🟠 Chapter 47:
After we took down the Number Three, we continued to follow the path that the prince's necklace would lead us to.
Now that I was outside the carriage I could clearly make out the place — it looked like a rather grand hall: marble floor, a decorated ceiling, and ornate columns.
It felt like the headquarters of some fancy guild. There were stairs on the right and left. The necklace was with Haizen and he was the one who knew the way, but instead of climbing either staircase he said:
"The path leads to that desk."
He was pointing to a desk right in front of us — maybe the person who attacked me earlier works out of that desk. I tried to understand what he meant and why Elithius might be there.
"What do you mean the desk is where the necklace is leading?" I asked.
Before Haizen could answer, the Number Five spoke.
"There's a handle under that desk. If you move it the floor will open and lead you down to the gang's headquarters below."
So… the gang is underground! Honestly, I didn't expect that. Haizen, Number Five, gave thanks for the information
"Thanks, mummy, for that information."
As soon as we reached the desk gang members came down the stairs from both sides; they must have heard what happened.
"Who are you? Stop right there!"
I pulled out the orange-shaped grenades and threw them at them.
"You all need some vitamin C."
Direct hits from both sides — everyone who was coming down the stairs fell. Haizen himself was looking for the handle under the desk.
"Where is that handle… oh, I found it."
Before he moved it he told me, "Won't you take that lizard out of that stone?"
Oh right… Ryo — I almost forgot. But what's the point of him appearing here? Wouldn't the place be too cramped for him? Well, the best thing he could do was stand guard here after we go down below.
Other gang members started descending the stairs again.
"These people have breached the place — let's attack them."
They were like ants. I figured it was time for Ryo to make an appearance and put on a show for them.
I pulled out the stone that ejects things and aimed it so Ryo would come out right in front of them, but instead of Ryo, a disgusting, foul-smelling sock popped out — so foul that even our enemies recoiled.
"I can't believe this sock — it hasn't been washed in a century."
No, not now. You must be joking. I've taken it out of the stone twice; why, when we need him, does he refuse to appear?
The enemies were closing in on us. I tried again to get Ryo out of the stone.
"Oh come on, we need you, lizard!"
Finally Ryo actually came out and fell straight onto the enemies. He didn't do any grand display — he seemed almost unaware he had come out.
"Oh… I'm out at last. I thought I'd be stuck in there. What is this place — is this the gang's headquarters? It's so cramped."
I answered Ryo, who was full of questions.
"Yes, Ryo. This is the gang's headquarters."
The enemies were being crushed under Ryo's weight.
"Where did this giant lizard come from? Get it off us — it's going to crush us!"
Ryo, who realized belatedly that he was sitting on top of enemies, didn't like being called a lizard.
"Listen, you idiots — put this in your heads: I'm a dragon."
Then Ryo remembered his main goal in all this.
"Where's the prince? Where's the prince?"
"He's underground."
"Under what?"
"There's a passage that leads straight to the gang's headquarters beneath us. This is just a front to hide themselves."
Ryo said firmly, "Alright, then let's go there and rescue the prince."
Haizen replied, "You're far too big — can't you see? You'll stay up here and we'll fetch him ourselves."
Ryo felt disappointed, but there was nothing he could do.
"Alright, I'll rely on you to bring the prince. By the way, that person tied with that white ribbon —"
"He's Number Five."
Ryo was surprised at his appearance and wondered what we had been doing in his absence.
"What were you two doing while I was in the stone?"
Haizen answered, "Now is not the time to think about that. Fine, goodbye."
Then he moved the handle and a gap opened beneath Haizen and me, and we fell through it. We slid inside something like a metal tube; it was like one of those slides at water parks.
As we slid, we saw light below — it looked like we were heading straight to the gang's headquarters. I felt a bit anxious about what awaited us.
Before we reached the bottom, Haizen drew his sword, ready for any attack.
He would go out first since he was the first to fall.
When we reached the light and exited the metal tube, there was no one standing before us.
"Strange — I thought someone would be standing in our way as soon as we went down."
The place looked like an abandoned warehouse. We heard sounds behind us — a wall with a corridor. The necklace was leading toward there, as Haizen had said.
"We have to go through that corridor."
We entered and found ourselves facing an empty room with a closed door emitting a faint light. I asked the Number Five if Elithius was behind that door.
"Is the prince behind this gate?"
He replied calmly, "Yes. He is there — that's the final point anyway. But I doubt the two of you will be a match for them."
We approached the door and peered through its peephole. I brought my eye close to the opening and almost had it gouged out by a finger — Haizen noticed and pushed me back so I wouldn't get hurt.
The door opened and a girl with purple hair stepped out, wearing the same black suit that the Number Five wore. She must be one of the Numbers.
"What is this? Three insects trying to storm the place."
I asked Number Five if she was one of the Numbers like him.
"Number Five, is this a Number like you?"
"She is Number Four, and her name is Solto. She's extremely dangerous — be careful of her."
Solto? What a strange name, in a swift motion, before Haizen or I could react, Number Four snatched Number Five from Haizen's hand. She looked at him with a mix of pity and mockery.
"Ha ha ha — is that you, Brenty? Amazing. I can't believe these insects did this to you. You look pathetic."
So she knew he was Number Five… well, we had been loud, so of course she realized who he was. I drew my pistol thinking she might kill him, but she threw it aside instead.
"You don't deserve to be a Number — you never did."
Haizen drew his sword and motioned for me to continue onward.
"Go on. I'll handle her."
This was not the time for a solo show. I told him we should continue together instead.
"You idiot, this isn't the time for showing off. We'll go together."
"Don't worry — I'll be fine."
"Who said I was worried about you? I'm worried about my life. Do you think I'll take them on alone? Come on — let's move together, even if she stands in our way… oh, and you can keep her occupied while we move."
"You're really an annoying person."
That was the last step before we see what's behind the door and rescue Elithius.