Chapter 101: An Adventure Beyond Imagination
No sooner had Charles finished speaking than everyone immediately felt a violent tremor.
Subsequently, all the prison cell doors swung wide open.
After a momentary silence, a wave of cheers erupted from every cell simultaneously. Almost every prisoner dashed out of their cells with the utmost speed.
Naturally, Charles was in no hurry, he intended to let the other prisoners escape first. Once these inmates had drawn the attention of the Serpent Empire guards, he would then make his move with the others.
One by one, the prisoners dashed out, their yearning for freedom overwhelmingly intense.
Though they were all aware that escaping didn't guarantee survival, to them, this was an opportunity they simply could not afford to miss.
Who knew when such an opportunity would arise again?
While the majority of the prisoners were making their move, the middle-aged prisoner, who had lost both his legs, couldn't help but plead with Charles, "I answered your question. Please, allow me to escape as well."
"I am not stopping you, you can leave right now if you wish."
"But my legs are gone. Could you make them grow back? If you can do that, I will gladly become your slave."
Charles cast a cold, piercing glance at the man, withholding an immediate response.
After a brief moment of hesitation, a faint smile finally appeared on Charles's face.
"I can make your legs grow back, but you'll need to do something for me in return."
Upon hearing Charles's words, the middle-aged prisoner was elated and eagerly replied, "No problem at all! I am willing to do anything for you."
"Don't be so quick to agree. The task I have for you is quite challenging. I need you to disrupt the actions of the Serpent Empire guards."
After Charles stated what he wanted the other person to do, he meticulously provided further explanation.
"With so many prisoners being released at once, the Serpent Empire guards will undoubtedly be in a state of panic. They will surely try to recapture all the prisoners as swiftly as possible.
Since you've lived here in Rock Fortress for a long time, it means you are quite familiar with this place. I want you to hide these prisoners in locations where the Serpent Empire guards will have a hard time finding them."
In this way, the actions of the Serpent Empire will be successfully hindered by you. As long as you promise to accomplish this task for me, I will make your legs grow back."
The middle-aged prisoner nodded without any hesitation. "I can do it! This task is quite easy for me. Moreover, I have acquaintances among these prisoners.
By collaborating with them, they won't be easily found by the guards of the Serpent Empire. I can help you buy enough time."
After receiving an affirmative response from the middle-aged prisoner, Charles turned his gaze toward Medusa.
Medusa exhaled gently in the direction of the middle-aged prisoner, and immediately, he felt his legs beginning to regrow.
The middle-aged prisoner was visibly thrilled upon seeing his legs. "I am truly grateful to you! I will definitely accomplish the task you have given me. I will buy you enough time. For at least two days, they won't be able to recapture all the prisoners."
Charles was very satisfied upon hearing these words.
However, he didn't forget to issue a warning. "You had better fulfill your promise to me. Otherwise, you will not only lose your legs again but also your life."
In the face of Charles's warning, the middle-aged prisoner was not particularly surprised.
For he understood that if the other party could make his legs regrow, then they undoubtedly possessed the means to bring about his immediate demise.
"Rest assured! I am absolutely capable of accomplishing this!"
Having uttered these words, the middle-aged prisoner immediately dashed out of the cell.
After the other prisoners had all fled, both Eck and Johann cast fearful glances in Charles's direction.
With a quivering voice, Eck hesitantly inquired of Charles, "What on earth should we do next? Should we also make haste and leave the prison immediately?"
Charles nodded in affirmation.
"Naturally! However, before we leave, there are a few things I must tell you in advance. You can decide for yourselves whether to join us or not.
If you choose to join us, you must be prepared to take on certain risks. Although Medusa and Little Green possess formidable strength and can likely protect us.
In the event of particularly perilous crises, it is highly probable that they will prioritize my safety over yours. Therefore, you must be ready to fend for yourselves."
In response to Charles's words, both Eck and Johann nodded in agreement.
They were fully aware that Medusa would undoubtedly prioritize protecting her companions over the two of them.
"If you two do not intend to follow us, then I will allow you to leave directly. All the prisoners have already escaped, they should disrupt the Serpent Empire's guards for quite some time.
You can take advantage of the distraction caused to the Serpent Empire's guards and make your escape from Rock Fortress. I believe you are fairly familiar with the surroundings and can rely on your own abilities to return to your territory."
Charles's words were extremely difficult for both Eck and Johann to accept.
The reason they had decided to join forces with Charles in the first place was precisely because they had no means of returning to their territory on their own.
Even if they managed to escape the cell, without interference from the Serpent Empire's guards, reaching a safe place would still be impossible.
Without hesitation, Eck responded.
"I am willing to join you. I believe my companion Johann is also willing to join you. However, during the course of our actions, we will still need your support."
Eck's response left Charles highly satisfied.
Charles then turned his gaze towards Johann. Naturally, Johann could only echo Eck's sentiments.
After all, Johann couldn't possibly set out alone. If survival seemed bleak with Eck, it would be utterly impossible on his own.
"Since that's the case, let's set off. I must warn you both in advance, this journey will undoubtedly be fraught with danger.
But isn't that precisely our goal? As adventurers, isn't our creed to embrace the unimaginable? I believe this expedition will certainly satisfy your thirst for adventure."
After all, the false identity Charles was using was that of an adventurer.
Therefore, the words he uttered now needed to align perfectly with the persona of an adventurer.
However, Charles's interpretation of what it meant to be an adventurer was quite different from that of others.
To Eck and Johann, Charles was far more than an ordinary adventurer, he could be deemed a mad adventurer.
After making all the necessary preparations, Charles and his group finally rendezvoused with Medusa and Little Green.
At this moment, Medusa softly inquired of Charles, "Master, do you need me to restore this old man's vision as well? I can make his eyes grow back."
Charles slowly shook his head.
"There is no need to do that just yet. Although we obtained very crucial information from the old man, and it is highly probable that he wasn't lying, we haven't found the equipment he mentioned.
Once we locate that miraculous equipment, we can fulfill our promise and restore his vision. Until then, we should remain cautious of him."
Even though Charles trusted the intelligence provided by the blind old man.
It did not mean he let his guard down completely.
In fact, Charles was not only wary of the blind old man but also maintained a level of caution toward Eck and Johann.
He would never easily reveal his true identity in front of Eck and Johann.
Under Medusa's guidance, the group swiftly departed from the prison of Rock Fortress.
At this very moment, Rock Fortress had descended into utter chaos, with prisoners pouring out all at once, shattering the fortress's tranquility in an instant.
The Serpent Empire guards within Rock Fortress were exceedingly busy. They were attempting to recapture all the prisoners as swiftly as possible.
However, their efforts were destined to be futile.
Most of the prisoners held in Rock Fortress were locals, which meant they were intimately familiar with the surrounding environment.
In contrast, the majority of the Serpent Empire guards had been transferred from other regions, rendering them unfamiliar with the intricacies of Rock Fortress.
The chaos within Rock Fortress would persist for some time. If the middle-aged prisoner wasn't lying, the fortress wouldn't regain its calm for at least two to three days.
"The current situation is exceedingly advantageous for us. The Serpent Empire guards won't be focusing on us in the short term. We must seize this window to find the treasure swiftly." Charles remarked, directing his gaze toward the blind old man.
The blind old man nodded in agreement. "You are absolutely right. We must act quickly. We cannot allow the Serpent Empire guards to obtain the treasure."