Chapter 11: The Hidden Treasure and The Mysterious Prisoners
Scene 1: Count William's Grand Party
Count William's city was alive with festivities. Decorations adorned every street, and the air buzzed with excitement for the grand party celebrating Vicky's rise. In a secluded corner of the lavish venue, Nisha stood with her friends, including Olivia Mill, a sharp-tongued girl from the influential Mill family.
"So, it's really true then?" Olivia said, sipping her drink. "You're actually going to marry that Vicky Arkaan?"
Nisha smiled calmly. "I'm not sure yet, but yes, it's possible we might get married."
Olivia scoffed. "That boy is nothing special. He can't even hold a sword properly. Why would you agree to marry him?"
Nisha's eyes narrowed slightly. "Those are all lies. He is from the Arkaan family, and everyone knows the Arkaans are masters of swordsmanship."
"Do you think I don't know that?" Olivia retorted. "I know this family is skilled in sword fighting—so skilled that there's no one in the entire continent, perhaps even the world, who can match them. But that Vicky is a useless young master who won't even become a leader in the future. I've seen him at the academy—he couldn't do anything properly. He didn't know how to speak well, sit properly, or even hold a sword. That's why he was expelled, and since then, he's been wandering around like a vagabond. Even though the Arkaan family is still the powerhouse of the Western side of the Wasco Empire, they're drowning in so much debt that they're losing their influence day by day. The Lin family is taking their place. Maybe you should marry the Lin family's young master instead."
Nisha's voice turned cold. "I don't like that boy. Besides, we don't have much connection with them. And don't you dare say anything disrespectful about Vicky, or I'll have you removed from this party."
Olivia fell silent, shocked. She couldn't believe Nisha was threatening her, especially since she belonged to the Mill family, which had even more influence than the Arkaans. But she didn't know that Nisha was aware of Vicky's true potential.
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Scene 2: The Dungeon's Secret
Meanwhile, deep in the Forest of Whispers, Vicky stood panting heavily after claiming the Blood-Drinker Blade. The effort had drained him, but triumph shone in his eyes.
"Well done, boy," Reman's voice echoed in his mind. "But I still sense something strange here. There's more to this place."
As soon as Reman finished speaking, the ground beneath the pedestal where the sword had been started cracking. The cracks spread rapidly, and with a loud rumble, the entire area collapsed, revealing a massive hidden chamber below.
The knights gasped as they peered down. The chamber was filled with piles of gold coins, glittering silver bars, sparkling diamonds, glowing mana crystals, and stacks of powerful equipment.
Vicky stared in disbelief. "What... what is all this?"
"This is what I sensed!" Reman exclaimed. "This treasure is immense. Its value is enough to repay your family's debt ten times over! What will you do now?"
A wide grin spread across Vicky's face. "For days, I've been thinking about how to arrange funds, and now money is coming to me on its own!"
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Scene 3: The Dark Cave and The Prisoners
In another part of the forest, in a dark and damp cave, two girls were thrown into a prison cell. A young man cried out, "We haven't done anything! Why are you treating us like this?"
The bandit who had thrown them in remained silent for a moment before saying, "This was your fate." Then he walked away.
The two other girls in the cell sighed. "Your screaming won't help. No one is coming to save us. Just rest here."
Trembling, the girls asked, "W-what will happen to us now?"
The first girl replied grimly, "What always happens—we'll be sold to someone else." The two girls trembled in fear, terrified of their uncertain future.
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Word Count: 598
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In Chapter 12, Vicky and his knights must decide how to transport the treasure safely while navigating new threats. At the same time, the captured girls' fate takes an unexpected turn when their paths cross with Vicky's. The Lin family's schemes intensify, setting the stage for a major confrontation.
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