"Just calm down," Exca instructed through the telepathy link. "Call him Exca and tell him to follow you. Then walk out of the dungeon. Don't do anything stupid."
"Yeah, yeah. I got it," Lyon replied, doing his best to steady his nerves.
He slowly turned toward the man behind him.
"Oh... Exca. That's your name, right?"
Sasaki didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped forward, emerging from the shadows of the tomb. Darkness concealed most of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. They glowed crimson, like two burning stars in the night.
"So, it's Exca," Sasaki murmured calmly. "Just as I thought."
He turned toward the exit.
"Let's go. Bring me the boy, eliminate the woman, and do whatever you want with the girl."
Lyon's fingers curled into fists behind his back.
What the hell? He said all that without even changing his expression. Those eyes alone are enough to freeze someone's soul.
He led the way out of the dungeon, with the infamous Sasaki walking beside him.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Renshi Circle...
Exca remained seated in meditation at the centre of the glowing mind-control seal. Through Sasaki's eyes, he observed everything Lyon did, paying particular attention to the tension in his expression.
What's wrong with his Renshi? It feels unstable.
Exca narrowed his eyes.
What's that fool hiding from me?
He slowly opened his eyes, displeasure settling across his face.
He's probably overthinking things again. Knowing Lyon, he's likely imagining the boy as his own son.
He shook his head.
Always the sentimental type. I should've known better.
His expression hardened.
But if he dares to ruin my chance to become one of the most powerful beings in this country...
Exca clenched his jaw.
Then he'll regret ever betraying me.
He let out a groan and stretched his legs, wincing slightly.
"Damn it. Sitting in this position all day is murder on my back."
After a brief pause, he straightened his posture and refocused on the seal.
More Renshi flowed from his body, strengthening the connection between his mind and Sasaki's will.
---
Elsewhere, near the dungeon's entrance...
Jackson and Marcel remained crouched behind a thick tree, carefully watching the area from their hiding place.
"Do you think they'll come out soon?" Marcel whispered.
"Stop talking," Jackson hissed. "Do you want them to find us?"
Marcel immediately fell silent.
Thanks to Exca's earlier deactivation of the Icon, Renshi auras could no longer be tracked throughout the kingdom. As long as the two boys remained hidden and avoided making unnecessary noise, they wouldn't be detected.
After several tense moments, Lyon suddenly stopped in the middle of the forest.
Sasaki halted beside him.
Lyon reactivated the telepathy link.
Exca, send me the boy's last known location. We're going to teleport there.
Oh? Look who's finally getting comfortable, Exca replied with a mocking chuckle. Weren't you practically trembling at the thought of standing near Sasaki? I guess our mighty Pro Darkside Knight has finally remembered who he is.
Cut the crap and give me the coordinates.
Exca's amusement faded.
Fine. But don't expect this to be easy. The last confirmed location recorded by my drone was in the Kingdom of Baska, two kingdoms away from your current position. That was two days ago.
Lyon frowned.
Two days? Then they could be anywhere by now.
Exactly. And their route leads toward two of the most heavily fortified kingdoms in the country... Berserker and Ashura.
Lyon's expression changed.
If that woman manages to get the boy into either kingdom and enrols them as students, our opportunity is gone, Exca continued. We can't retrieve anyone inside Berserker or Ashura without risking a war.
He paused, allowing the warning to sink in.
You have four days to complete the mission. After that, my control over Sasaki will begin to weaken. What happens next is your responsibility, Lyon.
"Understood."
Lyon disconnected the telepathy link, his expression growing increasingly grim.
So, she's planning to train them...
His gaze drifted toward the forest canopy as he considered the situation.
That woman used a rare sealing spell to block the boy's Renshi channels. It's an ancient method even our best mages can't replicate.
His eyes narrowed.
Exca must have planned this for years. He's been waiting for an opportunity to harness Sasaki's power for himself.
Lyon glanced at the red-haired man walking silently beside him.
If only I could convince her to cooperate without anyone getting hurt...
He swallowed nervously.
But with this red-haired monster beside me, a peaceful solution might be impossible.
Sasaki continued walking without a word, his crimson eyes fixed on the path ahead.
Lyon could only hope the situation wouldn't turn into a bloodbath.
---
Back at the Castle...
Exca watched through Sasaki's eyes as Lyon stood motionless for several seconds.
"What are you spacing out for, Lyon?" he muttered through the telepathy link. "Get moving before they travel any farther."
Hidden behind the thick tree, Marcel leaned closer to Jackson.
"Hey, are you sure your dad's okay? He's acting kind of weird."
"I noticed," Jackson whispered. "Now shut up and follow my lead."
Marcel glanced toward the two men disappearing deeper into the forest.
"Have you prepared the tentacle?"
Jackson smirked faintly.
"Of course. I crafted it from a leaf infused with my Renshi and slipped it near my dad. The moment he casts the teleportation spell, it'll pull us along with him, provided we maintain the connection."
He placed a firm hand on Marcel's shoulder and handed him one of the leaves.
"Here, hold on to this. Whatever happens, don't let go of me. Just to be on the safe side."
Marcel swallowed nervously before forcing a smile.
"Got it, boss. You lead, and I'll follow."
The two boys exchanged a determined glance before turning their attention back to Lyon and Sasaki.