"Was everything you said just now true? Do you really have evidence to testify against our Princess Meiyu?!" The Large-eyed man planted his foot on Rulu's chest as he lay on the ground, pressing the black short sword in his right hand against Rulu's throat. He glared down at him with those hollow, wide eyes.
Though pinned beneath the Large-eyed man, Rulu did his best to stay calm. "Of course it's true. How else do you think I know all of this?"
"Then tell me everything else you know. Say it all, and I'll spare your life." The Large-eyed man's voice carried a clear threat.
"All right, then I'll tell you everything I know. It happened like this — when the Hydra attacked Yufei City, I fought alongside the Suzaku Guard Captain and the others with everything we had. But the Hydra was too powerful; we simply couldn't hold it back. So I came up with a plan..." Rulu spoke in an unhurried, measured tone, doing everything he could to stall for time.
The Large-eyed man was no fool. After listening to Rulu ramble on without saying anything of substance, he immediately realized what was happening. "Stop right there," he barked. "Don't try to play games with me. Even if you truly know everything, it won't do you any good. As long as I kill Euphemia and everyone else here, no one will know what we've done — and our Princess Meiyu will still become a Lord."
Rulu's expression darkened. He fixed the Large-eyed man with a cold, hard stare. "What did Princess Meiyu offer you, that you're so willing to throw your life away for her? Aren't you afraid of what's coming to you?!"
"What's coming to me?" The Large-eyed man let out a cold laugh. "Once I finish this task, my master becomes a Lord. Then I'll be able to stay in the Sanctuary forever — with immense power, endless life, and all the wealth and glory I could want. That is what's coming to me."
"Well, aren't you clever," Rulu said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You managed to find yourself a master who treasures you so dearly. How enviable."
"Enough talk. I'm asking you one last time — if you still won't tell me the truth, I'll kill you where you lie." A murderous gleam flashed across the Large-eyed man's face. He raised the short sword in his hand and aimed it at Rulu's heart, ready to end his life.
At that very moment, a piercing shriek rang out from somewhere in the distance. Simultaneously, the eerie laughter that had been echoing through the forest fell silent. In an instant, Rulu felt his mind clear. He could use his Spiritual-power freely again — and the thick fog blanketing the forest vanished along with it.
"Just in time..." A surge of relief washed over Rulu. He locked eyes with the Large-eyed man and said in a commanding tone, "Step back. Drop your weapon."
"As you command..." The Large-eyed man froze for a moment, then stepped back several paces and let the black short sword fall to the ground.
Rulu rose slowly to his feet, unhurried, dusting himself off with composure. "Where is your Princess Meiyu right now? Is she still at your camp?"
The Large-eyed man shook his head. "No. My master is not at the camp. She's hiding in a cave to the north of it."
"Does she have anyone formidable guarding her?"
"No. There is only one ordinary soldier with her — nothing special."
"What did Princess Meiyu send you here to do?"
"She ordered us to force Euphemia to withdraw from the competition. If necessary, we were to attack her directly — capture or kill her."
"Was it your Princess Meiyu who orchestrated the Hydra attack on Yufei City a while back?"
"Yes. Exactly as you said — the Hydra was raised jointly by our Princess Meiyu and the 374th Prince. Our original plan was to kill Euphemia on the spot, then attack Yufei City, and have the 374th Prince drive the Hydra away afterward. With his help, our Princess Meiyu would then be installed as Lord. We never expected you people to ruin everything."
"Very good. Since you've already confessed your crimes, it's time you received what you deserve." A cold smile spread across Rulu's face. He raised his hand, and several fireballs materialized from thin air, hurtling toward the Large-eyed man.
The Large-eyed man stood rooted to the spot, making no move to dodge. The fireballs slammed into his body, engulfing him in roaring flames. An expression of agony crossed his face as he thrashed his arms, trying desperately to beat out the fire.
"Stand still!" Rulu barked, focusing his Spiritual-power to hold the Large-eyed man in place as he summoned even more fireballs to pour onto him.
Unable to resist Rulu's Spiritual-power assault, the Large-eyed man stood motionless while the fireballs struck him again and again, his body burning. The massive flames consumed him, scorching his entire form to charred black. With a dull *thud*, the Large-eyed man crumpled to the ground and drew his last breath — right up to the very end, those wide eyes remained wide open, held there by Rulu's Spiritual-power.
"For someone like you, who never understood what evil truly means, this ending is exactly what you deserved." Rulu said coldly. He cast one last look of contempt at the blackened remains of the Large-eyed man, then turned and left to find Kallen and C.C.
At that moment, Kallen and C.C. were also searching for him. Before long, the three of them reunited in the forest — and when they did, Rulu was surprised to find W.W. and Six-Tail there alongside Kallen and C.C.
"C.C., Kallen — what happened on your end? Why are W.W. and Six-Tail with you?" Rulu looked between Kallen and C.C., then at W.W. and Six-Tail, clearly taken aback.
C.C. explained, "On my way to find Kallen, I was ambushed by several enemies. Fortunately, W.W. and Six-Tail showed up in time and drove them off. The human-faced, goat-bodied creature has been taken care of. What about your side, Rulu? What happened to the enemy who attacked you?"
"I dealt with him," Rulu said.
"So what do we do next?" C.C. asked. "Do we go help Euphemia against the giant and the others?"
"No," Rulu said. "We're going to find Princess Meiyu."
"What about Euphemia's side?"
"The creature that was affecting everyone's minds has been eliminated. The Suzaku Guard Captain and the others should be able to handle what's left. And even if they can't, that's no longer our concern. We have our own business to take care of."
Kallen chimed in, "That's fair. We've already done a great deal for them. They can sort out the rest themselves."
The group then made their way through the forest toward the cave where Princess Meiyu was hiding. W.W. knew the area well, and it didn't take long before they found the cave and walked straight in.
"Who's there?" A guarded male voice rang out from inside. A man emerged from the depths of the cave, spear in hand — and the moment he saw that the visitors were Rulu and his companions, his face went pale with shock and fear. "You... you're Euphemia's people! How did you find this place?!"
Rulu's expression was grim, his voice carrying a clear threat. "Your plan has failed completely. If you don't want to die, cooperate with us."
The man sensed he was no match for Rulu and his group. His face betrayed his panic as he stammered, "What... what do you want?"
"Tell me — is your Princess Meiyu here?"
After a brief hesitation, the man answered honestly, "Yes. My master is here."
"Is there anyone else besides the two of you?"
"No... no one. I'm the only one who stayed behind to guard her."
"Perfect." A smile of ill intent crossed Rulu's face. "Then you can go. The further the better. If I ever see you again, your life ends there — do you understand?"
The man felt the killing intent in Rulu's eyes and couldn't suppress a shudder. After a brief internal struggle, he turned and hurried out of the cave, fleeing in a panic.