The helicopter cut through the sky.
Inside it sat Deku, Damyaan, and the Nicul Knife.
Suddenly the knife spoke.
"Yeah… there."
Deku and Damyaan looked down. Beneath them was a deserted land, and on the ground stood a small village.
"What village is this?" Deku asked.
"I don't know, milord," Damyaan replied.
"Whatever it is," the knife said, "Gisaane is here."
Deku nodded. "Land the helicopter somewhere at the corner."
"Yes, sir," the pilot replied.
The helicopter descended and landed inside the village. The moment it touched the ground, the villagers surrounded Deku and the helicopter.
"?!!"
One man stepped forward.
"Who are you? Why did you come here?!"
"I am the King of the Adhan Kingdom," Deku replied calmly. "And you?"
"I am Babu, chief head of this village."
"I see. I want to meet Gisaane."
"!" Babu's expression hardened. "Sorry, you cannot meet Gisaane."
The villagers immediately prepared themselves for battle. The atmosphere turned sharp and tense.
"I have permission from Babado," Deku said.
Babu stared at him for a moment. His tone was still dangerous.
"…Wait here. I will check."
Babu left while the guards stayed behind, watching Deku closely.
"…"
After some time, Babu returned. This time his tone was normal and respectful.
"I contacted Sir Babado. He really did give permission. I am sorry, King Deku, for this commotion." He bowed his head.
"No worries," Deku said. "So where is that Gisaane?"
"Please follow me."
Babu turned around and began walking. Deku and Damyaan followed him.
Soon they stopped in front of a clock tower.
"Wait a second," Deku said.
He walked toward a wall and pushed a stone.
A door opened.
But it wasn't a normal door—it was a portal door.
"Wow," Deku muttered. "If someone opened this normally, they would only see normal things. But by pushing that stone, a portal door appears."
"Yes," Babu replied. "Because the Empire's most dangerous beings are imprisoned in this prison. That's why. Now let's go."
Babu started walking toward it, but Deku stopped him.
"Wait. You don't need to come. Only me and Damyaan."
"…But?" Babu looked confused.
"This is personal. So you can't."
"…Okay. Then you may go."
"Thank you."
Deku and Damyaan walked toward the portal.
Behind them, Babu spoke.
"But remember one thing. Many dangerous beings are imprisoned there. So be careful."
Damyaan nodded slightly.
"Do not worry."
Both of them entered the portal.
Meanwhile Babu thought to himself,
Sir Babado… why did you give permission to the KING of another kingdom? What are you thinking…?
As soon as Deku and Damyaan passed through the portal, they arrived in a dark place.
They stood in a corridor.
Iron doors lined both the left and right sides. The walls were strong but dirty. Flaming torches provided the only light.
Deku took out the Nicul Knife.
"So where is Gisaane?"
"Keep walking," the knife replied. "I'll tell you."
"Okay."
They began walking.
After a moment, Damyaan asked,
"Milord, why didn't we simply destroy this village and search for Gisaane directly?"
"There are two reasons," Deku answered.
"First, we didn't know about the portal system. That's why I chose this method. If there was any secret passage, we would discover it."
"And second?"
"There are many other villains imprisoned here. If we had killed the guards and destroyed the village, those villains might have been released. That would interfere with my plan."
"I see…"
Then the knife suddenly spoke.
"Stop. This is the prison."
They stopped in front of a door.
It was made of black iron, and a faint purple light glowed from inside.
Damyaan opened the door.
Inside the room floated six purple magic circles in the air.
Below them sat a girl on the ground.
Her eyes were closed.
She had long black and white hair. Her hands were locked behind her back with chains attached to the ground. Her legs were also bound in chains.
Her body was wrapped in many ropes glowing with a lavender light, extending from floating frame-like structures in the air.
Deku walked inside. Damyaan followed him.
Hearing the footsteps, the girl slowly lifted her head.
Her ears were shaped like a mix of elf and dragon.
Then she slowly opened her eyes.
They were blue.
The moment her eyes opened—
A powerful pressure filled the room.
Damyaan was pushed backward and fell to the ground.
Deku was still standing, but he struggled to remain on his feet.
The Nicul Knife, however, was completely unaffected.
So this is the power of the evil fairy Gisaane…! Deku thought.
Hahaha… someone was right. Old is gold…
Deku forced himself to take one or two steps forward.
Suddenly the pressure disappeared.
Damyaan stood up again, and Deku returned to a normal posture.
The girl spoke.
"Human… who are you…"
Her voice…! Deku thought.
Her voice is so heavy. As beautiful as she is, her voice is just as heavy.
Damyaan stepped forward.
"This is milord—"
But Deku raised his hand, signaling him to stay silent.
Damyaan immediately stopped.
Deku then bowed slightly.
"My greetings to the evil fairy, Gisaane."
He sat down on one knee, like someone proposing, lowering his head.
"I am Deku, King of the Adhan Kingdom, and ruler of the undead."
"Undead…?" Gisaane murmured. "What do you want from me?"
Deku stood up.
"I want to free you from here."
Gisaane gave a faint smile, as if saying what an idiot.
"Obviously," Deku continued, "this won't be free. In return, you will help me conquer the mainland."
An evil, arrogant smile appeared on Gisaane's face.
"Idiot…" she said slowly.
"Hm? Did you say something?" Deku asked.
Gisaane looked directly at him.
"Did you know it's impossible? And besides… I don't have my feathers anymore. I'm not the same as before."
"I know, I know," Deku replied calmly. "I have an idea to free you and return your power."
"I am searching for the 12 Niculs."
Gisaane's eyes widened in shock.
"I already have one," Deku continued. "Once I gather three more Niculs, I will free you from here."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, Lady Gisaane."
Deku walked closer to her and sat down right in front of her face.
"I can free you from this seal."
Gisaane stared at him in shock and confusion.
Then she suddenly burst into laughter.
"Khahahahaha…! Okay… okay. If you really free me from here, I will grant your wish."
Deku smiled.
He stood up and began walking away.
"Thank you… Lady Gisaane."
"We will meet again… very soon."
Deku left the room.
Behind him—
"Khahahahaha…!! Khahahahahaha…!!"
Gisaane's laughter echoed through the prison.
Back in the corridor, Deku and Damyaan stood together.
"I actually want to know who is imprisoned in the last room of this prison," Deku said. "But this isn't the right time. We'll see later."
The Nicul Knife spoke.
"Hm… I can feel a very dangerous presence at the end of this corridor. A very strong killing intent."
"I see," Deku replied. "Then we'll check it later."
"Yes, milord," Damyaan said.
And the three of them left.
Writer Note
To free Gisaane, at least 4–5 Nicul Knives are needed. Deku currently has 1, so he still needs 3–4 more.
Let's see what happens next.
Anyway, did you enjoy the chapter?
If yes, comment your favorite scene.
Have a nice day—and sorry for the delayed chapter.