The Mole vanished around the corner, and Lin Ze stopped attacking. The scene inside the Court of Sinners changed along with it.
The prisoners who had been cheering for "Scaramouche" from their cells disappeared, along with the Asgard Guards. Even the "corpses" of the fallen guards, which had already turned to ash, vanished without a trace.
A magical illusion spanning the entire Court of Sinners had drained almost every last drop of Loki's magic.
Pale-faced and panting, Loki slid down against the wall. Beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, and his lips trembled slightly. He looked utterly exhausted.
"He's gone."
Paimon flew back, peeking around as she reported to Lin Ze.
"Good. Then, next..."
Lin Ze approached Loki's cell. Looking at the man before him, he raised a hand and undid the restraining barrier.
"I keep my word. You can come out now."
A flicker of surprise crossed Loki's face, which was drawn with weakness. He had thought he would have to play the pitiful victim to win a pardon, yet the other man had let him out so easily.
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll go back on my word? Relax! I never break a promise."
Loki pursed his lips. "Ha, this is a trap, isn't it? Is there another squad of guards outside, just waiting for me to step out so they can catch me doing something wrong?"
Freedom had come too easily. Loki could hardly help suspecting that it was merely a trap the other man had laid.
"Believe me or don't."
Lin Ze headed outside with Paimon. "I practically talked myself hoarse convincing the God King that you could help us. And you did, in fact, pull it off. Trading your service in protecting Asgard for limited freedom is fair, isn't it?"
Yes, limited freedom.
Loki was