The group pressed forward. Kael's hands moved with precision.Every stroke was quick and deadly. Each demon he struck fell in silence. Their path remained hidden in the dark, the smell of blood mixing with the night air. The atmosphere grew heavier as they reached the inner intersection of the camp. Just as they were about to step around the corner, Sol stumbled upon something. His shoulder clashed against another figure. The sound echoed softly. Sol staggered back, with his face tightening in panic. The other person groaned and fell to the ground. Kael's heart jolted. His instincts screamed. He darted forward with a dagger flashing in his hand to go kill. "Damn—" he hissed, ready to strike however… "Sir, wait!" Freya cried out, her voice sharp and desperate. Kael froze mid-step, the dagger stopping inches from its mark. His glare turned to Freya, demanding an explanation. "That's the Fifth Prince," she said quickly, her voice trembling slightly. "Huhhh!''Kael blinked with a bit of surprise.. He lowered his dagger and looked down. On the ground lay a young man, rubbing his head with a pained expression. The prince's eyes fluttered open. He blinked at the group, confused. "Sir Sol… Lady Freya…" His gaze shifted to Kael's hooded face, narrowing. "And… you… Who are you? No, what are you—" Before he could finish, a sudden strike landed on the back of his head. The prince's body slumped, unconscious. Sol and Freya both jumped in shock as their breaths caught in their throats. They stared at Kael with wide eyes and a horror painted on their faces. Kael lowered his arm with a grim expression. He had used the blunt end of his weapon, not the blade. Still, his decision carried no hesitation. He turned to them, his voice was calm but heavy. "Sorry. We can't have a long discussion here. It's too dangerous. We'll find another place to talk. Until then, we can't trust him completely. What if he raises an alarm or signals the others?" His words struck them like cold iron. The Fifth Prince lay motionless at their feet. Kael's eyes lingered on him for a moment before he turned away. "This small yurt is empty. We can hide here for now." They dragged the body inside and vanished into the yurt before anyone could notice them. The air inside was cold and heavy. Shadows clung to the walls. The silence only deepened the tension pressing down on them. Moments later, the man they had knocked out stirred awake.His eyelids fluttered before opening wide. A sharp, throbbing pain struck his head, making him groan. He tried to scream, but his lips were stuffed with a piece of fabric. His breath came in short bursts, muffled and uneven. He twisted his head and shook it hard, trying to clear the pain clouding his mind. His gaze darted around the dim space. Then he froze. A greyish-white haired man stood before him, his eyes cold, his voice even colder. "I don't understand. Why go through so much trouble? Let's just finish him here." The words fell like ice. "We can't. He is a Prince," Sol said, his tone heavy. His words seemed to bring a little relief into the suffocating air. "Why?" the white grey haired man asked again, his voice low but sharp, as if the question cut through the silence itself. "It is a crime to kill a Prince," Freya answered. Her tone was calm, but her brows tightened. The man with grey hair glared at both of them. His face twisted in disbelief, and then he snapped. Fresh chapters posted on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 "Have you gone stupid? This isn't the real world, you fools." His voice rose like a crack of thunder. The words shook the two. Sol's face stiffened, and Freya's lips parted slightly. A cold realization sank in. They really had forgotten that this was not reality. A heavy silence followed. The imprisoned prince struggled a bit with his body twisting like a caught animal. His muffled cries grew louder. Sol wiped his forehead,uneased by the troublesome situation. His chest grew tight with worry. Even though it was a virtual world, everything was being broadcast outside. He feared how this would reflect. The uneasiness in his heart only grew heavier. "Damn, he woke up. We should just finish him," the white-haired man muttered coldly. His dagger gleamed faint in the dim light. The prisoner froze, his body trembling harder. "Oooow… owowow…" The muffled sounds grew frantic, filled with desperation. "He wants to say something," Freya said softly. Her eyes shifted to Kael. Kael stood still for a moment. His cold gaze lingered on the man, then he gave a short nod. Freya bent down and her fingers tugged the cloth from his mouth. The man gasped sharply, with air rushing into his lungs. Then his words burst out in fear. "Don't kill me! I will do anything you ask. As the Fifth Prince of Heizen Empire, I, Verion Luther, swear it." Kael blinked a few times with a calm steady expression. Inwardly, he almost cursed. Grow some backbone,you shit.. "How can we trust you?" Kael's voice was low and sharp. "You can turn against us at any time. And isn't the side already chosen? What good will it do if we bring you along?" Verion's head shook fast. His eyes were wide, almost wild with fear. "No… no, the sides are not fixed. Only the transfer locations are. We can still change alliances." Kael's brows furrowed. He glanced at Sol and Freya looking for answers but neither of them spoke. "We don't know if this is true," Kael muttered. "But there was no announcement," Sol added, his tone uncertain. "There wasn't," Verion said quickly, his voice trembling, "but it's a hidden clause. I swear it." His hands shook as he lifted them slightly, almost in pain Kael's eyes stayed hard. His expression didn't change. Verion's panic deepened at the silence pressing down on him. His lips trembled as he continued to speak, words spilling out in a rush. "Believe me! I am in a terrible situation. All my followers have been imprisoned. I am alone. I cannot go back. I cannot fight them. Please… I need help." Kael's eyes narrowed. Sol exchanged a look with Freya, their faces heavy with doubt. The air in the yurt grew thick with unease. The fire of desperation burned in Verion's voice as he repeated, almost pleading, "I am telling the truth. I have no choice left. I can still change sides." The silence from the others only made it worse. Verion's wide eyes darted between Kael, Sol, and Freya. Every second of silence crushed him more. He pressed his head low, his voice breaking. "Please… don't kill me."