[Valeria PoV]
Accompanied by fifteen others, I began to enter the southern tunnel of this underground mine. The place was quite dark; we had to take turns using light magic to illuminate the path. We had to be vigilant for any traps that pervert might have prepared.
This place is incredibly narrow... We've walked nearly 200 meters inside, but we still haven't found the end of the tunnel. It's no wonder Princess Elena's group didn't have time to escape from the western tunnel when it collapsed earlier.
[Image: Map of the underground tunnels and the inner mine area]
After walking about 500 meters, we finally reached an exit. Before us lay a subterranean cavern featuring a small river that flowed deep into the complex.
"Pay close attention to your surroundings. If you see anything suspicious, report it," I commanded my group. We had to be cautious in this unexplored territory.
"Valeria, we've found a fork in the path!" one of my members shouted.
I approached and found three paths: left, straight, and right. Undoubtedly, the left path would lead toward the exit of the western tunnel, while the right path likely led to the exit of the eastern tunnel where Brian's group should be.
Is it possible Elena's group survived the collapse and is still near the western exit? Is that why they haven't returned—because their exit is sealed?
"We're taking the left path!" I ordered.
***
[Brian PoV]
"Hurry up! We can't linger here!" I barked at my group.
Currently, we were moving toward the eastern tunnel. This was the entrance furthest away from the Eagle and Griffon Clans' gathering point. After running for some time, we finally reached it. I saw the other members gasping for breath; they seemed quite exhausted from the run.
"Don't waste time! We have to find that cowardly Noble immediately!"
We entered the tunnel. I began to run as fast as possible to get through this cramped space quickly. I hated fighting in places like this.
"Wait, Brian! Don't go so fast!"
I turned around to hear the others behind me. They were lagging far behind. What is wrong with them? Do they really expect to become Imperial Knights and Mages with such weak stamina?
"Hurry it up."
After running through the tunnel for a while, I finally found the exit and saw a vast underground mining area. I looked back to check on the others.
"Cih, they're so slow!"
Not long after, they finally emerged from the tunnel. Several of them immediately sat or knelt, their breathing heavy and ragged.
"We're scouting this mine now," I instructed. "Stand up. Let's defeat that coward quickly."
We continued our journey through the mine. I heard the sound of rushing water; there seemed to be a subterranean river here. After exploring for a while, we reached a junction. I wasn't sure which way to go, but my instincts told me I'd find that coward if we went straight.
"Straight ahead!" I ordered.
We pressed on. At least this path wasn't as narrow as the tunnel we'd just left. Along the way, we found abandoned carts and mining tools. What exactly were they mining here?
Soon after, we rounded a bend and saw him. A hundred meters away stood a black-haired man wearing the academy uniform.
"I've found you, Raul!" I was itching to tear him apart.
"Oh, Brian, is it? How many people did you bring this time?" the cowardly Noble asked.
"It doesn't matter how many followed me here. I'm going to crush you with my own two hands!"
Yes... I'll break you for daring to kidnap Ariel from me! I'll turn your body into a pulp until nothing remains!
"Where are you keeping Ariel?" I demanded, my voice rising.
Ariel... she must be lonely and terrified, stuck with that cold, filthy man. But it's fine; soon, I'll rescue her from his clutches.
"Ah... Ariel, you say? The two of us have been having a rather good time alone together here," the coward said, giving me a satisfied smirk.
"Brian, do you have any idea how soft Ariel's skin and body are?" he asked.
Huh? What is he talking about? Hearing his words, I remembered hugging Ariel before our duel. But Ariel had looked uncomfortable because I did it in public.
"We've spent our time here, just the two of us, without a soul to disturb us."
The words coming out of that coward's mouth made my blood boil. I began to gather mana to activate Justice Spirit—the magic I used to defeat him in our previous duel.
"Have you ever felt those enchanting lips of hers?" the man asked, placing an index finger on his own lips. "They taste as sweet as... strawberries..."
He said it as if he were savoring a memory.
No way, no way, no way! He's lying! He's making it all up!
"Stop it... shut your mouth..."
Slowly, my heart was consumed by a peaking rage. For the first time in my life, I truly felt like... killing someone.
"Do you know the captivating expression Ariel makes when our lips meet?"
No! I don't want to imagine it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Ariel... she belongs only to me. I won't let any other man near her, let alone speak foul things about her!
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!"
I streaked toward him, my body enveloped in a golden radiance. The only thing in my mind now was killing that rotten noble and cutting out his tongue.
"Wait, Brian! Don't fight him alone!"
I ignored the warnings from the others and pushed even faster to reach Raul, who stood there with a satisfied expression after spewing those lies.
Seeing me charging at him, the man smiled, turned, and began to run.
"Coward! You can only run!"
I chased him relentlessly. I saw a bend and a cliff at the end of the path we were on. He rounded the corner, disappearing from my sight behind the rock wall.
"I won't let you escape!"
I put on a burst of speed and rounded the corner. However, as I cleared the turn, I was shocked to see Raul—who had been running away—suddenly lunging directly at me.
— Bam!
I blocked his punch with my hands. But because of his immense momentum, my body was shoved backward, sending me tumbling off the cliff.
— Splash!
I fell into the underground river. Its current was quite strong, and it began to pull me away from where I fell.
"With this, I can easily eliminate the members you brought, Brian."
I could faintly hear Raul say that from above.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
I fell for his trick again!
"You coward, Raul! Fight me fairly!" I screamed.
But the black-haired man only stared down at me coldly from the top of the cliff without saying a word.
***
[Valeria PoV]
After following the left path for about half an hour, we finally arrived at the area in front of the western tunnel exit. From here, I could see the massive landslide that had sealed the way out.
"Search the area. We might find Elena's group nearby," I instructed the others.
"Understood, Valeria. we'll report anything suspicious."
After giving the orders, I began searching for clues as to what had happened here. Near the tunnel exit, there were signs of a struggle. It looked as though two people had clashed and were sent flying in opposite directions by the impact of their respective attacks.
Hmmm... based on these marks, one person was thrown toward the center, while the other was blasted into a corner.
I walked toward one of the corners. Before long, I saw a blonde-haired woman lying motionless near the rock wall.
"Elena!"
I rushed over and checked her condition. Her body was covered in small blue spots.
"This is... Elena's magic circuits have been destroyed..."
Without magic circuits, a human cannot use magic. These circuits are the pathways through which mana flows freely. If they are destroyed, the mana they produce cannot move, and forcing it will only weaken the body.
"What on earth happened...?"