Chapter 30: Paladin(3/?)

"This is going to be easy! This is going to be easy!"

Muttering to himself, Jack quickly reached the soldiers' quarters. The quarters, prepared to meet the needs of soldiers on duty 24/7, were a large place where soldiers stored their spare armor parts, daily clothes, money, or personal belongings.

Except for the mage, whose workshop was on the same floor as the Deputy Commander of the castle, every soldier, including the Elite Knights, would get their daily sleep here.

So, this would be perfect for a sabotage.

"The tricky part is how Urien can escape."

With Urien being searched for everywhere within 100 kilometers of the capital, it would be nearly impossible not just to escape but even to survive.

"5 PM should be a good time to plant the bombs." The shift change took place at 5 PM. During this process, the guards on duty would take their 10-minute meal break.

A strange, thin smile formed on Jack's crow-shaped beak. "When the Mana bombs are planted in the room at 5 PM, we can detonate them during the second shift change at 10 PM."

At that time, the newly awakened guards would die, and it would be hard for the tired guards to catch Jack and Urien.

"How to deal with the mage..." Jack's eyes grew serious as he thought about the mage.

"If he's a high-ranking mage, this will be difficult."

Despite fighting and defeating Andras, Jack knew it had been purely a matter of luck. Andras's Mana power had been weak in the body he possessed, and he was casting spells recklessly.

"Still, there's nothing that a big enough explosion can't solve," Jack whispered confidently.

Then he returned to the spot where he had infiltrated the castle, but seeing the bodies on the ground made him anxious.

"I should hide these bodies."

After looking around for a while, Jack went to a lavatory and came up with a brilliant idea. "This is brutal, but there's no other choice."

Jack manipulated the darkness and then dragged the bodies to the lavatory. His eyes showed disgust at what he was doing for a moment, but he quickly pushed those thoughts away.

"I need to get used to this..."

After thinking for a while, Jack sighed and allowed the dark tendrils to sharpen suddenly, slicing the limbs of the men.

*Cutting sound*

As the sound of cutting echoed in the lavatory, Jack turned his face away. Shortly after, he forced the dismembered bodies, now cut into eight pieces, down the lavatory and into the sewage.

Deactivating his ability, Jack was momentarily surprised that he felt no emotions. While he was relieved not to have witnessed the dismemberment, he still didn't understand why he felt nothing at all.

"Maybe the new title I earned is working?"

His mental health had improved, after all. Still, Jack didn't want to dwell on it any longer and left the lavatory.

"Now, there's only waiting left..."

Jack flew randomly to a place he deemed safe and perched there. Looking around with a bored expression, Jack sighed when he saw that it was still only noon.

"Morrigan should be on her lunch break now." Thinking of Morrigan, Jack recalled their fun times. "I hope she's enjoying herself."

Jack chuckled, remembering his own time in high school. "Still, time better go by quick."

******

"Simon! Simon!"

"Get off me! Can't you see I'm sleeping?!" said the man named Simon angrily, getting up from where he sat.

When he saw the bespectacled man calling his name, he froze in fear.

"Lieutenant Commander! Please let me explain!" Simon said fearfully. He looked like he was having a heart attack at the sight of the short man.

Lieutenant Commander Hans looked at Simon with disdain, his eyes filled with contempt. "Sleeping during watch is a crime."

A thin smile appeared on Hans' lips. Simon shuddered.

Hans continued, "Usually, you get kicked out of the guard, dishonored, and your life falls apart."

Hans put on a fake expression of kindness. "That would be bad for you, my friend."

Simon understood what was happening and grew terrified, but he didn't dare to speak. Hans grinned, a greedy look flashing across his face. "Maybe, if you can convince me, I might save you."

"After all," Hans placed a threatening hand on Simon's shoulder, staring into his eyes. "I care about my friends and subordinates."

Simon quickly nodded. "Thank you, sir."

He turned around, opened the rope of a sack lying on the ground, and with trembling hands, he searched inside. Shortly after, he pulled out a pouch.

Though reluctant, Simon handed the pouch full of coins to Hans, feeling like he was about to cry. As all his savings slipped away, he could only blame himself.

