Chapter 91: The Great Escape and Aki's Misfortunes
Rena hurried them toward an ancient wall covered in thick cobwebs. "This is the hidden passage; only my father and I know its location." She pressed a specific stone, and the wall groaned open, but a stench so foul erupted that Aki nearly fainted on the spot.
Aki pinched his nose and shrieked, "Is this a secret passage or the Academy's sewer? My Lady Rena, are you sure your father uses this, or is he just trying to suffocate us to death?"
Von (Volt) shot him a chilling glare. "Aki, if you don't shut your mouth, I'll make sure you taste it too."
Aki went silent instantly, but as they began navigating the cramped tunnel, his long thieving robes snagged on a rotten wooden beam and tore loudly. "Noooo! This was my most expensive heist outfit! Sai, help me!"
Sai, struggling to squeeze his massive, armored frame through the narrow space, grunted, "Fix it yourself. I'm suffocating here; my shield is literally wedged between the walls!" Sai looked like an oversized turtle trying to force its way into a mouse hole.
Suddenly, the barking of magical hounds echoed from above. "Hurry!" Rena urged.
Von raised a hand, casting a minor grease spell to make the tunnel floor slippery for a faster exit. However, the spell was a bit too potent. Aki and Sai began sliding like bars of soap through the muck, eventually crashing face-first into a muddy pool at the end of the slope.
As Aki emerged from the water with a stray frog sitting on his head, he sputtered, "Von... Master... please, never 'help' us again. We'd rather walk."
Rena couldn't contain herself and burst out laughing. "These are your companions, Von? A King and a crew like this?"
Von sighed deeply, looking up at the sky. "I ask myself that same question every single day."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Aki's stress level has reached 90%. Sai requires lubricant to be detached from the walls. Comedy Reward: +10 Luck points for everyone.]