Agoon as well as Tristan and Astrid who were under disguise were escorted by the elf noble as they made their way toward the palace, which was a short walk away from the lake. Tristan maintained his act of guard as he threw his gaze across the surrounding area, pretending to search for any possible danger. In the meantime, he also secretly observed the person who the Forlorn Prince tasked to escort them.

The one who escorted them appeared to be an elf noble, one that was known as the Yinto class. Tristan was confident that he could overpower the other party in one-on-one confrontation, but wasn't sure if he was fast enough to prevent the latter from calling for help. Therefore, he decided to keep his hands low and watch how things develop from now as one couldn't be too careful.

The group of four went through the crystal palace side entrance and headed into a staircase leading down to the basement. The place was swarmed with elven warriors as Tristan could see a dozen elves already from the side entrance to the staircase.

A bleak atmosphere immediately pervaded them the moment they entered the basement area. As they walked through the passageway, Tristan silently observed his surroundings. It was a 100 steps passageway, heading down into a gloomy basement with watery walls. The visibility here was very poor and almost non-existent if the torches on the wall were not present.

When Tristan's eyes reflected the condition of this place, a question popped into his mind. It was said that the Forlorn Prince took a fancy to Serene, then if that was the case, why did he put her into this kind of wretched place?

Not long after, the group reached a wide enclosed space with torches completely packed on the left and right side of the clearing. There were several cells where Tristan could see people being chained and locked. One of the cells in particular was making a loud thumping noise.

Quietly, Tristan reached his earpiece and whispered, "Chieng, can you still hear me? I need to know the details of this place and how many prisoners and guards are around."

Several seconds later, Chieng's voice was heard from the earpiece.

(10 prisoners locked in the area where you are, Master. As for the guards, there are 30 of them in the basement and hundreds above the ground on the first floor.)

Hearing the number, Tristan couldn't help but be surprised. "That many?"

(After all, this is a royal palace, Master.)

Tristan frowned when he understood the situation they were in. He has contingency plans prepared for this operation.

Plan A was to rescue his wife by the use of diplomacy, which failed due to the Forlorn Prince's insistence.

Plan B was to sneakily break her out of the place she was detained

Plan C was essential to gather detailed information about the situation first and return later with better preparation.

looking at the current situation, where the place was heavily guarded, it seemed they had to eat the bitter taste and chose Plan C.

The noble who escorted Tristan and the others finally stopped in his tracks when they almost reached the end of the place.

"Here she is. You can see that she's alive."

Tristan and the others were greeted by a huge steel door with a small window that could be opened. Seeing this door, as well as the others made Tristan couldn't help but remember about his pathetic life in the prison. Hence, he became even more worried about Serene.

Agoon, as the envoy, was the only one allowed to check Serene. After looking through the small window, he secretly nodded towards Tristan.

Now, the next step he planned to do was to talk with Serene. However, in order to do that, they needed to somehow handle this one elf noble. Still, unless he was sure that he would be able to take Serene out safely and smoothly through Plan B, harming this elf was a no-no choice of action.

Therefore, Tristan could only resort to the best and most effective technique he knew in his repertoire. He took a deep breath and walked toward the elf noble while hoping this plan of his would work.

"Excuse me, sir.." said Tristan as he took out a bag from his pocket, which made the said elf alarmed.

The other party was about to reach for his weapon when he caught a glimpse of the contents of the bag. The moment the elf got a closer look, Tristan could see his eyes glistening with desire.

What Tristan took out was a bag full of spirit stones, the one that he took from the deceased elder.

"Please, sir. We hope to have some privacy with the prisoner." When Tristan noticed the hesitation in the elf's eyes, he immediately continued, "Just for a few minutes, sir. And this bag will be yours."

Even though he could still see the elf hesitated, Tristan knew this was a good sign and quickly added, "Please be kind, sir. Look, there are only three of us here, and what can we, human weaklings, do to your esteemed being? It's only a few minutes, sir."

The elf hesitated for a few more seconds before he eventually took the bag in secret and walked away.

