SUPREME AWAKANED SENSE-Chapter 61: Memories: Escape (20)

Lyra took out a small magic lantern that emitted a pale blue glow, just enough to light the way without drawing attention.

"Follow me silently."

The group entered the dark, narrow tunnel, the sounds of the alarm gradually fading behind them. Tilda and Tiffa followed Lyra closely, their eyes slowly adapting to the darkness.

"This way," Lyra whispered, her voice barely audible in the silence of the catacombs. "We must hurry. The guards will soon discover that something is wrong."

Tilda and Tiffa followed Lyra, their footsteps echoing in the tunnels. The air was heavy with the smell of death and decay, and Tilda could feel watched.

Lyra turned around, her face illuminated by a faint glow coming from a distant torch. "Looks like we have visitors. They must be the Emperor's shadows. I'm sure they haven't detected us yet. In any case, let's hurry up and get out of here."

The group continued to move forward in silence, their footsteps echoing in the tunnel.

"Lyra, where are we going?" Tilda asked, her voice low.

"We are going to meet the others at the citadel and then go together to a place not far from the Nefaria forest. Once there, we'll wait for Nox," he replied vaguely.

"Nefaria? Why on earth did they set up a base near that forest? Nox..." Tilda thought.

Tiffa moved closer to Tilda. "What about Nox?" she asked.

Tilda gritted her teeth. "I don't know where he is, but no matter his situation, he'll get out of it. He always has a plan."

Lyra looked at them, her face serious. "We need to focus on our mission. We cannot afford to get caught."

The group continued to move forward, the tunnels becoming narrower and darker. Tilda could feel the fear and uncertainty surrounding them, but she refused to give in. She had to be strong, for herself and for the others.

After running for a few hours in the underground passages, avoiding all types of obstacles, Lyra, Tilda, and Tiffa had managed to escape the imperial palace.

Once outside, they quickly changed their clothes before blending in with the city's inhabitants.

The group melted into the crowd, their faces anonymous behind masks and hats. Tilda felt a sigh of relief, but she knew their safety was fragile.

"Father, mother..."

"Get in. What are you waiting for," Lyra said, clearly displeased.

Tilda jumped, surprised by Lyra's voice. She looked around and saw that Lyra was already in the carriage. Tiffa was settled inside, and in front of her stood the coachman, who was next to the door with an encouraging smile on his face.

"Get in, Miss," the coachman said in a professional tone. "We have to leave, now."

Tilda nodded and quickly got into the carriage. Lyra closed the door behind her, and the carriage set off, blending into the city traffic.

"Where are we going?" Tilda asked, her eyes fixed on Lyra.

"I believe I already told you," Lyra replied. "We are going to Nox's citadel to meet his teammates."

Tilda nodded, feeling a mix of relief and worry. She had never imagined having to play dead one day in her life. Everything that was happening seemed unreal to her; if it weren't for the worry she had for her parents and Nox, she would have loved this situation.

The carriage continued to roll, the city streets flashing by outside. Tilda closed her eyes, trying to calm down, but her mind was racing. She thought about everything that had happened, about her father, her mother, Nox... Were they okay? Were they safe?

Tiffa's voice brought her back to reality. "Tilda, are you okay?" she asked, her gaze fixed on her face.

Tilda looked out the carriage window, the city streets flashing by outside. She felt a little calmer, but her mind was still racing. "Yes, I'm fine," she answered calmly before turning her head toward Lyra.

"What is Nox's situation?" she asked Lyra, her gaze fixed on him.

Lyra shrugged. "I don't know. He was arrested by the palace guards. No, let's say he turned himself in to the imperial guards after they accused him of having killed you. But he is strong and surely has a plan. So don't worry, he'll get out of it."

Tilda nodded, trying to convince herself that Nox was fine. She knew he was capable of taking care of himself, but she couldn't help but worry about him.

Tilda looked at Lyra, her gaze fixed on him. "He turned himself in to the guards?" she repeated, incredulously. "Why did he do that?"

Lyra shrugged. "I don't know, but I assume he has his reasons. Nox is an intelligent man, he knows what he's doing."

Tilda shook her head, trying to understand. "But why did he turn himself in? He could have fled, he could have..."

Lyra interrupted her. "Tilda, Nox is a man of honor. He did what he thought was right. And it is likely he did that to protect you."

