NOVEL NEXT Chapter 298: Pursued
The mere mention of 'her' sent a shiver down the Prince's spine. Even he, a Specialist-level Canzer who was no slouch when it came to strength, felt fear from the prospect of 'her' coming towards them.
Atlan slowly came to his senses as he came back to the real world. He immediately felt the immense weight of his battle suit weighing him down again.
"Atlan, are you back?!"
Carmine's worried voice transmitted through the speaker.
"Yeah. I'm back. What happened?"
"You were just standing still. That's what happens when you enter the dreamscape of the White Canzer. How did you get out?"
Atlan would have liked more to discuss how he outsmarted the White Canzer, but he was immediately alerted by the two Canzer's worrying conversation.
"Carmine. In the dream, I saw a hand mirror. Is that the White Canzer's weakness?"
"Yes! I'm very surprised you were able to figure it out. For some reason, the White Canzer is very sensitive with her hand mirror. We found out that you can use it as blackmail and be able to escape from her grasp in exchange for the mirror."
"I broke it."
Carmine went silent. Even through all the research they did about the White Canzer, no one was able to obtain the mirror in their hands.
Other missions regarding the White Canzer would always end up with the Saviors targeting the hand mirror, which was enough of a deterrent for them to escape her grasp.
No one was able to get a hold of that mirror, so no one knew why it was so important to the White Canzer.
"You…you broke it?!"
"Yes. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Carmine wasn't that confident with Atlan's words. Even as a qualified Specialist Operator who was the most knowledgeable about Canzers, didn't know what would happen once the mirror broke.
"How would you know?"
He figured it out through the small pieces of facts that he heard throughout the fight. Since he could hear the White Canzer's conversations, he was able to supplement his knowledge about her history and background.
"According to the story you told me about the White Canzer, she is someone that is on the run, right?"
"Yes. She has been exiled by her kingdom for treason."
"I'm assuming that the kingdom is something of a powerhouse, with all kinds of resources and powerful knights in reserve. If so, then why haven't they found the White Canzer yet?
She has committed the worst crime possible in their kingdom. They should have been searching for her relentlessly. Even this dark forest would be no match for thousands of Canzers looking for her.
But somehow, she was able to make a home in this place. I don't think it's because of luck that she's able to stay under their radar for a long time."
Carmine listened to Atlan's words and couldn't help but agree to his words. He was smart enough to figure out what he was going to say next.
"You're telling me that there's something that prevents the kingdom from looking for her?"
Atlan nodded. "Yes. And I think that something is the hand mirror!"
Carmine's mind was blown wide open with this revelation. Even though he was proud of himself for always being the one who knew the most about Canzers, he had overlooked this fact. If Atlan hadn't pointed out the glaring connections, then he wouldn't have noticed it at all.
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"My gosh…you're right! Just like how the boar heart prevents the Huntsman from pursuing you, the hand mirror prevents the kingdom from pursuing the White Canzer!"
That is exactly what Atlan thought.
And by destroying the mirror, the White Canzer's location would be immediately noticed by her pursuers. Judging from her and the Prince's reaction, Atlan's prediction was completely correct.
He used the same tactic he used when he first met the White Canzer. He pitted two monsters and let them destroy each other.
"That's good! That's really good!"
Carmine couldn't help but praise the Star Porter's ingenuity and quick thinking.
He and his team were racking their brains trying to figure out a way for Atlan to escape the Prince's assault, but they weren't able to find a way even with all their brains working together.
They didn't expect that Atlan would be the one to figure out the solution all by himself.
It was evident from the Canzers' panicked expression that they didn't have the time nor luxury to worry about killing a puny human while they were being hunted themselves.
'Let's leave, now!'
screamed the White Canzer. But despite how much she tried to pull on the Prince, he wouldn't budge.
'Why? I think it's time for us to face her and kill her once and for all. If we succeed, there will be no one else that will stand in the way of us taking over the kingdom.'
The Prince saw an opportunity, while the White Canzer only saw doom. Clearly, he didn't know how much of a monstrous being their pursuer was. If he did, then he wouldn't even dare to imagine them trying to fight her.
'Fine! You will stay here and fight her, while I run away.'
The White Canzer decided to sacrifice the Prince for her safety.
But just as she was about to run away, she suddenly heard a cold voice ring out through the dark forest.
'Found you.'
Out of the dark forest, a single creature came walking on two legs.
This monster was clad in all black, the complete opposite of the White Canzer.
She wore a robe around her shoulders, making her look majestic. It made her seem like the ruler of the entire dark forest.
On top of her head was a golden crown that exuded authority.
If Atlan didn't have Angel power coating his entire body because of the False Mutation, then he would have been forced to kneel due to the mere fact of the crown's existence.
The White Canzer and the Prince, however, were not able to fight against the urge.
They were forced down to kneel and wait in agony as she approached them.
Once it reached its destination, the White Canzer greeted the familiar character.
'Stepmother…'
But her words provoked a stronger pressure that forced her head to bang onto the floor.
'I am the Queen, and you will address me as such.'