Path of the Extra Chapter 409: The Manhole

The appointed hour finally arrived. When Lumine and Yelena reached the designated spot, Lumine observed the small contingent already assembled: Prince Caleus and Princess Veronica of the Nebula Clan, Prince Azriel of the Crimson Clan, a solitary soldier from the Nebula Clan, and Sir Felix, a knight belonging to the Crimson Clan. The knight had apparently just returned from an undisclosed mission, which he was unwilling to divulge to Azriel due to the presence of individuals not affiliated with his clan. This, Lumine surmised, was the reason for his reticence.

Although the team was small, its members possessed considerable strength. Before Lumine could fully process their departure, they were already en route to the location where Jasmine and Celestina were believed to be held captive. Despite Azriel being the sole individual aware of the precise location, he obstinately refused to elaborate on his knowledge, repeatedly evading questions until Caleus, driven to exasperation, brusquely ordered him to cease his evasions. The animosity between the two princes was palpable, indicating a clear unwillingness to associate with one another.

However, Lumine's attention was far from focused on their interpersonal conflict. He was struggling to maintain any semblance of concentration. His mind had been in a state of turmoil ever since Yelena—who, even now, continued to cast him anxious glances—revealed that Azriel possessed full knowledge of the situation. How could this be? How did Azriel come to know? If his knowledge was indeed complete, why had he remained silent for so long? What ulterior motives did Azriel harbor? Could Azriel be truly malevolent? Was he a master strategist, plotting their demise, and perhaps the destruction of the entire world?

By the time their journey concluded, Lumine had managed to extricate himself from the labyrinth of his thoughts and turned his gaze to where everyone else was intently focused. They found themselves in a desolate, shadowed alleyway. Behind them, on the brightly lit street, the kingdom's citizens were still immersed in the festivities, the aroma of alcohol permeating the night air.

"Is this some kind of jest?" Caleus inquired, his expression contorting with disgust as his face grew pale. Azriel, however, merely offered a shrug, and their collective attention shifted back to the object before them: a manhole. Indeed, it was a manhole, and the noxious odor of dirt and sewage emanating from it was sufficient to induce nausea in half the group.

"Sir Felix, do you detect any unusual mana fluctuations?" Azriel inquired. Intrigued, Felix shook his head. "Why do you ask?" he countered, prompting another shrug from Azriel. "Just ensuring," was his simple reply. As the seal on the manhole was removed, the foul stench intensified, becoming almost unbearable.

"If they have been confined down there for several hours already, I doubt they would welcome a rescue," Caleus remarked dryly. To Lumine's surprise, Yelena nodded in agreement. Observing the hesitant expressions among them, Azriel sighed. "Proceeding forward and taking a right turn will lead to a back door, which opens into a house. Within that house, you'll find a basement containing the entrance to a tunnel. That tunnel should guide you to the captives' location," Azriel explained.

A collective gasp of stunned silence met Azriel's words. Unperturbed, he continued, "We should separate. Sir Felix, take the others and eliminate any perceived threats discreetly. Everyone here can assist in maintaining your concealment." Sir Felix narrowed his eyes at the prince. "And what will you be doing while we engage in perilous action, Your Highness?" he inquired, a subtle note of disdain coloring his tone. Lumine inhaled sharply, as did a few others; such insolence from a knight towards his prince was utterly unacceptable.

Yet, despite the blatant disrespect, Azriel's lips curved into a smile. Then, to Lumine's utter dismay, Azriel placed a hand on his shoulder. "Lumine and I will be descending from here," Azriel announced. "We shall create a diversion, providing you all with an opportune moment. And fear not, Sir Felix—I shall manage, for I am quite capable of handling matters."

A profound silence ensued, broken only by the howling wind, which seemed to convey a dire premonition, as if the very elements were warning Lumine of his impending doom. The knight and the prince exchanged icy glares for a moment before Felix finally stepped back and offered a bow. "I understand. I shall comply with your command, my prince," he stated, his voice now imbued with a newfound respect. For a fleeting instant, Azriel's smile intensified, turning colder, before it vanished entirely.

"Lumine..." Yelena whispered his name, briefly clasping his hand before releasing it. Lumine met her gaze, concern etched on his face, and she silently mouthed, *Be careful*. Lumine mouthed back. "Take care," she whispered, her words prompting a faint, warm smile from Lumine. "Very well. Let us proceed," Azriel declared casually. The others quickly moved to follow the route he had outlined, clearly eager to distance themselves from the offensive odor emanating from the manhole.

With noticeable reluctance, Lumine turned towards Azriel. Azriel's face was set in a diplomatic smile. He then stepped aside, gesturing expansively towards the open manhole with both hands, and declared, "Ladies first."

