THDK Chapter 45

Operation: Rescue the Second Prince! (Part 4)

As I sheathed Oreole again, I heard a soft clap-clap and turned to see Prince Luke smiling and applauding.

“To cut through those chains so effortlessly—truly impressive.”

“…Ah, thank you.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my cheek. Prince Luke stepped out of the cell and stood beside me, saying there was no need for formalities or titles.

“Then, I’ll take you up on that, Luke.”

“Sure. It’s more friendly that way. Now, let’s go. I’ll guide you to the armory.”

“Is it safe for you to be walking around?”

I worried that if his escape was discovered, he might be captured again. But Luke didn’t seem concerned, stepping out of the cell and heading toward the staircase leading upstairs.

As I followed behind, I observed Luke, but he remained an enigma. He had a gentle aura, yet there was something sharp about him… At the same time, he felt full of compassion.

I had always wondered what kind of person the second prince, who could be called the leading figure of the pro-demon faction, was like. Now that I was talking to him, he seemed approachable and easy to talk to.

“Second Prince!?”

As we climbed the stairs, we ran into a guard, and I panicked internally. However, Luke showed no signs of concern.

“The Hero has come to see me. You’ll let us pass, won’t you?”

“The Hero… You mean the young man behind you?”

“That’s right. No need to inform Antonio. I’ll take him to Antonio myself.”

“But…”

“Did you not hear me? I thought I gave you an order to step aside.”

I couldn’t see Luke’s face from behind, but I could feel the overwhelming pressure radiating from him, and for some reason, it reminded me of Nox. It was as if I was looking at the next king.

Overwhelmed by the pressure, the guard stepped aside and bowed to us. Luke turned back, took my hand, and we continued on. His smile had returned. Somehow, I felt that Luke was similar to how I was as a child—always wearing a smile, never letting anyone see his true feelings.

We encountered a few more guards, but each time, Luke talked them down, and they let us pass. We soon reached the armory and stepped inside. Oreole began to rattle slightly, as if reacting to something, and I felt drawn forward.

At the back of the spacious armory, my eyes were drawn to a beautiful silver shield displayed prominently on the central wall. I gently picked it up, and a soft light enveloped my entire body. Just like when I first held Oreole, I felt power surging through me.

“Now you’re the perfect Hero.”

“I need to go meet the first prince.”

“Not yet.”

Luke stopped me, and I furrowed my brows in confusion. He took both my hands and looked at me with determined eyes, asking me to meet the king. The king—Luke’s father. I remembered hearing that he was bedridden due to illness.

“Is it okay for me to meet him?”

“I’d actually like to ask you to. The king… my father has been eagerly waiting to meet the Hero. Besides, he doesn’t have much time left.”

“…Is it that bad?”

“You’ll understand when you see him.”

I nodded, and Luke led me to the king’s chambers. We reached a corner room on the top floor of the castle, and Luke knocked three times. A maid’s voice called from inside, and Luke opened the door.