CHAPTER 169: PROVEN WORTH

Although Geo was disgruntled to be commanded by someone like Mirelle, the former still obliged and complied with the order.

"I will adhere to the Crown Prince’s arrangement." Geo was loyal to Leonard, so he couldn’t afford to go against his wishes.

Doing so would simply make him no different than Mirelle!

He refused to follow the same footsteps as her.

Mirelle discerned Geo’s unwillingness, but chose to keep quiet. Actions spoke louder than words.

To redeem herself, she had to prove herself with the rescue operation and not through words.

"Let’s go," Mirelle changed her demeanor and commanded. She promptly exited the suite, followed by Geo, who begrudgingly assumed the subordinate role.

"You also follow them." Leonard turned to Curtis and ordered.

"But Crown Prince—your safety," Curtis argued and didn’t wish to leave.

"The Veil Division has been deployed, so having you is redundant." Leonard raised his hand and stopped the latter from arguing. "Besides you, even Number 13 must follow along with the rescue operation."

Instantly, Number 13 was dumbfounded for being called out as well. He had already tried to stay low and remain a background character.

How was it possible that the Crown Prince still remembered his presence?

"The two of you are following Mirelle because I want you to keep a record of her actions," Leonard explained, emphasizing that they weren’t simply rescuing victims, but judging whether Mirelle was worthy of redemption.

Needless to say, his tone of speech made it evident that they didn’t have a choice.

Knowing that it was inevitable, Curtis glanced around and said in concern, "Even though the Veil Division had been deployed, they should still be near your proximity."

"I still have these two," Leonard mused. He pointed at Elise and Nadia, hinting that they were more than enough to protect him.

"Them?" Alarmed, Curtis turned to them with skepticism. He could easily tell they were injured and appeared to be in a weak state.

Naturally, the weakened state was related to how the two had broken free of the magic contract and the poison that had been haunting them since their capture.

"Looks like Curtis isn’t sure of your abilities." Leonard provoked Elise and Nadia. His intention was obvious: he wanted the two of them to prove themselves.

In the blink of an eye, Elise suddenly vanished from her position.

’Danger!’ Alerted, Curtis reacted in a timely manner, having deflected an attack from Elise.

Shortly after the deflection, Curtis wanted to counterattack until he sensed another attack from another direction.

"Tsk," he clicked his tongue and retrieved his shield to defend against his left side.

CLANK!

Nadia’s dagger clashed with Curtis’s shield and was propelled slightly backward from the impact.

’What power...’ Curtis’s eyes narrowed. He could feel his left hand becoming somewhat numb.

Despite the numbness, Curtis couldn’t afford to waste his time pondering. After all, another attack was coming at him from the right side by Elise.

Simultaneously, Nadia easily recovered her balance and propelled herself to target Curtis’s left side.

"Did you think a pincer attack would work?" Curtis sneered coldly. He slammed his shield to the ground and quickly rushed to Leonard’s side.

"Do you have any shame?" Leonard twitched his brows when Curtis had the nerve to use him as a human shield.

Elise and Nadia had to halt their offenses because they didn’t dare to harm Leonard.

"Your highness, I’m your shield against enemies. But these two are clearly loyal to you." Curtis smiled awkwardly and explained.

"Do pardon my previous judgment and underestimation." He continued, offering his apology to them.

Seeing that he was sincere, Elise sheathed her weapon and waited for Leonard’s command.

"It’s not bad to have a fight for better understanding," Leonard commented and glanced at Number 13.

"Do you also wish to question these two’s abilities?"

"Subordinate obeys the Crown Prince’s order!" Number 13 knelt on one knee and gave his stance.

Who are you kidding?

Even Curtis failed to defend much under the coordinated attack from them!

As if he would actively seek to have his face slapped.

’Serve you right, Curtis. Framing me and karma hits you right back.’ Number 13 laughed silently.

Sometime later, Curtis and Number 13 made their exit.

"I should also leave," Caroline said.

"No, you have to stay." Leonard shook his head. "The rescue operation should be taking place already, so I’ll need you to start investigating these."

He then retrieved some residue of the Wrathbane Extract.

"T-This is..." Caroline’s pupils constricted. With a quick magic scan, she discerned that the properties emitted from the extract were similar to the berserk slaves they encountered.

"It’s like you deduced." Leonard noticed her expression and confirmed her doubt.

"This is the main culprit for the current chaos in Velastra."

"What a cursed substance."

"Indeed, and here’s the journal. I want you to find a cure at the fastest speed possible."

Leonard couldn’t afford to let these be spread across the Valdoria Continent.

Just a few dosages used in Velastra had nearly caused a powerful city to turn upside down, which was threatening enough.

’Besides the dosages, some people also need to be executed.’ Leonard narrowed his eyes.

The magic formation in the city was constantly being bombarded and couldn’t be activated properly.

Moreover, the communication signal seemed to be down, rendering them incapable of sending rescue signals to neighboring cities.

This goes to show that there were also insiders causing some sabotage.

Truly damnable and despicable of them!

As Caroline received all the relevant data, she requested a spacious and disinfected room.

"I’ll need a proper laboratory to conduct and reverse engineer without feeling the threat of being affected by the extract."

"Take this token and inform the guards outside." Leonard retrieved a token and instructed.

The Royal Velastra Hotel naturally had a laboratory, granted that it needed to have a little bit of everything to entertain different types of guests.

However, they were all placed under restriction and supervision at this moment.

"Very well, I should have some results within three hours." Caroline gave an estimated time for the result.

"I trust you." Leonard didn’t underestimate her ability.

To become a famous researcher, where even Darius and Wesley tread carefully around was enough evidence for him to know her worth.