Since Alex and Blake escaped and word of it had already spread to the King, he obviously demanded an explanation from the Council and of course the head of the Council had to reveal about the stone in Alex’s possession. As a result, the royal forces were also sent this time around.

Seeing as how there was no response from Rose, Renardo became a but suspicious.

“What is it, Captain? Was I not clear in my words?” He asked in a cold tone.

Hearing this the Captain of the task force moved his hand to the hilt of the sword hanging by his side and so did the other members. This action did not escape the Renardo and other generals. Just when it seemed that a fight was about to break out footsteps were heard not far away. As soon as everyone turned in the direction of the sound, they found Blake handcuffed and being escorted by the soldiers. There was also Captain Gale laid on a stretcher by a medic team which had arrived with the generals and other captains.

However, not getting distracted for more a few seconds, Renardo once again set his sights on Rose and the task force.

Renardo, “It seems we aren’t on the same page. I suppose a stricter app—

“Wait!”

It was Alex who stepped forward interrupting Renardo.

“I cannot hand the stone over to you.” Alex said averting his gaze.

There were whispers among the soldiers and captain’s questioning whether they had heard right. They wondered whether he was unaware of the how this world worked and found it somewhat understandable since he was ignorant of the rules. They had never seen an instance of someone outright rejecting a general’s demand.

“Hm? And why is that?” Renardo asked.

‘Alex what are you doing?!’ Rose thought to herself as she shot him an irritated gaze.

Alex simply replied with a slight smile towards her.

“The reason being, that I have formed a bond with this stone of fate. No matter how hard I try, neither you nor I am capable of separating myself from the stone.” Alex explained.

A moment of silence ushered followed by loud gasps.

Even Renardo had wide eyes full of surprise.

“Prove it to me then.” Renardo demanded.

As asked Alex quickly took out the stone and held it in the palm of his hand. Renardo stretched his hand forward with the intention to snatch it away but as soon as his hand was about to make contact with the stone it was repulsed by an electric spark.

Every single person present were shocked after seeing what happened. Even those who were privy to this information couldn’t help but be surprised. All of them had good education about their world’s history and the legendary treasures that each Kingdom holds.

“I see… if that is the case then I ask you to come with me, we’ll try to find a way to severe your bond from the stone.” Renardo said after arranging his thoughts. It didn’t matter if Alex had a bond with the stone, his orders were absolute and he had to secure the stone.

“I am afraid I can’t co-operate with you on this.” Alex said as he slowly began to walk away from Renardo.

As soon as this statement left Alex’s mouth all those present were once again shocked by Alex’s behavior. If earlier they thought his ignorance justified his behavior, it wasn’t the case anymore. Now they all thought of him as purely foolish!

The general furrowed his brows in confusion.

“What do you mean by that?!” Renardo asked in a threatening tone.

“Alex…” Rose muttered just as confused by his actions.

 “How can I hand it over to you when I have decided to destroy this cursed thing!” Alex stated in a loud voice ensuring that everyone heard it.

“Oi! You bastard! That’s not your property!”

“Yeah! Watch how you talk in front of the general!!”

Threats and criticism flew Alex’s way, angered by his statement.

“Then you give me no choice kid, I’ll try so it doesn’t hurt!” Renardo said as he began to raise his hand clearly about to release a spell.

The task force also got ready to counter. They were after all also on a mission to save Alex.

But there was someone quicker than either of them as a bright grey light suddenly flashed in the sky blinding everyone.

“Huh? Ahhh!” A cry of pain sounded which was soon followed by the sound of an all too familiar engine roaring.

The flash lasted for a few seconds before it was over.

As soon as the bright light vanished, Renardo quickly took a look at his surroundings and only to find one of the soldier’s fallen from their prexa.

He quickly followed the noise of the prexa and saw a that a few kilometers away Alex was running away on one.

The captain of the task force ordered his team to stall the royal forces but Renardo was one step ahead. He and several other generals had already taken after Alex while all the captains and remaining generals had surrounded them.

“Not so fast you Council folks!” One of the Captains said drawing his sword against them.

“Tch… this’ll take too much time!” Rose said in frustration as he saw the disappearing figure of Alex in the distance before it was covered by the sight of soldiers in front of her.

“Stay still!”

“Don’t move!”

Two soldiers thrusted the back of their spears on Blake’s back and pushed him to the ground. After all he was the one who had released the flash just now.

Blake grunted in pain before recalling back to the moment before they were free from the cuffs.

***

“If we are surrounded once again and I am to be caught as a last resort help me and create a distraction for me.” Alex whispered to Blake before pushing him away for Gale and Azmiel’s spells to break the cuffs of their chains.

***

At the time Blake didn’t understand his words completely. But the moment when Alex began to walk away from Renardo Blake had noticed. He also noticed the subtle nod asking for the distraction. It was something that only Blake could understand after having fighting alongside him for weeks. As for why he helped him, it was his way of saying that now they were even. If it weren’t for Alex, Blake would have long been killed by Gale.

‘This is all I could do for you hu- Morgan… don’t get caught now…’ Were Blake’s last thoughts before he lost consciousness.

‘Thanks Blake… now if only I can outrun them…’ Alex thought to himself as he raced the Prexa as fast as he can. He had seen Blake fly it a couple of times by now and had a decent idea about its controls.