Chapter 215: One Step Too Late
The departure of Tony Clark from the city did not happen quietly. The Clark Family Patriarch had no intention of sneaking away like a thief, nor did he fear the eyes watching from the shadows.
Before sunset, a magnificent chariot emerged from the Clark Family estate and rolled through the city gates under the protection of dozens of elite guards.
Four enormous fire horses pulled the vehicle, their crimson manes burning like living flames while their hooves left trails of sparks across the stone road.
The spectacle alone attracted countless onlookers despite the early hour.
People standing along the roads whispered among themselves.
Inside the chariot, Tony sat comfortably while reading one of the records regarding the Imperial Edicts, completely ignoring the attention directed toward him. Opposite him sat the Patriarch, who remained silent while studying maps and intelligence reports.
Neither of them knew exactly what awaited inside the dungeon, but both understood one thing. If Tony successfully comprehended even a fragment of the Imperial Edicts, his value would skyrocket beyond the reach of ordinary political schemes.
Several miles behind the chariot, hidden among the forests bordering the road, Elsa and the surviving members of the Demonic Sea Tribe followed silently. The group moved quickly through the trees while keeping the distant fire horses within sight.
More than once, some of the younger tribe members glanced toward the chariot with obvious killing intent.
The opportunity was tempting. Tony was isolated from the protection of the Clark Family fortress. He had left the city. He had entered the wilderness. Yet despite all of that, nobody dared to make a move.
At the very front of the group, Elsa suddenly raised her hand and stopped moving. The entire tribe immediately halted behind her.
One of the tribe warriors frowned. "Princess, why are we stopping?"
Elsa didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes remained fixed on the distant chariot.
Another disciple became impatient. "Ancestor Luka specifically ordered us to eliminate Tony Clark. This is our best chance."
The moment those words left his mouth, Elsa turned and glared at him.
The disciple immediately lowered his head.
"I said leave him." Her voice carried no emotion.
The disciple clenched his fists. "But Ancestor Luka..."
Elsa interrupted him. "Can you defeat the old man?"
The disciple froze.
Elsa pointed toward the distant chariot. "Not only is the Patriarch protecting him, but dozens of elite guards surround them. If we attack now, Tony won’t die."
Her eyes narrowed. "We will."
The entire group fell silent.
Elsa continued walking toward them until she stood directly before the disciple who had spoken. "I am beginning to wonder if your brain was eaten by sea beasts."
The disciple turned pale.
Elsa’s voice became colder. "Not only do we need to kill people. We need to survive until the end of the Dream Realm. Dead heroes accomplish nothing."
Nobody dared speak.
Finally Elsa waved her hand dismissively. "Let’s go back."
The order ended all discussion. Yet none of them noticed another figure hidden among the rocks overlooking the road.
The bald monk remained completely motionless while observing both groups. Sweat covered his back. His original plan had been simple. Follow Tony... Wait for an opportunity. Steal the Imperial Coin. Perhaps kill Tony if necessary.
A straightforward plan. Unfortunately, discovering Elsa and her group changed everything. The moment he recognized the Demonic Sea Tribe members, his entire body went cold.
Mark Smith had already died. The monk had no intention of becoming the next victim.
He slowly lowered his head and waited until Elsa’s group completely disappeared.
Only then did he release a long breath. "Lord Buddha truly protects the cautious."
For the first time in his life, the monk felt grateful for cowardice.
***
Meanwhile,
The Magistrate had not slept.
A guard suddenly rushed into the hall and dropped to one knee. "Sir!"
The Magistrate immediately stood. "What happened?"
The guard lowered his head. "Tony Clark has left the city."
The Magistrate’s eyes widened. "Where?"
"The Imperial Dungeon."
The room instantly became silent.
The Magistrate felt his heart sink. No... No... No. The worst possible outcome.
Just then another official hurried into the room carrying a sealed document. "Sir, the court’s authorization has arrived."
The Magistrate immediately snatched it. The royal arrest order... Exactly what he needed. Exactly what he had been waiting for.
One day earlier, this document would’ve guaranteed Tony’s capture. Now? Perhaps it was already too late.
The Magistrate’s face twisted. "Prepare the Red Horn Beasts."
The officials froze. One of them blurted out. "Sir, those are reserved for military emergencies."
The Magistrate slammed his fist onto the table. "This is an emergency."
Within minutes, a massive war chariot thundered out of the manor gates. Four enormous red-horned beasts pulled the vehicle, their speed far surpassing ordinary mounts.
Dust exploded behind them as the Magistrate urged them forward without restraint. Villagers along the road jumped aside in panic as the chariot raced toward the Imperial Dungeon like a mad beast escaping captivity.
Inside the speeding vehicle, the Magistrate repeatedly kicked the beasts.
"I’m not too late."
***
The journey lasted throughout the night. The cat and mouse game continued.
By dawn, the silhouette of the Imperial Dungeon finally appeared upon the horizon. Even Tony was forced to look away from his books.
The sight was magnificent.
An enormous mountain rose from the earth like the spine of a sleeping dragon. Ancient stone walls surrounded the entire region while countless banners fluttered beneath the morning wind.
Massive defensive formations covered the skies above the complex. The closer they approached, the more overwhelming the place became.
Tony finally understood why countless geniuses dreamed of entering this location. This wasn’t merely a dungeon. This was a sacred ground.
The Patriarch smiled after seeing Tony’s reaction. "Impressive, isn’t it?"
Tony nodded honestly. "It looks expensive."
The old man immediately burst into laughter.
Moments later their chariot reached the main gate. Five thousand royal guards protected the complex. Five thousand...! Each one carried polished armor and disciplined bearing.
The commander personally approached after noticing the Imperial Coin.
The moment the golden token appeared, the atmosphere changed completely.
The commander bowed respectfully. "Honored holder of the Imperial Token... Please follow me."
No questions, No delays, No inspections. The authority of the Imperial Coin opened every door.
The commander personally escorted them through several checkpoints before finally arriving before a colossal stone structure built directly into the mountain itself.
Ancient symbols covered the entrance.
The commander stopped. "The Imperial Dungeon... please enter..."
For the first time since entering the Dream Realm, genuine excitement appeared in Tony’s eyes.
He stepped forward.
A furious roar echoed across the entire mountain. "STOP!"
Everyone turned. Far away, a war chariot raced toward them.
The Magistrate... His hair was disheveled. His robes were covered in dust. His eyes looked bloodshot. The moment he saw Tony standing before the entrance, despair flashed across his face. "No!"
The Magistrate jumped from the moving chariot and rushed forward.
The royal guards immediately moved to intercept him. "I have a royal arrest order!" The Magistrate raised the scroll. "Stop him!"
The entire area became chaotic. The commander frowned... The guards hesitated.
Tony turned around.
The Magistrate pointed at him desperately. "Don’t enter!"
Tony smiled and then waved his hand like a good bye. "Thank you for coming, Magistrate."
The man’s face became even uglier.
Tony pointed toward the dungeon. "Unfortunately... you’re late."
Before anyone could respond, Tony placed both hands against the enormous stone door and pushed.
Boom.
The ancient entrance slowly closed... leaving Tony alone inside.
The Magistrate lunged forward. Too late... The gap vanished.
Boom!
The entrance sealed completely.
The Magistrate stood frozen. The arrest order slipped from his fingers.
The Patriarch watched the scene and laughed proudly. The sound echoed throughout the mountains.
The Magistrate raised his head... His eyes were filled with fury. "This isn’t over!"
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