Chapter 188: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (52)

༺ Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (52) ༻

The world shook as the tunnel cried out.

Dust cascaded as the sturdy earthen walls began to fracture, prompting a hollow laugh to escape my lips.

“…What have you done?”

The question emerged as a menacing growl as my voice scraped against my vocal cords. Yet, Mitram responded with delighted giggles.

“A good hunter always lays two traps. Shouldn’t there be a backup plan to reset the game if things go awry?”

As she spoke, the tendrils of mana in Mitram’s grasp writhed before lunging forward.

Their target was the princess.

Reacting swiftly, I intercepted the advancing tendrils, but instead of dispersing, they coiled around my arm and climbed up.

Observing the knight and the princess still rooted in bewilderment behind me, I urgently bellowed out.

“I told you to run!”

“That’s right, it would be wise to flee…”

Mitram’s tone remained unnervingly calm, yet beneath the facade lurked an unmistakable thrill and madness, manifesting in an unnaturally wide grin.

“After all, this tunnel is on the brink of collapse.”

At her words, the knight’s complexion drained of color. It was all too clear what ending awaited those stuck within a collapsing tunnel.

Death.

Scrambling to her feet, the knight cast a hesitant glance backward as she turned to flee.

She seemed to have something to ask, but it was instead voiced by the breathless princess.

“S-Sir Ian…”

Her quavering voice betrayed remnants of her turmoil.

“What, What about you…? It’s dangerous. You-“

“Your Imperial Highness.”