Caitlyn's POV
"Any idea where my father is being held prisoner?" I inquired.
Upon hearing my question, Bard didn't hesitate for a second; instead, he appeared somewhat eager.
"Well, earlier I overheard Yone and Talon talking, and it seems Yone is the one holding my father captive."
I attempted to conceal my anger with a calm tone. As I spoke, Bard fell silent for a moment before nodding softly.
"In that case, let's not waste any time. We should move tonight. If the king hasn't stationed anyone there, the two of us should be able to handle it," Bard suggested as he swiftly removed his bandages.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" I couldn't help but notice the shocking scars on Bard's body, causing me to inhale sharply.
"Just a minor inconvenience, nothing serious," Bard grinned before taking the lead.
"But won't it be risky for just the two of us?" I hesitated slightly, still half-expecting Talon to materialize by my side. However, I knew deep down that it was nothing more than wishful thinking.
"It's fine. The fewer people involved in such a confidential matter, the better," Bard reassured me, scanning our surroundings cautiously before hastening our pace.
"Yone mentioned that my father is being held near Fandom's residence. Do you know of any suitable hiding places in that area?" I queried Bard, realizing that Yone had only provided a vague description earlier, leaving us at risk of unnecessary complications.
"Let me think... Oh, there's an abandoned church nearby. It's right next to Fandom's residence, and it hasn't been inventoried. That might be our best bet," Bard replied, his memory sparked by my question.
Bard furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before responding in a hushed tone.
Immediately afterward, we exchanged a glance and hastened towards the abandoned church Bard had mentioned.
After evading several waves of patrolling soldiers, the dilapidated Gothic church gradually came into view.
In the dim night, the towering spire resembled a ghostly hand stretching toward the sky, and the church's brightly colored windows were mostly shattered. As we approached, it seemed increasingly akin to a dormant monster.
The atmosphere of desolation and mystery made me somewhat nervous, yet a surge of determination welled up within me at the prospect of finding my father imprisoned within.
"It's likely that your father is being held here," Bard remarked, tilting his head and scanning the surroundings before whispering.
Following his gaze, I discerned a faint glow amidst the decrepit buildings. I hadn't expected anyone daring enough to inhabit such close proximity to Fandom.
"Here," Bard murmured, leading me cautiously to the rear of the church, where an obscured door nestled amid the overgrowth, easily missed by casual observation.
I followed Bard's lead, gently pushing the door ajar. The scene that greeted my eyes left me astonished. The exterior of the church belied the splendor concealed within.
At the heart of the hall stood an intricately carved oak icon adorned with gold, while the walls boasted a riot of vibrant hues. The vaulted ceiling was adorned with exquisite frescoes, and a sumptuous copper-plated chandelier hung from above.
The church bore no semblance of dilapidation; evidently, the outward appearance was a guise to deceive onlookers.
"Descend," Bard instructed, pointing out a concealed door beside the entrance. It led directly into the depths of the church.
We descended a lengthy spiral staircase, the illumination diminishing gradually. Upon reaching the bottom, we paused around a corner, finding no sign of guards.
"It appears Yone was truthful about your father's confinement here. The king must be unaware, or else there would surely be guards," Bard remarked, his tone tinged with suspicion.
Bard lowered his voice.
"I'm not sure about that, but it's always good to be cautious."
I took the lead and walked to the front, only to find this place extraordinarily counterintuitive; even if the defenses were weak, there was almost always more than a single guard present.
If that were the case, considering my father's power, how could he be easily imprisoned here by them?
"It should be just ahead."
After passing through several long, dimly lit tunnels, a faint odor of blood occasionally emanated from the rooms on both sides. At the end of the tunnels, there was a steel gate with a heavy lock hanging from it.
After I saw this, my heart seized violently, and at that moment, I couldn't care too much; my feet hurriedly accelerated the pace.
"Father! Are you... okay?"
Through the weak moonlight outside, I vaguely discerned a cramped room with a huddled figure. Judging from the hunched figure, it seemed to be my father.
The man had his back to me and seemed a little puzzled, briefly propping himself up with his hands before twisting aside again.
"Father!"
I grabbed the bars on the door and instinctively raised my voice, which became slightly shaky.
The man was violently startled by my voice, then his body trembled slightly, and I could sense that he was experiencing intense emotional swings.
"Father, don't worry, I'm coming to save you!"
Thinking of my father enduring torture brought tears uncontrollably, yet this grief and anger fueled my strength as I pounded on the iron door repeatedly.
Thud! Thud!
The dull sound reverberated throughout the dungeon, like a death knell echoing in everyone's heart.
Bard straightened up, vigilantly scanning the surroundings to prevent any further mishaps.
Boom!
With a loud bang, the iron door swung open.
"Father!"
Impatiently, I pushed open the door and rushed towards my father's position.
But the figure remained in place, as if nothing had changed.
Just as I felt surprised, a sudden intense feeling of danger swept through my entire body.
I immediately adjusted my stance and braced myself.
At that moment, the figure in front of me violently twisted its head, revealing a strange face.
And in its hand was a dagger.