*****

A wave of revulsion washed over Lumine as he felt the foul water slosh around his feet, his face contorted in disgust and anguish with every step they took. Azriel, a lantern held aloft, led the way.

Compelled to break the silence, Lumine fixed his gaze on Azriel's back, pointedly avoiding the murky depths below. "So... you are absolutely certain it's wise for you to be the decoy?"

After all, Azriel hadn't shown any particular warmth towards any of them, and the feeling was mutual. Even the knight from his own lineage seemed to harbor no fondness for him.

Despite Lumine's apprehension, Azriel let out a chuckle.

The sound, hollow and echoing, seemed almost sinister amidst the sewer's dark confines, the only accompaniment the relentless splash of water.

"As if I would permit any of them to get anywhere near my sister or Celestina," he declared.

With a shake of his head, Azriel turned his face just enough to cast a look at Lumine as they continued their march. A wicked smirk played on Azriel's lips, sending a shiver down Lumine's spine.

"We are not the distraction, Lumine. No... *they* are."

"..!"

Lumine stumbled to a halt, compelling Azriel to do the same as he spun around, lantern beam cutting through the gloom.

"What!? But you said—"

"The path they will take leads to an alternative exit, one situated further from the two princesses we are tasked with rescuing. Nevertheless, it's a location guaranteed to draw significant attention, allowing us to effect the rescue unnoticed."

"N-No! What about Yelena!? If there are many powerful individuals present, she's far too weak to contend with them!"

"Calm yourself," Azriel interjected. "I discreetly passed a note to her earlier while the others were not observing. You needn't trouble yourself over your girl. She possesses the intelligence to find a secure location."

At Azriel's words, a wave of relief washed over Lumine, only for his heart to surge with a different emotion in the very next second.

A blush crept up his neck, unbidden.

"O-Oh... is that so..."

Clearing his throat a couple of times to mask his sudden embarrassment, Lumine pressed on,

"But... I believe I comprehend your strategy of deploying the others first... however, are you not on amiable terms with Sir Felix?"

He appended,

"It's just that, during the dinner... when you stood up, I sensed a certain... reluctance in his demeanor."

As if he harbored doubts about Azriel's intentions.

Azriel betrayed no surprise at the question, responding with practiced composure.

"My relationship with most of the knights serving the Crimson Clan is far from cordial. In fact, I can count on one hand, perhaps two or three, the individuals I genuinely get along with. The rest... well, they harbor no liking for me, and I see no point in reciprocating the sentiment towards those who already dislike me."

"..."

"Knights are typically bound by unwavering loyalty to their clan and sovereign. They pledge their oaths and carry a profound sense of honor. That is precisely why I find it challenging to truly connect with the majority of them."

Unable to suppress his burgeoning curiosity, Lumine blurted out the question before he could second-guess himself.

"Why?"

The instant the word escaped his lips, Lumine recognized his lapse in judgment and clamped his mouth shut.

Fortuitously, Azriel seemed unfazed. Instead, he replied with quiet deliberation.

"Because I am the unworthy prince."

"...Ah."

The sound was so faint, it was barely audible even to Lumine himself.

...The unworthy prince.

Indeed.

"There is also a specific reason why I selected you over anyone else from that group."

Perplexed, Lumine watched as Azriel indicated a narrow, precarious ledge flanking the tunnel. It was barely wide enough for comfortable passage, yet commendably free of debris for seating.

Azriel moved to the ledge and settled himself down. After a brief moment of hesitation, Lumine followed suit.

He heard Azriel release a soft exhalation before speaking.

"I observed your keen attention during the dinner proceedings. I surmise there is something you wish to inquire about... or perhaps convey?"

This time, Lumine did not falter.

He nodded, his voice steady as he replied,

"Yelena mentioned to me... that you possess complete knowledge."

No trace of shock registered on Azriel's features.

In a peculiar way, Lumine mused, he bore a striking resemblance to Vergil.

Both of them always carried an aura of knowingness, as if privy to all secrets.

"I understand," Azriel stated simply.

The lantern's diminutive flame wavered, casting the sole illumination between them, save for the faint, ethereal glow of the white marker hovering above Azriel and the green one above Lumine.

"That is correct," Azriel finally conceded. "I am aware of everything, Lumine."

Though the revelation should have been expected, Lumine's eyes widened nonetheless.

He needed to grasp the true extent of Azriel's omniscience.

Azriel answered, preempting Lumine's unspoken question.

"I know of your system, and its origins. I am aware of Yelena's exceptional talents, and yours as well. I am even privy to... your status as the Apostle of Life."