We Must See It Through

(Thanks to Guaxixi5 for yesterday's gift of 300 Qidian coins!! Thank you for your continued support!!)

"Do you think you can wipe us out that easily?"

Kael'thas's face darkened as he asked, his voice grave.

"Aren't you underestimating us a little too much?"

He watched warily, his whole body tense, as though he were about to do something.

"No. I think even a fool would know that a prince like you must have some considerable means of defending yourself."

The Troll rogue sighed with some regret.

"So I originally planned to deal with you later, in your sleep, but unfortunately, that sensitive little girl and you ruined it!!"

"So this is the only way..."

He raised a dagger glowing green in one hand and held it across his body. Strangely, he assumed a wary stance and continued:

"Now, then, may I see your trump card?"

Trump card?

Apart from Solarian, whose eyes had dimmed somewhat, the rest of the party immediately looked at Kael'thas with surprise and hope. Did he really have a way to turn defeat into victory?

Of course not!

Kael'thas smiled bitterly. There was indeed something in his necklace's storage space that could save his life, but it could only help him escape, not turn defeat into victory!

Still, at a time like this, with the Troll on guard, it was the best moment to use it!

"Fine!... Catch!"

A ripple flashed through the air, and at the same instant, a magic scroll appeared in Kael'thas's hand. Almost without hesitation, he hurled it at the Troll!

"Ha ha, I'm not that stupid!"

Laughing, the Troll jumped backward, ready to get away. But with a pop, the scroll burst apart in midair, and surging Arcane energy swept toward him. His body went numb, and he found himself pinned to a tree trunk.

An immobilization scroll!

Mephistes had personally made it for his disciple's protection. It could pin down every enemy within a thirty-meter radius for over ten minutes!

"Now we can kill him!"

The party members rejoiced. Wasn't the Troll at their mercy now? Audilon grinned and started to charge him with his sword!

Kael'thas immediately held out a hand and stopped him, his face grave.

"Run! The immobilization effect can be interrupted!! We can only run!!"

His shout gave everyone around him a cold sweat.

Kael'thas took out an alarm device and used it without hesitation. A fiery warning appeared in the sky, but there was no knowing when help would arrive. For now, they could only run.

The elves exchanged glances. Staying here would simply be suicide, so they were better off leaving quickly. They all hurriedly summoned their mounts. Though they were in a forest at night, hawkstriders' eyes were better adapted to darkness than elves' eyes, and they could escape faster!

Liadrin summoned her mount too. It was a red hawkstrider with a dazzling appearance!

The group quickly mounted up and raced madly down the mountain. There were people on both sides of the mountain forest, but their class levels were low, just like theirs. For now, they could only go down the mountain to find stronger professionals!

Xiao Bai also seemed to understand Kael'thas's situation and ran at the front with all her might. Because of the trees and terrain, Kael'thas bounced up and down on her back all the way, feeling as though he were on a thrilling roller coaster.

"Your Highness, split up!! He'll catch up, and we'll all die if we stay together!!"

Solarian shouted as she followed close behind Kael'thas, riding her colorful hawkstrider, whose eyes were as arrogant as her own.

Kael'thas was taken aback. He no longer dared to dismiss Solarian's words lightly.

"All right, how do we split up?"

"Everyone splits up! Spread out as widely as possible to divert that Troll's attention!!"

Wouldn't that put me in the most danger?

Solarian's answer made Kael'thas glance back at her. Her eyes shone with resolve as she looked straight at him without the slightest hesitation.

"All right!"

Kael'thas gritted his teeth and decided to trust his subordinate. Feeling his backside ache from the bumpy ride, he shouted an order to the others:

"Everyone, listen! At the next crossroads, scatter and flee in a fan formation!! Don't look back!!"

"Your Highness, you can't do that!!"

"Your Highness, are you joking!?"

"Your Highness, please take back that order! What about your safety!?"

The party members protested in unison.

"Cut the nonsense. That's an order!! An order from the Sunstrider Family!!"

Kael'thas continued shouting. Giving an order in his family's name meant there was no taking it back, and he would accept no one trying to dissuade him.

"..."

In silence, the elves gritted their teeth, their eyes red, and accepted it without a word.

Your Highness Kael'thas...

Liadrin silently opened her eyes. She patted the hawkstrider beneath her and resolved to leave obvious traces along her route, so the Troll rogue would come after her!!

"Your Highness, please let your phoenix follow me in a moment."

Solarian glanced at the phoenix flying conspicuously overhead and made her request to Kael'thas.

"It'll give away your position! It's better if it follows me. I can sense danger, so I'll be fine!!"

"...Let it choose for itself..."

Kael'thas looked at the crossroads they were approaching and answered calmly. Then he shouted:

"Now! Everyone, scatter!!"

"Chirp!"

"Chirp~"

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Guided by their respective riders, the hawkstriders quickly scattered in a cone-shaped formation. Before long, Kael'thas could no longer see anyone else around him.

"It chose that way!?"

He looked up at the dark, empty sky and murmured to himself. Why had Xiao Ao chosen that direction? Solarian must have given him a hint beforehand.

What an idiot...

Kael'thas smiled helplessly. Liadrin was the same, making such heavy footsteps. They must both have wanted to protect him.

But would the Troll rogue really fall for it?

Kael'thas didn't think so...

He felt for the sachet at his waist, then smiled bitterly...

"Looks like I'm an idiot too!!"

He could have escaped by sacrificing the others, so why was he digging his own grave?

He had added the same fragrance to the scroll. With the Troll's keen nose, he would probably soon know which route Kael'thas had taken!

"No, you're not an idiot! Your Highness truly deserves to be called the Sun's Son!!"

A familiar voice rang out, followed by the cries of a swiftly running hawkstrider.

Kael'thas looked back in surprise. Riding a sturdy hawkstrider, Audilon was catching up with a smile on his face.

"You..."

"Ha ha, I told you I'd protect you, Your Highness!"

The Warrior shouted with a look of righteousness, his handsome face looking immensely proud in the moonlight.

"A Warrior must always keep his word."