Chapter 32: Escaped

Perseus POV

The journey was rough, to say the least. The ship rocked and swayed with the churning waves, sending me stumbling and lurching with every step. The air below deck was stifling, thick with the smell of salt and sweat that seemed to cling to my skin like a suffocating blanket.

I wiped the beads of sweat from my brow, my clothes clinging to me uncomfortably in the oppressive heat. Despite the biting chill of the winter air outside, the cramped confines of the ship felt like a sweltering furnace, making me feel like I was suffocating in the stuffy air.

As the hours dragged on, the relentless rocking of the ship began to take its toll on my weary body. Every jolt and bump sent a wave of nausea coursing through me, threatening to send the contents of my stomach spilling out onto the deck below.

I clenched my jaw and fought back the urge to retch, knowing that I couldn't afford to draw attention to myself in such close quarters.

The trip was long as well, so when I eventually ran out of food, I went down to the pantry, which was mostly occupied most of the time by the crew taking their breaks.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the ship started to slow down as we approached our destination, the conversation by the crew helped confirm that. 

*****

As I emerged onto the deck and blended in with the people, the cool bite of the winter air washed over me, sending a shiver down my spine. Despite the chill, I welcomed the sensation, grateful for the reprieve from the stifling heat below deck.

The port town of Centralia stretched out before me, its bustling streets and bustling harbor teeming with activity. Merchants haggled over goods, sailors bustled about their duties, and the distant sound of seagulls filled the air with their cries.

I took a moment to steady myself, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. After all that I had been through, I had finally made it to Centralia, the land of opportunity and freedom. But the journey was far from over, and I knew that I would need to tread carefully if I hoped to avoid drawing attention to myself in this unfamiliar city.

With a deep breath, I set off into the crowded streets, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger or suspicion. 

The port town of Centralia buzzed with the excitement of eager adventurers, their eyes gleaming with anticipation as they prepared to embark on the perilous journey into the Abyss Dungeon.

Everywhere I looked, I saw groups of adventurers clad in armor and armed to the teeth, their faces alight with the thrill of the unknown.

Some spoke in hushed tones of the riches and treasures rumored to lie hidden within the depths of the dungeon, while others boasted of their prowess in battle and their determination to emerge victorious against whatever dangers awaited them below.

As I made my way through the bustling streets, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the adventurers' sense of purpose and excitement. For them, the Abyss Dungeon represented a chance for glory and riches beyond their wildest dreams, a chance to make a name for themselves in history.

For me...I'd probably have to hide in it for a really long time as it's the safest place I can be...there are rest floors where there is a safe zone all throughout, and if I'm lucky, I can live there for the rest of my life with no interference...though, that's not what I'm going to do, I want to get back home.

And to do that, I'll help to get the hero his weapon. So for now, I need to know where that is, get in, and figure out how to protect myself for a long time, and to have myself safe in that kingdom somehow...maybe I'll join some criminal syndicate...

*****

3rd Person POV

King Aldric's face contorted with rage as the news of the slave's escape reached his ears. He slammed his fist down upon the wooden desk in front of him, his knuckles turning white with fury.

How could this have happened?

How could a mere slave, a lowly prisoner, manage to slip through his grasp? Not only that... but he led everyone else out? Since when did the people under him become so incompetent?

His advisors exchanged uneasy glances, knowing full well the severity of the situation. The escape of the criminals was not only a blow to the king's authority but also a dangerous threat to the stability of the kingdom.

But the king's fury was not so easily subdued. He knew that the escape of the slave would not only tarnish his reputation but also embolden others to defy his rule. He could ill afford such a display of weakness, especially now, with tensions running high and enemies lurking at every corner.

"All he had to do was accept my mercy!" the king slammed his fist again, "I gave him a painless death and he chose to cross me once again. Find them and bring them back to me. Alive or dead...as for the slave, preferably alive...I'd like to see to his fate myself.

*****

The discovery of white hair, blood, and slight remains in the cave with a slightly injured bear close to the port town. To the king and his advisors, it seemed a clear sign that the slave's fate had finally caught up with him.

The news reached King Aldric's ears like a bitter pill to swallow. On one hand, there was a sense of vindication that justice had been served, albeit in a gruesome and final manner. On the other hand, he wished to seal the child's fate himself.

As the king examined the evidence brought before him, everything pointed to the conclusion that the slave had met a grisly end in the depths of the forest.

And yet, a small voice in the back of the king's mind whispered a nagging doubt. Something about the scene felt too convenient, too neatly packaged. Could it be possible that the slave had orchestrated his own disappearance, leaving behind false evidence to throw off his pursuers?

No...the child isn't that smart...he was just lucky to escape the prison.

But regardless of his feelings, one thing was certain, and it was that the hunt was far from over. The empire would spare no expense in tracking down the rest of the escapees.