Tilda felt a pang in her heart. She knew Nox was a man of honor, but she didn't want him to sacrifice himself for her.

The carriage stopped in front of the citadel gates, and Lyra got out. "We have arrived," he said. "Let's go."

Tilda got out of the carriage, her gaze fixed on the citadel gates.

As they got out, the doors opened, and a man welcomed them. "Welcome, Lyra," he said. "We were expecting you."

...

"Why, Your Majesty? This kind of dirty trick is not worthy of you."

The air was so heavy it seemed like it could shatter. The silence in the throne room, after Nox's sarcastic retort, was oppressive.

The Emperor, his cold gray eyes fixed on Nox, did not break eye contact. He slowly sat back down on his throne, a calculated movement that imposed calm on everyone present.

"No, Nox. Everything is fair, there is no dirty trick. It wasn't me who killed the princess, but you. In this empire, every man must assume responsibility for his actions; even I make no exception to this rule. Do you know that your act could cause a war between empires?" the Emperor said in a voice that carried effortlessly. There was a calculated hint of regret in his tone, a false sadness intended for the guards and Captains present.

"I must admit that your service was... admirable," he continued, a thin smile stretching his lips. "Closing an S+ rank portal is a great accomplishment for a Captain Guardian. Few people achieve it. You can be proud of yourself."

Nox was still looking at the Emperor who was speaking proudly.

"You're afraid, aren't you?"

"Yes, very afraid that one of my captains will be executed. Nox, if you haven't been executed yet for this assassination, it's because I believe in your innocence."

Nox smiled, an ironic smile. "You believe in my innocence?" he repeated, his voice low and hoarse. "That's new. I don't recall hearing you say that before, Your Majesty."

The Emperor looked at him, his face impassive. "I am a fair man, Nox. I do not condemn without proof. And I do not believe you are capable of such an act."

Nox laughed, a brief, bitter sound. "You know me so little, Your Majesty. I am capable of many things. But not of killing Princess Tilda."

The Emperor leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Nox. "Then who killed her, Nox? Who committed this heinous crime?"

Nox shrugged. "I don't know, Your Majesty. But I am ready to find out."

The Emperor smiled, a cold smile. "I don't doubt it, Nox. I don't doubt it."

The throne room was plunged into silence, the only sounds being the breathing of the guards and the crackling of the torches. Nox looked at the Emperor, his gaze fixed on him. He knew the Emperor was playing a game, but he was ready to play too.

"I am ready to cooperate, Your Majesty," Nox said, his voice low and hoarse. "But I want one thing in exchange."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "And what is that, Nox?"

Nox smiled, a cold smile. "I want the truth. I want to know who killed Princess Tilda and why."

"I see. I count on your cooperation, Nox. Sirius, take him to the dungeon," the Emperor ordered in an authoritative voice.

Nox stood up, his gaze fixed on the Emperor. "I see you haven't changed, Your Majesty," he said, his voice low and hoarse. "Always so quick to use force and manipulation to get what you want."

The Emperor smiled, a cold smile. "I do what I must do, Nox. And you would do well to do the same."

The guards approached Nox, their hands on the hilts of their swords. Nox looked at them, his gaze fixed on them, then turned toward the Emperor.

"I will find you to get the truth out of you, Your Majesty," he said, his low voice almost inaudible. "I thought that by turning myself in, I would hear the facts and get closer to the truth, but nothing. It seems I have wasted my time, but I will not stop until I can discover the truth."

The Emperor smiled, a cold smile. "I'm sure you will, Nox. I'm sure you will."

The audience was over. The captains began to leave one after the other. As for the guards, they took Nox away, leaving the Emperor alone in the throne room. He looked at the door through which Nox had left, his gaze fixed on it.

"He is dangerous. You plan to kill him, don't you?" said a voice behind him.

The Emperor turned toward the voice, his gaze fixed on a shadow that had just spoken.

"Yes, he is," he replied. "But don't worry. He's not going to the dungeon but to the slaughterhouse. I give you the freedom to kill him."

The shadow nodded, its gaze fixed on the Emperor.

"I will ensure it is done, Your Majesty," he said.

The Emperor smiled, a cold smile. "I don't doubt it, my dear. I don't doubt it."