Imperial Capital in Chaos

"Pop."

The anticipated sound of grinding steel never came. Only the faint pop of a bursting bubble echoed through the dark room.

"I know you're not unconscious. Open your eyes!"

Though the hoarse voice had exposed their secret, neither pair of eyes opened.

"Time is short. Stop playing around!"

Seeing that they still did not move, the hoarse voice shook his head and slowly raised his right hand.

"If you don't believe me, you should believe this, right?"

The instant the silver-white token appeared, two pairs of eyes flew wide open in the darkness.

"Uncle's aura?!" Prince Jellal asked.

"That's right!"

"Take off your hood!"

"Heh heh... Your Highness the Prince is as cautious as ever."

Though his voice carried reluctance and resignation, the hoarse-voiced man briskly removed his hood and thoughtfully produced a ball of gentle light.

"How could it be you?!" His Highness the Prince gasped repeatedly.

As he adjusted the hood he had put back on, the hoarse voice said, "Nothing in this world is impossible. Haven't you also turned your back on His Majesty the King?"

"My apologies. I was disrespectful!"

"It's fine!"

Although she had many questions, White-Haired Big Sister did not dwell on them and went straight to the point.

"My, my... Now that you've confirmed our identities, shouldn't you tell us why you came here?"

"The Fire Dragon is about to die. You have to save him!"

"What?!" they exclaimed in unison.

"Why do you—"

Before the Prince could finish, the hoarse voice echoed through the dark chamber.

"Your Highness the Prince, that person had me stay behind for more than just gathering intelligence and rescuing people. I also have a very important task."

"What task?"

The hoarse voice shook his head at them, then transformed into particles of purple-black light and vanished