Given his track record, that was the farthest truth anyone could come up with.
The furious man pulled him by the collar. "I tried really hard to deliver you unharmed, but you do not seem to like that." Reis was thrown back violently, his back hitting the ground with a thud.
The kitten hissed at the crowd, causing Reis to grumble. This thing didn't learn to run from danger as it seemed.
The angry man was ready to kick it away, but Reis pulled it back to his arm. Why must I take responsibility for you when I'm barely hanging by myself?
The counselor crouched. "A rat with a cat." Reis held his gaze. Up close, the disdain was no longer concealed. "Did I mention why you are still alive?"
He did. The counselor had made his intentions very clear. Someone out there had use for him.
"Owning you would definitely be so much trouble. He'd probably appreciate it if I made it so you cannot think of running ever again. Don't you think so?"
A chill ran down Reis's spine, and not the usual kind, that one, he knew too well. "Don't cross your limit, counselor."
The counselor ignored him and gestured for the henchmen. "Knife." What they called a knife looked like a medium-sized butchering tool to Reis. It wasn't pretty like swords and daggers used in the game. Just a sharp metal blade.
"A missing limb won't make much difference, right?"
It would. No matter how stick-like these limbs were, he needed them. Hello? Anyone up there? Mr Guardian? "I am listening."Don't you think you should do more than listen right now?
|The Guardian has permitted you to use the modified version of Insta Klean.|
Reis couldn't even frown this time. Is this how he was meant to suffer?
"Are you sure about that counselor? Aren't you worried you'll be caught if I manage to reach the palace?"
"Not at all. We'll make sure you never reach the Vidalian royal palace."
"Please help me. I'll give you offerings for the rest of my life."
"Is that so? You do not wish to use the gift and seek my help instead. I'll have to revert the gift in that case."
Yes! Just help me. I'll die if they actually cut off a limb!
"Fine."
|The Guardian has taken back the modification. Energy distribution has evened out.|
|Your mana paths are complete.|
The man approaching with the knife froze, eyes fixated behind Reis. The men behind fell to the ground in panic.
Trees in the clearing trembled as if something vast had stepped into the world. Reis felt the air shift. He felt the coldness spread through every inch of his being the moment the pain in his heart subsided. He saw the people before him who no longer paid him any attention.
An instant. It all happened in an instant.
The courageous, kidnapped from another world, ungrateful prince looked behind him, no longer stopped by a wire for a hand. He looked. Just like the rest of the crowd.
High.
And higher.
As far as his neck allowed without a sprain before finally meeting a set of eyes. Eyes that might as well be doors to hell.
"Still want to pull my hair out?"