I Become A Mob Character In A Novel

Chapter 82: Chapter No.82 Showdown (2)

[Samael Ashwood's POV]

The warden nodded, his posture now reflecting a mix of reluctant cooperation and a cautious sense of duty. "I will ensure the release of Marcus and Flint is expedited. Meanwhile, if you need any additional information or resources, I am at your service, Lord Ashwood."

As he left the room to make the necessary arrangements, I continued to sift through the documents, my mind racing with thoughts of what might come next. The more I delved into the files, the clearer the web of Garrick Rutherford's influence became. It was evident that he had been operating with a level of impunity, using the prison as a tool for his own machinations.

In some documents, there were mentions of secret sealed floors on which some extremely dangerous prisoners were held—individuals who had been deemed too powerful or influential to be left in the general population. These prisoners were often subjected to harsh conditions, their very existence a tightly guarded secret.

The implications of such a facility within Rutherford Prison were troubling, indicating that Garrick had far more power and reach than initially suspected.

As I continued to read, one particular file caught my attention. It detailed a series of experiments conducted on certain prisoners—experiments that involved the extraction of magical essences and the forced awakening of latent affinities. The descriptions were gruesome, outlining the pain and suffering inflicted on the subjects, many of whom had died as a result.

Those who survived were either driven mad or turned into mindless husks, their magical abilities used as fuel for dark rituals.

A chill ran down my spine as I realized the extent of Garrick's depravity. He was not merely a political rival or a schemer; he was a monster willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to achieve his goals. The more I uncovered, the more urgent it became to dismantle his operations and bring him to justice.

And then I picked up the black file, my fingers tracing the worn edges of the cover. There was something ominous about it, a sense of foreboding that made my pulse quicken. No tag, no label—this file was meant to stay hidden, buried among the countless other records.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the file, my eyes scanning the first few pages. The contents were unlike anything I had seen so far—encrypted documents filled with arcane symbols and cryptic notes. The handwriting was erratic, almost frantic as if the author had been in a state of desperation or madness.

It took me a moment to piece together the meaning behind the words, but as I deciphered them, a chilling realization began to form.

This file detailed a project codenamed "The Deathless One". It spoke of an ancient ritual, performing this ritual with a Vampire as a main 'ingredient' somehow extracting their undying aspect and embedding it into a host, effectively creating a being that could not die by conventional means. The ritual was dangerous, forbidden even, with a high chance of failure.

The notes detailed multiple attempts, all of which ended in catastrophic failure, resulting in the destruction of both the host and the surrounding area. But what stood out the most was the mention of a recent attempt—one that Garrick Rutherford had personally overseen.

The name of the host was listed as Xandros Blackthorn—a name that sent a jolt through me. But... He was... supposed to die in an assassination attempt.

Xandros Blackthorn— was the youngest prince of this kingdom, but suddenly he just vanished from the public eye a few years ago, following a supposed assassination attempt. His death was widely accepted, as a tragic loss to the kingdom, but it seems that wasn't the full story. If these documents are to be believed, Xandros didn't die.

Instead, he was taken—captured, and subjected to Garrick's twisted experiment. The implications were staggering.

Xandros Blackthorn had always been somewhat of an enigma, a prince with a natural affinity for powerful magic. His potential had made him a target for many, but no one could have anticipated that he would become the focal point of such a dark and forbidden ritual. The thought of him being transformed into some form of immortal, undying entity under Garrick's control was horrifying.

The experiment must have been recent, and if Xandros survived the ritual, he could still be alive somewhere within this prison or hidden away in one of Garrick's other facilities. This could be the key to unraveling Garrick's entire operation—if I could find Xandros and bring him back, it would expose Garrick's crimes to the world and provide a powerful ally in the fight against him.

I snapped the file shut, the weight of what I had discovered pressing down on me. The situation had escalated beyond mere political maneuvering. Garrick Rutherford wasn't just a rival; he was a threat to the very fabric of the kingdom, willing to plunge into the darkest depths of magic to achieve his ambitions.

But looks like this is not the end as I saw another file tucked away behind the other documents, barely noticeable but distinct in its own way. It was smaller, thinner, and lacked the ominous weight of the previous files, yet something about it felt equally significant. I hesitated for a moment, then pulled it out, opening it with cautious curiosity.

