Chapter 230: THE SILENCE BEFORE THE TRAP

The carriage sped along the road toward its destination, the mountain region outside Aerundale. Despite carrying eight passengers inside, its spacious interior left no one feeling cramped. Its speed was impressive as well, hardly slowing for the rough terrain.

By Ali’s order, Elizabeth had prepared light snacks and food beforehand so they wouldn’t need to stop along the way.

Time passed quietly. Some dozed off, lulled by the steady rocking of the carriage, while others sat in silence, occasionally reviewing the details of their plan in their minds as the hours slipped by.

At last, after a long journey, the carriage came to a halt. One by one, they stepped out. Finally, Logan’s boots touched the ground. His sword hung across his back, gleaming faintly in the dim light. It was already dark by the time they had reached.

Ali pointed at a narrow slope covered in trees and bushes, leading toward the top. It was so narrow that it looked like it would allow only one person to walk at a time. “We’ll climb from this side. Let’s move.”

Without wasting a moment, the group began their ascent. The mountain path was slanted but manageable. In a few rougher spots, they had to crawl on hands and knees, but nowhere was the climb so treacherous that they needed ropes.

By the time they reached the top, sweat was streaming down their faces.

“Whew… finally,” Jasper muttered, wiping his forehead.

Emily was with them. She quickly cast a minor healing spell, restoring some of their lost strength. It wasn’t much, but every bit of it would matter here.

Then they pressed on, walking further until a small forested patch gave way to the edge of a cliff.

“This is the place, isn’t it, Noah?” Ali asked, wanting confirmation.

Noah gave a firm nod.

“Jasper, Oliver… you’ll remain outside. You remember your roles, don’t you? The two of you are responsible for blocking reinforcements, stopping anyone who tries to escape, and lending support if need.”

Ali repeated the instructions clearly, leaving no room for mistakes.

Both men nodded in understanding. And then without hesitation, Ali gestured with his hand, signaling the next phase. The two moved into position, disappearing into the cliffside shadows as the mission began.

They walked straight through the cliff face and vanished, as if the mountain itself had swallowed them whole.

A moment later, they emerged on the other side of the stone wall. Before them loomed an ancient, towering structure… sturdy, weathered by time, yet still imposing.

At Ali’s signal, Noah and Charles moved into position beside the twin doors.

Ali took the lead with Robert at his side. Emily and Logan stood ready at the rear.

With another sharp gesture from Ali, Noah and Charles pressed their palms firmly against the doors. Mana flared beneath their hands.

Bam! Bam!

Twin blasts of air erupted, shattering the heavy doors wide open.

Ali and Robert blurred forward in the same instant, streaking toward the guards stationed inside. The startled men barely had time to react before Logan’s gravity magic pressed them flat against the ground.

In the blink of an eye, all five gatekeepers were subdued.

Ali swept his hand, fiery chains bursting from his palm and coiling around the captives, binding them in place.

They didn’t waste time and pressed on. This time Ali and Noah took lead, advancing as vanguards at the front.

Their march brought them face-to-face with four more of the Third Eye Sect’s minions. But against two S-class hunters, they stood no chance. The fight ended before it even began, their foes dropped in an instant, overwhelmed without resistance.

“Let’s keep moving forward,” Ali said in a low voice.

So far, the group hadn’t encountered any real obstacles. Yet Logan’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“This doesn’t feel right. For a sect as large as the Third Eye Sect to be this empty? Where is everyone? By now, we should have run into at least a hundred of them.” Logan’s mind raced with uneasy questions.

Ali and Noah had noticed it too, but they remained confident in their plan.

Soon they reached a huge hall. Different doors lined the sides, every one of them, except one left wide open.

“What’s going on?” This time even Ali’s eyes narrowed. “Where is everyone? This is supposed to be the center… yet every door is open. That means there’s no one here. Is it because…” His words trailed off into silence.

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Their footsteps echoed in the vast emptiness, the sound unnervingly loud against the bare stone.

At last, Noah broke the silence. “Guildmaster, I think they already knew we were coming. Those few men at the entry… they were only there to confirm our arrival.”

Ali didn’t say anything. But his silence gave away his answer. He believed it too.

Suddenly, the only door that had stayed closed creaked open with a sharp sound. An old man came out. His back was hunched. He was moving slowly yet with confidence. A crooked smile hung on his face.

“If it isn’t the great Guildmaster of the Hunter Guild,” he said in a mocking voice. His words cut through the quiet hall.

Ali’s eyes darkened. “Lucas Rhys…”

The name alone made the air heavy.

Lucas’s eyes shifted past Ali and landed on the young figure at the back. His smile grew wider. “And you… you’ve grown so much. I have never seen you before, but I have heard plenty. It was impossible not to imagine the boy who shamed our sect again and again.”

Logan’s anger boiled over. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, and he leaned forward, ready to strike.

But Lucas only lifted his hand, a wicked smile curling his lips. “Before you rush into anything, boy… look at this.”

He tossed a small object across the floor.

It slid to a stop at Logan’s feet. A simple locket.

But the moment Logan saw it, his whole body froze.

It was Alice’s.

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