Tristan smiled when he saw his plan was working. Looked like this special technique worked on any intelligent being.

Even though his heart hurt a little seeing the bag went away, it was a necessary sacrifice for their venture.

Without further ado, Tristan dashed to the door and took a peek through the window. There, he saw the back of a blonde-haired girl. Because Serene was facing away from the door, Tristan quickly called her.

"Hey, beautiful princess. Come here now" said Tristan with an authoritative tone while mimicking the Forlorn Prince's voice.

Tristan's words were immediately responded with a loud curse from the beautiful figure. Upon hearing that, he held his laughter and secretly snickered.

Although it was fun to tease the girl, they, unfortunately, didn't have much time to play around.

"Serene.. Wifey.. It's me, your lovely husband?" said Tristan in a teasing tone.

He could see Serene's body jolt when she heard what he said. She quickly turned her head and immediately jumped for the door with a look of joy and surprise on her face.

"Tristan?! Is this really you!?"

A mischievous grin escaped and plastered on Tristan's face as he said, "Aahh, you are so happy to see me, aren't you wife?"

In an instant, the look of joy on the blonde's face was replaced by irritation.

"You! ...Huh! The choice that I have is between you or the cockroach on the wall. So yes I am happy!"

Hearing the half-hearted attempt to beat him, Tristan couldn't help but laugh at his wife's silliness. "Hahah, wifey, your sense of humor is still good. So I can assume you are alright?"

Serene was about to respond to Tristan when she suddenly stopped for a second.

"What's wrong?" asked Tristan, worried.

"What are you doing here? Did that bastard Janus let you see me? It can't be!"

Tristan inwardly heaved a sigh of relief when Serene just puzzled as to why he was here. He smiled at her and said, "No, wifey. I come here to rescue you."

"What?!" exclaimed Serene in shock. "How.. who.. Is my mother here? Or Callan?"

Deep frown appeared on Tristan's forehead when he heard Serene's words. "What the hell?! I came to rescue you. Me! Not those two!"

Instead of trying to calm his annoyance, Serene said, "Tristan, you are insane! How are you going to do that?!"

"I just sneaked my way in.. I had some plans beforehand, but I am not so sure now. There are just so many guards here. So, any ideas? After all, you have been here for quite some time."

"No… I have none. Tristan, don't be stupid. Janus is not like any other elf.. He-he's very strong! So, just leave me here."

"Yes yes. wifey, I just need to see that you're alright. I promise I will come back for you."

Serene realized that Tristan had selectively ignored her words and was thus speechless because of that. "Just call my mother, she's the one who can help me."

Hearing that, Tristan showed a pained expression. "Aaahh, wifey, you still doubt me? Remember what I said earlier? You are mine now, so you are my responsibility."

Serene turned quiet when she heard that, and shortly after, spoke while gritting her teeth. "Just worry about yourself with that purple hair bitch!"

Tristan was immediately reminded that the last time they talked was when Herrera declared that she wanted to sleep with him. With an awkward expression on his face, Tristan said,

"Seriously? Are you still thinking about that now, wifey? "

Serene inhaled a deep breath, calming the anger inside her, and said, "Just go, it's too dangerous here. If you want to save me, go find help!"

"Alright. Take good care of yourself, wifey," replied Tristan, who once again ignored the parts about getting help.

Tristan was about to leave when he suddenly saw the side of Serene's face hidden by her hair. There were bruises there, and anger suddenly exploded from him.

In a voice colder than the abyss itself, Tristan said, "Serene.. Your face.. Did he hit you?"

Goosebumps ran all over her when Serene heard Tristan's words. Even so, she didn't answer and only said, "That guy is trying to use me as a way to blackmail Vanyar. He won't really hurt me."

Hearing her words and looking at the bruises on her face, Tristan fell into a state of eerie silence.

Then, when Serene was about to nudge him, he suddenly said, "No! You are coming with me. NOW!"

Tristan hold the door handle with both of his arm and cast a spell

[Heat Touch]

In an instant, the hinges of the door melted.

"I will not let anyone hurt you!"

There was no turning back now.

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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,