Chapter 138- Underground Part 4

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"Now, since we have reached the deep parts of the underground, what should we do? You are the guide." Adori said to the scout.

"Well, since we have arrived in the surface layer of the deep underground, first off, we need to look for a branching path that is big enough for the Death Worms to pass."

"Then, do we have to check every single hole that is big enough, or do you have something to pinpoint and narrow the possibilities? Didn't you say that they always left some traces in their tracks?" Adori asked as she stared at the scout.

"You are right, your highness." Theo nodded.

"The Death Worms are incredibly toxic and poisonous, so much so that even their gland that they excreted on their skin can even corrode and destroy a tough and thick steel plate."

"Because of this, they usually left a unique trail and corroded the ground in their wake. Also, their bodies emitted a special citrus putrid odor. The more we get near them or their nest, the more easily we can smell it." Explained the scout in length.

"That's not bad, even though the second description wouldn't help us that much since we have no anima among us." Said Adori.

"Then, since I assume there will be hundreds or thousands of branching tunnels or probably even more in the deeper underground, it's better if we split up into two groups to explore and search for the trails of the death worms more efficiently."

"Wait, your highness! Splitting up right now would just endanger us! Not only it will weaken us and expose us to greater from the Shinheuh, but it exploring and navigating in this maze-like network of tunnels is an extremely hard task by itself!" Theo quickly argued, trying to change her decision.

"Then give all of your information that you have about the underground that you have collected so far to my scout here." Adori said as she motioned him to look at Xin, who was standing proudly.

"You already saw his skill yourself, didn't you? Although he is still lacking in many aspects, he is not that bad overall." Said Adori with a smile as she roughly patted his head, while Xin visibly tried to stop himself from resisting her hand from messing with his hair.

"It's not that I don't trust your teammates or question your decision, your highness. But giving away all my information is not agreed on our contract. Don't you think… it's a bit too much even for you to demand it… your highness?" Theo squeezed those words as he was visibly sweating when he spoke.

Hearing it, Adori stared at his face intently and spoke coldly. "What do you mean it's too much for me? Are you questioning me? A princess of Zahard?"

"You aren't even a member of the ten great families, even if you are, what do you think is stopping me from killing you for your audacity?"

"N-no, that's not what I meant, your highness! I swear!" He quickly apologized as he bowed his body deeply.

The scout didn't expect this development.

Although Adori was cold and could be petty as she haggled the price for his service down to half, she had been conducting herself quite well considering the difference between their status.

However, now, she had directly threatened to force him to give all of his information for free? Did he really have to comply with her demand? However, if he did, he could no longer direct and guide their exploration as he had previously intended and the plan would become very unlikely to succeed.

What to do? Do it or not?

As the scout was having an internal conflict, Adori had a different plan.

"Then, would you willingly give all your information to me?" Asked Adori with a calm and indifferent voice as she approached his bowed body.

Although Theo was sweating much harder, he didn't answer as he was still struggling to ponder about the best action he could take to resolve the situation. Seeing that he made no answer after a while, Adori asked him once more as she put her hand on the handle of her sword.

"So, what's your answer? It's just a simple yes or no, isn't it? or your brain couldn't even fathom such a simple thing?" Said Adori with a chilling tone.

Theo still wouldn't open his mouth as sweat continuously poured on his back.

"It seems that you are truly dimwitted, huh? Maybe a stimulation will make it better?" Adori touched her chin as she asked out loud with sarcasm.

"I have an idea, your highness. What if we give this scout three seconds to consider and squeeze his answer and if he doesn't answer after that, you will execute him. This will certainly stimulate his brain and motivate him to answer." Liu Guanyi politely suggested with a smile.

Adori stopped for a second then nodded her head as if she really thought over the suggestion seriously. "That's not a bad suggestion, let's go with it then."

"So, let me ask you for the final time, will you hand the information over to us willingly or you will prefer to choose… death?" Adori spoke with an indifferent gaze as if his existence was worth less than the information itself.

The air in the previously pitch-black and drop-pin silent tunnel suddenly become tense as the time was ticking, one second, nothing. Two seconds, still nothing.

Two and a half seconds… Theo still wouldn't open his mouth as he stayed bowing silently with sweat furiously flowing on his back.

When the clock hit the three seconds mark, Adori's hand which was on her sword's handle suddenly moved, so fast, that only a blur could be sensed by the scout.

"Wait! I'll do it!" Theo suddenly exclaimed as the sword stopped right on his neck, cutting his skin and drawing a little blood out of it, just when the time ticked to three point one seconds, showing a glimpse of her true ability.

If Theo had spoken even just a tiny bit of a second late, his head would have rolled on the ground. He couldn't react to her speed at all, it was as if her sword was like a ghost.

This was the power of Adori Zahard, a genius and prodigy of the sword!