This file was different. It wasn't filled with experiments or dark rituals but instead detailed a series of communications between Garrick Rutherford and various shadowy figures throughout the kingdom. As I read through the correspondence, a clearer picture of his network began to form—one that extended far beyond the prison walls.

The letters were coded, but I managed to decipher them, revealing Garrick's involvement in a vast conspiracy. He was in contact with corrupt nobles, rogue mages, and even foreign agents, all of whom were part of a grander scheme to destabilize the kingdom from within. They spoke of planned uprisings, sabotage of key infrastructure, and the gradual erosion of the royal family's power.

One letter, in particular, caught my attention. It was from a figure known only as "The Shadow Regent," a title that sent a shiver down my spine. The Shadow Regent was evidently a key player in this conspiracy, providing Garrick with resources, information, and even manpower to carry out his plans.

The letter mentioned an upcoming "event" that would serve as the catalyst for their rebellion—a public execution intended to spark outrage and incite chaos.

The name of the intended victim was not mentioned, But the title was clearly discussed here. the realization hit me like a cold, hard slap. My mother, Elysia Ashwood, the strongest mage of the Blackthorn Kingdom, was the intended target of this public execution.

The thought of her being paraded before the kingdom, condemned by these traitors, filled me with a seething anger that threatened to consume me. They dared to plot against her—against my family—thinking they could use her death to incite rebellion and tear the kingdom apart.

I clenched the letter tightly, the paper crumpling under the pressure of my grip. This conspiracy was more intricate and dangerous than I had imagined. Garrick Rutherford wasn't just aiming to increase his power; he was planning to dismantle the kingdom itself, piece by piece, starting with the heart of my family.

But they had made a grave mistake. They underestimated the Ashwoods—underestimated me. I would not let their plans come to fruition. The Shadow Regent, Garrick, all of them—they would pay dearly for even thinking of harming my mother.

My mind raced as I considered my options. I needed to act swiftly, to ensure my mother's safety and thwart this conspiracy before it could gain any more momentum. There was no time to lose; every moment I spent here was a moment closer to their plan's execution.

I carefully placed the files back in order, ensuring that nothing appeared disturbed. If Garrick realized someone was onto him, he might accelerate his plans or go into hiding, making it harder to stop him. I would need to be both subtle and decisive in my next moves.

As I prepared to leave the warden's office, I knew that the information I had uncovered was only the beginning. There were more layers to this plot—more players involved. But I had an advantage now. I knew what they were planning, and I had the means to disrupt it.

"Before leaving, Let's see those sealed floors myself," I murmured under my breath. The knowledge I had gained so far was invaluable, but it wasn't enough. I needed to see the truth with my own eyes—to confirm whether Xandros Blackthorn was truly alive and, if so, what state he was in. If he had survived Garrick's twisted experiment, he might hold the key to unraveling this entire conspiracy.

I strode out of the warden's office, my expression set in determination. The warden, now fully aware of the gravity of the situation, hurried to catch up with me. "Lord Ashwood, is there anything else you require before you depart?"

"I need access to the sealed floors," I replied firmly. "I want to see firsthand what's being hidden there."

"My lord, Even I don't know where it is? Lord Garrick sends every guard out of the prison whenever he enters those restricted areas. He oversees everything personally. But, I've heard rumors about hidden passages within the prison—ones that only he and a select few know about."

The warden's words confirmed my suspicions. Garrick had gone to great lengths to ensure his secrets remained buried. But if Xandros Blackthorn was truly down there, then those secrets would not stay hidden for long.

"Take me to the most secure area of the prison," I instructed. "I'll find the passage myself."

The warden hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes, but he nodded, leading me through the winding corridors of Rutherford Prison. As we descended deeper, the air grew colder, the oppressive atmosphere weighing heavily on us. The walls were lined with ancient runes, glowing faintly, a sign of the powerful magic used to reinforce the prison's defenses.

Finally, we reached a massive iron door, reinforced with layers of enchantments and locks. The warden stopped in front of it, glancing nervously at me. "This is the deepest level we're allowed to access, my lord. Beyond this point, even I have no authority."

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[To Be Continued]

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The Vol.1 is going to end soon enough...

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