madnovel Chapter 362: A Step Too Far
Chapter 362: A Step Too Far
"I did as you told me. Please… don't hurt me," Darius pleaded, squeezing his eyes shut. But inside, he was already bracing himself for Rowan's wrath.The next instant, he felt his feet leaving the ground.
Whoosh!
He was flung across the room.
When he opened his eyes again, he was crashing into the wall outside the room, pain exploding through his body.
Meanwhile, Rowan strode toward the bed where Alice lay.
"Mrs. Smith," he called.
But no response.
"Mrs. Smith," he repeated, louder.
At last, her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened.
"Logan…?" she whispered weakly, her vision blurred.
"No, Mrs. Smith. It's me — Rowan. I'm here to get you out of here. Come with me."
Alice tried to rise, but her frail body failed her, and she began to collapse back onto the bed. Before she could fall, Rowan caught her gently by the shoulders and helped her up.
Supporting her carefully, he guided her out of the room. She was weak — barely able to stand, but her desperation to leave this wicked place gave her strength.
Rowan soon returned to where Lilith and Daliah were waiting with the ten royal knights.
The moment their eyes fell on Alice, both of them gasped. Daliah covered her mouth, her eyes trembling. Lilith clenched her teeth, anger flashing across her face.
Alice's condition pained both their hearts.
They rushed forward at once. Lilith immediately began healing her. She possessed Tier Two healing affinity. It was insignificant compared to her mother, but more than enough for now.
Rowan turned to the leader of the knights.
"What about Mr. Smith?"
"He's safe. Already in the carriage," the leader replied. "He was badly tortured and in no condition to move. We sent him ahead as soon as we rescued him."
"Good. Let's move. I don't know how many men Duke Arthur has under his command."
The leader nodded and gave the signal.
The knights began to move, forming a protective formation as Rowan, Daliah, and Lilith supported Alice.
But just as they reached the main entrance...
The door creaked open.
Someone stepped in. His face was covered from the nose down, his eyes cold and watchful.
More figures emerged from the surrounding rooms, blocking every path.
Rowan stopped. So did everyone else. He stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Daliah and Lilith like a shield.
Then...
Duke Arthur entered, a triumphant smile on his face. Beside him walked a man in his forties — The S-class mage from Velkar.
"Prince, I expected nothing less from you," Arthur said with a faint smile. "Out of all the princes, you've always been the sharpest. But this time… we were prepared. You didn't think you'd end up trapped like this, did you?"
Rowan gritted his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes. Yet his expression remained steady, as if everything was still under his control.
"Arthur," Rowan said coldly. He didn't bother with honorifics anymore. Arthur's title as duke meant nothing now. He had betrayed the royal family — betrayed the kingdom. His fate was already sealed: exile or execution.
"You think you're clever," Rowan continued. "Do you really believe these people are enough to save you? What will you do when Logan arrives? How exactly do you plan to stop him?"
At the mention of that name, Arthur's smile wavered — just for a moment — before returning.
"I know," Arthur said calmly. "We're no match for him. But when he does come…" His eyes gleamed with confidence. "We'll be ready."
Rowan's gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"
"You'll see when he arrives, Prince," the S-class mage from Velkar replied this time, his voice low and assured.
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall. Mirena entered, supporting Darius.
The moment Arthur saw him, his expression darkened with fury. "Darius, you useless fool. What did I tell you to do?" he snapped.
"G-Grandfather, I was almost there. But then Row—" His words died in his throat. Rowan's gaze had fallen on him. A chill ran down Darius's spine, and the rest of his sentence never came out.
Arthur saw the fear in Darius's eyes and let out a quiet sigh. 'No matter what, a sheep can never become a tiger,' he thought.
"Go," Arthur said coldly. "Take her to the room and do what you were told. The prince has already sent for help. It won't be long before we're surrounded."
Rowan was taken aback for a brief moment. It was as if Arthur already knew everything.
'He knows I've called for reinforcements… yet he isn't worried? Don't tell me…'
At last, Rowan's expression darkened.
They have more men hidden. An ambush.'
Meanwhile, Darius glanced at Rowan nervously. But then, he forced himself to steady his nerves.
His grandfather was here. So what if Rowan was stronger? So what if the royal knights stood behind him?
'She will still be mine.' With that thought, Darius stepped toward Daliah.
That movement snapped Rowan out of his thoughts. Without a word, he struck. A punch shot forward like lightning.
But just before it could land...
A wall of earth surged up from the ground, blocking the attack. One of Arthur's men had acted, an earth mage standing guard.
Though Rowan's punch didn't connect, it was enough. Darius froze mid-step, fear igniting in his chest once more.
"Go on, Darius. Don't just stand there," Arthur ordered coldly again.
Darius glanced at Rowan once, then moved again.
Rowan reacted on instinct, but before he could take a step, the ground beneath him surged. Earth rose like twisted branches, coiling around his limbs and locking him in place.
Lightning burst through his veins and struck the bindings. But it did nothing.
The spellcaster was stronger.
"Don't you dare, Darius!" Rowan roared, his voice shaking with fury. "Or I'll make you a eunuch!"
He had always been calm. Composed. Unshakable. But when it came to his sister...
There was no restraint.
Rowan turned his gaze toward Arthur, killing intent blazing in his eyes. "Tell him to stop," he said, his voice low and deadly. "Or I'll make you wish death were the easier punishment."