Chapter 313: All Are Captured

Arthur’s gaze shifted slightly. It was subtle. Almost unnoticeable.

But the man beside him, the S-class mage caught it immediately. He gave a small nod.

Then, with a cold wave of his hand, he gestured to the mages behind him. “Move.”

Instantly, the figures waiting for order stepped forward. Mana fluctuations surged as spells were prepared. The air itself grew tense and heavy, like a storm about to break.

They were going to subdue them.

Rowan’s expression changed. “Everyone…..!”

But before he could finish….

A low hum in the air as it twisted.

A terrifying pressure suddenly descended from above. The ground beneath the intruders groaned. Cracks spread across the courtyard stones like spiderwebs.

Several of the mages staggered. Some nearly fell to their knees.

“G…. gravity?!” one of them exclaimed in shock.

Lilith’s eyes were glowing faintly. Rudeous had also raised his hand, sweat already forming on his brow.

Their magic overlapped. Two gravity fields stacked together.

The weight pressing down on the invaders doubled in an instant.

Even the S-class mage’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Damn these pathetic tricks! You think this is enough to stop us?!”

Meanwhile Rowan and Daliah moved at the same time. They didn’t even need to exchange a glance.

Lightning flared around Rowan’s body. Daliah’s mana surged, sharp and violent. Fire blazed surrounding her.

And Rudeous…

Rudeous stepped forward. At this moment, there was no trace of the gentle, fatherly man.

He had three elemental affinities. Fire, air and gravity. Not only that. He was a Tier Four mage too.

Maybe not a top genius. Maybe not one of the strongest mages of the kingdom. But he was not weak.

Alice could only watch with her pale face. She had only healing ability and her tier wasn’t higher either.

“Move!” Rudeous roared.

They charged. A bolt of lightning tore through the air. One of Arthur’s mages didn’t even have time to react before…

Bam!

The lightning smashed into his chest and sent him flying like a broken doll, crashing into the far wall in a shower of blood and rubble.

“Argh…!”

But the next moment….

Two figures moved at the same time. One raised both hands. Two earth shackles erupted from the ground and wrapped themselves around Rowan. Earth magic.

Rowan’s movements slowed, as if he had been plunged into mud.

At the same time…

Crack! A spear of ice slammed into his side and exploded into frost.

Cold spread instantly across his body, numbing his muscles and locking his joints.

“Tch!” Rowan tried to break free….

But it was too late.

Rudeous roared and hurled a blazing sphere of fire forward, crushing one mage directly.

Then a blade of compressed wind tore another off his feet.

But before he could follow up…

A fireball slammed into his back. Another spell struck his legs. Then his chest.

“Mr. Smith!” Daliah shouted.

“Honey!” Alice’s heart raced.

Rudeous stumbled.

Then three men rushed him at once. Chains of ice, compressed gravity, and binding earth magic wrapped around him.

He struggled. But he was forced to his knees.

Daliah and Lilith fought desperately.

Lilith’s gravity magic crushed one mage into the ground so hard that bones cracked.

Daliah’s attacks were sharp and ruthless.

But…

They were outnumbered. And Arthur hadn’t brought weaklings.

Not this time. He was fully prepared today. His group even had a strong healer too.

A blade of wind tore across Daliah’s side.

Lilith was struck by a lightning spell from the flank.

Moments later…

They were both slammed to the ground and restrained.

The courtyard… fell silent.

Rowan was pinned face-down into the stone, his body trembling with fury.

Rudeous was forced to kneel, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Daliah and Lilith were held down by multiple mages.

Rowan’s eyes were bloodshot. “Duke Arthur…” he growled through clenched teeth. “You will regret this.”

Arthur walked forward slowly. His face was twisted with hatred.

“Regret?” he sneered. “The days of regret ended long ago, Prince.” He looked toward the villa, his eyes burning.

“Now it’s Logan’s turn.” His fists clenched. “That damn brat… How dare he interfere with my family!”

His voice trembled with rage. “If not for him — everything would have been perfect! Mirena would still be the lady of the Smith Villa! Darius would become the next patriarch!” His eyes were almost crazed.

Rudeous struggled. “You….!”

But before he could say anything….

Footsteps echoed from inside the villa. The remaining men from Arthur’s group returned.

And with them…

Several members of the Smith Family.

Bound. Bruised.

And between them…

Mirena. And Darius.

They looked thinner. Tired. But they were not tortured. Not broken. Though they were in house prison, they weren’t tortured to the extent they deserved.

The moment Mirena saw Arthur….

“Father!!!” She broke free from the guards and threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. “You’re finally here… you’re finally here…”

Arthur held her tightly. His voice softened. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

He then looked at Darius and placed a hand on his head. “Grandfather is here. No one will ever hurt you again.”

Darius’s eyes were red. “Grandfather…”

The S-class mage frowned slightly. “We should make hurry and leave. Now.”

Arthur nodded sharply. “Take them all. We’re leaving.”

One of the mages hesitated and glanced at Rowan and Daliah. “Do we take the prince and princess as well?”

Arthur’s eyes turned cold. “We can’t leave them behind. If we do,” he said slowly, “someone will be chasing us far sooner than we want.”

His lips curled into a cruel smile. “Bring them too.”

Soon, everyone was taken away in carriages like captives.

Arthur had prepared everything in advance. Nothing was left to chance.

One by one, the carriages began to move, escorted by armed men on all sides. Chains rattled. The atmosphere was heavy and suffocating.

After that, Arthur and his group mounted their horses.

With a sharp command, they set off.

The horses neighed loudly as they galloped forward, their hooves pounding against the ground as the convoy disappeared into the distance.

The Smith Villa… was left behind in silence.

But not for long.

From afar, another horse was rushing toward the villa at full speed.

Dust rose behind it like a storm.

Riding that horse was none other than….

Ali Arkman.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep