Chapter 342: Fight in the Dungeon

Lesezek sat in the council room. Servants slowly strolled in with trays of food and carefully laid them before him after he had moved his documents. Looking at it, Lesezek could help but finally feel hungry and broke a piece of bread, dipping it into his soup. A small smile spread on his lips from its taste as he let himself indulge in the meal, enjoying every bite.

Konrad ran through the front gates of the Palace. The guards gave him strange looks, never seeing the man rush so quickly. Getting to the front door, Konrad kicked it open and ignored everyone looking at him. His eyes darted around, trying to find a worker he didn’t recognise. Rushing up the steps, he hoped she wasn’t too late.

Lesezek ate the final vegetable in his soup, sipping the water in the bowl. With a satisfied groan, he grabbed the plate of meat and veg. Stabbing his fork into the large cut of beef, he aggressively cut into it, breaking off a large piece. Scooping some veg onto the fork, he stuffed it into his mouth, enjoying every bite.

Konrad ran up the steps to the third floor. "Is that His Highness’ food?" Konrad saw a servant walking past with an empty tray. The maid nervously nodded, and Konrad clicked his tongue, running even quicker.’Shit. Why was my order not handed down? I said no food.’Konrad wasn’t stupid when meeting Horace. he had specifically ordered that no food be given to Lesezek until he returned. Why it had been ignored, he didn’t know.

Using his bread to clean up the final bits of blood on the plate, Lesezek looked at the small party in front and smiled. Grabbing a new knife, he cut a piece off. Scooping it up with a fork, he spread some cream onto it. Putting it into his mouth, the door flew open, shocking him.

Accidentally swallowing, he slammed his fist on his chest and forced the food down. "Konrad. What ar.." Konrad ignored him and went over. Grabbing Lesezek’s face, he frowned.

"Forgive me, your highness." Konrad forced his mouth open and shoved his fingers down the man’s throat. In a second, the table was covered in the undigested food as Lesezek coughed, unable to stop himself from throwing up again. Konrad quickly fell to his knees. "I couldn’t take any risks."

"What... What are you doing?" Lesezek said, trying to breathe again. Konrad lowered his head deeper.

"Your food was not meant to come until I returned. The order was not passed along. The Underwell. He’s in Tourn. I suspect he came here. Has any servant approached you?" Konrad asked with a rare panic, and Lesezek looked at him suspiciously.

"No. Only the maids." Squinting, he stood up and over Konrad, "Why is the Underwell alive if you met him. And where is Aleksander?" Konrad bit his tongue but nodded.

"The Underwell was prepared. As for Aleksander, he was taken hostage to allow Horace to escape."

"You let Aleksander be taken and couldn’t even kill him." Lesezek fist slammed into the table as he took a deep breath not trying to kill the kneeling man, "Fuck of Konrad. Kill him. Or you won’t have any purpose in the future."

Konrad lowered his head again, his hands scrunching his trousers. "I understand your Highness." Getting up, Konrad turned around and left. Lesezek looked down at his desk, covered in his vomit, and groaned.

"GET A MAID IN HERE!" Konrad heard the call from behind and stood to the side watching the servants who were summoned. Recognising them all, he carried on.

Konrad walked through the halls, looking at every guard, servant, and anyone else. He knew all their faces, but most importantly, he knew Horace’s now.

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’I have Oskar. Only one thing left to do.’Horace looked around. He was sure that by now, Konrad would have arrived in the palace. Horace’s eyes hardened thinking about the man. Out of everyone in the Commonwealth, he was the most annoying for the Empire. The most dangerous if kept alive.

If he escaped after the war, Horace was sure the Empire would never rest easy. He had the money, knowledge and power to worm his way up in another Kingdom or Empire. Konrad would be the main threat from the Commonwealth and had to be dealt with.

’He’s like me. And like me, my first target would have been the Prince. Make sure he was fine. Based on what Ada said, Lesezek is an angry and vengeful human. My poison would set him and he would definitely order Konrad to get me.’Horace smiled to himself,’He’s coming for me. And I doubt he would want anyone else involved.’

Horace walked around. He needed to get Konrad somewhere alone, and there was only one place he could think of. Going to the lowest level, it didn’t take long for what would be the entrance to the Palace dungeon. It was the only place with a different door, guarded by royal guards.

Going over to them, Horace wore incredibly cold eyes. Fixing the gloves on his hands, he rested his hand on his heart and bowed. "He has sent me here." The guards looked at one another and analysed Horace. "He wants the intruders prepared for him." Horace leaned forward. "Someone tried to assassinate His Highness the Prince." Whispering, the guards straightened their backs.

"Go and confirm." One of the guards nodded and ran off as the other watched Horace, not letting him in until they got confirmation.

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Konrad looked at Oskar’s door and frowned.’Maybe.’He didn’t doubt Horace might come and try getting Oskar one final time. Putting his hand on the door, he listened carefully but couldn’t hear anyone talking.

"Sir." A guard called out to Konrad and lowered his head. Despite not having a noble title, Konrad was treated with respect. His hand held the doorknob, but he stopped and looked at the guard.

"You should be at the dungeon?" Konrad frowned and looked at him. The guards didn’t flinch and nodded.

"A servant claims you gave him permission to enter." Konrad paused but smiled, his angelic smile blooming.

"Is he still there?" The guard nodded and Konrad finally let go off the door knob. "Lead the way." Konrad slowly followed behind.’To summon me yourself. The Underwells are really arrogant.’Despite that, Konrad felt excited. He knew he should tell the guards to capture Horace, but a part of himself wanted to do it. It felt like his final test. To prove he was better than them.

Konrad carefully counted the poisons on him and fiddled with the hidden blade he had in his sleeve. Whilst he would have preferred to have his sword, he knew that he didn’t have time. Konrad went down the steps and, walking through the Palace halls, he saw Horace waiting outside the dungeon.

"Let us in." The guard nodded and unlocked the door. Horace let Konrad in first and followed behind, closing the door behind him.

"I’m surprised you came." Going down the dark steps, Horace started talking as if Konrad were an old friend.

"This is stupid." Konrad didn’t disagree, making Horace chuckle. "I should tell them who you are. You would have no way to leave that way."

"So why didn’t you?" Konrad opened the second set of doors. An overwhelming smell of blood, decay and filth hit the two, but neither showed a change of expression, having become accustomed to this scent.

"The Underwells." Konrad spoke with a jealous tone, "I have studied you for so many years—the way you live, the way you act. I have tried to become you. But I can never be better than your family unless I beat you. Every time I lose, I don’t want to lose again. I want to prove I am better than you. I surpassed you."

Horace laughed and shook his head. "Jealous." He paused, "No, it’s not that. It’s closer to obsession. You’re an idiot. Do you know why I made such an open invitation to you?" Horace flicked his sleeve, his hidden blade falling into his hand.

Konrad did the same, letting his drop. Jumping forward, he turned and readied himself. Horace clicked his tongue and stood perfectly still, watching Konrad’s micro movement. "Because I knew you would accept." Horace continued, "You’re predictable, but dangerous."

Horace moved forward, his blade aiming directly for Konrad’s heart. Slipping to the side, he avoided the blow and stabbed at Horace’s abdomen. Using the dagger in his other hand, Horace knocked it away and jumped back.

Moving forward, Konrad threw a faint from the side, quickly changing to a frontal attack. Horace jumped back, slashing across and cutting Konrad’s hand a little. The attack didn’t stop despite the small wound, and the dagger kept flying through the air, cutting across Horace’s side.

Both only let out a small groan and ignored the pain. Staring at one another, they slowly got their breath back. "That’s the thing about war. Places that are usually impenetrable become easy to infiltrate." Horace stopped talking and touched the wound on his side. Feeling shallow, he moved again, his left hand attacking from below, causing Konrad to back up. In a swift motion, using the knife in his right hand, he aimed for the neck. Kornad swung, hitting the dagger away. With his guard gone, Konrad threw a swift kick into Horace’s stomach.

