THDK Chapter 43

Operation: Rescue the Second Prince! (Part 2)

I made my way through the crowd gathered around the trees and headed toward the castle. Prince Luke was likely imprisoned somewhere in the castle dungeons.

“I’ll guide you.”

“Right! Oreole, you were the first Hero’s confidant, so you know the castle’s layout, don’t you?”

“Indeed. Though it might have changed a bit since then.”

I ran through the streets, heading straight for the towering castle. When I reached the castle gate, I stopped and hid in the shadows. There were guards stationed there, so I couldn’t enter through the front. If I announced myself as the Hero, I might be taken to Prince Antonio, and I’d never get a chance to meet Prince Luke.

“There’s a hidden passage. We’ll have to use that.”

“Please guide me.”

Following Oreole’s instructions, I circled around to the back of the castle. Apparently, there were several secret escape routes for the royal family, and Oreole had used one of them when accompanying the first Hero.

I touched a seemingly ordinary section of the stone wall, and it slowly gave way, revealing a hidden entrance with a faint sound. Without wasting any time, I stepped inside.

“It’s dark in here.”

“It leads to the castle’s underground. The dungeon is just ahead.”

Thanks to Oreole, it seemed I’d reach the dungeon without much trouble. As I moved along the underground passage, I heard footsteps approaching from ahead and quickly looked for a place to hide. The narrow underground space offered few hiding spots, and I wasn’t sure what to do.

“Jump up!”

Following Oreole’s whispered instruction, I looked up and noticed a gap just wide enough for a person to climb into. I hastily cast wind magic on my feet and leaped up.

A few seconds later, a patrolling guard passed beneath me, and I let out a sigh of relief. That was close.

“Thanks, Oreole.”

“Don’t let your guard down.”

I apologized for my carelessness. Once the guard was gone, I quietly descended and continued forward, staying alert. After about ten minutes of walking, I reached a section of the passage blocked by an iron-barred gate. Peering through, I could see that the area beyond was the dungeon.