Whisker, on the other hand, let out a dry laugh.
"Haha, what do you an, friend?"
The warden gestured toward Atticus and the others.
"Processing only needs one warden. The rest of you are just crowding the place."
"Ah, right, right. They just ca to see off." Whisker chuckled. "I promised them a round of drinks later. Now they won't stop following ."
A faint smile appeared on the man's face as he looked at Atticus and the others with an amused glint in his eyes.
"You heard him. Stay back. I promise I won't run off." Whisker said. "You better not."
Thora said with a grin. Atticus and the others silently nodded before moving away.
As Whisker entered the building, Atticus exchanged glances with Azeron and the others, and they began making their way toward what they considered the main building.
"Hey!"
Atticus frowned as he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders. He forced himself not to react instinctively and turned to see a broad Willguard staring at him with a grin.
"I've been looking all over for you. Where the Star have you been?"
Atticus could feel the darkened gazes of Azeron and the others on him. Though they hadn't spent enough ti together, they knew Atticus wasn't the type to behave casually.
Recalling how the Willguard he was mimicking had sounded, he imitated the voice.
"…Went for a drink."
"A drink? Why do you sound so tense?" The broad man frowned. "Don't tell you forgot about our plans."
Atticus blinked.
"…Plans?"
"Yes, plans. Don't tell you actually forgot. We've been setting this up all week." "…I see. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to—"
"Star no! Don't tell you're backing out now."
He glanced at the others and gave a nod.
"Sorry, I'm borrowing him for a bit. He'll be right back."
Before Atticus could react, the broad man grabbed him and pulled him away, dragging him in a direction completely different from their intended destination.
'What the hell is happening?'
They had chosen to use the appearance of the earlier Willguard to gain easy access to the prison, but who would have thought sothing like this could happen?
'Go without . I'll et you there.'
Sending a telepathic ssage to Azeron and Thora, he focused on the current situation, trying to think of a way out of it.
'Let's see what this plan is first. It might not take long.'
He wanted to refrain from killing anyone, at least not for now. If he could finish whatever 'plans' this man had quickly, everything could proceed smoothly.
Atticus frowned as they approached the southern section of the prison, where a sign reading Dormitory hung above the entrance.
'Where is he taking ?'
The scowl on Atticus' face only deepened as the man hastily led him through the dormitory halls before stopping at a door.
The man's face was restless and impatient as he glanced back at Atticus.
"Ah, Judo! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for this?"
'Huh?'
The man quickly opened the door and advanced inside, dragging Atticus in behind him.
'What is going on…'
Atticus was still finding it hard to understand the current situation. He stared, baffled, as the broad man began removing his armor in haste.
Soon after, with his chest now bare, the man frowned when he saw Atticus standing frozen.
His eyes softened slightly as he sighed.
"I know it's frustrating. Sneaking around like this isn't easy for either."
"But what choice do we have, Judo? The Willguard would never accept us. Never accept our love."
He stretched out his arms to pull Atticus into an embrace.
"Wait."
"Hm?"
"…What are you about to do?"
The man blinked for a second, then smiled.
"Oh? You've always been shy about these things. Do you want to take care of everything?"
"…Take care of everything?"
"Don't worry. I'll make it good."
Atticus gazed at him, a million thoughts flashing through his mind before he discarded them all.
"…No. Close your eyes."
"Oooh. Taking charge this ti, huh?"
The man shut his eyes instantly, an eager look appearing on his face.
"Alright, alrigh—!"
A loud thack echoed across the room, and the man was hurled backward. Atticus caught him before he could slam into the door and roughly set him down.
He stood above him, staring at the man's battered face with cold, dark eyes. It took everything within him to stop himself from erasing him outright.
'It's not worth it.'
Cleaning the blood from his fists, he left the room monts later and made his way toward the main building.
He received salutes from every initiate he passed and returned them with brief nods. Eventually, he reached the building and advanced inside.
'Hmm…'
Sending his awareness through the structure, Atticus quickly sensed Azeron and the others sowhere below.
After searching for a mont, he located a flight of stairs that led down to a vast loading dock with a massive airship parked at its center.
Its hangar was lowered, and a few wardens stood nearby discussing sothing. None of them looked familiar.
'Where are they?'
Atticus focused on his elent, imdiately sensing a faint disturbance around all of the wardens.
'It's them.'
Azeron must have changed their forms. Leaving his hiding spot, Atticus walked toward the group. They turned toward him and gave small nods.
"You handled that quickly. What was that about?" Azeron asked.
Atticus blinked, the earlier scene flashing through his mind. He shook his head.
"…It's nothing."
Seeing the curiosity in Azeron's gaze, Atticus quickly looked around.
"Where's Whisker?"
"He's already inside. We were waiting for you."
Confirming his presence within the airship, Atticus nodded.
They entered the airship monts later and made their way to the control room. Several wardens lay unconscious on the floor, the crew Azeron and the others had taken out to claim the airship.
And seated comfortably in the captain's chair was a grinning Whisker, one leg resting lazily on the table.
"Ah! My star actor finally arrives. I heard you had so very interesting plans."
"You should've seen that guy. He was all over Atticus. Arm around his shoulders and everything. They looked like old drinking buddies."
Thora added with a laugh.
"Irk. Sha I missed it. His face must've been priceless."
"It was."
Thora and Whisker burst out laughing the next mont.
With a sigh, Atticus shook his head and decided to ignore them. He turned toward Azeron and nodded.
"Let's go."
Monts later, the airship lifted off, soaring toward their destination.
Standing in the middle of the control room, Atticus' eyes turned cold as he gazed at the massive island drawing closer in the distance.
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