Being pushed back, Horace showed slight discomfort on his face, but focused on the opponent in front of him. Konrad didn’t hesitate and went forward. Grabbing a vial of poison from his pocket, he unscrewed the bottle and threw it at Horace.

Horace had been watching his other hand and seeing him pull it out, dove to the side, not caring about the disadvantaged position it would put him in. The liquid flew past, and Konrad dropped the vial, leaping on Horace.

Crossing his daggers over his face, he kicked in the air, hitting Konrad in the chest. The dagger missed its target and stabbed into Horace’s shoulder. "AHHH!" Horace cried out, but the desire to live forced him to roll backwards and push himself up on his feet.

"You don’t fight much. Konrad said with a breathless tone. "It’s obvious."

"Why bother?" Horace took a deep breath, masking the pain as best as he could. "I’m not a soldier."

Konrad scoffed and, taking a deep breath himself, moved forward again, throwing attack after attack and pushing Horace onto the defence. His arm was weak, and it was obvious by how many attacks managed to slip through. Although none were deadly, the wounds built up.

Horace looked around. It was a small room. Knowing the wall was behind him, he slowly backed up, making it seem like he was being forced back. Konrad saw it and increased the intensity of his attacks. A few more attacks broke through, cutting at Horace’s as his back touched the wall. Konrad reached into his pocket again, and Horace saw his chance.

Deflecting the dagger away, he stabbed at Konrad’s left arm. It forced him to dodge out of the way, allowing Horace to quickly slip past and turn the tables on Konrad. Now with his back to the wall, it was Konrad’s turn to dodge the fury of attacks thrown at him. Both men were breathing heavily, using everything not to die. Horace felt like his arm was about to fall off, but he ignored it, fighting with everything he had.

Aiming for Konrad’s neck, he forced the man to deflect the attack away. In that opening, Horace stabbed at the pocket holding Konrad’s poison. The sound of glass shattering echoed in the dungeon, and Konrad quickly felt his side going wet. His face finally lost its smile.

Horace didn’t hesitate in that small moment of confusion. Throwing a barrage of attacks at the damp patch on Konrad’s clothes, Horace watched as Konrad’s face fell with each successful wound made.

In a desperate attempt, he threw a punch at Horace. Not expecting the attack, Horace was knocked back. Konrad tried to move forward, but a wave of lightheadedness assaulted him. Stumbling, his attack next flew past Horace.

Hitting down on his arm, the dagger fell from Konrad’s hand. Kicking him to the ground, Konrad tried to push himself up and crawl towards his dagger. "If you put the poison on your dagger before this, I would have been dead." Horace breathed heavily, his voice shaking from the pain as he leaned over Konrad’s back. Grabbing the back of his hair, he revealed his neck, "I lied. I have had training."

"I know," Konrad said in annoyance, realising too late. He could tell Konrad’s arm was giving out, but the poison was already spreading in his body. He had no strength to fight back. "Get it over with."

Horace smiled and put one of his daggers to Konrad’s throat. "If it makes you feel better, my father was wary of you." Without waiting for a reply, Horace plunged the dagger into Konrad’s neck and cut across. Letting go of his hair, he collapsed onto the floor, finally acknowledging the pain. "You shouldn’t have focused on your poison." Looking at the body, Horace sighed and took his blazer off.

Walking over to a torch hanging on the wall, he slid down it and sat. Holding one of his blades in the fire, he waited for it to go red. Picking up his blazer, he stuffed a sleeve in his mouth and bit down as hard as possible. Placing the knife on his wound, every vein popped from the overwhelming pain.

Pulling the dagger away, he cut off a sleeve of the blazer and tied it around his arm. Finally, after taking a deep breath, Horace closed his eyes and allowed himself to get accustomed to the pain.