Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2593: 1429: Resolve and Method
Previously on Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong...
Drip, drip, drip.
The cool sensation of murky water droplets falling from the grimy ceiling onto her pale, soft face caused her to slowly blink her eyes open. Her distinct slitted pupils were initially clouded with disorientation, but they sharpened into a gaze of wariness and tension as she strained her muscles to scan her environment.
The captive was none other than Dana.
Despite having lost nearly all physical traits of the Dragon Clan, leaving her looking identical to a member of the Human Clan, her eyes still possessed the exceptional draconic night vision. This allowed her to perceive her surroundings clearly even in the oppressive gloom.
A flickering candle nearby illuminated the silhouettes of iron bars, causing Dana’s heart to plummet as a freezing aura of dread washed over her.
She realized she was locked alone inside a subterranean, ancient cell. The air was thick with the nauseating, metallic stench of blood and rot, sharp enough to make one gag.
Having assessed her grim circumstances, the young Queen did not succumb to hysteria. Instead, she fought to steady her mind, retracing her steps to her last conscious memory.
It had been the break of dawn, with dew still clinging to the foliage and the birds yet to stir in their nests. She and Davis had just finished their inspection of the final secret agent outpost and were traveling back toward the Forest-side Fortress.
However, shortly after taking flight, a sudden wave of vertigo had hit her. The energy circulating through her body came to a grinding halt, and she lost consciousness.
“Was it truly an ambush? I allowed myself to be far too careless.”
Dana massaged her throbbing temples, piecing the events together.
“Wait, where is my brother? And what happened to the other Imperial Guard soldiers?”
Anxiety flickered across her delicate features as she searched the room once more.
On the far side of the dim candlelight, a slumped, human-shaped shadow came into view.
The figure was chained to the stone wall of the dungeon, completely motionless.
“Nate? Can you hear me?”
Dana’s pupils dilated as she recognized the form of one of her most capable subordinates—the courageous and steadfast Captain of the Personal Guard.
Yet, no matter how desperately Dana called out, the figure did not stir. Even his wing membranes, which appeared to have been brutally shredded, hung limp against the floor.
“Hahaha, so Nate is that fellow's name? He is certainly a stubborn one. I only wished to inquire about that Otherworldly Lord, but he hasn't breathed a single syllable.”
A sinister voice suddenly echoed from the shadows beside Dana’s cage. She stiffened instantly, whipping her head around to see a sturdy, hostile stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.
Dana was certain the space had been vacant only moments before.
“Who are you?”
Dana’s bright eyes locked onto the figure. She tried to surge to her feet, but an immense, crushing weight anchored her legs, forcing her to sink back down in frustration.
It was only then that Dana noticed the heavy shackles around her ankles. They were etched with strange, glowing runes, and she realized her internal energy had been completely suppressed, leaving her unable to circulate her power at all.
“Those are Energy Drain Chains. They are forged from incredibly rare, high-grade meteorites and enhanced with forbidden runes. Legend says they were designed by a fallen dwarf clan specifically to subjugate the Elf Tribe. Such tools are the handiwork of first-class powers; their effectiveness is absolute.”
A cold, mocking voice vibrated through the air. The robust stranger looked down at Dana with a sneer: “So, how does it feel, Your Majesty the Queen? To go from recovering from a fatal illness to being thrown into a cage? How does it feel to be reborn only to be cast back into the abyss?”
“Save your useless chatter; your words have no power over me. I will never betray any secrets regarding His Majesty of the Humans.”
Dana stared unflinchingly into the dark void beneath the stranger’s deep gray hood. Although his face was hidden, she could feel a pair of cruel, terrifying eyes boring into her soul.
“It is true that those with Dragon Clan blood have a high tolerance for spiritual intrusion, and physical torture does not easily break your resolve.”
The menacing figure glanced over at Nate’s broken body hanging from the wall before turning back to Dana with a wicked chuckle: “But what about your brother?”
“You monster, what have you done to my brother?”
Dana gnashed her teeth, her voice sharp with fury.
“Do you wish to know the details?”
The man’s voice took on a manipulative, oily tone. “Perhaps if you provided some intelligence regarding that Otherworldly Lord, I might be inclined to grant your request.”
“Keep dreaming! His Majesty of the Humans is a figure far beyond the reach of a lowlife like you!”
Without a moment's hesitation, Dana spat back coldly: “The blood of a noble royal family flows through me; I will never submit to someone as wretched as you. And my brother would never bow to you either!”
“It appears neither you nor the Winged Prince are easily swayed. Do you truly believe that drop of dragon blood makes you as peerless as the actual Dragon Clan?”
The stranger’s tone turned frigid and dismissive. “Very well. According to my reports, you are merely chess pieces for the Otherworldly Lord. It is unlikely you possess any core secrets anyway.”
“You will not succeed in driving a wedge between us and His Majesty of the Humans. His greatness is something your small mind cannot even fathom!”