To think he'd lie there like a dead rat after being abducted?
Given his track record, that was the farthest truth anyone could come up with.
The only reason they were lenient was because of his health. But even that seemed to be no problem for this prince.
The furious man pulled him by the collar. "I tried really hard to deliver you unharmed, but you do not seem to like that."
Reis was thrown back violently, his back hitting the ground with a thud.
The kitten that had slipped off his half ripped shirt on impact, hissed at the crowd, causing Reis to grumble. This thing didn't learn to run from danger as it seemed.
The angry man was ready to kick it away, but Reis pulled it back to his arm. 'Why must I take responsibility for you when I'm barely hanging by myself?'
The furball didn't pay the counselor any mind after being picked up and began to lick the scratches on Reis's skin.
Reis stayed on the ground, standing up would be too painful now. An hour wasn't a long time, at the same time, it was. Until time was up, he had to endure.
The counselor crouched. "A rat with a cat."
Reis held his gaze. Up close, the disdain was no longer concealed. "Did I mention why you are still alive?"
He did. The counselor had made his intentions very clear.
Someone out there had use for him. More than that, there was no clean way to kill him off.
"Owning you would definitely be so much trouble," the man said thoughtfully. "Always causing problems for those around you. I have been nothing short of accommodating, but you still couldn't stay still. If not for that face, what value or use do you have?"
Reis shuddered. The self assured, arrogant tone made him feel icky. More than the way the man talked as though he were an object for sell.
Maybe that was because he knew he was useful. Even the counselor knew he was useful. That was exactly why he was going this far to get rid of him.
But even so, he wasn't sure what use someone other than the king could have for him. After all, all his expertise was best used within the palace walls.
"He'd probably appreciate it if I made it so you cannot think of running ever again. Don't you think so?"
A chill ran down Reis's spine, and not the usual kind, that one, he knew too well. It didn't sound like and empty threat. The man seemed to be serious.
"Don't cross your limit, counselor."
The counselor ignored him and gestured for the henchmen. "Knife."
What they called a knife looked like a medium-sized butchering tool to Reis. It wasn't pretty like swords and daggers used in the game.
Just a sharp metal blade that glowed under the moonlight. But it could definitely slice better than a jewel embedded dagger.
"A missing limb won't make much difference, right?"
It would. No matter how stick-like these limbs were, he needed them all!
He crawled back, but the counselor didn't seem to have any intention of backing out.
Reis seethed his heart.
Hello? Anyone up there? Mr Guardian?
"I am listening."
Don't you think you should do more than listen right now?
|Skill Adjustment Complete|
|The Guardian has permitted you to use the modified version of Insta Klean.|
Reis couldn't even frown this time. Is this how he was meant to suffer?
|There is no other way to help until your mana channels are fixed.|
"Are you sure about that counselor? Aren't you worried you'll be caught if I manage to reach the palace?" He said as smoothly as he could.
"Not at all. We'll make sure you never reach the Vidalian royal palace."
Ok, this wasn't going to work.
|Twenty minutes until your mana stabilizes.|
There had to be a way, there always was.
Reis closed his eyes and tried to feel the cold presence.
Please help me. I'll give you offerings for the rest of my life.
For a few seconds, there was only silence. Not even air flowed, as though he was separated from the world the moment he closed his eyes.
"Is that so?"
Yes!
"You do not wish to use the gift and seek my help instead. If that is the case, I'll have to revert the gift to stabilize your mana."
Do whatever it takes! Just help me. I'll die if they actually cut off a limb!
"Fine."
The familiar coldness surged around him even after he opened his eyes again.
|The Guardian has taken back the modification.|
|Skill has been reverted to its initial characteristics.|
|Energy distribution has evened out.|
With each message, his body became lighter, the pain lessened almost instantly.
|Your mana paths are complete.|
|Congratulations. You are now eligible to seek help from the guardian. Would you like to proceed?|
Yes!
The counselor froze in his track, his eyes fixated behind Reis. The knife slipped from his hand.
He wasn't the only one. The men behind fell to the ground in panic.
Reis held the kitten tighter as the expression on their faces grew more dire.
Trees in the clearing trembled as if something vast had stepped into the world. Reis felt the air shift. He felt the coldness spread through every inch of his being the moment the pain in his heart subsided. He saw the people before him who no longer paid him any attention.
An instant. It all happened in an instant. A moment to short for him to doubt himself before he could feel the pressure of a different presence behind him.
The courageous, kidnapped from another world, ungrateful prince stood up.
He looked. Just like the rest of the crowd. Wasn't he the one who had the priority right to look out of all these people? After all, he was the one who suffered for it.
But once he moved his neck, he just had to keep moving it.
High.
And higher.
As far as his neck allowed without a sprain before finally meeting a set of eyes. Eyes that might as well be doors to hell, gazing down at him as if ready to drown him in the fire.
"Still want to pull my hair out?"