Chapter 121 Taking them to see the prisoners

Chapter 121 Taking them to see the prisoners
Grand Elder Ragab straightened his fresh robes and forced a confident smile as he entered the regal reception room. Three powerful figures waited for him. Two women and one man. Their auras radiated strength that matched his own, yet he could feel their sharp senses probing every flaw in his weakened state. They had already noticed his aura was slightly weaker than usual.

Before Ragab could speak, the heavy doors opened again. His two wives entered gracefully, carrying trays of fresh fruit and fine wine. They smiled warmly and moved to offer the refreshments to the guests.

The first woman, Loraina, raised a hand. "We appreciate the gesture, but we came here on official business. You should know better than to interrupt a meeting between Grand Elders uninvited."

The second woman, Dalien, added coldly, "This is not a social visit."

Ragab quickly motioned for his wives to leave. They bowed silently and retreated from the room without another word.

"Lord Ragab," Loraina said smoothly once they were alone again. "What happened here? Your fortress shows signs of battle."

"All is well," Ragab replied calmly. "Some attackers from the Unseeing Faith Sect came to my tower. They tried to rescue their elders. My elite guards handled them without trouble and threw them into the dungeon. It was nothing serious."

Phillipus, the male Grand Elder, leaned forward with a serious expression. "What about the vault? I hope the treasures are still intact. These infiltrators might not have come only to free their elders. They could have been after the artifacts as well. After all, your fortress houses most of the important treasures and artifacts of the council. That would explain why they targeted this place specifically."

Ragab kept his face calm and lied smoothly. "I anticipated that move. The moment they arrived disguised as outer disciples of the council, I doubled the guards on the vault. They probably wore the uniforms of dead outer disciples and tried to sneak into my fortress under that pretense. But I saw through their facade immediately."

Loraina raised an elegant eyebrow, her gaze piercing. "If it was truly no trouble at all, then why is there so much damage? Especially on the second and third floors, and even inside the dungeon area.

Ragab's smile froze. How did she know about the dungeon damage? That destruction was not visible from outside. They stood in the regal reception room far from the lower levels. Had she been spying on him?

He recovered quickly and smiled again. "The prisoners tried to escape, but we suppressed them easily."

Loraina pushed further, her voice sharp. "If mere prisoners could damage the structure and nearly escape, then your dungeons must be weak and inefficient. How can you hold infiltrators if they cause such chaos?"

She leaned forward slightly. "How old are these infiltrators?"

Ragab hesitated for a moment. "They look to be around seventeen. Maybe sixteen or fifteen."

"So young," Loraina said with mock surprise. "And yet they caused all this damage? What does that say about the confidence in your dungeons? Perhaps you should not even have dungeons at all if they can escape with a bit more effort."

Ragab finally understood her motive. She was trying to discredit him in front of the others. She wanted to make him look weak and ineffective as a leader.

"I was a bit playful with the youngsters at first," Ragab explained smoothly. "Their youthful antics amused me, so I admit I was somewhat lax. A mistake I will not repeat."

The second woman, Grand Elder Dalien, spoke up coldly. "You decided to be lax with disciples from a sect that is our sworn enemy?"

Ragab was dumbfounded. Were the two women working together to undermine him?

He tried to lighten the mood. "Please, allow me to offer any entertainment before we proceed."

Grand Elder Dalien declined immediately. "We did not come here to make merriment. We came to understand what is happening in your fortress."

The male Grand Elder, Phillipus, stepped forward. His voice was deep and commanding. "We want to see these prisoners who caused so much damage to your fortress."

Ragab nodded. "Of course. Follow me. I will show you personally."

"Why not have your elite guards bring them here in chains while we sit comfortably?" Phillipus asked.

"First, you wanted to see the dungeon," Ragab replied. "Second, the way they are bound does not allow simple transport. These are very dangerous people sent by our sworn enemy. I am not taking any chances."

The group rose and made their way toward the dungeon. Their powerful footsteps echoed through the corridors. As they walked, the two female Grand Elders continued pressing him.

"The damage was very extensive," Loraina said. "Even the courtyard suffered greatly. How incompetent is the security of your fortress really? You knew they were infiltrators, yet it took you so long to apprehend and suppress them."

Ragab did not know how to reply at first. He remained silent for several steps before speaking. "I underestimated them," Ragab said carefully. "This experience has taught me never to judge by the innocence and naivety of youth. Beneath those young faces lies a cold and vicious nature. Much of the destruction occurred because several of them chose to commit suicide by blowing themselves up rather than allow themselves to be captured."

The three Grand Elders exchanged glances. The air grew heavier with tension as they descended deeper into the fortress. Ragab's mind raced. If they saw the prisoners trapped up to their necks and sensed how close he had come to losing control, his position as leader could crumble.

\---

Back in the dungeon, Vandal’s eyes caught a faint glint on the stone floor amid the earlier chaos. The jade-infinity crystal. Ragab had left it behind.
He closed his eyes and reached out desperately with his mind. The stone flickered with faint life. A weak connection formed.
"Flowell," Vandal sent urgently through the mind link. "Help us. We need you now. Please."
Flowell’s voice echoed in his head, sounding distant. "How? Tell me what to do."
"There is no time," Vandal replied, panic rising in his chest. "Think of something. Anything. They are coming."
He was no longer in his berserker form. He strained with every ounce of strength he had left, trying to shatter the hardened ground around him, but it refused to budge. The earth energy reinforcement was even stronger than before. Ragab had taken extra precautions after being injured.
Flowell hummed thoughtfully. "I will think of something."
Vandal’s heart pounded violently. Heavy footsteps echoed loudly in the corridor outside. The voices of the approaching elders grew clearer. The heavy dungeon door creaked loudly as it began to open.
They were out of time. There was nothing more they could do.
The door swung open. Ragab walked in first, followed closely by the three powerful Grand Elders. Their overwhelming auras flooded the chamber like a crushing wave as their sharp eyes fell upon the trapped group.