Panther Lily strode purposefully down the palace corridor, his brow furrowed beneath his helmet. As a high-ranking member of the kingdom, he
Panther Lily strode purposefully down the palace corridor, his brow furrowed beneath his helmet.
As a high-ranking member of the kingdom, he harbored deep misgivings about the kingdom's recent plans.
His appearance clearly indicated that he was not human, but an Exceed, a being considered akin to a god in this world. However, he was currently a Fallen One.
A Fallen One was an Exceed who had broken away from the Exceed kingdom of Extalia and acted according to their own will.
Panther Lily had become a Fallen One simply for saving a severely injured human boy. For this act alone, he was banished from Extalia.
This incident had opened Panther Lily's eyes to Extalia's hypocrisy. He subsequently joined the kingdom and became a captain of the royal knights.
Panther Lily had long been aware of the kingdom's escalating military buildup and harbored significant concerns. However, as an Exceed, he couldn't gain Faust's complete trust; he could only offer suggestions.
But as a kingdom official, his primary duty was to loyally carry out the king's orders. Therefore, he would dedicate himself to eliminating the otherworldly visitors.
At that moment, Panther Lily saw a dark figure flash past in the corridor ahead.
An infiltrator! Panther Lily instantly made his judgment and pursued the figure.
The figure didn't run far but stopped, seemingly waiting for Panther Lily.
Panther Lily abandoned the idea of summoning guards and pursued the figure himself.
The figure weaved through the corridors, leading Panther Lily to a deserted corner. He stopped, turned to face Panther Lily, and removed the scarf covering his face.
"Your Highness!" Panther Lily exclaimed in surprise.
It was Mystogan, and the person he sought in the royal capital was Panther Lily.
They had met years ago; the boy Panther Lily saved was a young Mystogan.
Mystogan said, "Long time no see, Panther Lily!"
Panther Lily looked around, seeing no one else. "Your Highness, why are you here? I'll provide cover; you must leave!"
Mystogan shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, but I cannot leave. I've returned to change everything!"
"Change everything?" Panther Lily was surprised. "Your Highness, what do you intend to do?"
Mystogan said seriously, "I will change… no, I will save this country! Panther Lily, will you help me?"
Panther Lily looked into Mystogan's eyes and knelt. "I beg you, Your Highness!"
Mystogan helped him up. "By the way, Panther Lily, what about Drake?"
Panther Lily hesitated. "That man is a great pity; he, like you, wanted to change this country. He was too proud, and ultimately, he fell to betrayal."
Mystogan pondered. "Could he be our ally?"
"Absolutely not!" Panther Lily stated firmly.
Seeing Mystogan's confusion, Panther Lily explained, "Before, he could have been a reliable ally.
But after the betrayal, he fell into hell. He's a demon now; he can't help us!"
Mystogan remembered the boy he'd seen as a child—kind and gentle. What had happened to turn him into the demon Panther Lily described?
…
In the royal capital's prison, Byro carried a lantern, walking deeper into the dungeons.
Due to the Anima experiments converting life force into magic, most prisoners were used as test subjects. Most cells were empty.
In the dark passage, only Byro's footsteps echoed, extending into deeper darkness.
Byro reached the deepest part of the prison. Other areas had some light; this was total darkness. Only Byro's lantern provided any illumination.
The deepest part held only one cell, not barred, but sealed by a heavy iron door. A small air vent showed the door was at least a hand's breadth thick; it was unclear what was inside.
Perhaps hearing footsteps, the cell emitted the sounds of chains scraping and clanking against the stone floor. The chains were at least arm-thick; they were clearly afraid of the prisoner escaping.
Byro stood outside, silent.
The prisoner spoke. "I thought it was someone else; it's you, old man!"
Byro said, "You're as perceptive as ever."
"I smelled your decay from afar!"
Byro retorted, "It's you, you damned fool, who's rotting!"
A raspy laugh echoed from inside, like a hellish demon.
"Oh really? You still don't understand anything!"
Byro controlled his temper. "Enough! I'm not here to bicker."
The prisoner said, "I figured. No one would visit me unless something was wrong."
Byro ignored him. "Something went wrong; Earthland's Fairy Tail is in Edolas.
If you help His Majesty, he'll release you."
"Hahahaha! Old man, do you believe that? Release me? Would His Majesty sleep soundly?
Trust doesn't exist in this vile world; even comrades betray each other, let alone enemies!"
Byro remained silent; the man was a living example.
Byro didn't believe Faust would let this man go. Especially now; before, Faust knew what this man wanted. Now, the man was completely insane.
No one knew what an insane person would do.
As Byro said, he was only preparing; Faust wouldn't release him unless absolutely necessary.
Byro said, "Consider this carefully! Think clearly when His Majesty needs you; freedom is precious."
Byro left; the light disappeared.
Inside, the chained man sat up, his eyes opening—blood-red. He looked exactly like Drake, only thinner, and radiating a violent aura.
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