Chapter 291: Golden Sword

Percival’s entire demeanor changed in an instant.

The dark aura vanished from his shoulders, and the frantic expression melted away. A cold smile spread across his face.

He kept his eyes on Lukas pinned beneath his boot, bending at the waist in a formal bow.

"Thank you, Young Master Sol," Percival said, his voice smooth and clear.

Sol laughed, the sound echoing across the cavern as he walked forward. His red ponytail swayed over his dark cloak with every step.

"Your acting has improved, Percival," Sol said, shaking his head. "I was almost convinced myself."

Across the stone floor, Akira, Melody, and Karrakas shifted into a wider triangle.

Akira raised her flail, her green eyes tracking Sol’s approach while keeping Percival in her peripheral vision.

Melody focused fully on Sol, her trust in Akira enough to know her back would be covered, while Karrakas kept his silver bow drawn, ready to snap an arrow in either direction.

Percival straightened from his bow, chuckling.

"It wasn’t difficult, Young Master," he said, gesturing at the three fighters. "I figured out their team dynamic after the first fight. They are too kindhearted to kill a man without a clear reason, so I used it to my advantage."

He nudged the glowing item on the ground with his toe.

"I knew they would hesitate if I played the victim," Percival continued. "All I had to do was stall them here and pin their leader until the rest of the Brotherhood arrived."

Sol stopped ten paces away from Akira’s group, his dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"You did a good job," he said, nodding in approval. "You delivered him right to us."

Percival smiled brightly, his shoulders dropping as he accepted the commendation. Then his guard dropped for a single split second.

Lukas did not hesitate. His fingers brushed his spatial ring and retrieved the [Monster Ball].

The moment it appeared before him, he activated it.

The sphere flashed, and the Spiked Turtle burst into the cavern.

Its massive bulk slammed onto the crystal floor, scraping against the walls and filling half the entire cavern.

Chaos erupted in the chamber.

Percival tried to twist away, but the beast was too fast. The Turtle’s jaws opened and clamped shut around his torso.

"Aaargh!" He yelled in agony as the teeth bit into his flesh.

His body squished like rubber under the force, but the beast gave him no chance to escape.

The Turtle thrashed its head, shaking Percival in its mouth while its teeth dug deeper into his ribs. His bone began snapping like wire.

Across the stone, Akira, Melody, and Karrakas dashed towards Lukas.

The seven Brotherhood cultists reacted instantly.

They activated their skills, with various forces and effects flying across the Turtle’s thick shell. Spikes shattered and fragments flew across the room, but the beast stood firm between Lukas and the attackers.

Sol did not join the attack. He took several steps back, watching the carnage with a calm smile on his face.

Melody slid across the crystal floor and dropped to her knee beside Lukas. She placed both hands on the glowing stone resting beside him.

She tried to lift it, but the [Item]refused to budge.

"Move," Melody grunted, slamming her palms flat against the stone. Then she activated [Soul Leech]. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Melody grunted as a massive torrent of mana surged out of the stone and poured directly into her body. Her veins flared blue beneath her skin.

The bright glow of the stone flickered violently as she sucked it dry.

Lukas felt the crushing force over his spine begin to lessen.

The pressure weakened by degrees, then disappeared completely.

The drained stone turned grey, then shattered into a pile of fine dust.

Lukas rose smoothly to his feet and snatched up his poleaxe.

And in that moment, right above the cavern, the air turned white-hot.

A giant blade made of golden fire descended from the ceiling of the cavern.

The flaming blade fell with speed, cutting straight through the Spiked Turtle from shell to belly.

Lukas felt his mental link to the beast snap in two.

The Turtle split down the middle, collapsing in two halves as hot blood flooded the crystal floor.

Silence filled the cavern at the sight.

Karrakas stared at the two smoking halves with wide eyes, while Melody froze beside Lukas, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.

Lukas and Akira were more reserved, keeping their cool despite the shock running through them.

To kill a C-rank Spiked Turtle in a single blow required extraordinary power.

Lukas stepped forward, placed his hand on the bloody carcass, and stored both halves inside his spatial ring.

Sol couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.

He stepped forward, and the seven cultists took a few steps back into the shadows, giving him room to move.

Lukas gripped the haft of his poleaxe with both hands, a frown on his face. "I remember you from the Le Fay banquet."

Sol laughed again, clapping his hands together.

"You have quite the memory," he said, grinning. "Most people forget faces way too fast, you know. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Young Master Sol of the Fated Brotherhood. Star of the next generation and future head of the Brotherhood."

He spread his arms wide, the red cloak flaring around his sides.

"I came all the way to this cave because you have something that belongs to me," Sol said.

Lukas held his ground between Melody and Akira. "What are you talking about?"

"The Fate Key," Sol said, his smile disappearing. "The prize from the conductor’s train game. It was arranged for me, all set up so I could claim it and fix my path. Then an unknown thief bypassed the puzzles and stole it out of the vault."

He pointed a finger at Lukas’ chest.

"You took what was mine," he continued. "You spent it, and you wasted it. But my master found a solution. He discovered a way to extract a fresh Key from a vessel that consumed one."

He dropped his hand to his side, his dark eyes fixing on Lukas.

"Which means you have only one choice," he said. "You die here, and I take your corpse back to my master."

Lukas’ eyes narrowed.

"And what happens if I say no?" He asked.