"This pouch contains 25 gold, 200 silver, and 2000 copper coins, sir," Simon stammered. Hans grinned and played with the gold coins he pulled out of the pouch.

He smiled at the two guards behind him and took out 5 silver coins, handing them to each of the guards. "Here, lads, get yourselves a drink sometime."

The two guards gratefully took the money and laughed. Hans then turned to Simon, who was biting his lip. "What's wrong? Is there a problem, Simon?"

Simon immediately shook his head and weakly said, "No! No, I'm f-fine...!"

Hans nodded in satisfaction. "Good, I hope you don't make the same mistake again, Simon."

Simon, filled with rage as Hans patted his shoulder, had just lost his entire year's savings!

After Hans left, Simon stood alone in the corridor, his hands trembling. He held his head and sat down on the ground.

"My God, my God," Simon muttered, looking like he might die on the spot. "That pouch was all my savings! How-how will I explain this to my family?"

Remembering his sick wife and two small children, Simon's eyes filled with tears. His wife was gravely ill, and Simon was the only one providing for the family now.

The church had asked for 50 gold coins to heal Simon's wife. This was an impossible amount for a family as low-class as Simon's.

Even the yearly salary of a middle-class citizen wasn't this much.

Losing his one years of savings, Simon could only curse the Goddess.

Finally, Simon couldn't take it anymore and collapsed to the ground, crying. "How will I feed my family…?"

As Simon cried, the thought of his family waiting for him at home made him sob even more. "I'm truly a failure as a father."

Thinking about his little daughter Cassidy, Simon cried even harder.

"{Would you like another chance, Simon?}"

"Who's there!?" Simon jumped up in fear when he heard a male voice in his head. His eyes widened in panic, "Show yourself!"

As Simon was about to draw his sword, a dark tentacle suddenly grabbed his arm. He heard the same voice in his head again.

"{I can offer you a chance for revenge and a way to become wealthy. All you need to do is say 'yes.'}"

Simon's eyes widened at the offer, but he grew more fearful as he remembered the demons he'd read about in books. "A-are you a demon?!"

"{No, I am a God, and I'm offering you a second chance.}"

Realizing it was another God speaking to him, Simon's devout side immediately feared heresy and wanted to refuse.

However, he hesitated when he remembered the price the church had asked to heal his wife.

After all, why would a being as powerful as the Goddess demand money from her followers for healing?

Didn't the Goddess see every person as her child? Then why did they ask for 50 gold coins for a simple healing spell?

Weren't we all the children of the Goddess? Or were only the rich and noble her favorite children?

Simon's eyes hardened as he shook off these thoughts. He decided to negotiate with the God. "What can you offer me?"

"{I can heal your wife and give you enough gold for a comfortable future.}"

"What do you want in return?"

"{Simple. All I ask is that you help me save someone named Urien.}"

Simon was surprised. Why would a God need help to save an ordinary person?

"Is that all?!"

"{Yes, that's all. Nothing more.}"

Excited, Simon nodded. "I accept."

"{Good. Now, go to the castle commander's office, free all the prisoners, and get as far away as you can in a cart.}"

Simon's eyes sparkled with concern. His green eyes grew wider. "C-can I really do that?"

"{Don't worry. Soon, something will happen that will distract everyone. The castle commander will be unguarded.}"

Knowing the risk of the plan, Simon realized this was his only chance for his family. He gathered his determination and grew more confident.

"Okay, I'll do it. I'll accept the deal."

Suddenly, Simon felt something strange happening in his body. For a moment, shadows swirled around him, and Simon felt his body grow stronger.

"My body, has something changed?!" Simon asked in shock, stretching his arms.

"{Yes, now focus on the energy inside you and imagine your legs becoming stronger.}"

Although Simon didn't understand why he had to do this, he obeyed. Then, he felt the strange energy inside him.

He imagined his legs growing stronger and more agile. After a minute, Simon opened his eyes and looked down, disappointed. "I don't feel anything."

"{Are you sure? Look at the ground.}"

Simon looked down as the God said. When he noticed the small crack in the ground, he was surprised again. "Did-did I do that?"

