ushernet Chapter 100: The Secret of Rock Fortress
Chapter 100: The Secret of Rock Fortress
Once the prisoners in the cell were thoroughly terrified of Medusa, Charles found his next steps to be exceedingly straightforward.
With a smile adorning his face, Charles crouched halfway down, fixing his gaze on the middle-aged prisoner whose legs were now but a distant memory.
The intensity of Charles's stare struck fear into the heart of the middle-aged prisoner, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. "I apologize to you." he stammered. "I should not have threatened you earlier. I beg you, please let me go. I implore you, do not kill me."
As soon as the middle-aged prisoner's pleas escaped his lips, the other inmates lurking in the shadows hastily retreated further into the darkness. They were terrified that they might incur Charles's wrath and suffer the same fate as the middle-aged prisoner.
"Why would I kill you?" Charles mused, his tone laced with a mix of gentleness and subtle humor. "We are all confined in this cell. Even if I could kill you, I wouldn't want your corpse to further degrade the already dismal environment of this place. It's bad enough as it is, one more body would make it utterly uninhabitable."
Charles spoke in a tone that, while gentle, carried a hint of playful teasing.
Such a manner of speaking was intended to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
However, Charles's words not only failed to alleviate the tension, but they also intensified the already strained atmosphere within the cell.
Even Eck and Johann, who stood by Charles's side, couldn't help but feel a touch of fear creeping into their hearts.
Eck stammered, "Richard, stop scaring us. If you truly don't intend to kill him, then don't talk about adding another corpse to the cell."
Charles nodded in agreement.
"You're right. Perhaps what I just said added undue pressure on everyone."
After addressing Eck, Charles turned his gaze back to the middle-aged prisoner.
"I can assure you that I won't kill you, and I can also guarantee that my companions won't torture you further. However, you must pay a corresponding price."
"What price do you want me to pay? I have nothing left to offer. All I want is for you not to kill me, I don't dare to hope for anything else."
The middle-aged prisoner replied, his voice trembling more violently with each word.
"The price I'm referring to is simply that you need to answer a few of my questions. As long as you can answer every question I ask.
Not only will I spare your life, but I will also find a way to reward you. Perhaps I can even set you free, or maybe I can find a way to restore your legs."
Charles stated, his words causing a dramatic change in the expression on the middle-aged prisoner's face.
The middle-aged prisoner, as if grasping at a glimmer of hope, hurriedly asked, "Are you serious? Can you really do that?"
Charles nodded affirmatively. "I can ensure your release from this prison. However, restoring your legs might require the intervention of my companion."
At this point, Charles directed his gaze towards Medusa, who nodded in agreement.
The middle-aged prisoner, with no hesitation, made up his mind instantly and said, "Ask me whatever questions you have. As long as I know the answers, I will tell you everything."
Charles was exceedingly pleased with the prisoner's response.
They had never imagined that a remote place like Rock Fortress could conceal a treasure capable of commanding the power of flames.
Moreover, even if such a treasure existed here, its existence should have been a closely guarded secret. How could an old man in prison be privy to such a secret?
Charles was exceedingly intrigued by the treasure mentioned by the old man.
Charles thought that perhaps he could obtain this treasure. If the treasure proved to be valuable enough, it might not take him long to return to the Serene Forest.
"How did you come to know this secret? From the expressions on everyone else's faces, it's clear they are unaware of it. If you could share more information related to this secret with me...
I could arrange for your release from prison and provide you with additional rewards. Whether you desire gold or equipment, I can offer it to you."
Charles was keenly hoping the old man would provide him with more information.
The elderly voice from the shadows did not immediately respond.
Charles and the others heard only the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps. After a moment, a white-haired, one-eyed old man emerged into their view.
"I can divulge all the secrets I know to you. But you must agree to one more condition for me."
The words of the white-haired, one-eyed old man left Medusa and Little Green slightly dissatisfied.
From Medusa and Little Green's perspective, Charles offering to take the old man out of prison was already a great favor. Why would the old man dare to ask for more conditions?
Charles had no particular reaction to the old man's words. He was simply waiting for the old man to state his terms.
"You must not only get me out of prison but also restore my sight."
At this point, the white-haired, one-eyed old man dug out his other eye from its socket.
It turned out that he wasn't a one-eyed old man after all. The remaining eye was also a fake. He couldn't see anything and was completely blind.
Without any hesitation, Charles agreed immediately.
"No problem. I can get you out of prison as soon as possible and restore your sight. But you must stay with me from now on."
The blind old man nodded without any hesitation.
"Of course I'll stick with you. A blind old man like me, moving around alone, is as good as dead."
The blind old man coughed twice after saying this.
At that moment, everyone thought the blind old man looked like someone who was about to step into the grave. It seemed as though a gentle breeze could knock him over.
After his coughing subsided, the blind old man asked Charles, "When can you get me out of prison?"
Charles responded with a smile, "Now."