name is Azriel Esthera. My real name is Charlene Modjankle de Aucandor, the Crown Prince of this country.”

“…!”

“And I’m now being chased by those who committed treason. While Rudima and Madriol were vacant, Marquis Ederick raided the royal palace and harmed my father, the king who was on a sickbed…” Charles did not finish his sentence. She heard him swallowing something that sounded like a cry or rage. Clenching his teeth, the boy continued. “Just a little, if we can hold out until the ones that had been absent return, we can win. The palace is already seized by the traitors, so I’m planning to hide in Pendelok Palaios’ secret haven.”

“…”

“I was on the way there, but now that I’m caught… it might get worse even if the Duke of Rudimna and Duke of Madriol returns. The force behind Marquis Ederick is…” Charles groaned. After keeping silent for a while, he quietly spoke. “Azriel, Marquis Ederick can’t kill me. He needs me to enforce obedience to the dukes. He will probably make me his puppet king or hostage.”

“…”

“So, he will listen to me to some degree. I will get you out of here somehow. Don’t worry too much and get some rest.” It was a story that would be difficult to understand if it was for an ordinary child living in a remote ravine. However, Azriel could somehow understand it almost perfectly. It seemed she was dragged into something much bigger than she expected. “You must resent me. You did a favor for me and I dragged you into danger. You can blame me as much as you want. I’m truly sorry that I made you go through this trouble.”

She could feel that Charles was in agony. As he said, something like this would not have happened if it were not for him, but that did not mean he was the cause of everything. Moreover, Azriel was not as desperate as him. It was surely scary to be bound like this without being able to use magic, but she trusted Rhema. She wanted to say that she was all right but could not say anything because her mouth was gagged. She only fidgeted.

All of a sudden, there was a big shudder of a door, and a light was shed in the dark room. Azriel could now learn their circumstance. Charles and Azriel were each locked in somewhere like an animal’s cage and were thrown in a freight car of a train. It was early morning outside. Men came in in a row and lifted them up with the cages. They were loaded on a carriage. Thick cloth was put over and they drove for a long time. After they arrived somewhere, they were taken out with the cloth still covering them and were carried to somewhere for a long time again.

Meanwhile, Azriel sensed a movement that was dimly transmitted to her mana. There was only one who would communicate with her. Rhema was calling her.

‘Rhema!’ At the feeling, she was filled with relief. She closed her eyes and tried hard to connect communication. ‘Esthera. Reshith. Esthera, Reshith…’

No matter how hard she tried, magic did not start. She arranged mana countless times but it did not work. She was about to burst into tears because the gag was too suffocating. Suppressing her tears, she kept on moving her mana.

It was a useless act when she could not recite a spell, but she could not stop it. She felt nauseous as she kept struggling in a shaky cage. She retched. Her gagged mouth made it hard to breathe. Her wrists were also in pain because she struggled to get out of the cuffs.

Out of nowhere, the cage was put down with a big thud. And the cloth that had been covering it was lifted.

“…!” Azriel blinked her eyes at the sudden light that was shed. It was a luxurious room. In front of Charles’ cage next to her, a mid-aged man was kneeling.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”