"{Congratulations, you've learned to use Mana. Now hurry before it's too late.}"

Although confused, Simon dared not ask more questions. He nodded and left.

It was already close to 10 p.m. Half the guards had finished their meals and were getting ready for bed.

It was the perfect time to cause chaos.

Jack prepared and left the castle. After making Simon his follower, Simon had unknowingly gained three times the strength of an ordinary person.

This was the difference Mana made.

Jack, disguised as a crow, watched from the sky, studying the mage. His goal was simple. Amid the chaos, he would take down the mage and gain even more advantage.

Prepared, Jack waited for the right moment to detonate the Mana bombs.

******

"I've brought four healthy male children as you requested."

The castle commander, Conrad, was a clean-shaven man with a slight belly, dressed elegantly. From the outside, he appeared to be a well-meaning person.

Conrad calmly examined the young men before him. His gaze drifted to their pale skin; if he said they were a bit unremarkable, it would be a lie.

Conrad held the chin of the first young man and looked into his eyes. He was an ordinary, not very handsome young man who already seemed resigned and had accepted his fate.

Since Conrad preferred young men who were around 18 years old, they were all of that age.

"I didn't like this one; take him away." Conrad dismissed the first young man and then looked at the next one. He held his chin and examined him. "He looks too filthy and rude."

The blond-haired young man's eyes were lifeless, as if he had surrendered. Conrad quickly grew bored of him. "Send him away too."

Conrad moved on to the third young man, impressed by his beauty, but he too had the resigned look like the others.

Annoyed, Conrad slapped the young man. "Why do you keep bringing me people with such stupid expressions!?"

The servant, shrinking under Conrad's gaze, trembled in fear. "I'm sorry, my lord. Please forgive me."

Conrad clicked his tongue and moved on to Urien.

Urien had platinum blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Conrad was impressed and looked into his eyes. Unlike the others, Urien looked rebellious and disgusted.

"You've caught a fine fish, servant. I'll make sure to reward you," Conrad said with satisfaction. "Now, get out."

The servant bowed and left, and the door slammed shut, leaving Conrad and Urien alone.

"Your rebelliousness irritates me greatly, son."

Urien turned his eyes away in disgust. His mouth was forcibly covered with a bandage. Desperately, he tried to break free from his bound hands and chains, but in vain.

Conrad laughed with amusement and threw Urien onto the bed by his arm. Then he excitedly unbuckled his belt.

Urien's eyes widened, and the bed shook as he struggled, but nothing happened.

"I hope you give me a good experience, son."

Conrad, unable to contain his excitement, started undressing and was about to lie down on the bed when a loud noise startled everyone.

The castle seemed to be experiencing an earthquake with the loud noise, and Conrad managed to hold onto the table with one hand before falling.

While the castle continued to shake, Conrad angrily shouted, "What's happening! Servant!"

After a while, the shaking stopped, and Conrad angrily opened the door and searched for the servant. Not seeing him, Conrad became furious. "You cowardly scum! So you ran away."

The elite guards were not there for the shift change, but Conrad still trusted himself. After all, he was a commander.

"I don't like leaving my work unfinished." Conrad looked at Urien, who was still struggling on the bed in fear, and then turned his back.

"The scoundrels who attacked the castle will face their punishment." Swearing revenge angrily, Conrad smiled as he examined Urien's skin and suddenly relaxed.

As he walked toward the bed with a sinister smile, a sudden stabbing pain in his stomach made him hold his breath. "You-!"

Simon, who had stabbed Conrad from behind with a sword, pulled the blade out nervously. As blood fell to the ground, Simon saw Urien still lying on the bed.

"Is your name Urien?"

Urien quickly nodded his head and looked at Simon with hope. Seeing that he had found his target, Simon didn't want to waste any more time and picked Urien up on his back.

Just as they were about to leave, Conrad's hand grabbed Simon's leg. "Wait! Don't leave me!"

Looking at the groaning Conrad, Simon forced his leg free and started running.

"Damn it! You will pay for this!"

As Conrad's threat echoed behind them, Simon ran with concern, not caring.

"The Commender's Carriage must be at the castle back!" Simon, grateful his good memory, quickly went downstairs