Ben, still within Princess Selene's chamber, pressed her for information. "So, what do you know about my sister?"
"For one thing, I know that she is a big idiot," Selene said, an edge of contempt in her voice. "She tried to join hands with the Principality, asking for their cooperation in making her the next queen. If foreign powers get involved, she would be the first one to lose everything."
"As far as I know, my sister is not so simple," Ben countered. "Whatever she said, she definitely had a hidden motive or agenda."
"Oh, really? And why do you say that?" Selene asked.
"Because she's like a snake," Ben said. "Just when you think you've got her all figured out, that's when she makes her move. Maybe she came to..." Ben paused, a thought striking him. "Could it be possible?"
"What are you thinking?" Selene pressed.
"Did you hear any reports of burglary after my sister left?" Ben asked.
"Now that you mention it, yes, I did hear something, but I don't know the exact details," Selene admitted.
"Looks like my sister came to get something, and she got it," Ben concluded.
Suddenly, two guards entered the room. "Princess, we came to take you," one said. As soon as they saw Ben, their eyes widened in surprise. Ben immediately drew his magic gun and fired, not giving them a chance to react.
"Wow, this seems so unique! What is this?" Selene asked, amazed.
"You're not the only one who has a research department," Ben said.
Meanwhile, Emilia went towards the Midgard. Outside, Tenko was training for the inevitable fight with Piers. Inside the Midgard, Kaiser and Lyla were looking through Rei's things.
"I can't believe that Rei founded lightning, ice, poison, sound, and his work on the metal attribute is just a few steps away," Kaiser marveled.
"I'm very curious about his poison pills. I'm going to take some," Lyla said.
Sentry and Hella were organizing supplies. "Will you even help us?" Hella asked.
Kaiser didn't even look up. "Come on, let me read about these new elements. They'll become the backbone of my Second Form of the Sword Saint Technique."
Suddenly, Emilia burst in. "Everyone, the plan went south!"
"Sentry!" Kaiser commanded.
"Yes, I'm on it!" Sentry activated the Midgard and flew towards the castle.
"I didn't expect it to work from the start," Kaiser said. "After all, they were going into a palace."
Inside the palace, Adreil was in a frenzy, killing the guards and turning the floors and walls red. He was covered in cuts and bruises, but his maniacal smile never left his face as he fought the overwhelming numbers. Suddenly, a sword came from behind, aimed to kill him, but the swordsman's hand was instantly severed, and he screamed.
"We will overthrow the castle for the princess!" one man shouted.
"For the princess!" everyone else roared.
Bret, on the other hand, found himself surrounded by guards. He drew his sword and, using his Imperial Footwork Style, dodged their attacks, cutting them down one by one, making quick work of them.
"That's the Imperial Footwork!" a guard yelled.
"Get out of here, you imperial scum!" another shouted.
On the top floor, a few people sat at a table. "What is happening down there?" one asked.
"We are getting attacked," the defense minister replied.
"How old are the fighters?" another asked.
"Thirteen to fourteen years," the minister said.
"Are we this weak that we can't even defeat some kids?" another person scoffed. The minister was scared to answer. After overthrowing the last king, they had lost most of their warriors and were forced to hire new recruits, which left the palace in a state of weakness. However, the revolutionaries' high-level tech also contributed to their success.
In Princess Selene's room, Ben was now facing a horde of guards, repelling them with his magic gun. When some got too close, Ben used his lightning-powered fire spin, burning their skin. He then drew his sword, fighting like Luc had taught him, using the gun occasionally to defeat distant enemies.
"When did you get so strong?" Selene asked.
"Ever since I got six mentors," Ben replied.
During the entire fight, Luc was invisible, placing bombs on important structures.
As Kaiser, Lyla, and Tenko reached the front gate, they were immediately attacked by the guards, but Tenko's fire breath, Kaiser's sword, and Lyla's wood magic easily dealt with them.
"We just have to make a distraction. I guess we will get our signal soon," Kaiser said. Emilia asked, "What signal?" Luc activated the bombs, and in a flash, the entire structure of the palace began to collapse. Kaiser said, "That's our signal."
Tenko barked, and Lyla said, "Yes." Tenko created a huge ball of flame. Kaiser used his Sword Saint Technique, 1st Form, 6th Verse, creating a powerful vortex of wind around him and imbuing his sword with a sharp wind. Lyla used her Never Ending Neverlands spell, throwing seeds that instantly turned into tentacle-like trees.
The huge ball of fire instantly covered the palace in flames. Kaiser slashed, and the wind attack created a rift between the two halves of the palace. Lyla's spell began, spreading seeds that quickly turned into tentacled trees, covering the entire palace grounds in a minute.
"It's our cue!" Ben said. He carried the princess in his arms and jumped down. His shoes suddenly shone, creating a small wind pressure that helped him land safely. Bret and Adreil also jumped from the higher floors, jumping from one place to another and landing safely. All of the princess's followers came out.
"Princess, are you okay?" one man asked.
"Princess, let us protect you!" another cried.
"Don't come here; first, leave this place, our family's magic formation is going to activate," Selene commanded. Ben, Selene, Bret, Adreil, Luc, and the followers reached the palace grounds. Suddenly, the palace shone, and as if time were reversing, the rubble began to reform. The tentacle-like plants burned and turned to ash.
"We will meet at the Fortnight City. Now go!" Luc said. They quickly escaped. Princess Selene, along with Ben, Luc, Bret, and Adreil, also escaped.
The man on the top floor turned to the defense minister. "I see you are not doing your work correctly, Minister." The minister trembled. The man's hand turned into a demon's claw, and with a swipe, he killed the minister.
"Did you see who they were?" one man asked.
"Yes, three of them were Kaiser, Lyla, and Tenko," another replied.
"Meaning Rei is near here," the last man concluded.