Under the light of the everlasting torches in the underground palace, Beaulac"s s.h.i.+ning armor looked rather cold. In Andris"s eyes, Beaulac was the most horrible demon. He had no idea what just happened. He had no idea why his armor all of a sudden became as vulnerable as an eggsh.e.l.l.
Jocelyn and the n.o.bles refused to believe what they just saw as if they were watching an opera of a very vicious theme. They could not figure out how Beaulac could have become so powerful within just a single month.
With the level-four chainmail named Rose and the pair of level-three daggers given by her father, and together with all of her magic and divine items, Jocelyn was clearly aware of the fact that she still would not have been able to stop Andris" heavy sword. However, Beaulac held the edge of the sword like it was just a kid"s toy.
Therefore she was certain that Beaulac had at least one extraordinary item that could improve his power to level five, and the sword Beaulac was carrying was at least a level-three weapon. Also, obviously, Beaulac had awakened his blood power, maybe a long ago. Jocelyn felt humiliated and angry knowing that Beaulac had lied to her.
Meanwhile, she also could not help feeling jealous. Beaulac"s father, Beckman, was the most loved kid of the previous old duke. Thus, the items that Beaulac had were way better than hers.
Jocelyn came from a very distinguished family, and her father was one of the most glorious n.o.bles of the empire. In her father"s hands, there was vast land and great treasure. Through the years, they had collected quite a few middle-rank extraordinary items. However, since her family did not have any casters, the family could not produce any weapons or items on their own. Therefore, Jocelyn did not have many choices when picking her weapons and equipment from the family"s treasury.
On the other hand, the Gorse family had produced many blood-power casters, and they had also secretly collected some magic books and alchemy manuals. Only the royal family"s treasury could compete with theirs in regard to the collection of low and middle-rank extraordinary items.
However, what Jocelyn did not know was that, in fact, Beaulac"s father"s extraordinary items had all somehow gone missing after his death, or Beaulac would not have been so frustrated for such a long time.
"He"s a demon…"
"Is he a knight…?"
"Run!"
Jocelyn was pulled out from her own thoughts by the noise and shouts. All of their helpers had run away rather awkwardly. No one dared to get one step closer to Lucien, not to mention saving Adris from him.
Watching them hurriedly fleeing away like wild dogs and hens, Jocelyn felt very disgusted.
Feeling relatively confident that Beaulac would not harm her, Jocelyn crossed her daggers in front of her chest and started retreating. As she expected, Beaulac did not chase after her.
After retreating to the other corridor, Jocelyn started to blame herself that she was still thinking of the Gorse family"s treasury in that situation. If her enemy had been someone else, she would have been in great trouble now. Obviously, she lacked real fighting experience.
Meanwhile, Jocelyn had to concede that Beaulac"s power made him very charming in her eyes again.
Watching them fleeing away, Lucien stood there still. Andris was right now kneeling on the floor, his body shaking out of fear.
"Who is there!" Lucien suddenly lifted his sword and looked at the corner alertly.
The figure in the shadow around the corner started to applaud and a female voice came, "The princess who needs the protection of the knight."
It was Sophia, who was holding a jade-green magic staff in her hand. She smiled, "I"ve seen your blood power. You"re a real knight, Beaulac. Can you protect me, a vulnerable princess? The way you held the heavy sword was very impressive!"
Although she was saying so, her tone was quite calm.
"I"ve always been the princess" knight," responded Lucien meaningfully.
Nodded with satisfaction, Sophia cast a look at the naked n.o.ble on the floor curiously and shyly. Hurriedly, Sophia covered her eyes with her left hand, but Lucien could tell that she was still peeping through the gap of her fingers.
Seeing that the princess was there, Andris felt his face burning like fire. He just wanted to kill himself right there!
"Let"s go, Your Highness. We shall not waste our time," said Lucien. When the princess and the prince showed up, Lucien had some weird hunch. Therefore, he believed that Sophia knew some secrets of this place. It was better to stay close to her.
Sophia looked back and walked to Lucien, "No problem. I"ll figure out how the palace is changing. And you, my dear knight, you protect me."
After Lucien and Sophia left, Andris finally raised his head again, and his face was totally flushed. He felt very humiliated that Beaulac did not even want to have a fight with him.
"Haha, Andris, what are you doing here, with your naked b.u.t.t?"
The voice was rather familiar.
Andris suddenly jumped up with his hands covering his lower parts. Turning around, he saw that the several n.o.bles who just fled away had come back.
"Don"t let Jocelyn see this, haha!" Another young n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble 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 rus.h.i.+ng 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 fireb.a.l.l.s!"
"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 n.o.ble friends.
"I… I didn"t mean it!" Duda"s face was as pale as death.