The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 287: Plan: Part Three

Chapter 287: Plan: Part Three

"Please stop. The Overlord ordered us."

’Overlord?’ The term gave Hex a bad feeling. Hex looked at Red Hare, wondering what level of danger posed. The Transformed Knight stood in the middle of the quagmire. From his vantage point, Hex could see the defenses both men had mounted to survive.

Red Hare moved his feet at a speed that made them appear blurred. The rapid movement didn’t distract him.

Feathered Death used his shadowy wings to lock the surrounding space. The quagmire didn’t affect him. It didn’t mean he was safe though. The space around him vibrated. The silvery flickers were visible. The grim look on the lord’s face showed his struggle to keep the space intact.

"You mean that cowardly tortoise?"

Perl’s derisive snort told Hex the old man knew the so-called overlord. Despite his disdain, Hex noticed he slowed his attack. The rate with which the quagmire swallowed its surroundings decreased. It showed that the overlord figure wasn’t simple.

"Enlightened Knights are titled Overlord in Edune. They control Edune and every Lord obeys their command. That damn tortoise is one of the Seven."

Hex heard Perl explain for his benefit. His breath remained stuck for a few seconds. Surprisingly, the first thing Hex thought was that he was truly cursed.

He and Sterling scrutinized their plan to the minute details. Perl was enough against the two Lords. Everyone knew that, friend and foe. So, they didn’t have to survive the danger the two Transformed Knights posed. No, they had to survive an attack aimed at Perl – an Enlightened Knight.

Even if they underestimated the might of their power and Perl survived, what about them? Hex doubted that a bunch of Refined Knights and Knights could survive such an attack. They would end up being collateral damage. What he didn’t expect was that their measure involved another Enlightened Knight.

"Should we retreat?"

Hex asked at once. Perl wouldn’t stand a chance against another enlightened Knight. Not as long as he didn’t recover to his former state.

"We can’t."

Hex’s heart sank as he looked at the solemn look on Perl’s face. It suggested that they really couldn’t escape.

"I know that cowardly tortoise. He calls himself Sand Burial Monarch. A pompous name for someone who hides in the sand and launches a sneak attack on others. If he is targeting me, he is already here."

’Already here?’ His reflex made him look around. There was no one. Red Hare bled as he held on and tried to escape. Feathered Death looked more withered and death than before. He turned toward Perl to check when he noticed a layer of water wrapping around them.

No sooner were they wrapped up when the ground trembled and the tunnel shook. The quagmire slowed down. The sand ruptured and sank into the floor.

Red Hare and Feathered Death seemed overjoyed. Their dire state didn’t stop a smile from appearing on their faces.

"You mock my methods but they are effective. Even an old fool such as yourself fell into my trap."

The ground churned and a figure started to emerge from it. Red Hare and Feathered Death were in dire straits. They still hurried onto their knee. An Overlord figure deserved their worship.

"Please trust me," Hex whispered to Perl. He didn’t plan on waiting for the Overlord to appear. A bright silver light glowed and grew on the back of his hand. The two figures with lowered heads missed it. Thanks to his control, the light engulfed him and Perl.

"Old man, you –"

Hex didn’t see the face of the Overlord. Like before, he lost connection to his senses and when he recovered, he stood in the grotto underneath the tunnels. The single-use item crumbled in his hand. This had been the second one he received from Sterling. The first filled the Time and the second used Space.

"You won’t believe what they put in place against you, Grandpa Perl," Sterling spoke as soon as he reached them. A small group stood behind him. Gronke and the two female Knights were part of the group. "They placed exploding gems all over the burrow. They wish to bury us."

Bashar stood in the middle of the group. His struggles didn’t help. He couldn’t break from Gronke’s firm grasp.

Hex and Perl glanced at each other and then gave Sterling a wry smile.

"If you are wound up by that, what about facing an Enlightened Knight?" Hex asked with a wry smile on his face.

"NO!" Sterling’s eyes opened wide they threatened to pop out of his skull. Before Hex could nod to affirm, the entire burrow shook. Hex could swear he heard someone curse above. The Enlightened Knight seemed enraged. It didn’t surprise Hex. He ignored the yelps and screams from the group and turned toward Perl. There was one little hope.

"You told me when you use a space transfer array, it leaves a tear in space that recovers over time. How much time are we talking about, exactly?"

"The recovery depends on several factors. About five seconds, if I have to guess. Why?" Perl asked. "We don’t have any of those treasures left. I wonder if you know how rare and costly those things are."

"I don’t know. I don’t need them."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He simulated the sequence in his mind and made his mind up.

"Okay, you guys leave. Now. I will catch up."

"What? Are you crazy?" Sterling asked with an expression that told Hex how crazy he sounded. Hex knew that too. But even if they escaped, they were against an Enlightened Knight. If escaping a Transformed Knight was difficult then it was impossible to do against an Enlightened one.

The tremblings increased. It traveled toward them. It would take the Overlord a few seconds to reach them.

"I know what I am doing. We will proceed according to plan. You have that tool in place?"

Sterling nodded and pointed at a large tool with a barrel assembled in the middle of the place where the source of the underground river had been.

"A Calamity-grade crystal will damage the tunnel. But it won’t help much against him," Perl warned.

"I know," Hex said as he lifted his hand. A bright red crystal glowed in his fist. "I believe this will do the trick. So, please go. I am not suicidal."

Under his urging, the group gathered at the array. The space transfer array was something that the Silver Serpents used in certain areas. It used two sides to use within a limited range. They had put it in place as their final step. The escaped group under the lead of the captain was responsible for the other side.

"I hope to see you alive. If not, well nice knowing you," Sterling said with a smirk on his face.

The light of the array engulfed the group. As they faded, the ceiling burst open and a figure descended. Hex hurried to the tool and activated it.

"I WON’T LEAVE ANY OF YOU ALIVE!"

Hex waited for him to land. The Enlightened Knight looked pissed. He cursed. Sensing Hex, he turned toward him.

"What are you–"

His scowl changed to surprise and then to shock. Silver light engulfed Hex.

"Please die!"

Hex felt the connection fade.