After learning the whereabouts of Lord Valerian’s daughter, Seraphina immediately began her search at the Dragon Order base.
However, despite combing through the entire base, she found no trace of the girl. Frustrated, Seraphina furrowed her brow and muttered to herself, “Where could Hollow Frost have hidden Lord Valerian’s daughter?”
Suddenly, a thought came to her-there were several restricted areas within the base.
The Dragon Order, a sect with a history spanning thousands of years, naturally harbored many secrets. These restricted areas were where those secrets were kept. But they were heavily guarded, and entry was forbidden without the explicit permission of the Dragon Order’s leader.
If Archer Wintersong were still in charge, Seraphina could have gained access with ease. But now, the leader was Abbot Ethan Stone, and gaining his approval was nothing short of impossible.
Seraphina studied the restricted areas carefully and concluded that one of them was the perfect place for Hollow Frost to hide someone-the Dragon Order dungeon.
This dungeon was where all of the sect’s captured enemies were imprisoned. It was heavily fortified, with no one allowed to enter without authorization.
Determined, Seraphina made her way to the dungeon.
“Stop right there!”
At the entrance, two fully armed guards blocked her path.
“The dungeon is off-limits. Leave at once!” one of the guards said coldly.
Seraphina’s brow furrowed in irritation. “Are you saying even I can’t go in?”
“Without permission, no one is allowed entry,” the guard stated flatly.
Seraphina’s expression darkened with determination. She had come too far to give up now. Clenching her jaw, her eyes hardened.
Bang! Bang!
Without warning, Seraphina struck, incapacitating both guards in an instant. They hadn’t anticipated her sudden attack and were completely unprepared.
With the guards neutralized, Seraphina slipped into the dungeon.
The air inside was damp and oppressive, the dimly lit corridors radiating a sinister atmosphere. This was where the Dragon Order’s most dangerous enemies were held.
Seraphina moved swiftly through the passageways until she spotted a cell that caught her attention. Inside was a young girl, no older than eighteen, curled up in the corner, looking frail and pitiful.
Seraphina approached the bars and asked softly, “Are you Lord Valerian’s daughter?”
The girl flinched at the sound of her voice, lifting her head to reveal a delicate face filled with fear. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Seraphina took a deep breath. “I’m a friend of your father. I’ve come to rescue you.”
“W-What? You’re a friend of my father?” the girl stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Yes. What’s your name? Why are you being kept here?”
The girl hesitated for a moment before answering, tears brimming in her eyes. “My name is Carol. My father is Lord Valerian, the former Amerosia Primus. Years ago, our family was betrayed. My mother was killed, and my father raised an army to avenge her. But he failed and was captured. I became a fugitive. Just when I thought I had nowhere left to go, the Frost family took me in and hid me. But recently, Hollow Frost brought me here and locked me away. I’ve been living in darkness ever since…”
As Carol recounted her story, Seraphina’s expression turned grim.
Hollow Frost truly was despicable. To imprison this girl in the Dragon Order dungeon was inhumane. If Seraphina hadn’t uncovered this, Carol might have been trapped here forever.
“Don’t worry,” Seraphina assured her. “I’ll get you out of here.”
Just as she reached for the cell door, a chilling voice echoed from behind.
“Well, well, Seraphina. I didn’t expect you to actually find this place. You’ve surprised me.”
Seraphina spun around, her face paling. “Hollow Frost!”
Standing before her was none other than Hollow Frost, his expression cold and mocking.
“You’ve gone to great lengths to meddle in matters that don’t concern you, all for Chris,” Hollow Frost sneered. “But I suppose it makes sense. Chris was your father’s prized disciple. How could you stand by and let him be killed by Lord Valerian?”
“Enough!” Seraphina snapped. “Hollow Frost, you’ve violated Dragon Order rules by imprisoning Lord Valerian’s daughter here. Do you think I won’t report this?”
Hollow Frost laughed mockingly. “And you think you’ll leave here to do that?”
“What do you mean?” Seraphina demanded, her expression tense.
“I mean that since you’re so eager to rescue her, I’ll make sure you stay here as well,” Hollow Frost said, his voice icy.
In an instant, Hollow Frost lunged at her.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battle erupted in the narrow confines of the dungeon. Seraphina fought valiantly, but she was no match for Hollow Frost. With a powerful strike, he sent her crashing to the ground.
Thud!
Blood spilled from Seraphina’s mouth as she struggled to rise.
Hollow Frost loomed over her, his expression smug. “Seraphina, from now on, you’ll rot here alongside her. Let’s see who comes to save you.”
“You won’t get away with this!” Seraphina shouted, her fury blazing despite her injuries.
But Hollow Frost only smirked. “Oh, I’m counting on Chris to come. That way, I can kill you both and save myself the trouble.”
Laughing darkly, Hollow Frost turned and left, his footsteps echoing through the dungeon.
Seraphina glared after him, her heart seething with anger.
Hollow Frost was insufferable. Ever since her father’s departure, he had grown more arrogant, disregarding her entirely.
But now… who could save her?
Chris?
The Dragon Order base was hidden deep within the mountains. Even if Chris had visited once before, he had worn a mask the entire time. Could he really find this place again?
If not, was she destined to remain in this dungeon forever?
The thought filled Seraphina with unease, her mind racing as despair loomed.